Top 10 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Uruguay

Well, in no long winded way, here you go! Oh, and if you have something to add, let's hear it:

1. Beautiful beaches: Uruguay is home to many stunning beaches, including Punta del Este and La Paloma, where you can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.

2. Rich culture: Uruguay has a diverse and fascinating culture that reflects its European, African, and indigenous roots.

3. World-renowned wine: Uruguay is famous for its Tannat wine, which is considered some of the best in the world.

4. Delicious food: Uruguayan cuisine is a fusion of European and South American flavors, with dishes like chivito, asado, and empanadas.

5. Charming towns and cities: Uruguay's towns and cities are full of colonial architecture, vibrant culture, and friendly locals.

6. Music and dance: Uruguay is home to many different music and dance styles, including candombe, tango, and milonga.

7. Natural beauty: Uruguay is a small country with a diverse landscape, including beaches, forests, and wetlands.

8. Sports: Uruguay is a soccer-crazy nation, and you can catch a game at one of the many stadiums throughout the country.

9. Nightlife: Uruguay's cities come alive at night, with bars, clubs, and live music venues offering entertainment until the early hours of the morning.

10. Safety: Uruguay is one of the safest countries in South America, with a low crime rate and friendly, welcoming people.

More Mate

Yesterday was a cruel one (read: don't drink 5 bottles of medio y medio and think that the next day will be dandy). But there was one high point - an article of mine was published. Recognize anyone in the first picture?

Further Mate Lessons

Like I have stated before - I love the stuff. Whether it be for the taste (very unique and acquired) or for the tradition of sharing a session with others, it has been giving me enjoyable encounters off and on for the past four years. I even wrote about it ages ago. But today came thundering down a comment that made a lot of sense - too much sense actually.

My all-knowing and sincerely serene teacher, Juan (the Italian/Argentine), let me in on his thoughts after declaring that he doesn't like drinking mate with others.

"What, that is the best part!" I exclaimed.

'Sure it is, but I saw a documentary ages ago that showed the saliva left in the bombilla [metal straw] between drinkers. After that I could not share my mate with anyone outside of good friends and family. Especially with herpes worries and such.'

I think I shivered as I sat with my mate, soaking in this new information. Man I hope I don't have herpes.


I would never have, and never would, share my mate with this lady who Antonio is humoring - even before this mate lesson. I do have some mate standards thank you very much.

Uruguayan Mate

A few years ago I spent three months in Argentina. In less than two weeks here in Uruguay I have already learned more about the yerba leaves and mate tradition. They take drinking mate to a whole new level. Seeing someone walking the streets holding their mate cup, and carrying their thermals (holding hot water) under their arms is not strange - it is expected. They don't mess around.

I have fallen back into the mate way of being...I love the stuff. But not as much as I love what it signifies: friendship, mellow times spent together, and tradition, among other things yet to find out.