After only 18 months, Sociedad Southron Asociacion Civil (SSAC) has been approved as a non-profit organization here in Uruguay.

The purposes and programs for which the organization was founded are those noted on the main page of this website, which I will reprint here:

The Sociedad Southron is a non-profit society the purposes of which are:

1.    to encourage qualified foreign retirees, investors and entrepreneurs to relocate to Uruguay, in order to further the economic and social development of Uruguay; and

2.    to facilitate social and business contacts between these newcomers and both native and naturalized Uruguayans, in order to expedite the assimilation of the newcomers into Uruguayan society; and

3.    to arrange group discounts and other benefit programs for members of the Sociedad; and

4.    to unite both groups to work together for their mutual advancement and for the advancement of Uruguay economically, culturally and socially, while balancing any advancement against the imperative of preserving Uruguay’s quality of life.

The Sociedad Southron will support programs and engage in activities which will:

5.    help and encourage newcomers to learn the Spanish language; and

6.    promote the spread of English as a business language in order to assist in the development of Uruguay’s economy; and

7.    work to make Uruguay more accessible for handicapped members of the community; and

8.    support effective consumer rights; whenever possible, through dialog with the business community, but when necessary, through direct consumer advocacy against the most egregious offenders, and

9.    sponsor and subsidize charitable works in Uruguay for the benefit of deserving disadvantaged persons; and

10.    discourage the immigration of persons who would be detrimental to Uruguay’s wellbeing.
The law requires that dues are charged for membership, but they are being set as low as allowed.

To get things started, I am transferring ownership of this website, UruguayDailyNews.com and UruguayConnection.com to SSAC.  I am also transferring the ownership of the artwork proper to those sites.

One of my hopes is to now turn UruguayDailyNews.com into a much bigger enterprise.  I hope to solicit advertising or corporate sponsorships, or even grants.  I have refused to do so prior to this time because I did not want to accept one penny into my company’s accounts in order to keep the separation complete and the books spotless.

Capital Conservator will continue to sponsor the activities of the projects, now to be owned by SSAC, but I hope that other sources will help bear the burden as well.

I would appreciate your ideas regarding the things SSAC should do, and the way those things can be implemented.  Please email me at Southron@UruguayLiving.com, rather than sending PM’s here.

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! 

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.

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…

We invite you to join with us in celebrating someone so central to all of us who participate in UruguayLiving or the SociedadSouthron forum.

Fifty-five weeks ago Santiago Galli starting working at the UruguayLiving.com office. At that time we were working out of a small house just off the Rambla in Carrasco. We had no proper offices. The Copperhead had a bedroom upstairs and worked from the dining room table, I lived and worked in a converted garage built into the house right next door to the dining room. When we hired Santi we had to put him at a small desk in the lobby at the top of the spiral staircase.

Santi must have run up and down those stairs 100 times each day–I think he needs to do that again because the “good life” is starting to show around his beltline.

In many way, Santiago has been a key element in making UruguayLiving “work”. Those of you for whom he has called taxis, made reservations, helped open bank accounts or order telephone and internet service know just how valuable he has been.

He has been even more valuable in getting things done for our company–always with a smile and a polite word: he simply charms people into letting him have his way. And the staff he has assembled is every bit as good at their respective jobs as is Santi–without them, UruguayLiving, not to mention our “real” businesses), would be far poorer.

I love to tell the story of how Santiago came to work for us.

We had an advert in the newspaper for a staff assistant and marketing person. We received hundreds of the worst, most boring CVs (resumes to you Yankees) one can imagine: pages and pages of certificates, courses, and the like–inevitably starting with where they attended elementary school and working forwards from there.

I looked at these until my eyes rolled into the back of my head and I was ready to scream.

Then I came across one application with a cover letter. How unique! One phrase in the letter struck me. In contradistinction to the usual laundry list of qualifications, he wrote the following:

I have NO qualifications whatsoever for this job, but I think it would be fun and I would like to try it.

That got him an interview, a job offer and a job–the rest, as they say is history.

There is one funny side to the story: Santi was afraid to apply, and his mother, our good friend Doctora Bonetti, made him…

Mother always knows best! (As I wrote that, I heard a crack of thunder–I think my mother saw it and was pleased that I finally admitted it…)

By the way, Santiago was given the southron name Jimbo because Santiago means Saint James, from which we took the southron dimimutive Jimbo…after all “The Saint” was already taken.

Directions at: http://www.sociedadsouthron.net/forums/ … f=12&t=546

The traditional green beer and Jameson’s Whiskey will be provided, as will the less traditional green vodka (St Patrick is an Orthodox Saint too, you know!). Green faces will be provided by the attendees at some point during the evening dependiong upon their consumption.

Also in keeping with our tradition of good food, no Irish food will be served whatsoever (no Scottish or English either). Rumor has it that there will be finger food, also traditional at Irish events because knives, forks and spoons can be dangerous at Irish events.  This event however, will be catered by one of our more talented members–requests for “corn beef and cabbage” flavored tofu will go unfullfilled.

Uruguayos, medio-Uruguayos and extranjeros are welcome!

Please RSVP so we know how much food and booze to buy, Santiago has to drink everything left over and we wouldn’t want him to get alcohol poisoning.

But, no matter how hard we try, we can never fairly represent Uruguay the way native born Uruguayos can. Because it is their story that needs to be told, and not ours, we at UruguayLiving.com have decided to publish UruguayDailyNews.com as a means for Uruguay’s authentic voices to be heard to the world, or at least the English-speaking portions thereof.

UruguayDailyNews.com is primarily a digest of the news as reported by the major newspapers and broadcast media here in Uruguay.

The stories that we cover are selected by Uruguayos, not by us. The overwhelming majority of the articles will be taken from these local news sources, to which links will be provided whenever possible.

We make sure that you know whence those reports originated—and also the point of view of the original reporter, if possible.

Front page news will be reported daily, Monday through Friday—extraordinary events will be covered even on the weekends. Less pressing business, cultural, artistic, sports and other community news will be covered at least once weekly. Monday they will focus on the visit to Uruguay of President Bush this weekend.

We, the medio-Uruguayos (half-Uruguayans), help things along by editing the English translations and also by writing editorials occasionally. We also may try to explain some of the things reported in order to make them more understandable to our worldwide Anglophone audience.

And you can participate!

UruguayDailyNews.com is in blog format so there will be a place for your questions or comments—after they have been reviewed to avoid spam, commercials, or other over-the-top behavior.

THIS IS JUST A START!!! New features are planned for coming months. With your support it will grown and become a permanent part of the media here.

Welcome to UruguayDailyNews.com!

¡Bienvenidos a UruguayDailyNews.com!

Publisher: R David Finzer
Deputy Publisher: Santiago Galli
Editor-in-Chief: Christopher T. Kohl
Managing Editor: Andres Garín
News Editor: Pablo Cadenas
Kibitzer-at-Large: Theodore L. Raiter