On January 5 this year, Uruguayan mechanic Gerhald Acosta was hitching a ride home from his work place near the coast.
“About 25 or thirty cars had passed me and noone stopped,” Acosta told Uruguayan paper, El Observador.
Acosta had been on the roadside for over an hour when a car with official licence plates followed by a regular car pulled up.
A man got out of the second car and asked where Acosta was going. Then he said that they could give him a ride and that he should get into the car in front – the one with the official plates.
“When I got in, I thought to myself – I know that woman,” said Acosta.
It was Lucía Topolansky, senator and First Lady, sitting in the back of the car with Manuela, infamous three-legged First Mutt.
President Pepe Mujica was in the front seat.
“When I got out, I thanked them a lot,” Acosta said. “After all, not many people will pick up someone on the road—much less a president.”
Two days later [Editor’s note: TWO days!!], Gerhald posted the news of his ride on Facebook. The president and his wife were “THE ONLY ONES TO STOP. WHAT STARS.”
This story is based on a newspaper article published in El Observador on January 16 2015.
Photo MercoPress
Related articles
Uruguay: Green leader worldwide
Uruguay has embraced renewable energy for economic reasons and ranks in the world’s top twenty green leaders, according to MIT.
Andes 1972 plane crash museum
The museum, in Montevideo, honours the survivors of the Andes plane crash. Yes, one of the greatest survival stories of the 20th century is Uruguayan.
Why Uruguayans celebrate Tourism Week – not Easter
40% of Roman Catholics live in Latin America but as usual Uruguay does its own thing. There’s complete separation of church and state for almost 100 years.
7 amazing facts about Uruguay national football team
More international footballing titles, two World Cups, the first soccer sex symbol and the best football anthem. Not bad for a nation of 3 million, eh?
Gay Montevideo
Montevideo – the capital of the friendliest country in South America. And it’s Uruguay’s version of ‘Pride’–known as the Diversity March–this Friday!
Former Uruguay president (& guerrilla) is the star of Netflix
José ‘Pepe’ Mujica was dubbed “the world’s poorest president” for his modest lifestyle and is the subject of a new film by Emir Kusturica.
Uruguay in the Rugby World Cup
World famous for soccer, turns out Uruguay has the #2 rugby team in South America. Guru’Guay investigates and is on the BBC during the Rugby World Cup.
Latin America’s first Earthship hotel under construction in Uruguay
Not only does Uruguay have Latin America’s first ‘earthship’ school, but soon it’ll have the first ecological bioconstruction hotel in historic Colonia.
Zitarrosa: The most Uruguayan singer of them all
When he became famous in the 1960s Alfredo Zitarrosa’s record sales rivalled The Beatles’ in Montevideo. He took Uruguayan folklore music and made it cool.
Montevideo Tales #12
Two old ladies walk in to a cafe, then one makes a confession. This story feels so Uruguayan to me that I’m still mulling over all the reasons why.
Why does the tourist industry in Montevideo close down at peak visitor times?
The truth is out. Montevideans just don’t care that much about taking your tourist dollars. They’d rather spend the holidays with their family and friends.
Manuel Filgueira: Ninja winemaking in Uruguay
Trained in elite French chateaux but down to earth, Manuel Filgueira is one of Uruguay’s top winemakers, producing tiny quantities of exceptional wine through “sheer stubbornness”.
