We were almost an hour late getting into the port here, but once in, it was worthwhile. We took a tour that was an "Overview of Montevideo"...an excellent guide, comfortable bus (complete with clean restroom), and nice weather made for a good 4-hour tour. The city is a lovely mix of old, beautiful buildings and modern (Dubai's famous hotel was designed by an architect from here who built a similar building here.) Our guide gave us an interesting overview of their political system too...the "working people" are beginning to be upset about the whole system that is now supporting people who won't go to school, won't work, yet want (and get) money for their Ipods, LCD TVs, etc. She's hoping their president will be voted out in 3 years. He's had enough time to change things and all they've seen are more and more taxes...and high inflation. She pays $400/month for health insurance and $800 for private school which is necessary for her daughter since the schools have deteriorated. Interesting. We did note a lot of security fences (high, electrified) and private security guards even in modest neighborhoods. If here again, I would like to go out into the countryside...this seems like a lovely country that is being bullied by Argentina and Brazil...who knows what will happen to them.
If you stop here...take a city tour (we were here on a Sunday, so most things were closed) to see this lovely city...photos perhaps tomorrow...we'll see...right now I'm getting ready to pack and get off at 7:30 tomorrow morning...then...Iguazu Falls...a dream of mine. (Google it, if you don't know what I'm talking about!)
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