It is safe to say that no one expected what Uruguay had to offer the Bryant students this morning when everyone received a bright and early 5:15 am wake up call. Everyone stumbled downstairs, some picking at bits and pieces of breakfast and then loading the bus to travel to the historic port town of Colonia. After arriving and going through customs, students took a bus tour of the city and later, a walking tour followed by some free time to explore and do as they wished.
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| "Colinia" sign-a popular tourist picture spot |
The bus tour of Colonia allowed students to get there bearings around the city while also learning a little history behind the port. Many found this to be interesting and informative. We first learned some basic facts about Uruguay; Uruguay is made up of 19 states and provinces and produce half of the total milk for the country and still export to other major countries like Mexico and Brazil. They are also a big exporter of wine because of the very fertile soil, so fertile that pieces of land can sell for $15,000 American dollars. A few big landmarks for the city were also pointed out to us. One was an old bull fighting arena. Most people vacationed in Colonia and would go from the boat to the arena to watch the fights. Only 8 bull fights were actually held here and it no longer has use for the town. In recent years there has been a petition to turn the arena into an open air theater but it would actually be cheaper for the town to rebuild a new venue.
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Picture of the old bull fighting arena
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Another staple of the town was the lighthouse that was built in 1683. The lighthouse was build on the ruins of a convent which was seen as sacred ground but was never moved and has remained there ever since. It was $1 to climb the lighthouse and during free time, a few students decided to do this activity. Lizzie Miles said that she enjoyed the view from the lighthouse because it provided a new perspective of the town rather than viewing things from ground level. Maddie Roy also contributed and said that Colonia still showed most European roots but also had a "modern flare". We learned that the houses were a mix of Portuguese and Spanish design, bother settlers of the area. The traditional Portuguese houses are made with thigh tiles that cover the roofs. Women and children traditionally made these tiles, putting clay over their thighs and then hardening them in the sun to form the tile. The Spanish design can be seen on the inside of the buildings by the exposed brick and lack of plaster. The Spanish also had flat roofs inside of the A shaped frame. The streets also used a Portuguese design by making the stone streets slanted toward the river so that run off could be collected there. MaryKate said that "Colonia was a nice, quiet change from the busy scene of Buenos Aires". No one was in a rush and the town displayed a very calm and slow summer feel. Although the trip to Uruguay was short, many enjoyed the day and found it to be very relaxing and wish we could have spent more time there. Tomorrow we leave the hotel at 11:30 to catch the plane to our next country, Chile!
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| typical street design in Colonia |
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| lighthouse built in 1683 |
Your pictures did not post. Anyway you can check them and add them again? Thanks
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