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Polaroid of the Week: The Surprising Charm of Montevideo, Uruguay

Polaroid of the Week: The Surprising Charm of Montevideo, UruguayWhen we arrived at Montevideo's sleek, modern airport two days ago, it felt worlds away from the rugged Patagonian landscapes we left behind that morning. Standing outside the bright, spacious new terminal with cars speeding by on the nearby highway, it almost felt like being back in North America or Europe. We anticipated a bustling capital like Santiago, complete with gleaming office towers and shopping malls.

Imagine our surprise, then, when the bus entered the city outskirts and we spotted dirt roads and horse-drawn carriages from the windows. This was not the Montevideo we had envisioned! Even after cycling 16 miles past rows of modern apartment buildings along the city's iconic Rambla coastline today, the unexpected vibe lingers. Horses are a common sight even in the city center—not for tourist rides, but used by the working class to haul garbage or heavy loads. It's hard to believe we're in a capital of 1.3 million people. Next up: a bohemian beach village, and we can't wait to explore more of Uruguay!


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