and marinas speckled with yachts and fishing boats, the live music and street artists, etc. It is worth pointing out that the beauty of this magical city does not dim out with the end of the summer, but, on the contrary, the mild Uruguayan winter provides further opportunities to explore the dazzling gems of the Uruguayan countryside.
The gaucho, the typical inhabitant of the Uruguayan countryside ever since the late seventeenth century, has enjoyed the legendary nomadic lifestyle, in rugged solitude, without a stable home or work. The origins of the gaucho can be linked back to the specific political, social and economic conditions of the Eastern Province: vast stretches of unpopulated land, with ample abundance of untamed livestock, which was used for cattle farming. The gaucho does not correspond to any single ethnic type, but is the product of miscegenation in the region of the Rio de la Plata. He lived from odd jobs and smuggling skins and cattle. For all his tasks, the gaucho relied on his horse. Horses were introduced by the Europeans at the end of the sixteenth century, and thence emerged the typical local breed in Uruguay, “the creole horse.” Those are relatively small horses with a slow trot, but with an impressive ability to maintain a steady trot over a long time, running on little food and against adverse weather conditions. The horse was the gaucho’s faithful partner in all the fieldwork, and in battles, also his recreation and transportation. The horse and the gaucho made up a functional unit. A gaucho without a horse was not worth his name. This historical tradition is nowadays reflected in the majority of Uruguayan ranches that specialize in horses. The visitors can interact with and mount the ranch horses in various serene spots across the Uruguayan countryside. Horseback riding has also been established as a pleasurable pastime and a mode of healing – equine therapy.
In a similar fashion, the mate has been known as a loyal companion to the gaucho as well as the modern Uruguayan. The mate is an infusion of Guarani origin, bitter in taste, prepared from the leaves of the yerba mate tree. It is considered an authentic national drink. The word itself, “mate,” derives from the Quechua word “mati” that signifies “pumpkin.” The conquistadors used this word to refer to what the Guarani people called “caiguá,” which means “what belongs to yerba,” or “from yerba.” Even though it can be savored in any context, the yerba mate is a beverage that should be shared in a circle, as an occasion for getting together and socializing. The yerba mate drinking customs feature lots of rituals that go beyond mere beverage consumption, but establish an interactive exchange between the one who prepares it and the one who takes it. As proof of the centrality of mate’s place in Uruguayan culture, a lively repertoire of slang idiomatic expressions has developed around the magical word/concept. Thus, if you wish to express forgiveness, invite the guilty party for a mate con café. When you mean marriage, brew some mate con miel. As sign of acceptance, take mate con cedrón. If you have to make it clear that somebody’s visit is undesirable, bring out mate con ombú. Mate hirviendo (piping-hot mate) is the unmistakable sign of hatred. And when you need to send someone away to drink at another place, serve some mate lavado (mate brewed from overused leaves).
Given that the majority of the Uruguayan population comes from European stock, primarily Spain and Italy, Uruguayan Spanish features considerable Italian influence. Cocoliche is still spoken as a creole mixture of Spanish and Italian, whereas in the northern regions close to the border with Brazil, a fusion dialect known as Portuñol is in wide use, blending Spanish and Portuguese. The spirit of Uruguayan culture, composed of contrasting and warring elements, and yet blended neatly into a harmonious whole, can be captured most effectively in the course of three distinctive national ceremonies. The merienda teatime with yerba mate, and the asado barbecues, combine the strong, pungent fl