Montevideo

I'd love to say that I decided to visit Montevideo in Uruguay to see a more chilled out version of Buenos Aires with more welcoming people.... Buy in truth I went just because I found out that the oldest derby in South America between Penarol and Nacional as taking place that weekend.

The Penarol National derby is notoriously crazy (check out this link: http://www.thefootballramble.com/dwhof/entrant/penarol-v-nacional)
But more of that later...

First up being a cheapskate I took a ferry and bus combination from BA that took 5 hours rather than the 2 hour direct route. I was pleasantly surprised, at first, to discover the bus part of the journey (after the 3 hour ferry across the River Plate) had wifi so I could listen to Spurs V Blackpool. Effing load of Sh*te etc etc...

Anyway I arrived in Montevideo and took pleasant stroll to my hotel. On arriving I found out that getting a ticket to the match would involve a trip to the national stadium which is... Next to the bloody bus station!

Touted ticket purchased (£25, 10 times face value) I spent a day exploring the city.

I really enjoyed the place. Nice simple colonial architecture but with pleasant tree lined streets and squares. The night life was limited but good fun, an added bonus.

So match day... I headed to the stadium wondering if my touted generic ticket would work. It did, I was in the Nacional end (70000 people attendance) and had a great time. The match finished 1 - 0 to my new South American team Nacional. Good times all round.

I passed the next day wandering the streets of Montevideo in the pleasant sun. A really nice diversion on my trip !