The Palacio Salvo is Montevideos most impressive building and for many years it was the tallest building in South America. Built as a hotel for the rich, its high-ceiling ball rooms and wintergardens were replaced by offices so a lot of the splendor is not gone. Still an impressive building.

Here are some impressions from Montevideo. Beautiful places but also a lot of trash and poverty.

On 24 November, we went to a local Soccer game, Defensor Sporting vs Wanderers, two local Montevideo teams. Uruguayans are futbol crazy and there is a lot of tension, shouting, and even violence in the first league games. And since Defensor Sporting is the second on the ladder, behind local powerhouse Penarol, there was some tension expected. But since the Wanderers were second last on the ladder, it all turned out quite harmless. Great game, good skills on bot...

We started the school on Monday 20 Nov, luckily our classes are from 11.30 until 1.30pm, so we don't have to get up too early. A bit of a journey across town from our host Cristina in Malvin to the Academia Uruguay in the old city, 40 min by bus. Initially the boys are together and Ingrid and Stefan are in a class together, but soon Nik moved into the advanced class, and as Lukas didn't want a 1 on 1 class, Stefan joined him. Two hours per day gets you a long wa...

Finally, at 6pm we arrived in Montevideo. Very modern airport. Took a taxi to the address of our host, Cristina, who was already waiting. In a house of 4 bedroom, we have received 3. A little worn, but nice and comfortable. The house is in the suburb of Malvin, which is not posh, but solid middle class. From here we have to drive 40 min into the centre of town where the language school is located. Of course the first night was interrupted by jet lag, dogs barki...