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"It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage."
- Raiders of the Lost Ark - Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)
Today I celebrated my first birthday in Uruguay! I have to say, we have partied like nobody's business this weekend. Thursday night was an impromptu party with a friend who stopped by, Friday night was a dinner party for another friend and his family, and Saturday was a double-doozy with a dinner party for a neighbor and then on to a big neighborhood gathering at 9:30. Yes, 9:30! I have to take naps and drink coffee before partying with these night-owl Uruguayans. Today a neighbor stopped by with a bottle of wine for me and an invitation for lunch tomorrow. Whew! Who knew other hemispheres could be so entertaining?
The rains that would not stop in January have led to much erosion and a large sinkhole on the road to our chacra. Since we are on a private road with 23 other chacras, all the neighbors are responsible for road maintenance. Last night was a neighborhood party/meeting to discuss the road work needed. We were able to meet most of our neighborhood. The warmth and kindness of Uruguayans never ceases to amaze me. Kisses and hugs all around, of course.
The meeting was better than a movie! There was much discussion about the road. (I love it when grown-ups raise their hands to talk!) One man seemed to be in charge, but every once in awhile the system broke down with people getting up and walking around for unorganized breaks. At that point, much clapping for attention and a little yelling got people back on track.
My Spanish is not good, but I kept hearing my name in the discussion. Finally, I asked a neighbor sitting next to me to translate. Seems like someone nominated me as bookkeeper for organizing the road work funds. Good heavens - what were they thinking? Thank goodness, the party host volunteered his services for that.
I am grateful beyond belief for the new friends and neighbors.
Today I celebrated my first birthday in Uruguay! I have to say, we have partied like nobody's business this weekend. Thursday night was an impromptu party with a friend who stopped by, Friday night was a dinner party for another friend and his family, and Saturday was a double-doozy with a dinner party for a neighbor and then on to a big neighborhood gathering at 9:30. Yes, 9:30! I have to take naps and drink coffee before partying with these night-owl Uruguayans. Today a neighbor stopped by with a bottle of wine for me and an invitation for lunch tomorrow. Whew! Who knew other hemispheres could be so entertaining?
The rains that would not stop in January have led to much erosion and a large sinkhole on the road to our chacra. Since we are on a private road with 23 other chacras, all the neighbors are responsible for road maintenance. Last night was a neighborhood party/meeting to discuss the road work needed. We were able to meet most of our neighborhood. The warmth and kindness of Uruguayans never ceases to amaze me. Kisses and hugs all around, of course.
The meeting was better than a movie! There was much discussion about the road. (I love it when grown-ups raise their hands to talk!) One man seemed to be in charge, but every once in awhile the system broke down with people getting up and walking around for unorganized breaks. At that point, much clapping for attention and a little yelling got people back on track.
My Spanish is not good, but I kept hearing my name in the discussion. Finally, I asked a neighbor sitting next to me to translate. Seems like someone nominated me as bookkeeper for organizing the road work funds. Good heavens - what were they thinking? Thank goodness, the party host volunteered his services for that.
I am grateful beyond belief for the new friends and neighbors.
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"From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggety beasties And things that go bump in the night, Good Lord deliver us!" ~ Traditional Scottish Prayer
I had alone in Uruguay for two months, while my husband was back in Texas taking care of business. I was fairly proud of myself, guiding the builder and his team every day and staying all alone at night - except for my two best buddies, our Border Collies!
I hadn't gotten spooked at night; it was supernaturally quiet and easy to sleep. Sam, the Border Collie, decided that our bed was his bed of choice the very night after Hubby left for Texas. Gracie slept on the floor at the foot of the bed, but Sam even claimed Hubby's pillow!
One night, we were all nearly asleep; the bedroom windows were open to let the cool spring breezes inside. All was peaceful, but THEN!!! I heard voices; it sounded like dozens of people were chatting. Sound traveled in the country, so I could not determine where the voices were. The dogs seemed undeterred...
I looked out the window and was greeted by thousands of tiny lights. I seriously thought the aliens had landed and they were all talking! After all, I was not much of a country girl. What do you think the mysterious voices and lights were all about?
FIREFLIES and PARAKEETS!!!
In my defense, I'd never seen fireflies but once, and then only about a dozen of them. Had I ever heard parrots chattering at night in the trees? No Siree! They honestly sounded very human.
The dogs slept through the entire near-abduction...
I hadn't gotten spooked at night; it was supernaturally quiet and easy to sleep. Sam, the Border Collie, decided that our bed was his bed of choice the very night after Hubby left for Texas. Gracie slept on the floor at the foot of the bed, but Sam even claimed Hubby's pillow!
One night, we were all nearly asleep; the bedroom windows were open to let the cool spring breezes inside. All was peaceful, but THEN!!! I heard voices; it sounded like dozens of people were chatting. Sound traveled in the country, so I could not determine where the voices were. The dogs seemed undeterred...
I looked out the window and was greeted by thousands of tiny lights. I seriously thought the aliens had landed and they were all talking! After all, I was not much of a country girl. What do you think the mysterious voices and lights were all about?
FIREFLIES and PARAKEETS!!!
In my defense, I'd never seen fireflies but once, and then only about a dozen of them. Had I ever heard parrots chattering at night in the trees? No Siree! They honestly sounded very human.
The dogs slept through the entire near-abduction...
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“I don't know where we've been and I've just been there." – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - Butch (Paul Newman)
It's been nearly three months since we've been to Uruguay, and as we sort through our "stuff," we realize there is a LOT to do before moving.
As the months have passed, Uruguay is becoming a distant memory. The whole idea is starting to seem surreal and overwhelming. I need to look at some beach pictures for inspiration!
As the months have passed, Uruguay is becoming a distant memory. The whole idea is starting to seem surreal and overwhelming. I need to look at some beach pictures for inspiration!
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"Well I’ll tell you something. This is no longer a vacation. It’s a quest. It’s a quest for fun. I’m gonna have fun and you’re gonna have fun." - National Lampoon's Vacation - Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase)
It all started with the trip to Peru. While I was teaching his son, I became friends with an archaeologist, Dr. Ed Barnhart. Ed guides at least one research-based tour to South America every year. Going on his tour to Machu Picchu in Peru with my husband seemed like a great plan and plan I did! I relish in list-making and so scribed page after page of notes, packing lists, and research.
It was a glorious life-altering trip for both of us. We fell in love with South America.
It all started with the trip to Peru. While I was teaching his son, I became friends with an archaeologist, Dr. Ed Barnhart. Ed guides at least one research-based tour to South America every year. Going on his tour to Machu Picchu in Peru with my husband seemed like a great plan and plan I did! I relish in list-making and so scribed page after page of notes, packing lists, and research.
It was a glorious life-altering trip for both of us. We fell in love with South America.