Odeliza Life of a US Expat in South America

Hola Chicos,

Da Pentella an Italian restaurant located on Luis De La Torre 598 and telephone number 712-0989.

The decor is intimate with dim lighting and wood tables. The decor of the seating out side is very casual sheek with wicker tall chairs and wooden tables all covered by large yellow canvas umbrellas. During the colder weather, the outside seating is closed off with a plastic tarp.

My other half and I live rather close to this restaurant and have frequented it quite often. We’ve also shared a dinner with his family last year and they seemed to really enjoy the place.

Its a bit pricey for Uruguayan standards however, I think their dishes are well executed. I could not recommend a dish because I’ve been there a few times and have had most of their non-meat dishes. And would say that my experiences with their dishes was great. However, I do not recommend ordering any of their “Asian” dishes unless, however you’d like to be disappointed severely.

Just from experience, I don’t order “Asian” dishes from restaurants that specialize in Italian, Latin, Mexican, and similar. Unless however, said restaurateurs employ a chef experienced in the preparing of said type.

Enough said, Da Pentella ranks 3 for authenticity, 3.5 for taste, 3 for customer service.

Ciao

O

Hola Chicos,

So far Midori, our beautiful golden Labrador, is half way trained to use the patio. I am so proud of her, it took but only a few tries and she learned that the patio is where she must do her business. That is until she receives her remaining shots. Then she will be able to go to the doggy park right outside our apartment building. Its rather convenient to have a doggy park so close.

I can not wait to take her to the Rambla (promenade). I hope that I will have a running buddy in the mornings soon.
My other half has said Labradors are very athletic and out door type dogs. That is great because I am a rather athletic and out door type of a girl.

As far as impressive tricks are concerned, my other half taught her to sit and stand on command (with a doggy treat as a bribe, of course) and I taught her to catch and retrieve her rubber stick on the command of 1, 2, and 3.

Ciao

O

Hola Chicos,

Can Uruguay do Mexican? La Lupita (LL) located on Luis De La Torre 565 telephone number 712-1966 open only at dinner time and closed on Mondays.

I can’t say that my experience on Mexican cuisine is vast, for I have only visited Mexico 6 or 7 times. But I can say that I lived with a Mexican family for about a year. My experience living with the family and eating their home cooked meals is how I am able to gage other Mexican eateries.

LL is a small bistro on a very charming residential street, Luis De La Torre. You will find in future post that said street is home to several charming bistros and a few mom and pops. LL’s decor focuses on the Day of the Dead theme, with pictures of skeletons happily dressed in sombreros and ponchos, brightly colored tables, and Mexican style crafts. LL’s decor is cute and intimate.

There is a small space for seating outside, but most of the action is inside. My other half and I frequented LL twice; once as a “date night” and the other with a group of Uruguayan friends. We did not have seating delays, but with what I have seen, I’d suggest to get there before the dinner rush as the place packs quick. Maybe before 9:30 p.m..

Being both vegetarians and all our experience of their meat entres is limited but I can say that their vegetarian torta is pretty okay. A torta is a burger that is covered with sauce or pan fried (a short description). Their version had tomato sauce, the filling was mixed vegetables, and a side of whole pinto beans.

It was missing a Horchata so I requested one. Sad to say they had no idea what I meant. I tired to explain that is was arroz leche (rice milk) but I only saw deer eyes.

The food is not authentic it is not even Tex-Mex, I say its a decent version of Mexican Fast food. I appreciate picante dishes, so I should have brought my Tapatio (Mexican Hot Sauce, I brought from the U.S.). If you like hot stuff.

Can Uruguay do Mexican?

Ciao

O

Hola Chicos,

Ciro, Gentile, & Hijo (CGH), telephone number 094 415 815. Is a family run farm stand that sells more of the “exotic” fruits and vegetables that is rare in Montevideo, Uruguay. I frequent them quite often, as I enjoy my fresh olives, cherry tomatoes, lemon grass and more.

CGH is a bit pricey for Uruguayan standards, most of the patriots seem to be of the mature crowd (ages 50’s and up). I remember when we lived in California I shopped at Whole Pay Check as my other half describes the place. And the patriots there were again of a more mature crowd.

Baby Boomers and older seem to know where to shop for good quality produce and food products. So I some times gage my selections of farm stand fete from its customer’s ages. I seem to be the few young persons that purchase produce from CGH. So, Andrea, the wife, who speaks English (very rare in Uruguay), knows me by first name basis. Or knows me as the Hawaiiana.

During early 2007, I launched a personal chef delivery service and CGH was my top produce supplier. Every week I’d have a standard list of items; cilantro, lemon grass, young coconuts, scallions, onions, carrots, bell peppers, and some times some fruits delivered to my home. They have never disappointed me with their produce.

Its the place to know if you are looking for more of the “exotic”. All the produce is not organic though, most of the items have been imported from Chile or Brasil. Andrea is first to point out that her family only chooses the top of the line offerings and is very proud of their selections.

CGH is almost at all the daily ferrias (farmers’ markets) in and around Montevideo, Uruguay I’d suggest to give them a call to inquire about their schedule. That way the next time you are in need of fresh produce you can just make a stop.

Ciao

O

Here are some pictures of their produce and me in action.

Fresh Olives and Cherry Tomatoes

Pineapples, Kiwis, and Cherries

Myself and Ciro, tring to bargin on Lemon Grass

Bright Bell Peppers and Big Cucumbers

Figs, Purple Plums, Root Vegetables, and Giant Gingers

Hola Chicos,

The other day, while reading a fitness magazine, I heard this melody out side our front patio. Sorta like an ice cream man truck. I was a little surprised when I looked outside to see a man on a bike sharpening knives. I had to make a mad dash for my digital camera to capture him in action.

This man contributes to the charm of living in a small country. Where people still walk to work and kids still walk to school without their parents and SUVS. Where you’ll see old people strolling the streets for exercise not in a gym hogging up the cardio machines, and milk and bread still gets delivered to your home. Uruguay sorta reminds me of life in the 1950’s in Europe. Although, I can’t really speak from experience, but I have seen many vintage 1950’s movies based in Europe.

Of course, there are the cons of living in a charming “old school” country. That, I’d rather talk about when I am in one of my “dark places”.

I can’t imagine this Knife Sharpening man to make profit from his business, maybe he does it cause its something he enjoys to do or to keep him busy. Or maybe he does it for some supplemental income.

Most of the artisan offerings are fairly in-expensive here, so as I mentioned on my previous post, having such businesses is for pure passion and not profit.

The next time I catch the Knife Sharpening man, I’ll get all my beautiful stainless steel chef’s knifes and sets sharpened all at once. I can’t imagine it costing more than ten U.S. dollars.

Here are some pictures of the Knife Sharpening man with his customer and the Flower guy with an old lady customer.

The Knife Sharpening Man and His Customer

The Knife Sharpening Man chatting with his customer and puppy

A Flower Guy that comes around our street as well

Ciao

O

Hola Chicos,

Le Duomo located on Jose M Montero, telephone number 712-37-84, and hours of operation are Tuesdays through Saturdays 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sundays 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Right around the corner from our place, Le Duomo is an artisan ravioli deli. Its not a place to dine or purchase ready made dishes on the go. One must select raviolis from their daily specials list and make it at home.

Le Duomo sells goats cheese, as wells home made sauces. Its a great place for us vegetarians as most of their offerings are veggies and cheese.

I appreciate artisan style delis as well as bistros and the like because the craft of preparing meals, home made pastas and raviolis, backed goods, etc. is a truly passion and not necessarily a get rich thing.

If you like to take a break from preparing your family’s dinner, I’d recommend Le Duomo. Remember I don’t receive any kick back, so my recommendations for said place is for the pleasure of sharing. Also, don’t think about watching your calories with this place as it is laden with heavy starches and creams. But oh so yummy. Hey live a little.

Ciao

O

Hola Chicos,

Boy, I did not realize that having a two months old puppy is like having a new born child. You have to get up in the middle of the night as well as the crack of dawn for “pee trips” and watering. Clean up really sticky poop and endless crying. Although, I can not speak for having a new born child as my other half and I are not quite there yet.

Midori is a sweet little golden labrador. With tons of energy and a really short bladder. So far we have had her for four days. Luckily my other half purchased a Labrador book, we have been reading this for tips. This book is pretty dead on.

I have not had a puppy since I was ten years old, Tucky, was here name. And she was a miniature sheltie. She was really easy to house train and listened to everything I said. She lived to be about 16 years old (human years).

So, I promised myself that if I ever adopt another puppy she will get allot of my attention and lots and lots of love. Just like Tucky did.

Here are pictures of our bundle of joy.

Ciao

O

Midori sleeping with her new ducky

Midori sleeping again

Midori disovering her “hide and seek” spot

Hola Chicos,

As I sit in my kitchen office reading my favorite food-blog sites, emails, and fitness articles I begin to make loose leaf Chinese Green Tea (really from China). With a simple kettle.

Now for those of you who do not live in Uruguay or are not quite kitchen savvy, the kitchen tools (i.e.; oven, fridge,blender, and coffee maker, etc.) are not so great in quality.

Unless, you go to certain “Centro” kitchen stores that actually sell “top of the line” kitchen tools. Which I do now, but before I ever found out about said places, I shopped at the mall for my kitchen tools.

I say this because for the first year of residence in Montevideo, Uruguay I sipped coffee and or espresso ah, about three to four times in the morning. Reminisce from my college life. I had to wake up at 6:30 a.m. every weekday morning to commute to school. To sit in a three hour biology lecture plus lab. Then straight to a grueling math class. After, an English class, and a chem. class, teach yoga, and finally a circuit class.)

But living with a more “relaxed schedule” in this charming South American country has not changed my caffeine habit . Until last week that is when my coffee maker just broke. How, dare you ask? Well, as I described earlier, some stuff here are cheap in quality.

It’s my second coffee maker that just plain broke. So my other half suggested that I just go purchase a more “higher end” one in Centro. Well, I could, but I wanted to use this wonderful opportunity to quit said habit. So, I did. Cold turkey as a matter a fact.

Life without vices, is not Life at all.

I am a light weight and have a moderate to sometimes severe reaction to any alcoholic beverage. Now, I don’t know if its my Chinese blood (you Chinese people out there should know what I am talking about or even other Asian people), but I get hives and my face turns bright red, my tongue swells and I get supper dizzy.

I know I am probably going to get some flack about this, but I am not really into chocolate. I did not like sweets as a kid and thankfully as a young woman. Which is a bit difficult because my other half loves anything sweet including milk chocolate and white chocolate.

Either have I ever craved salty stuff. I don’t like the way it makes me feel bloated and dehydrated. Again, even when I was a kid I did not like salt. Maybe its my Island blood. I don’t know, but its a good thing for me because I have Meniere’s Disease (more about that later).

Furthermore, at one point in time, while new to Montevideo, Uruguay, I socially experimented on cigarettes and cigars while sipping on an alcoholic drink. I know its such an evil thing, specially being in my 20’s. The atrocity of it all!

But, my Meniere’s Disease rebelled and so did the rest of me so I quit. Luckily for me, I have never really had any sort of habit I could not quit when I needed to.

Even when I was a “shop-a-holic” and realized I could not find comfort in shopping, I quit. And never looked back.

So what is my vice? The sun? A day at a gorgeous beach in Thailand? Delicious food? My family? My love of my life? The personal satisfaction when people in my life and around me happy and comfortable? Can those be real vices? Ah, I don’t want to spend any more time thinking about having a vice. So what if I don’t have one, that does not make me a perfectionist person or an abnormal person.

I’ve learned a ton of life lessons in my short time living in Montevideo, Uruguay and I’ve come up with a new motto;” Be nice, but don’t love lots, trust very little, and always surf your own wave”.

Ciao Ciao

O

Hola Chicos,

Fairly recently I learned that I get depressed when the weather is either rainy, dark and cloudy, and freezing cold. I say this cause I was not sure why I’d get really “hermit mode-ish” when said weather happens.

Why do I talk about this? Well, it was a really big deal for me. I know that some of you are thinking, “so what, everyone experiences a gloom mood when the weather is bad”. But does it effect your mood to the level where you go to complete solitude from society?

I spoke to an Uruguayan Therapist about that and he said it could be a lack of Vitamin D and exercise.

I have not mentioned this yet, so for those of you who do not know me on a personal basis, I am an incredibly athletic and competitive person. At one point I even went as far as obtaining a personal training certificate just to be more aware of the proper workout regimen as well as dietary supplementing. With that said, “yes, doctor, thanks for telling me.”

Really, could it be that in Montevideo, Uruguay most of the year the weather sucks? Could it be a brown chic that is use to living in sunny and tropical climates is now living in winter weather and is having a tough time adjusting? Yeah.

So, for anyone out there that might be in a similar boat, don’t fret, it happens and you can totally get over it. Just find things that you enjoy to do that does not require you to be outside during the yucky climates. And when outside is pretty again or suites you, go out and take a walk around or just hang out in your front porch, backyard, and or park. You get the point?

Don’t waste your life away being in “hermit mode” like I did. I understand now and I won’t let such winter depression to get to me again.

Ciao Ciao,

O

Hola Chicos,

Mercado Todo Frutas (mercado) located on Benito Blanco 973, telephone number 707-8036. In the neighborhood of Pocitos-Montevideo, Uruguay.

Envios sin cargo (no charge for home delivery). During early 2007, my other half and I lived in between the neighborhood Pocitos and Buceos. My personal chef business was so busy that on occasion, I’d order my fresh vegetables from mercado.

Before I employed an Uruguayan personal assistant, I had a bit of trouble with the home delivery part, no one at the mercado really spoke a lick of English. But I got by just fine with my Pacific Islander style Spanish.

The mercado offers a wide selection of local fruits and vegetable (i.e.: bell peppers, oranges, apples, and basics). As well as imported fruits and vegetables (i.e.: papayas, pineapples, kiwis, and non-basics ).

The basics are within a reasonable price range, but the non-basics are pretty much North American style prices. I’d say, like Whole Foods or Andrawnnicos. Or for those that don’t have such supermarkets in your area, a Safeway that offers organics at an unreasonable price.

Before you’d order for delivery, I suggest to pay a visit at the mercado. Take a tally of the produce they offer and introduce yourself to the clerks and or owner. Sorry but I forgot the dude’s names. Otherwise I would mention them here.

The mercado, takes pride in presentation of their produce. So their basics and non-basics are lined up really pretty. However, I’d suggest that you do not just pick up a particular produce just cause it looks pretty on their stands.

I have experienced with them, that they’d line up the “bruised” and “old” on the top, hiding the ugly part. So all you’d see from first glance is the “pretty” part.

If you are anything like me when it comes to selecting the top quality produce, I’d smell, touch, examine, knock, find out where such produce came from, and if it was in season or imported first before I fork up any dough.

So I’d suggest you let them see you are doing “inspecting”. Its okay, in doing so, it shows them you don’t settle. And in the future if you order for delivery, once they realize your expectations, you won’t get jacked. And if you do get jacked (which I had once with them) don’t accept the delivery and let them know you are not a fool. But in a nice way of course.

I say this only because, such “jackness” happened to me. And because I am a “visitor” in Uruguay, I did not want any trouble. But I learned, that if you speak with an assertive tone and you show that you don’t get played for a fool, you won’t. Or dare I say should not?

Customer satisfaction is not necessarily practiced through out businesses here. I’ll incorporate more of my professional and personal experiences about that in other post. I really don’t want that to be such a big deal as it’s not for me. But when one has a artesian business, one does not want to waste resources on crap.

I totally digress sorry.

Overall, Mercado Todo Frutas is a pretty good market for non-organic produce. * I don’t get any sort of kick back by talking about these food sources.* I just talk about them cause, well I get bored and having a hobby such as talking about myself helps me keep busy during my off hours.

Ciao Ciao

O