One Friday afternoon some weeks ago I decided that it was time to see the ocean. So I started my big trip. I bought my ticket to Montevideo, prepared a bagpack with some clothes and before the journey bought some bizcochos to have lunch on the bus. The sun was shining, the countryside was running and in two and half hour I was in Montevideo. And there was a girl waiting for me with whom I could speak Czech - Lucka. I was very very lucky because I found out that there are four girls in Montevideo doing their EVS from Slovakia. So we got together that Friday and shared our Uruguayan-EVS experiences :) And as we talked and talked with Lucka, we came to rambla and saw the sunset.
 |
| The sunset in Montevideo |
  |
| Brekfast on the balcony with Silvana and fruit seller in the street |
On Saturday morning we woke up early (9am), had a delicious brekafast with Silvana (Emma's cousin's daughter :) on the balcony, because it was such a warm autumn day (25C) and started our trip to the ocean. Well, I had lot of doubts about this ocean. Actually, first I thought that there was the ocean already in Montevideo. At least you can smell salt in the air. However, it took some more time to see the ocean.
 |
| The autumn day in Montevideo |
We followed the coastline and first visited this house which is called 'eagle'. One millionaire from Buenos Aires decided one day order an Uruguayan constructor to build a niche to place in it an image of the Blessed Virgin. However, afterwards he changed his mind and wanted something bigger where he could paint, host friend, relax ... and the result is the eagle house.
 |
| The eagle house |
And then we continued and continued. You know the little donkey from the Shrek, don't you? And there is this one scene when he asks all the time, 'are we already there?'. Well, something similar happened to me. I asked every 10 kms, so is this the ocean? And now, is it the ocean? And now?... Well I had to wait.
 |
| What do you think - the ocean or river? Still the river. |
 |
| The river |
 |
| One of the highest peak in Uruguay close to Piriápolis |
 |
| Piriápolis and Río de la Plata |
However, finally we reached it. The ocean starts at one city which is called Punta del Este, it is the biggest holiday resort in Uruguay and I would say one of the biggest I have ever seen. And now the ocean is coming...
Here is a series of my first encounter with the ocean from the oriental side.
 |
| It was freezing cold.... |
 |
| ...it was salty and with many waves, |
 |
| so I was surprised with the speed of the wave and got quite wet. |
If you can see my mimics or you can at least guess, the water was very very cold, but I was very very happy :) And then we saw some more things on our way. For example, I saw for the first time in my life a seal from 2 metres. We were passing a port and he was sitting there sunbathing.
 |
| The seal, and look at the boat in the middle, can you see the black thing? |
 |
| Well, it was the second seal :) |
When I was freezing, salty, wet and happy that we found the ocean, we returned to Montevideo. And on Sunday morning we went to walk in the city.
There is a Sunday market in Montevideo where you can find everything - furniture, clothes, food, spices, fruits, mate, ... I like this part with old books and magazines. Moreover, there is music in the background and as you walk sooner or later you will find some musicians playing trango.
 |
| Sunday market |
 |
| Sunday market with books and magazines |
 |
| Live music - tango |
And there are some photos of the old city. On Sunday except the market, the city centre is abandoned. In Montevideo lives 1,5 million of inhabitants which means one half of all population. Well, I will tell you more about Montevideo next time, because I feel I have to learn and discover more.
 |
| The old gateway |
 |
| This building is in the city centre, it reminds me the old times |
