Treasured days

Uruguay is a small country with a population of about 3.5 million. The capital, Montevideo, is home to 1.5 million people. The city is quiet and safe. Many people are friendly. Although not flashy by any means, the people all seem to live down-to-earth lives.

Beef and dairy products raised in the vast pastureland are very tasty, and their foreign exchange earnings are covered by the export of these agricultural and livestock products. On the other hand, imports are subject to high tariffs and foreign products are expensive. It is difficult to obtain things that are easily available in Japan.

Initially, I struggled to adapt to the inconveniences of not having certain things readily available. However, after living there for a week or two, I found that I was no longer bothered by such inconveniences. Maybe what I was trying to get was not necessary in the first place. It was during this period that I pondered the concept of true wealth. As former President Mujica said, we seek not material wealth but spiritual wealth by knowing what is enough. My days in Montevideo were a time to realize what is essentially important in life. It was a quiet but powerful city.