Marcea's World: Day 9, A Gorgeous Morning Walk in Montevideo

Mercado entrance

Our day starts out with an amazing breakfast here at the Don Boutique. Last night at dinner we enjoyed our waiter Daniel...and he works at this hotel in the morning too! He took our order for omelets, offered fresh fruit and bread platter, fresh orange juice, and caffe latte.

That was sufficient to get Jim ready for a short nap, and I took a long walk before it would be too hot.

My walk starts from our hotel, whose front door is immediately across from the Piedras Street entrance to the famous Mercado del Puerto. I can smell the barbeques being fired up in there, but so far it is closed.

In fact, as I turn up the old Ciudad Vieja (old town) streets, things are just beginning to wake up. My route is Perez Castellano, untl Sarandi street.

Look at all the 3-4 story old buildings, brimming with character!

Corner produce market splashes color out into the cobblestone street.

I am actually starting my walk along a pedestrian street, there are several in the old town area. Some of the buildings retain their ornate iron or wood carved doors and balconies.

The lived-in ambience in the neighborhood is charming, sweet shops, newspaper stands, meat markets. People are talking in friendly manner with each other, as a tourist I feel safe and accepted as part of the way of life here which includes tourism. This is the place
where cruise ships let out their passengers for a day of Montevideo.

Turning onto Peatronal Sarandi, I'm walking toward Plaza Independencia, where the old and new cities meet. As I look left or right, I can see the river or harbor water. It offers a
little breeze.

There is a bit of graffiti on the walls, but some of them are truly works of art. And perhaps they were intended that way.

No trees along my path until I reach Plaza Zabala. Shade...feels good!

Still on the pedestrian street, which has been quiet, there is a big crowd ahead. And commotion...rice throwing and cheers! A couple has apparently just been married in a civil ceremony, having an official bride and groom kiss. Best wishes!

Reaching Catedral Metropolitana, the coolness of Plaza Constitucion (Constitution Square) is enjoyable, trees, antique and craft tables being set up. An ornate fountain graces the center.

Another couple blocks, and I reach the Puerta de la Ciudadela, a section of gated wall that is preserved from the original citadel of Montevideo. Visible only from one side, the other is a reinforcing wall, and the Plaza Independencia square.

In Plaza Independencia is one of the most beautiful buildings I think I've ever
seen...Palacio Salvo. No idea what its history includes, looks like a hotel now. But the ornate windows and wild outcroppings of the tower, it takes several minutes to appreciate the exterior.

This square has other places of interest. In general, the mix of old and new is quite fascinating. It is here that the character of the downtown Montevideo changes from old to new.

On another side of the square is Government House for official business.

Continuing my walk along Avenida 10 de Julio, the streets are a little wider and lined with trees. So many of them invite to relish the canopy out of the sunshine, which is starting to get a bit hot this later morning in summer.

I reach the endpoint of my walk on San Jose street, near Paragray street, which was a store called Manos Del Uruguay. They are "famous" to me because of their yarn that is marketed in America. Manos was started in the 1980's as a cooperative among Uruguayan women in the countryside, to make products that can be exported and raise their standard of living. The yarn, largely wool, sometimes with a little silk added, is hand-dyed and signed by the lady
who worked with it. And so...here I am, standing outside a Manos Del Uruguay store, hoping to buy yarn HERE! Lovely store, full of handcrafted items...but they tell me it is the wrong time of year to have much selection of yarn. So no purchase for me, I am devastated!

Manos Del Uruguay, loft screen of yarn!

Headed back toward the port and hotel, taking a different route. This is lovely, no plan, just wandering, and I find a street farmers market. Saw some pretty green things that look like small pumpkins...they are a kind of squash. Huge red peppers. Cheeses. Tomatos arranged in pretty rows of green and red.