Pocitos, Buceo
traffic all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
My ‘lectric trike today
La Rambla is a mess
cars are everywhere
Christmas here in Uruguay
is more fun than up there!

The UruguayLiving/Socieadad Southron pre-Christmas party will be held on Thursday night December 20th.. Please bring any Christmas music that you want to hear–The Southron will have a good selection of traditional (and even some modern stuff for the infidels).

There will NOT be an Open House on Thursday night December 27th!

We will resume our usual schedule on January 3rd.

Nevertheless, we have an opportunity to do it now. We don’t need to make a choice between going to the

• Southeastron Coastal Uruguay Living in Piriapolis Party (SCULPP) OR
• Noche de las Luces in Montevideo.

I know what a Southron is, but what the heck is a Southeastron? Sounds like someone from Miami (and real Southrons know it is pronounce My-am-ma, not the Yankee version, my-am-mee).

Anyway, the Piriaoplis gathering is starting in the afternoon, and the Noche e las Luces, by definition doesn’t start until the night.

So why not do both? I am… Details on the SCULPP are at: http://www.sociedadsouthron.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1198.

See you there!

I have really been remiss in writing in this blog, but I’ve simply been so busy with my real job that I have not had time to do it.

Therefore, this entry is going to be catch as catch can…

FIRSTLY, the weather is absolutely, positively, wonderful! Warm, sunny days without any humidity, and cool pleasant nights. This is the weather in Montevideo I live for: excuse me, for which I live. (I know there are grammarians lurking about out there.)

SECONDLY, we lost one puppy—I’m not sure how, it just disappeared. The good news is that the remaining 7 are healthy, growing like weeds, their eyes are open, and they are beginning to stumble about. I am confident the remaining four males and three females will make it. One downside is that Lucy has become more aggressive and tries to keep King Harry from my bedroom. She also nips the maids if they get too close. I’m hoping this passes once the puppies start running about. (There will be more pictures when Harry posts again.)

THIRDLY, Thanksgiving dinner was a huge hit; thanks especially to our staff, who did most of the work, Clara, who cooked up a storm, the other people who cooked 3 of the imported turkeys for us, and everyone who brought food or drinks and helped us all have a good time. I think in total we had between 80 and 90 people. Next year we may have to rent the hippodrome. (See pictures at the end too.)

On December 9, the Good Lord and the shipping line willing, my van will leave Yankee-occupied America, and be on its way to the Oriental Republic. It is “scheduled to arrive” on January 3. Allegedly, I will be able to have it within a day or two. However, since that is a holiday season, I am not going to hold my breath.

I am hoping to be able to use it to tour Uruguay, at least on a half-time basis, in February and March, so that I can write a second edition to my book—updated and expanded.

PENULTIMATELY, there will be another Open House gathering in Piriápolis on Saturday, December 15 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the same venue as last time. Steve Bowman of CoastalUruguay.com is the prime mover, and yours truly will wheel his way out, along with Harry and some of the UruguayLiving.com gang. Mark your calendar now! More details will follow soon.

AND FINALLY, please remember our Open House is held every Thursday evening from 6 p.m. until we throw the last drunk out. That being said, only gringos ever show up before eight o’clock. I usually do not wander downstairs until about 7:30 p.m. The Uruguayans show up in force fashionably between 8:30 and 9 p.m. (The only Thursday when we MIGHT cancel the open house is between Christmas and New Year’s Day. If we do cancel it, it will be announced here and in the forum.)

On Thursday 22 November at our usual Thursday Open House we will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. (This is my favorite Yankee holiday because it includes lots of food!)

In keeping with our tradition if integrating Gringo and Uruguayo customs, we will be having BOTH traditional Uruguayan ASADO and traditional American TURKEY and stuffing.

The turkeys are currently captive in customs but should be paroled in time for the big day. Apparently Immigration believes they intend to overstay their 90 day visa. I have assured Immigration that there will be no trace of them left by the end of this month.

We desperately need some volunteers to cook the turkeys. We plan to smoke one here, but need people to cook the other four we have bought. Cranberry sauce has already been graciously provided.

In order for all to enjoy the evening we ask whomever is willing and able to volunteer a contribution of a little time and effort. The list below is available for volunteers.

Please advise which of the following you are able to provide for sharing.

• Dressing (bread stuffing)
• Green salad
• Mashed potatoes
• Candied sweet potatoes
• Creamed onions
• Dinner rolls
• ‘Pumpkin’ pie
• Apple pie
• Ice cream
• Whipped cream

If you have a special dish you wish to bring it will be appreciated. This is an excellent opportunity to share good food with good company.

If you want to volunteer, please email Clara at yppah1@gmail.com or PM her on SociedadSouthron.net.

AS USUAL, EVERYONE IS INVITED! 

This party is a combination of a US middle class “Sweet Sixteen” party, an upper class “Coming Out” debutante ball, and a solemn affair of State. The last time I was at something as elegant was at Ronald Reagan’s Second Inaugural Ball…

The party was held at the Hotel de Prado–an ancient hotel in Parque Prado that has been completely renovated to host affairs such at these. Its former elegance had been faithfully restored down to the details on the “gingerbread” moulding.

When we first arrived, the entrance looked a bit formidable for a wheelchair, but the parking lot traffic cops directed us to a more accessible place around back–the very same place where they trundle in the cases of beer and booze. (I might never have gotten in if this was a “dry” affair.)

Things were supposed to start at 9PM–we arrived at 9.30 and were among the first.

Everything was done perfectly. There were greeters in clown suits, who ushered people to their tables (it was just like something with Ronald McDonald, or a US National political party convention!) There was a main ball room and then a couple of side salons for the overflow crowd. Mercifully, we were seated in one of these–all the way in the back corner. This meant that I could at least hear most of what was going on, despite the dance music. Once seated, we were served a steady stream of potent potable and appetizers all the way until dinner; which turned out to be just a tiny bit later than I had anticipated.

The crowd looked to be above 200 people. My colleagues told me that there were present and former cabinet ministers in attendance–along with their personal (sometimes unrepeatable) opinion of each one.

I think things actually started around 11PM. (By that time I had consumed a goodly number of vodka tonics, so some things are a tiny bit hazy.) The band struck up “the Blue Danube” (Die Blau Donau for perfectionists) and the affair was well and truly begun. I couldn’t see much from the back–being in a wheelchair makes you shorter than anyone except midgets, tiny children, and most of the people in Central America–but I was told that the birthday girl started the affair by waltzing with each of her close male relatives–starting with the proud father. (I guess this way she gets the family out of the way and can spend the rest of the time making whoopee with her friends.) Later on, there was a 5 minute video of her life.

Then there was a lot of dancing. It started out with real music, but eventually it morphed into percussion only. At least it wasn’t rap. (It must be easier to dance to the beat of the drums if you don’t have to worry about little things like harmony and melody…)

As I recall, more or less, the starters for dinner appeared around 1AM, and the desserts around 3AM. The main course was obviously wedged in between somewhere, but, like a witness before a Congressional Committee, “I have no exact recollection of those events Senator…”

About 3.30AM things really got exciting–a troupe of belly dancers appeared. It was a real “dance of the seven veils” kind of thing right out of Aladdin and his lamp.

Shortly thereafter, being a mere gringo, I was wheeled, exhausted and half asleep, to the Land Rover and then taken home. I am certain the party went on until breakfast , and probably even later.

It was a spectacle to remember!

But I digress…

Since it was a holiday weekend (Columbus Day), we decided to stay in Piriápolis for three days. Accordingly, we loaded up the Land Rover and a rented car Friday afternoon in the drizzle, and headed east into a lowering sky and strengthening rainstorm. By the time we reached Atlantida, the rainstorm had turned into a monsoon—by the turnoff from the highway to Piriápolis, we were wondering if we could trade the four-wheel-drive for pontoons. Somehow, we made it to Piriápolis. Of course, as soon as we were no longer driving, the rain reverted to a safe and almost pleasant drizzle.

Since we had three dogs, a hotel was out of the question. (“Pet-friendly” accommodations are virtually unknown in Uruguay.) However, we were most graciously accommodated in a house near the beach, owned by Mikey’s father. It was a wonderful summer house with two parillas (inside and outside). It was also fenced, which made it nice for the three dogs.

After unpacking—it was only lightly sprinkling now—we huddled together to tackle the most pressing problem of the age, or perhaps at least of the moment: food. After some discussion, my suggestion that we “eat out” was adopted. Piriápolis being a beach community, and this not being “the season”, our options were somewhat limited. We opted to eat at La Pasiva on the Rambla (every street running alongside the water seems to be called Rambla). Despite the fact that La Passiva is as common in Uruguay as Kentucky Fried Chicken is in the South, I had never been to one—I had eaten some of their food via home delivery, but I had never set foot (or wheels) inside of one. The food was decent middle fare and the portions were huge. I had a small mixed salad, which came on a foot-long platter ringed by sliced tomatoes—it really is was enough for four.

After dinner, I exercised my usual good sense (brought on by age and exhaustion) and opted for bed instead of partying. My colleagues being younger, stronger, and with much less mileage opted for partying. Each being content with his choice, I curled up in bed by myself, unless of course you count Harry, the West Highland White Terrier sleeping on the pillow next to me, Lucy the now pregnant German Shepherd, at my feet, and Santiago’s yellow Lab puppy Luna, who threw herself against my left side—at least I wouldn’t be cold.

The next morning broke bright and sunny and warm. I was thrilled. So were the dogs because the backyard was covered with mud at least 6 inches (15cm) deep.

As Harry and Lucy were both mature dogs, they were both fairly fastidious. Luna, on the other hand, with the wild abandon of a college freshman on spring break, dove into the mud with gusto. She spent 30 minutes digging out a muddy pond so she could get really soaked. The best part was when she decided to go wake up Santiago, and jumped up in bed with him: now she was a yellow, black and brown mud covered retriever. Fortunately, Santiago is an amiable guy, so no blood was shed. As he came staggering into the kitchen, it was however immediately obvious that he had been the recipient of Luna’s mudd slathered affections.

What a way to start the day!

In a very short time (as Uruguay counts time) everyone was up, the mud had been washed from the bodies of canines and humans alike, and Harry and the humans left for lunch on the way to Ken’s house. (Harry had been specifically invited to attend—The Southron was only invited as a courtesy to Harry!) Prudently the two big dogs were locked in the house before we left in order to prevent their re-mudification.

After a wonderful lunch at the port, we headed towards Ken’s house, but only after our previously mentioned tour of possible ice sightings on the east side of Piriápolis.

Ken, Marlyn and the children were perfect hosts: the ambience was friendly and informal, and both the potables and comestibles were ample and excellent (of course it was Asado). It was a real joy to see so many of our eastern “family”, that I had not seen, in many cases, for months. The gathering was everything Sociedad Southron could hope for; it included Uruguayos, Europeans, Canadians, Aussies, Southrons and even even some polite Yankees. People had come from as far away as East of Punta Del Este, Atlantida, and Montevideo in the West.

There was some discussion of trying to keep these gatherings going on, at the least, on a monthly basis until the fall. This would certainly be a great idea! I understand, from the people at www.CoastalUruguay.com, that they are going to host a similar event in Piriápolis in December. My hope is that these gatherings will grow where ever there are groups of immigrants in order to help foster their integration into Uruguayo society. My plan is to visit as many of these gatherings as I can (o r to which Harry can get me invited.).

Thank you Ken, Marlyn, Lia, and Ethan from The Southron, Harry and the Gang! Borko was sorry he could not be there, but it is a long commute from Montenegro—but he’ll be back for the next one!

(By the way: the warmth here in NOT from global warming, it is from the Uruguayos themselves—but that is something I don’t think Mr. Gore would recognize, even if it jumped up and bit him in the butt…)

NOTE, FOR THOSE WHO READ THIS RIGHT AFTER THE INITIAL POSTING: I have not gone senile–I wrote this with voice recognition (???) software–I think it needs some work…

]]> http://www.uruguayliving.com/2007/10/21/maybe-al-gore-was-right-%c2%bftal-vez-al-gore-tiene-razon/feed/ 2 http://www.uruguayliving.com/2007/10/09/go-east-young-man-to-a-party-in-piriapolis/ http://www.uruguayliving.com/2007/10/09/go-east-young-man-to-a-party-in-piriapolis/#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:37:03 +0000 The Southron http://www.uruguayliving.com/2007/10/09/go-east-young-man-to-a-party-in-piriapolis/ This Saturday Ken and his Family will be hosting an open house in Piriapolis.

This will be a wonderful chance for members of our online community in Piriapolis, Punta del Este and points east, both Uruguayos and extranjeros alike, to get together. (Somebody please get on the conch shell express and let the Aussie colony east of Punta know about this—can’t have a fun party without the gang from Oz!)

Ken has graciously invited me and the UL gang (including Harry the West Highland White Terrier) to attend.

I will be bringing a supply of my books which I will give away and sign, for as long as they last.

Full details can be found at: http://www.sociedadsouthron.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1073

The Southron, Jimbo, Mikey, Harry and the gang look forward to seeing you there.

Something more than 50 people, Uruguayos and Extranjeros piled into the “clubhouse” behind our offices for food and drink and fun. This week, we were pleased to have a magic show, featuring card tricks by Judith Ginerman, who first visited us with the English class in which she is a student–Judy has become a welcome regular ever since.

In addition to our “local” Uruguayan and immigrant friends, we also welcome visitors from as far away as Siberia.

The Open House is open to everyone and is held every Thursday night (with a possible exception around Christmas and the New Year) from about 6PM until we finally throw the last people out…

For directions and the address go to: directions.

For example, when I lived in the West Indies, someone would say to me, “I’m going to pass by your house tonight”. My usual response was, “that’s nice”. Then, to my surprise, that person would not “pass by” my house, but rather drop in for a visit. Eventually I came to understand that “pass by” really meant “drop in”.

A more ubiquitous example of West Indian English versus American English appeared whenever I asked a local to do something for me. Their response was inevitably, “no problem Mon”. I interpreted that to mean that they had agreed to accede to my request—in fact what they meant was that it would be no problem for them because they were going to do exactly what they wanted regardless of my request.

The same thing has happened here, except that it can be an order of magnitude worse because we have to factor in the added variables of translation complicated by English/Spanish cognates.

For example, in the United States, an architect makes the plans for building which is built by someone else—usually a general contractor. Here, in Uruguay, the architect (arquitecto) is both designer and almost always the general contractor.

There is an even wider gap between the American perception of a notary and the Uruguayan perception of the same office. Anybody with a clean police record, and IQ of 85 or above, and the ability to take an online course of a few hours can become a notary in the US.

Here, a notary (escribano) is an important professional who is key to the completion of many essential legal and commercial transactions. A civil law notary is in some ways similar to a British solicitor, in that he deals primarily with paperwork—but he also takes the place of a title insurance company, a stock transfer agent, a car title transfer agent, and probably dozens of other things with which I have not yet been confronted. Having access to a good escribano is probably more important than having a good attorney.

Another word that causes a lot of problems is the Spanish word for “to intend (to do something)”, which is “pretender”—which unfortunately Uruguayos often anglicize into “pretend”, when they really mean “intend”.

This reminds me of some differences between British and American English. In the US when you “table” a subject, you defer its consideration—in the UK, you do just the opposite; bring it up for immediate consideration.

To make things really interesting here, most of the Uruguayos who speak English have been taught British English, so you can really have some funny conversations without trying too hard.

Fortunately, almost everyone here is good natured and not quick to take offense—that proves we are neither in France nor Argentina…

UruguayConnection.com is a combination of Free English Classified Ads for Uruguay AND a Directory of Services where English is spoken.

Like Craig’s List or Angie’s list, you can also comment on the classified ads AND the directory listings.

Debbie Scott has graciously volunteered to be the Editor and Primary Moderator of the new website. She can be reached at Deb@UruguayLiving.com.

With the opening of UruguayConnection.com, our .INFO site at UruguayLiving will be retired. All of the info from that site has already migrated to the UruguayConnection.

We hope you like this newest service of UruguayLiving.com. But please don’t forget our other websites at:

www.UruguayDailyNews.com for Uruguay News in English and our Open Forum, www.SociedadSouthron.net

and coming soon… www.Urupedia.com…