Uruguay

Montevideo reminded me a bit of Buenos Aires, with its grand historic architecture, European feel, and relaxed pace of life. After spending time wandering the city’s waterfront and café-lined streets, I continued east to Punta del Este. With its beautiful beaches, modern skyline, and laid-back atmosphere, it was easy to understand why it’s one of South America’s most popular seaside destinations.

Oddly enough, though, the moment I remember most from Uruguay happened at the airport. While waiting in line to check in for my flight, I met an Uruguayan student my age named Santi, who was returning to the United States after winter break for the start of the new semester. During our conversation, he shared that he had recently lost his mother unexpectedly and spoke openly about the grief of learning to navigate life without her at such a young age. As a deeply sensitive person who had experienced plenty of emotional ups and downs of my own, I admired how willing he was to be so open with someone he had only just met. There’s something powerful about how quickly vulnerability can create a genuine connection between two people.