What’s going on here? I’m ranking my experiences in the 20 countries I’ve been to so far. Nostalgia is going to drive these explanations a bit further than #20 – 11. From there on, each country gets its own mini expose starting with #10 – France, #9 – Brazil, #8 Czechia and now it’s…

#7 – Uruguay

Visited: Montevideo, Colonia

If Bolivia falls apart and I want to stay in South America, look for me in Uruguay.

Montevideo seems to run at the same speed that my thoughts do. In some ways, it would suit me even more than Santa Cruz Bolivia does. Mid-size, well-planned, culturally bolstered cities have a way with me. Good climate, progressive politics, live and let live mentality. It’s got a coast, it’s got 2 world cups. It nestles nicely as one of those countries you don’t forget because you’ve heard of it (probably because of those world cups), but it’s not really a country that springs to the front of your mind either. That’s a good thing. Too much attention can ruin something pretty at times. This way, it’s left to just run in what looks like a pretty sensible but not overly bureaucratic manner, and that seems to suit it perfectly.

Now that’s a huge generalisation coming from someone who only spent a week there but you have to say, it’s a hell of an impression to come away with. Admittedly, a better view would be supported by a few more conversations with locals. Really, this wasn’t a social trip like so many others have been. I was traveling solo and was in a relationship at the time so there are no tinder adventures here. (Sorry if that’s what you’re here for). I was just happy to breathe in Uruguay and, it’s that live and let live mentality again, Uruguay was perfectly happy for me to do that.

Uruguay is peace more than joy. Its walking tour wasn’t lively, just insightful and interesting. There’s no grand museum, but I think I bounced through 6 pocket-sized museums in montevideo in a day. In fact, the only time Uruguay attempted to force happiness on me- at a museum of happiness no less- it fell flat. The drag guide who took me around a house set up with some pretty half-assed set pieces and material really, really struggled. She definitely did not have a good show, but perhaps her task was made even more of an uphill struggle than she wanted just by going against this calm grain that Colonia was exuding. I left that museum feeling very strange, as if I’d failed at happiness really. That was supposed to be an easy win but still. However I took a walk around the cobbled streets covered with old cars with greenery planted in them and I got back into the groove again. Stop trying so hard to enjoy yourself, I thought. Just inhale it.

Uruguay is a plucky underdog of a country. I thought it was brilliant, and anyone else who has been shouldn’t be surprised to see it sneaking into my top 10.