Odeliza Life of a US Expat in South America

Mahalo Chicos,

Our 6 month old female Labrador-Midori- is such a social creature that we had to find ways for her to have ‘dog friends’. Sometimes my other half would take her to the office on Mondays, where she’d have a chance to play with the ‘office’s’ dogs. Other times, I’d take her on our morning trots to the Rambla -Boardwalk- but she does not really have a chance to socialize with other dogs. Midori starts to display ‘cabin fever’ if we don’t burn of some of her puppy energy, so we had to find a different option.

Meet Felipe, an older gentlemen that has 20 years of professional experience as a Veterinarian now retired and walking dogs just cause he enjoys it.

Its seems she took a quick liking to the old man, so I thought I’d give it a shot. This morning is her first walk with the other dogs and Felipe. She’s going to be gone for about three and a half hours. This would be the longest walk she’s ever had, plus she is suppose to have some sort of dog school training with the other dogs.

I feel like I’ve lost my little puppy, she is all grown up and ready to take on the world. I hope I’ve taught her well and she can keep up with the rest of the pack.

Now I can hack out the cleaning for the day and do some little things here and there around our place. Wow, it’s so quiet with her away.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

Farmer’s Markets or in Spanish, ‘Ferrias’ occur just about everyday rain or freezing cold in Montevideo, Uruguay. Montevideo is recognized by locals by ‘Zonas’, where as one can also call it villages, barrios and neighborhoods.

Depending on what zona you live in or are currently temping in, there is a highly probable chance that you’ll also have a ferria some day of the week. It usually starts from 08:00 through 13:00, so if you are a foodie and know a thing or two about catching the best, you’d get there right before they even start unloading their trucks.

When I had my personal chef and catering business, I got up at the crack of dawn, got my lists in order, menus in tact and walked to the nearest ferria. Of course I made friends with all the merchants, enough so they’d reserve what they thought I’d buy and what they knew I’d buy. Preparing menus for 50 different clients not to mention their family members needs can be a bit tough if its just a one man operation in a tiny Spanish kitchen. Anyways, I digress.

I should type up a schedule and maps as to when these ferrias come around in each zone. Just another mini project to add to ‘my mini project lists when I am not doing anything days.’

Of course the set up for each vendor is just about the same; long tables with neatly and messy piles of produce, lists of prices in kilos per Uruguayan pesos, scales and the ‘baggers’ is what I refer to them by.

These ‘bagger guys or gals’ ask you in Spanish what you want to buy, they walk with you and pick out everything for you, weigh it, tag it, hand you a little piece of paper with the listings of prices- in scribble non the less- then you pay for it. The math is of course done so speedily in the bagger’s head that is a bit shameful for one who appreciates mathematics.

Of course you’ll also find stalls where you can serve yourself, but the weighting of the produce is still done by someone there.

So when ever your in the mood for something fresh walk around your ‘hood’ and check out when the ferria comes your way. A hint would be, you’ll see locals with empty grocery straw bags, some old folks pulling small carts, and a bunch of dudes in bikes with a load of produce stocked on their front basket.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

Here are some pictures taken in 2007 winter, which would be May-August. Its a bit sunny, but don’t let that fool you as it is rather cold and miserable. But hey, at least the sun decided to grace us with her presence.

21 de Septembre is a rather “busy” street, but really narrow so small cars and small taxi cabs go zoom zooming by like the world is going to end if they don’t catch the green light. Most of Montevideo, Uruguay is pedestrian friendly, this is one of the reasons my other half wanted to check this place out. He despises driving. Well, maybe despises is a rather strong word for his feelings towards it, but he would rather walk somewhere than drive  miles and than have to find parking space. I agree. I am an Islander, we love to take strolls along the beach, hike up lush green mountains, and walk along the promenade to do a bit of food and stuff shopping. One can do this here, well with keeping in mind that around about May through August and even September the weather here for even Uruguayos can be brutal.

One of the perks about living in Montevideo, Uruguay would be that supermerdcados (grocery stores) and farmacias (pharmacies) deliver to your home free of charge. The larger stores like for instance, Tienda Ingelesa charges seventy pesos (which right now the Northe American dollar being $1.00 = 20 Pesos) is about three dollars and some change. I believe the other grocery stores just have a limit, like you’d have to spend over one thousand pesos which right now is around fifty North American dollars.

If you are new to the area or just have not quite figured it out, you can ask for one of those magnetic stickers to stick on your rent a fridge with the number of these places. Give them and call, name your items (in Spanish of course) and then within a few you’ll have your items delivered to you. You don’t have to worry about safety as this is not some other country you might be thinking of that will short change you. From my experiences here and I’ve been here close to a year and half, is that the local Uruguayos are honest people. I am sure there are some out there that can try to take advantage of you, but its a rarity.

Produce stands such as these are everywhere in Montevideo, Uruguay as well as other parts of Uruguay. So it shouldn’t be difficult to acquire yourselves a fresh head of lettuce or some bushels of spinach (yum!).

Here is another stand that was in front of the vegetable stand above. These winter fruits hold up well in the cold unforgiving winter here. You could always buy a couple of oranges some apples and lemons and make your selves a tasty and tangy fruit juice drink.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I get totally depressed when winter or any hint of ugly weather starts to creep up. I thought I’d post some ugly weather pictures here just so the folks in the Pacific Islands can continue to ask me to go back home.

Here is a picture of view from our guest bedroom window

This is a picture is of a view from my kitchen window

A view of from our front patio

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Here are picture of our Golden Labrador, Midori at 2 months old.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

Thought I’d give an update with our 6 month old Lab. Midori’s surgery (Spaded, I think is the term).

She is doing fine and is back to her old self again, but I do not intend to take her on any trots until her wound has completely healed.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

Book Shop located across the street from the main entrance of Punta Carteas Shopping in Montevideo, Uruguay. A rather small book shop not necessarily designed for meandering, more for purchase and go, the Book Shop holds a rather impressive stock of English Books.

I dragged my other half to accompany me the other day and we were both delighted to see they offered some of our favorite authors. His being Koontz and mine Nora Roberts.

One of the clerks came up to me right away and asked if I needed any help. I requested that he tell me if there were are any Nora Roberts’s novels.

I was giddy with anticipation. I could not resists the actual jumping up and down when the kind Clerk, Nicolas whom by the way speaks excellent English, handed me about 10 books from Nora Roberts.

My other half purchased all the books for me as well as a few for him, I’d say we spent well over one hundred American dollars there. The prices of the books are North American prices, it seems that they do not add extra onto it, but I am not sure about other books.

There were a total of three book clerks of the three two spoke excellent English, so an expat or visitor that had a bit of time with Spanish should not have a problem with help. Speaking of help, the three clerks were very friendly, helpful and conversational.

If you are ever in need of some English written books, I’d suggest to stop on by at the Book Shop and see what you find.

It makes living in another foreign country so much better when one finds something from home.

In the mean time, I’m off to read my newest novels!

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

This past weekend my other half surprised me with a drive to Piriapolis. So I packed our swim gear, some snacks and with Midori in tote we were off to our first family mini holiday.

It’s nice to get out of the city every once it awhile, the drive there was a bit refreshing if one can call it that. Not too many cars on the road and speaking of the road, the “freeway” in Montevideo, Uruguay is rather smooth. Which is a bit of a surprise considering how “well maintained” the sidewalks and streets are.

While on our drive I happen to notice a few car dealers selling authentic vintage cars. The make or models escape me, but it was rather clear that the cars are authentic. There were a few different car dealerships. Its takes me back to our drives in North America, you know that long stretch of endless blah then pop there goes a bunch of car dealerships.

In Montevideo, Uruguay its basically the same, with a bit of a twists. The car dealerships here are more ancient, well I am just going to come out and say it. Junk yard-ish. Yes that’s right, how could I possibly call real authentic vintage models from the 50’s and 60’s JUNK.

Well, my fellow blogsters, you know when you look at something that is not fixed up, like an overly priced home in the U.S. and say that its got nice bones, but a load of work has to go into it? Well, if you consider no engines, no tires, and rusts that has eaten away most of the original body “nice bones” than you know what I am referring too.

Our first stop was the beach, we found one that allowed dogs, or rather did not have a sign that said “no dogs”.

Midori immediately went for the water; jumping and splashing on the breaks. Then she dug wholes in the sand all around our post and just hung out with us. It was really cute. I am so happy that we adopted a water dog, for my other half and I love the beach.

My other half and I enjoyed swimming in the cool water. The breaks were incredibly mellow so we tried our hand in body surfing. Being the surfers that we are, it was nice. We even taught Midori how to body surf. She seemed to take a liking to it.

A bit tired from playing in the water the whole family gathered around our beach post and had ourselves something to snack on. I brought; water, some olives, cheeses, toasted baguettes, caprese salad and Midori’s food. It seems everyone was content with our snack break.

Once we were done, off to playing with Midori and her beach ball on the water. We stayed at the beach for what seemed like hours. Then my other half drove a bit further to the center of Piriapolis. Mostly touristy stuff; frivolous goods, foods, and small hotels. We took a chance and stopped at a place to eat. I forgot the name, so I guess that should tell you how much I enjoyed the meal.

Finally it was getting a bit late and we were worn from the day at the beach so we headed back home. I wish we brought our camera to capture some scenes to best share with you, but Midori ate the connectors.

Fun is what you make it and whom you share it with.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza

Mahalo Chicos,

While on my morning trot with Midori, we always see the cleaning lady across the street, she seems to know everything. From how to heal ailments to the weather.

So, I had to ask her if she thought that the weather would get any better. She seems to think the maybe this Sunday and up coming Monday the weather might turn. But she did not seem to confident about it. I guess she saw the hope on my face and did not want to let me down.

Anyways, for those in the know skip this part for those not in the know than March 21st is the start of Fall in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Enjoy what little of the warm weather you can cause it’s going to be another cold one soon.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba

Odeliza