Punta del Este, Uruguay, the Hamptons of South America

Casapueblo, Punta del Este, Uruguay

On the afternoon of the night before the tropical cyclone, Maureen and I ventured forth just down the road by cab to Casapueblo. Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró built this sprawling edifice in an attempt to replicate bird dwellings on a cliff. Hornero birds to be precise. Aviary abodes only for humans. All in white, it spreads out along and down the cliffs.

Now that I think about it, it occurs to me that, from a distance, this architectural wonder could pass for aviary droppings. But, only from a distance. Inside it was full of stairs, steps, corridors, rooms, balconies covered and uncovered, tiled and untiled, and a whole “wing” dedicated to housing guests of the hotel. This is not only a restaurant and showcase for the artist’s work, but it is also a retreat for those wishing to spend a few days cooped up with their favorite chick. I am so witty.

casapueblo punta del este uruguay — **Casapueblo**

Siamese Cats

This place had cats, too. I sensed shades of Hemingway in Key West so I checked the toes. Only five. There is something at odds about a resort inspired by persons of aviary persuasion being inhabited by persons of the feline persuasion. I’d have to give this some thought. There was Pashasita who bore evidence of recent surgery, Junior the Siamese was on the prowl, and Lady the long-haired Siamese was very graceful and casual about the whole thing.

Uruguayan Soccer Team Ill-Fated Flight

One wall of the main lobby was dedicated to the artist’s son and his very unfortunate experience on the ill-fated flight over the Andes in 1972. Quite a struggle for survival that was. There were photos and newspaper articles about the crash and its survivors. His son was part of the Uruguayan soccer team. He survived. His father thought that he had died. There have been books and movies made about this intensely moving tragedy that some of them miraculously managed to literally walk out of.

plane crash Andes Uruguayan soccer team — **At the top you see a figure walking across the Andes. A few of them finally decided that it was the only way out. This is one of the most moving survival stories I’ve ever heard.**

Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró

We also watched a film about Sr. Vilaro’s life. He lived until he was 90, and traveled everywhere. One time his ship was wrecked so he bought another ship and kept going. He got malaria and was kidnapped by a Sultan in the Maldives and tortured. That’s what I call traveling.