Ombú

The Ombú (Phytolacca dioica) is a native "tree" from Uruguay, Argentina and the area called "Pampa".
From the botanical point of view, the Ombú is an herb because of the characteristics of its wood: it can not be used for carpentry, to make furniture, or any kind of manufacturing.
On the other hand: it does not die after flowering as the usual herbs, and it grows for many years to become a big tree, year after year making a full cicle of reproduction serveral times. It can reach very big dimensions and live for centuries.
Even is larger than the famous Baobab that tried to take that little planet of our Little Prince.

Here is a picture taken a few weeks ago, of two Ombu in their natural place:


To really see some great ombues its a good idea to visit the "Monte de Ombúes" in Rocha, Uruguay. It is a protected forest, and is the bigger in the world of this specie.

Italy in December...

In December I travelled to Italy for studying. I spent a week in a Convention Center that is in an old castle, constructed in the tenth century. The place was in the hilltop of a little town called Bertinoro.

It was a really amazing place... the castle was inhabited by the Counts of Bertinoro and they constructed the Fortress. It was a brilliant time for the castle and the court... even it was as splendorous as so that Dante put some of their members in the Purgatory. Its said that Dante stayed in this castle, maybe he walked by the same balcony than me!!

Just two wonderful views:
My beloved Uruguay river. Coming back from Italy, I had to arrive to Buenos Aires first, and after take a fligth to Montevideo. This picture was taken before arriving Buenos Aires, just over the opening of the river. At the right it is Colonia, Uruguay and at the left Argentina.



The Aconcagua mountain in the Andes (its located in Argentina, but very close to the border with Chile). This photo was taken during spring.

Airports...

Trips... during my first 25 years of life, I only travelled twice outside Uruguay: to Córdoba (Río Cuarto) a week in february 2002, and crossing the Chuy borderline in january. Of course that both little trips were by bus.

Suddenly, I had the possibility to travel to Mexico, that later was changed by a trip to Ecuador... and just before leaving for Ecuador, I got the chance to travel to Italy for studying (and visit Canary Islands for pleasure in the same trip). When I was in Ecuador, my trip overseas was confirmed :-D



October 2006: Montevideo (MVD), Santiago de Chile (SGO), Guayaquil (GYE), Santiago de Chile (SGO), Montevideo(MVD)

December 2006 - January 2007: Montevideo (MVD), Buenos Aires (BUE), Roma (FCO), Bologna(BLQ), Milano (MXP), Madrid (MAD), Fuerteventura (FUE), Madrid (MAD), Roma (FCO), Buenos Aires-Ezeiza (BUE), Buenos Aires-Aeroparque (AEP), Carrasco (MVD).

In a three months period I had 14 fligths: over the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and even Africa. I crossed over the Andes and the Apenines.

Mainly, I had been over the clouds and it was incredible. I took a lot of pictures (less that I wanted).

At the end, I enjoy the trip twice, once when I visited wonderful places, and the second and more important, when I share my experience with my family. Coming back to my city, my country and met with my familiy was really great. At my return I loved to take pictures of the clouds, but from below... from my home.

Uruguay: My Country

This map shows Uruguay and his almost flat surface. As you can see, my country is in some way heart-shaped :-D



I live in Montevideo, and the first place that i travelled to was Tacuarembó. My parents were born there, and we have a lot of relatives still living there. In my childhood we travelled a lot of times there, and in every trip I met new relatives.

Starting...

Recently I have been travelling a lot, but thinking a little, i had travelled in my country a lot too.
Two months ago I travelled overseas to Italy and Spain, and it was really wonderful. So, this will be my space to share some short stories from my trips.