La Sirena del Río Uruguay
distant relative of the mermaid mythology, a lonely, grotesque looks out from time to time on the surface of the Uruguay River.
The Myth of the Mermaid of the River Uruguay is one of those classic legends since time immemorial seduce the imagination of people all over the west coast of the country, and even those who live further south of the Republic, it is clear that the famous mermaid River Plate, on which mysteriously some fishermen refer Montevideo, is nothing but the very fresh water nymph in one of his trips further afield. However, it is likely that no other place like this legend holds Salto many anecdotes and testimonials to demonstrate their existence. Despite the ostensible name of this beast, the siren of the Uruguay River is an animal that barely resembles its congener of classical mythology. A major difference comes from physiognomic assessments of each of these species. The sirens of the Hellenistic age were beings of a hybrid, from the waist up resembling a beautiful maidens with long hair and voluptuous ways, while from the waist down was a giant fish. In contrast, the siren of the Uruguay River is not just a complement between a human and other animal species, but perhaps an indeterminate hybrid between the two. Is known to have limbs, but these are not the gentle arms of a nymph, but some species bear long claws, tentacles and fins. There is also consensus that has abundant hair, but these are thin and delicate but greenish and pinchudos as if it were a handful of whiskers surubí. His eyes are yellow and bulging, like a frog, and do not tolerate the light. The whole monster gives the impression of a huge axolotl, but whose features evoke distant, human traits. Their skin, dotted brutally eruptions, is a stone gray camouflage that allows unparalleled in the darkened waters. Another important difference is that while the sirens on which we relate the stories of classical mythology and the epic always move in groups, true harems fantastic marine seductive, siren of the Uruguay River, however, is a sadly solitary entity . Is likely to be the last specimen of his race. The poor girl wanders from here to there, helpless, with no other company that the flow of the river and the occasional proximity of other fish that the chance of adventure in his path. But perhaps the main difference between the species Hellenic and the siren of the River Uruguay, who should be recognized, however, like very distant relatives, "is the absolute disparity between their behavior in relation to humans. The sirens of classical antiquity were singular delight in causing misery and death of men. Their beautiful melodies and hypnotic songs attracted the attention of the sailors, who neglected during their ships and stars and on the reefs, killing all the crew on the water. By contrast, the siren of the Uruguay River is an absolutely peaceful, and more than good-natured, almost innocent, who has never done and is expected to cause no harm to anyone ever. Since, as mentioned, is a loner in the extreme, has, yes, a great curiosity. But it's a character so surly and sullen that whenever you approach a human, and is perceived by him, the siren suddenly dives into the water and fleeing in terror, as if the very idea of \u200b\u200bbeing referred through the eyes of People provoke a shudder more powerful than their boldness being shown. Since the practitioners of African religion Umbanda installed on the beach Las Cavas a beautiful sculpture of Ie-Manje, more frequent sightings of the siren in the city of Salto occurred precisely in the area of \u200b\u200bthe River Uruguay. Many of the devotees of this goddess, usually near the shore of the river to perform their rituals and to present their offerings of flowers, candles and animals, swear they spotted more than once to the "Mother of Waters" jumping to away, or sometimes riding in a boat, dressed in his familiar garb of white and turquoise, its silhouette against the silver mirror of the moon. These views were also confirmed to me by some of the boys Lifeguard body of the Administration that in times of summer guarding the beaches Salta. Towards evening, when they pick up buoys, are often shocked by the sudden water bubbling in his awkward movement of the barge below, produces the siren to go. Similarly, the sailors of the Prefecture, tired of walking and watch with binoculars along the coast of Salto, witnessed his fleeting appearances. Out of these recent records, there was a time when more frequent sightings of the siren of the Uruguay River were made in the port city. Perhaps for this reason, those best able to provide reliable data the existence of this peaceful aquatic monster, are customary fishermen go there night after night to throw their weights. Also in river fishermen, who scour the waterfront with their boats and their nets, they are usually surprised by the visit of this singular monstrosity. Sometimes people into the sunset back to Concordia in the boat, could also see what the siren accompanied by sympathetic way the white line of the engine produces water in the river, putting his head and sinking repeatedly. Other areas of frequent sightings of the siren in Salto Uruguay River are Ayuí rocks, the caves of San Antonio and the floodgates of Salto Grande Dam, a site that is certainly not unusual warning this fantastic animal, jumping merrily along with the gold in the swirling water.
