The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-05-26
THROUGH
HAZEL
EYES

M0ntevldeo, capltal city OF Uru-
quay, could be described as a
beautiful seaside city of sunshine,
beaches and roses. 1t has a pop
ulation of around 775,000 people
but looks smaller.
Though the language spoken is
Spanish the name of Montevideo
comes from the Portuguese,
Monte vide Gu" whoch trans
lated means Il see mountain"
Montevideo is topped by a
small hill to which every tourist
goes for a nice view of the city
and surrounding environs.
I was in Montevideo only one
day but luckily had such a good
hostess in Patsy Thompson Her.
bert, that / couldn't have missed
much. AS matter of fact Patsy
laughingly told me after days
sightseeing: We'll, Hazel, tell
them if it was in Monte you saw
it,
Patsy will be remembered in
Lexington as the vivacious and
lovely wife of Raford Watson
Herbert who holds an important
post as head of the political Sec
ton of the American Embassy at
Montevideo. Raford is slated for
transfer to Rio de Janeiro in the
near future.
Mr.. Briggs, the American am
bassador who heads our Embassy
in Montevideo, spoke very highly
of Raford and Patsy to me and
expressed himself as being very
sorry to see them transferred
though it means a promotion for
them.
The magnificent marble legis-
lative palace is another must"
on every tourists sightseeing list.
1t is said to be the most beauti-
full capitol building of any Latin
American country. Built at a cost
OF twelve million dollars it is con-
structed of thirty kinds of mar
BILE in sixty-two shades and all Of
these marbles came from quar-
ries in Uruguay. One of the out
standing impressions of South
America was the wonderful ma
tive marbles used in the build
ings.
Uruguay is a republic though
once part of the Spanish Vice
royalty of Rio de la Plata and
later province of Brazil. It pro-
claimed its independence in 1925
and the first constitution was
adopted on July 10. 1880. The
principal thoroughfare of Monte
video is named after the date this
constitution was adopted. It is
called Avenida Is de Julio.
The city is a maze of lovely
homes, parks, and gardens - and
during their spring month of
November there are said to be
over eight hundred varieties of |
roses blooming. The city is liter !
ally bathed in the fragrance Of |
roses.
Montevideo depends upon tour
asst traffic a great deal for its pros
perity. Most of this travel con-
sists of Argentines who come by
the thousands to enjoy the many
beaches Uruguay offers. Hun
dreds of them maintain summer /
homes at the swank resorts like
Punta del Este and Piriapolis.
There are many other beaches
nearer the city. The summer sea-
son in all these resorts starts with
considerable fanfare. | am told. !
on December 8 and lasts through |
March. Hotels are plentiful and |
good and so is the food.
Gambling is legal here tit has
been outlawed for the present in
BraziD and around rs, 300 Argen-
tines alone come annually when
the season is on.
Buenos Aires is only overnight
by steamer from Montevideo.
Buses run daily along a good
highway to Colonia where the
trip connects with boat to Argen-
tina's capital city in some eight
hours. Daily trains run also and
plane service (taking one hour)
is regular.
Next week I shall try to write
something on the country of Uru-
quay itself after this discussion
of its capital city, which is found
charming.