Living in El Prado

For the past 5 months, we've been living in the Montevideo neighborhood known as El Prado. It is a old, gracious section of the city with many homes that were built in the 1800's. In colonial times, the well-to-do often had a "country home" in this neighborhood, although with modern transportation we're only around 20 minutes to the colonial "downtown." Here are a some pictures, just to give you a bit of the flavor of El Prado.

The mission-owned apartment building.

We lived in the lower right for 2 1/2 months; now we live in the upper right.

Philip sitting in front of an amazing tree!

Our beautiful street, Avenida Agraciada (Agraciada means graceful or genteel), lined with sycamore trees.

The Botanical Gardens, 2 blocks from the apartment.

A monastery a couple of blocks away. We hear bells all through the day!

Newer, more modern condos and homes

Old Sidewalks - it's important to look down when walking!

The neighborhood public school. Uruguay has one of the highest literacy rates in South America, with schools in every neighborhood.

Older, traditional homes

Castillo Soneira, is within walking distance, right next to the Uruguayan version of the U.S. White House. It was recently up for sale - asking price 1.8 million U.S. dollars!

An abandoned, run-down home on our street

My favorite house, right across the street