Feb 19

Montevideo – It was a beautiful hot day for going ashore and seeing Uruguay from the streets of Montevideo, the only city in Uruguay with a population in excess of one million.  According to our ship's Daily Guide to Fun which is distributed daily to the passengers aboard, "Montevideo is the largest city, the capital and chief port of Uruguay.  According to Mercer Human Resources Consulting, Montevideo provides the highest quality of life in Latin America.  It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montevideo."   Ken did a walk through the streets of the city which he estimated as 8 miles and returned via cab.  My cold still kept me somewhat under the weather though it is much better and beyond jags of coughing and feeling a little "drained", I am fine.  I did feel like going down to dinner, the first time since Sunday. I do not feel I am any longer "hazardous" to the health of others, thus I am not so reluctant to "stick my head out of the cabin".   I gathered from listening to those who had been ashore and enjoyed the tours and the tourist "line" of communication, Montevideo specifically and Uruguay in general has a social service orientation and is predominately secular.  This led to a discussion between Ken and Bob as to how the government pays for what appears to be a generous government supported lifestyle?  As far as I could tell, the answer to this question must have been above their comprehension level inasmuch as neither put forth a clear theory let alone answer.   Notwithstanding my "nit picking" with Carnival and its lack of proficiency on this voyage, our trip thus far through South America has been interesting.  In my view, South America is truly a "sleeping giant" awaiting the entrepreneurship of truly motivated, enthusiastic and talented capitalists.  Unfortunately, its countries have been corrupt and without vision or direction for too long.  It is ripe for greatness but it takes great dedication and pride to do great things.  I believe South America has been short changed by its own failure to provide its citizens with opportunity. EOS (End of Speech).   To add a note of discussion aboard our ship, one couple in our group is in a stateroom on a floor where a young couple with three children (approximate ages of one, two and four) reside.  The children are very loud and distracting to the neighbors on the floor. The parents do not exercise any attempt to control the children and two of the children are constantly causing the youngest to cry by pulling its hair, pinching it and in general engaging in mistreatment.  Carnival is dealing with the complaints generated by the noisy screaming kids (which applies even in the dining rooms and other areas of the ship).  Security has been to the stateroom of the couple several times and attempts at getting the kids settled down have all failed thus far.  Yesterday, during a conversation between Security and the father of the children, the father was heard to say, "These old people are going to be dead soon.  We are the passengers of the future".  His point is well taken and there may be some truth in his comments and thus I am compelled to warn those of you who are on the younger side of 70.  If the likes of that family reflect the future of cruising,  GIVE IT UP AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR TRAVELl!!!!    Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be