Hand in the Sand: Punta del Este

Greetings from the Uruguayan Riviera! Punta del Este ("Point of the East") is a seaside resort located an hour and a half east of Montevideo, where the Rio de la Plata meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is a popular and famous locale regionally and draws many tourists from Argentina and Brazil. People come to Punta del Este (especially in the summer) for its many beaches, luxury accomodations, and plentiful activities. The fact that it is now winter and low season here does not take away from the picturesque nature and feeling of this community. It´s a little bit Miami, a little bit Las Vegas (our hotel here has a major Vegas style casino), and a little bit South Padre Island, all peppered with a Uruguayan coating.

Because of Punta del Este´s peninsular location, its beaches possess dual characteristics. On the Rio side is the Playa Mansa, or gentle beach. On the Atlantic side is the Playa Brava, or rougher beach where bigger waves can be found. Some of the great features of Punta del Este are found at or near the beaches. There is a cool lighthouse for example that was constructed back in 1860, and also the Mediterranean-style, Gaudi-esque structure of Casapueblo, which is home to the colorful and poetic Uruguayan artist Carlos Paez Valero.

And then there is the hand. This hand is quite special and quite large too! The sculpture was part of an art contest won by a Chilean designer in 1981 and it juts out from the sands of the Playa Brava. What is the exact story of this hand? Well, I´m not completely sure. You might just have to "talk to the hand" to find out.