From Europe to Latin America in one border crossing

Leaving Buenos Aires and crossing Rio de la Plata (“the big flat river”), one arrives in Uruguay. The Uruguayo — Americans would say Uruguayan but the locals here call themselves Uruguayos — capital of Montevideo is a safe and lovely city.

Everyday life in Montevideo

Montevideo might just be about the nicest and safest Latin American city I have been to so far. However, it is distinctly Latin American. (As opposed to Buenos Aires which, despite its location, I classify as more European than Latin American.) Near the waterfront are many very lovely old colonial buildings with rich architectural details. Dotted all over the place are incredibly beautiful city parks.

Away from the “historic district”, you’ll find much more ordinary buildings. There are broken sidewalks and graffiti. But very little trash. The people here care about their city and take pride in it. I have never felt the slightest bit unsafe walking the streets alone. People I encounter in my wanderings range from mildly friendly to neutral. Mostly, they don’t even pay much attention to me.

That’s actually a refreshing change. I’m not the “rich American” to be pestered until I buy some trinket. Nor am I the one to steal from if I turn my back for a moment. I’m just another guy walking down the street. When I greet people in Spanish, they mostly acknowledge and return my greeting then go on about their days.

Do they appreciate that I’ve taken the time and effort to learn their language? I don’t really know. The few people I’ve had semi-significant interactions with both appreciate it and also take it for granted as the way it should be. Not really all that much different from Americans who think everyone should speak English. Though perhaps a lot less self-righteously in-your-face about it.

The point is that here I can go out wandering and explore and I’m not categorized as somebody “special”. I’m not the face of American politics, or the symbol of American wealth or really anything at all. I’m just a person. One they may or may not want to get to know on an individual level.

And that’s very refreshing.