Not in Uruguay

Well, we received a BBQ, today. It was delivered this morning. Doesn't really look like much, does it? It really isn't. Just a mid to lower priced Sears gas BBQ. Probably a couple of years of use and then it will need work. And how much would one pay for this used, low-quality BBQ? Would you believe $250 (and that is US).

"Why would you spend $250 for that piece of ****?" you might ask. Well, it is the only show in town. I bought it from an expat who no longer needed it. And I will have to do a little work to make it work with Uruguayan gas bottles (garafas). This is because the UY pressure for gas tanks is apparently lower than US standards. So I have to have a regulator and enlarged orifices for it to function properly.

Before moving I had purchased a brand new stainless steel, top of the line Weber BBQ. But we were told that it wouldn't be allowed in our household goods. As things turned out, I think I got bad information or maybe it was correct. Not important at this juncture. I returned the new BBQ before we shipped our goods and have ended up having to buy a much inferior piece of equipment. The only other choice it to learn how to use the Uruguayan style wood BBQ that came with the house. It is beautiful- and I hope to have the patience to use it someday. But when I want BBQ'd meat, I want it now! Sorry.

Next week sometime I hope to have the BBQ fired up and a couple of T-bone steaks on the grill. I will go down to the local butcher, point out the costillas con lomo that I want, hold up fingers for how thick I want them and walk away with steak dinner. Now if I can only find some sour cream for our baked potatoes......

Summer In Marindia

Another lovely day in Marindia. There was a warning about the excessive heat today- suggesting that we stay off the beach from 1-4, today. Being under a hole in the ozone layer means dangerous UV exposure, if you are not protected. However, at about 1, today, a lovely little breeze came along and once again we are experiencing a delicious summer day.

In Seattle the summer was fleeting and sketchy, at best. Here, however we have enjoyed day after day of lovely weather and for a change the water is very blue. You see, as close as we are to the mouth of the Rio Plata, many days we see brownish water from silt carried by the river. It is not really dirty, but looks dirty. However, on nice days like today- it could be a tropical setting anyplace in the world.

There is an ongoing fire in the next community, that started days ago on the 1st. It is mainly burning in unpopulated areas, but they are having a difficulty getting it under control. Fortunately for us, the wind is away from us, so we do not even get a whiff of the smoke. The helicopters bring load after load of water, but a stiff breeze seems to keep the fire going.

Other than that, we can think of no reason to complain. By the end of the week we hope to have some pictures of our progress. Denise complains that the blog has come to be all about the house. True. Unfortunately for the first 8-10 months  most of our efforts were relating to the house. Hopefully, we will begin to enjoy more of what Uruguay has to offer. But for now we will sit back and enjoy the summer.

New RSS Feed

I have added the RSS feature (to the upper left) in case you don't want to have to check back for new postings. I just started using it on other sites, myself, so I wasn't aware that I could offer the service. After subscribing to either the posts or comments, whenever a new post or comment comes up- a notification be mailed to you. Much easier to keep up to date.

4th of July in December

Question: What do the Fourth of July and December 25th have in common?

Answer: Fireworks (if you live in Uruguay, that is)!

Last night, December 25th, at midnight, we were treated with a fireworks display that would rival any neighborhood 4th of July in the States. We had little hints over the previous few days- stray firecrackers going off at odd hours. I think we had heard about this, but never really put it together. But the stroke of midnight settled all doubts, as firecrackers and lots and lots of rockets lit up the night sky.

I guess this explains why Santa stations himself at the North Pole- the danger of being shot down over Uruguay.

Learning to Live With It

We we finally got delivery of our custom desk, to fit in the alcove off of our dining area. About 6 weeks ago the carpinteria (carpenter) said it would be ready in 3 weeks. Welcome to Uruguay.

However, after it was delivered and installed we looked over the desk. It is really bad. I could have done a much better job (if I had been so inclined). The piece was not properly sanded, the finish was not properly applied. The stain is very splotchy and there are even some drips. Two of of the little door panels have the grain running in a different direction. The routing on the doors is uneven in places. There are screws showing on a finished surface!

Still, it is finished and installed. The black granite top (purchased from a different source) will be delivered Tuesday and then it will be usable. However, after looking at the piece and rating it 5 out of a possible 10, I really don't feel that bad. It looks like an old piece of built in furniture that we found in the house and decided to keep. And after all is said and done, it does fit perfectly in the space and it does give Denise and I all the desk and storage space we need.

So am I complaining? Actually not (to my great surprise). I am learning that as long as it works and isn't hideous- let's get on with life. We are getting everything we want. The quality might not be the best- but it is within our limited budget and everything is solidly built. So what is there to complain about? Sit back, enjoy the breeze off the water, pour a glass of wine (essential in these situations), cook up some dinner and enjoy!

You Get What You Pay For

When I came back from shopping at Tienda Inglesa, today, Denise was fit to be tied. It turns out that the work we had completed did not meet her standards. And after looking at it, I could see why.

You see, we got our new front door security bars installed. They actually look great. However, we did not get them primarily for security. We got them because we wanted a secure front door that we could open during hot weather, with a mosquito screen. You don't see the screen do you? That is because the herrero put the screen on the outside. The ugly frame with a thousand pop rivets and screen were put on the outside. The lovely design of the door that matches the design on the gate cannot be seen- so we took off the screens and will pay to have it done the right way. We want the neighbors to see the design, not the rivets....

Oh well, you get what you pay for. The guy does nice work, a clean installation (within reason) but no idea what the finished job should look like. To be fair, however, even paying for a new screen will cost less than other estimates. But (and let's all say this together) "You get what you pay for!"

The Gate

"Friday's child is full of woe"... is how that poem goes in some versions. But here, Friday's child just keeps on keepin on. We are at the end of a very productive week and considering that a bad storm was predicted (it never showed up), we accomplished much more than expected.






I don't know about you, but I am getting tired of seeing and posting information about half-finished projects. I long to see something totally finished. Even the gate needs painting and a good solid padlock (hard to find, here). At this stage, however, things are moving along more rapidly. And each day sees something new accomplished, so I can hardly expect more. After all, we have only been in this country 6 months and what more could we expect? We don't even have our official residency, yet and we own a house and are well underway on the projects. Hey, let's loosen up a little, sit back and enjoy the weekend. Sun is shining, there is a pound cake in the oven and I am about to prepare some of the fresh strawberries Denise bought at the feria, yesterday. Then I'll whip up some whipcream with some of the delicious cream you get here. Life is not that bad. By the way, the other version of the poem reads, "Friday's child is loving and giving...." That's the version I like.