Two weeks ago today I landed in Montevideo.
Since that time Chris Kohl , my business partner, and I have leased a
house, installed phone lines, acquired cell phones and had broadband internet
installed. Business bank accounts are in the works as well.
An interesting observation occurred
to me yesterday: in sharp contradistinction to Costa Rica, this has all been done
without an attorney or notary or the expense connected thereto. Nothing
took more than a passport and money.
Chris went into the phone company
and came out with a working cell phone. I cheered him on over a beer at
the cafe across the street.
Another difference is the attitude
towards time. After living in the West Indies for a while I learned the
system there: what ever time frame was promised would really happen in
the next higher time unit: 1 minute is really 1 hour, 1 hour is really 1
day, 1 day is really one week, etc.
I also figured out the time rules in
Costa Rica:
there are none! If someone is really considerate, they will ring you 45
minutes after they were supposed to arrive to cancel or postpone. If they
are from the government telecoms, they will set an appointment and never show
up; or they will show up out of the blue and expect you to drop everything to
accommodate them.
Time here seems to be understood in
an Italianate mode: they try to be on time, but sometimes things happen;
and when things happen they are very, very sorry and will do better next
time: and they do.
Thus far, nothing has slipped more
than a day–which amazes me. I waited weeks for telephones in Costa Rica
and months for broadband.
This place may really be
“Eisenhower's America
in Spanish”.
¡Hasta luego!
.
Sir -
Fascinating blog you have started here.
I’ve read everything you’ve posted so far and am eager for more.
But one question remains yet unanswered — or perhaps the answer is hidden where I haven’t found it.
What was your first clue, your first hint, to consider living in Uruguay?
Many fresh retirees are trooping to Argentina, to Costa Rica, to Mexico.
Easy to follow those well-traveled paths.
But Uruguay comes as a surprise.
What might be the catalyst that started your thinking about Uruguay?
If there was a private reason for family or business, I don’t wish to intrude.
But, perhaps there was something else that triggered your thinking in that direction, something you might write about in your blog here?
Thank you.
- Peter
Bangkok, Thailand
.
Left by Peter on August 20th, 2006
-
“Another difference is the attitude towards time. After living in the West Indies for a while I learned the system there: what ever time frame was promised would really happen in the next higher time unit: 1 minute is really 1 hour, 1 hour is really 1 day, 1 day is really one week, etc.”
-
Ah, that explains everything!
So true, so true!
Very helpful to have a method for understanding that.
Now, with that in mind, may I ask for your opinions and observations about the attitude towards corruption.
Oh, yes, I know, “corruption” is a nasty word, but it is also a fact of life in most places in the world.
Important to understand the facts of life, eh?
When I was working in Rio de Janeiro, we had a man working for our office who’s job was to get things done.
His title (I can’t remember the Portuguese spelling), translated to “dispatcher”.
If you wanted something done that involved another business or any government office, he got it done.
Very efficient, in my opinion.
In your blog so far, there’s been a noticeable lack of mention about corruption or “dispatchers” in Uruguay.
You’ve explained the attitude toward time with great clarity.
Would you mind delving into this topic, as well?
Thank you.
- Peter
Bangkok, Thailand.
.
Left by Peter on August 20th, 2006
Hi Peter:
I first came across references to Uruguay as the “Switzerland of South America” in the 90’s. I started researching it in 1998. That was before the economic crash in Argentina which also crippled Uruguay.
At that time, it was very hard to get in, and internet and other telecom prices were ridiculous.
I have been watching it ever since and finally decided the time wqas right. The economic crash caused a sea change in the way Uruguay views the need for outsiders. They went from supremely indifferent to very eager.
Left by The Southron on August 22nd, 2006
The international transparency index on apparent corruption rates Uruguay with the lowest level of corruption in the region. My experience is exactly that. No corruption that I have experienced–none!
In Costa Rica we used to have to give “honorariums to people just to get them to do their jobs, not bend the rules”. It doesn’t work that way here.
That being said, there is an old boy network here and things go faster if you know the right people, but because they like you, NOT because of bribes…
If that changes, I will report it.
Left by The Southron on August 22nd, 2006