In about two hours it will be exactly one year since I set foot on Uruguayan soil for the first time. I arrived at Carrasco International Airport with five suitcases, two wheelchairs and two dogs. I was exhausted from the trip which it started the previous morning in Costa Rica, and included a six hour layover in Miami before the final nonstop flight here. I was also in a singularly peculiar state of mind: excited about the adventure that lay before me, but apprehensive about the limited funds I had at my disposal; and most of all, profoundly saddened by the sudden death of my brother Bill mere hours before I left Costa Rica. (Vicnaja Pamjat!)
I think it is fair to say that I started life here in Uruguay under worse financial and emotional circumstances than any of my previous international peregrinations. And yet, one year later it is amazing to see how things have changed.
During the past year:
• I have made new friends from among both locals and gringos–a feat which I never managed in Costa Rica in 27 months.
• A stream of e-mails to my friends has grown into this blog and its ancillary forum and .INFO sites. (Which may or may NOT be a good thing.)
• I’ve gotten settled and am comfortable in my new, hopefully permanent, home.
• I somehow found time to write and publish a book, or at least a semi-connected series of rantings and ravings under one cover.
• We have managed to organize a local business that will help promote Uruguay. In the process we have created five new jobs with more in the works.
• We have founded a nonprofit organization to assist immigrants like me in integrating themselves into Uruguayan society.
• More local projects are on the drawing board.
• Our international business interests have been quite successful; and
• Perhaps most importantly, I am pretty content with my lot in life. When I think of home, my thoughts DO NOT stray north of the equator, but rather to a brick house in Buceo just across Parque Oribe from the Portito. It may not be the Swanee River, but it will do nicely…
Despite the things here that I do not like—about which I have not been bashful, I HAVE NO REGRETS!!! One year later, my original analysis remains intact; Uruguay is the best value for my money!
Congratulations!
The best situations are those from which both parties benefit. In this case Uruguay benefits from your choice and it appears to be a good fit for you as well.
Wishing you many more Happy Anniversaries in your new homeland!
Chuck and Clara
Left by clara on February 23rd, 2007
Congratulations on your 1st anniversary. Best wishes for many more…
Left by Enzo on February 23rd, 2007
You have obviously made a big change in both your life and the lives of many others. There aren’t many people who can bring so much into the lives of so many people. Congratulations and many more happy anniversaries.
Left by Harry on February 23rd, 2007
I have nothing to add except CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Left by futurexpat on February 25th, 2007
(super)Dave,
Congrats on creating the most important uruguayan export for a yanqui considering uruguay (the book!), and the herding the expat cats with the websites.
The sites and book are amazing resources for anyone considering the “plunge”, and my only regret is that i didn’t find the site *before* i arrived.
peace,
fuBarrio
Left by fubarrio on February 25th, 2007
Congratulations, David. It is hard to measure how much your efforts in a year have enriched the lives of others, particularly those of us who follow your blog and participate in the forum.
Syd & Gundy
Left by syd on February 25th, 2007
As an Uruguayan, it warms my heart to hear that someone who arrived here, as you said yourself, knowing so little about this place and not in the best financial and emotinal circumstances, has found here peace and contentment.
I have always, profoundly, loved my country , but I have always wondered if it was the result of having had a happy childhood here and, once an adult, having traveled to only 4 other countries - two of which are “neighbor” countries, so the culture clash could not be as big - I still ended up missing my “little lovely country” after about two weeks (or before that).
Then again, each time, after returning from my trips, the routine settled in again, and with the routine, the habit of hearing or thinking myself of everything that is wrong about Uruguay. Which is kind of a sport for many Uruguayans (complaining about how bad things are here compared to x or y distant country). Just hearing so many negative comments has often put me down and made me wonder if I was dellusional for getting kind of mad at those who complained so often and for *still* wanting to stay here (even in the worst times of financial crisis, around 2002) in spite of my heritage making it possible to move to Europe.
I do not regret staying in my country, as much as it means facing challenges that I’d probably not have to deal with if I lived somewhere else. For every bad thing we have, there are many that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.
Now I feel a bit less “odd” among young Uruguayans for being so certain that if I ever decide to leave this country, it will be only out of finding myself living under extreme negative circumstances here. And I am utterly happy to think that we’ve contributed in making the lives of immigrants agreeable or nicer at least in some ways.
Thank you!
Left by Elenacam on February 25th, 2007