Fantastic Cultural Activities in Salto: Uruguay River, Salto Grande,Gruta Padre Pio,Dayman Hot Springs

It was Saturday, the third day in Salto. Our host teachers had prepared fantastic cultural activities for both Saturday and Sunday, and we couldn’t wait to experience them all. However, I must say that while every day was a cultural experience for us here Salto due its remoteness and rural characteristics, on these specific days, we just immersed ourselves with cultural experiences without visiting any schools.

Our host teachers, Pablo Santurio, Ines de Lisa, and Virginia Reinoso, arrived at the hotel to pick us up in their cars. Ines and Virginia brought by their husbands along with them, which I thought created another layer of group dynamic. I will talk more about them later, as they were truly remarkable.

Our first stop was the parks near the Uruguay river that separates Salto from Concordia, Argentina. The river was magnificent, although surprisingly, I didn’t see any fishermen, likely due to it being winter or not the fishing season. Who knows the reason, but it was gorgeous view to see the river in its all magnificence.

From the park, we went to “Salto Grande,” a hydroelectric power plant located just north of Salto. This plant was jointly constructed by Uruguay and Argentina in 1974 on the Uruguay River. We took a bus tour of the dam, which also serves as an international bridge connecting Argentina and Uruguay. The dam features fourteen hydro-generating units with turbines, and it was fascinating to see these impressive structures up close. Even though Salto days are much cooler than Montevideo around 40 degrees in mid-June, being up on the Dam made it much cooler. My extra layer of clothes and hat wasn’t enough.

One of the interesting aspects of the dam is the presence of fish ladders, which allow fish to move upstream by providing mechanisms that link rivers to the reservoir. This was the first time I heard about this concept. Birds were also benefiting from this as they were waiting to catch fish around these ladders.

As a binational dam, Salto Grande’s energy production is divided equally between Argentina and Uruguay. Despite the population difference between the two countries, Salto Grande supplies approximately 7 percent of Argentina’s energy consumption and covers 53 percent of Uruguay’s energy demand. Recently, Brazil has also joined the team and purchased some of the energy produced by Salto Grande.

After the tour, our host teachers took us to parks near the dam, where we encountered various animals and plants. The natural surroundings around the reservoir lake were incredible, and it reminded me of mangroves in Costa Rica where mangrove roots stick out of the ground to expel excessive salt. I think in this case here near the Dam, the problem was not salt but rather they probably need more oxygen.

We also saw different types of pine trees with leafy needles, as well as trees with dark gray leaves that appeared vibrant from a distance. When I asked about this glossy tree, Ines’ husband stopped the car and ran towards it without telling me what it was. Climbing up the tree, he plucked a small branch, ran back to the car and asked me to smell it. It smelled like Vicks. I was correct! Ines explained that people use the leaves of this tree to alleviate sinus congestion and similar symptoms. I couldn’t myself but inhaling the aroma from the leaves for the rest of the day.

Next, we visited a religious site called Gruta Padre Pio, located in La Aurora. Situated atop a hill, this place offers a breathtaking view of the expansive plains of Uruguay. The site is characterized by volcanic rocks, which contribute to its unique landscape.

Before entering the site, Ines’ husband mentioned that for some local people the place was believed to have had extraterrestrial encounters and numerous UFO sightings in the past. Initially, I thought they might have been referring to sightings of Southern Auroras (given the word “Aurora” in the name), but I later learned that such phenomena are not observed here; it’s simply the name of the place.

As we explored the area and visited the statue of Padre Pio, we learned that people believe in the healing power of this place, often seeking healing when they come to visit. In fact, I saw a paralyzed young woman sitting around the statute and praying. I wanted to know more about the place and as I searched on the web, the soil is rich in quartz and crystals, creating a high energy environment. While I cannot vouch for the veracity of these stories, I can attest that this place left me with a sense of invigorating energy that would linger for many days and weeks. I even picked up several small volcanic stones as a gift for my son, who loves collecting rocks anywhere we go.

Our final destination for the day was Dayman Hot Springs, a beautiful neighborhood with several shops and a prominent Salto sign nearby. Although we didn’t enter the hot spring area as initially planned, our host teachers told us that we were going to another hot spring tomorrow, which was said to be a better option. Instead, we walked around and enjoyed the area.

I’d like to mention one interesting observation. Throughout our time in Uruguay, I noticed souvenir shops selling “evil eye” beads, which surprised me. The concept of “evil eye” beads originates from the Middle East and is associated with a protective superstition. Despite asking several times about its connection to Uruguayan culture, no one seemed to know. My theory is that the presence of a significant Armenian diaspora in Uruguay might have brought this tradition with them, resulting in these beads becoming widespread. It was literally everywhere.

Since it had been a long and tiring day, our host teachers kindly asked if we wanted to refuel at a coffee shop. Without hesitation, we all agreed to have a coffee. They took us to a place that appeared like a house from the outside, with a modest appearance. However, the moment we stepped inside, we entered a whole new world. The place was exquisitely decorated with antiques, plants, coffee tables, chairs, sofas, and numerous other intriguing items that defied description. As we explored more in the backyard of the shop, we encountered even more surprises, including games, a small natural pool, a hammock, and antique furniture.

We sat at a large table and ordered our drinks and sweets. I chose cappuccino, one of my favorite beverages so far in Uruguay, and of course a famous dessert called Alfajor. Originating from the Andalusia region of Spain during the colonial period, Alfajor has become a symbol of dessert in Uruguay. The one I ordered was made with cacao and chocolate. According to my web research, the name “alfajor” is derived from the Andalusian Arabic term “al-hasú,” meaning “the filling.” The dessert itself is filled with Dulce de Leche, another iconic symbol of Uruguay made from caramelized milk and sugar. It was really good along with a nice hot coffee after the long day.

To be honest, despite the caffeine boost from the late coffee, I was so exhausted that upon returning to the hotel, I immediately went to bed. I wanted to make sure I got a good night’s sleep to be fully prepared for the next day’s adventures!