What attracts Alberto Guani, the Uruguay Ambassador to India, to Delhi is the kindness of the people and the hospitality they offer, which he thinks would be difficult to find elsewhere in the world.
Guani had assumed charge in July 2021, with concurrent accreditation to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Prior to his appointment, he served as Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany and Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He was appointed to various Uruguayan Missions abroad, including the Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the German Democratic Republic, as a consequence of Reunification, at the Office in Berlin.
Guani spoke to The Indian Express as part of a series of interviews with Ambassadors about Delhi — their home.
Edited excerpts:
How long have you been in Delhi and what is the one place here that you love to visit?
I have been in Delhi for almost three-and-a-half years. There are many interesting places to see, especially if you look at the history, with many museums and temples to visit.
At the same time, there are many other interesting places where you can buy typical Indian products… Usually, I take people who come from Uruguay to such spots… There are many markets for that. I think it’s a very attractive and interesting city.
What are the three things that have stood out?
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One is how the city overcame Covid-19 pandemic. Another thing is the diversity of this place… different cultures come together here. One thing that shocked me a little was the pollution, which we don’t have in Uruguay. But once you get used to it, you go along.
How did Uruguay control pollution?
Because of the ocean, it is always wind there… At the same time, we have control over industrial waste and institutions that produce harmful waste. I think due to the wind factor, Uruguay has progressed a lot in the renewable energy sector as we have had great success with wind energy.
Any special encounters in Delhi that you will probably remember for the rest of your life.
I have not met the Prime Minister personally, but I have seen his aura, how he attracts people with his thoughts and acts… the way he is ruling this country. I think he’s an authentic leader who inspires many others to follow him. I also find Indians very friendly, very connected to reality… at the same time, you can see progress…
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What food do you like here? Is there any place you like to visit to eat?
In Uruguay, we have a problem with very spicy food. I have always tried to avoid.. But in many parts of India, the menu is are very attractive. I have not tasted everything, but Indians always try to make you have their cuisine. Indian cuisine is on the fifth place in the world… It is widely sought after.
Is there any dish that you like in particular?
Chicken Biryani, for example, is one of the most popular in the sense… it has many similarities with what we eat… Sweets are also good… but now I avoid sweets because of health issues. I need to lower my sugar intake.
Is Delhi similar to any city or place in Uruguay?
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I would say greenery is one big common factor. I love the greenery of the Capital. Of course, Delhi is much bigger than any of our cities in Uruguay…. When I go back, I will feel like there is nobody there… the number of people you have is explosive…
Also, more than 1,000 Indians are now living in Uruguay. They have taught us how to play hockey and other sports, they are also trying to show us the quality of Indian food… the Indian culture…
What will you miss the most about the city?
The kindness of the people of Delhi… I have made many friends, so I find that people here are very welcoming, they are open to foreigners and this kind of hospitality is rare to find in the rest of the world.
If you had to go back and introduce Delhi to people back home, how would you do it?
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I would say that though there are many challenges, I would miss this hospitality, the sense of being agreeable and nice to you. It’s something that is very difficult to find elsewhere in the world.
The traffic here is also something we do not see in Uruguay. People here blow horns a lot. Many, many different kinds of people can be seen on the streets, on autos, bicycles and motorcycles. You also have cows and animals on the roads. This is not something we see in Uruguay… there, the cows are in the countryside, not in the city.
Also, I have learnt to be more patient because going from one place to another takes a long time here.
How is Delhi different from other cities or countries where you have worked?
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The traffic is different, and the way people behave when stuck in traffic is also different. Also, the difference between certain neighborhoods is very striking. In Old Delhi, everything is much more congested than what it is in New Delhi. At the same time, there are different parts that are interesting and worth seeing.
Does pollution bother you? How do you deal with it?
I got used to it because some people ask me ‘do you wear a mask’, ‘do you go out’. I live my life normally. I walk in the parks, I take out my dog for a walk… But people tell me ‘you have to be very careful when you go out’… I stopped smoking when I arrived in Delhi. It’s been four years since I had a cigarette… all thanks to Delhi.
What is your go-to place in Delhi?
I like to go to a place in Sector 23 in Gurgaon where I take can take my dog to the pool. We both relax… I feel welcome there. I try to avoid places with too many people. And that’s very difficult to do in Delhi. But you have to find your own place and see what really works for you.