The Portuguese began to fade in the streets of the Old City. Until a few days ago, they were the only – albeit few – voices that were heard. This January 6, the Old City spoke English. About 50 tourists from the United States and Canada got off the Viking Cruising cruise ship to give a breath of air to the shops of the Sarandí pedestrian street, but nothing seems to be enough to save a bad season.
Montevideo tourism is nourished, during the year, by business tourism. During the summer, the cruise ship. But in both 2021 and 2022, cruise companies MSC and Costa Cruises suspended their calls in Uruguay due to the covid-19 pandemic. Last September they expected that only 30% of services would be restored.
Because, Montevideo’s last tourist week saw only a few Brazilians leaving business astonished by the prices, said different merchants to The Observer. They came to the country in a private way and spent on meals and some walks, but no longer in other types of shops, such as souvenirs or street vendors. “There was practically nothing. A few Brazilians came and did not spend. Argentines, not one came“said Gustavo, who sells mates and other handicrafts in the Plaza Matriz.” The Argentine who came to Uruguay is a millionaire and the millionaire is in Punta del Este, “added Marcelo, owner of a clothing store in Sarandí and Misiones.
Paula Ojeda
The season without cruises hits Montevideo
Although many merchants from other sectors pointed out that the gastronomic was the most benefited by the few tourists who came, the waiters of the Mercado del Puerto deny it in a categorical way. “We worked well, that we could not cope, when it was the Copa Libertadores. Later, never again,” said one of them while interrupting the conversation in search of a walker to offer him the menu of his restaurant. The panorama illustrates what they say: practically empty premises, with a scattered tourist or a Uruguayan who works in the area and comes to look for something on the way. On the tourist tables the formula is unavoidable: goat with bread and beer.
Paula Ojeda
The season without cruises hits Montevideo
The moods among the merchants are dissimilar. Some are grateful for the low demand that there is and others regret the pandemic that two years ago robbed them of normality. But they are similar in one thing: hope is not abundant. Marcos sells books in Pérez Castellanos and told The Observer: “It is very sad. We don’t sell, we don’t sell because there isn’t. But look around you“He said while pointing to the bars on the block.” This must be full at this time, the street full and there is no one, “he lamented in front of the three places that had more than half of the tables free. The three hotels consulted by The Observer they had idle capacity to receive guests and recognized that this is a “bad season.”
Paula Ojeda
Uruguayan books sold in Pérez Castellanos
The number of COVID-19 cases registered in recent days does not drive fate either. “Montevideo in summer was always a destination visited by older people, who are the ones who take care of themselves the most. The number of cases does not encourage anything either,” warned the bookseller and was concerned about a possible new border closure.
15 cruise ships are scheduled to arrive from January 9 until the end of the month. In the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons, the Port of Montevideo received 86 and 89 cruise ships respectively.
“Grateful” with Uruguay: Americans at the Torres García Museum
Crossing the Plaza Independencia towards the Old City there were two COT buses. A couple of meters later, its almost 50 passengers who got off the first cruise that arrived this year. They entered the Joaquín Torres García Museum and looked carefully at the pieces exhibited at the entrance. Santiago, their guide, had the entire route agreed and as a teacher he explained the context in which each work was created, in clear English.
When the guide pointed out the presence of The ObserverLillian, a native of Louisiana, United States, approached and exclaimed without much context: “I really want to thank you“. The question is obvious: why. Because in your country they let us in. They opened the doors for us and it is very nice. In Chile and Argentina they rejected us. So I thank you,” he completed.
Later, to the rhythm of the tango Al Compás del Corazón in Carlos Di Sarli’s version, they had goats for lunch at the iconic Bar Facal. They were welcomed with a Tango show and, for dessert, homemade dulce de leche.
