tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296193542009-11-07T16:30:29.455-08:00Welcome to the website detailing our life adventures!El Torerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356208895149211040noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125UruguayanAdventurehttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-78893701437940580152009-01-04T22:33:00.000-08:002009-01-04T22:59:42.746-08:00

So I am really a nerd. I like science museums. There, I admitted it. And really, they are my museum of choice. Sure Monet and Dega are gorgeous. But it's really happening at the science exhibits. Oh, and I like political art exhibits and photography. Now you know all my secrets.Above is a picture of Cliff, a 65 million year old fossil of a Triceratops. A plant-eating dinasour found in

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-62083809910082521212009-01-01T21:27:00.000-08:002009-01-02T09:36:34.939-08:00

I love vacationing. I go to bed at midnight and wake up at 10:00am. And yesterday I woke up to a blanket of snow and a snow storm!I felt lazy as a cat all day so we stayed in and watched the brave ones trudge in the snow outside. Adults and children looked like colorful renditions of Stay Puff Marshmallow Men as they pulled make shift sleds up a nearby slope. Even their giggles of delight

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-27029654204332729882008-12-30T20:25:00.001-08:002008-12-30T21:13:47.433-08:00

Today was cold! Around 37 degrees and a definite chill in the 20 mile an hour winds. Still, we ventured out and went to Salem, to see the famed location of the historic witch trials and legends.We got off to a later start, and public transportation took longer than planned, so we didn't spend too much time exploring Salem. We did eat at a great cafe called Gulu Gulu and spent a couple hours

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-80439907797908533702008-12-29T20:52:00.000-08:002008-12-29T21:12:09.627-08:00

We are on our first big trip together since Uruguay, so I thought it was an appropriate time to revive the blog. Currently we are visiting our dear friends in Boston, MA. It is my first time to this state, and my hubby hasn't visited since he was little.We are having a great time thus far. Today we talked the Freedom Trail, ate near Quincy Market, and visited the Aquarium. Tomorrow we are

El Torerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356208895149211040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-48767491603125780952007-06-10T16:11:00.000-07:002007-06-10T16:13:48.236-07:00

We finally got home safely. 10:45am on Saturday we landed at LAX airport and were greeted with happy smiles and warm hugs. The weather was gorgeous and sunny. Off to eat sushi and miso soup and then off to bed. It's nice to be home.

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-71184434500320580752007-06-08T06:42:00.000-07:002007-06-08T07:02:50.837-07:00

Other possible titles of this post:My luck ran out a while ago….I must have broken a mirror or a glass sometime late April. I am sure I have been granted 7 weeks bad luck. Why the past month has been the hardest.As the half of the world was welcoming Spring, we in the Southern Hemisphere were starting to bundle up to guard against the cold. Unfortunately, I had to stay bundled both outside

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-65977526784896126422007-05-20T17:12:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:51.606-08:00

I have mentioned the 121 bus before, and it is my trusty method of transportation El Centro y Ciudad Vieja. I usually only take it Monday thru Friday, but as ET was not coming home from BA until Sat night, I decided to do a little shopping downtown.I have written about the ferias, where you can find clothes, leather goods, and antiques. Then there is the shopping malls which are identical to

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-35500442606285241212007-05-17T14:08:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:51.864-08:00

Sorry folks, but we lost our battle with Antel, the main internet service provider in Uruguay, to extend our provisional service for another month without having to pay an extra month and a half "connection" charge on top of the already extraordinarily monthly charge. Uruguayan communications companies (Antel, TelMex, and Dedicado) are horrible for the short-term visitors not staying for a year

El Torerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356208895149211040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-84998297445986690352007-05-11T20:35:00.001-07:002008-11-12T18:43:52.166-08:00

Unfortunately our internet service is not working. We're working on getting it reestablished so that we can keep you all updated. Type Rest of Post Here

El Torerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356208895149211040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-29518370595332359932007-05-05T08:26:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:52.373-08:00

and we will be home! We are looking forward to repeating the above picture with large crashing waves, hot sand, and bathing suits instead of shoes and sweaters.ET and I are doing well. Both continuing to be very busy. But we are looking forward to seeing all of you in the beginning of June. Have a good Cinco de Mayo!P.S. Speaking of which....next trip MEXICO

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-87455773760572732632007-04-30T08:24:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:52.787-08:00

Uruguayan bathrooms do not have toilet seat covers - something that us North Americans are not always used to. However my recent house guest was able to find travel size ones that she could keep in her purse! Got to love Target.There are some name brands that just crack us up.Example # 1. Snob toilet paper:Example #2.TITS clothing store for women. And no, they don't even sell lingerie!!Oh, I

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-16236888547746379242007-04-28T13:48:00.000-07:002007-04-28T14:02:39.195-07:00

Besides our monthly rent bill, ET and I pay a monthly "gastos comunes" which basically translates as shared or common costs. Every apartment receives one, and they are adjusted according to how much you use certain utilities during the month. However, the cost of the 24 hour security, aka the portero (or doorman), cleaning expenses of the downstairs lobby and elevator, and heat throughout the

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-68454502415685825132007-04-24T18:43:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:54.039-08:00

But it's not!Colonia del Sacramento, one of the oldest cities in Uruguay, was founded by the Portuguese in the 1680. Today, tourists and locals alike are intrigued by the cobblestone streets, small artisan shops, and antique heritage of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.We had been meaning to get out to Colonia, just two hours west of Montevideo, for sometime. On our way home from Salto we took a

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-15592543311483651212007-04-22T07:58:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:56.695-08:00

So now I have a debate going with my recent visitor and my husband. What is it? I am almost convinced I could live in the country. It's true. Perhaps I am more gaucha then I thought. Well....to be honest, let me define "the country" as hot thermal spring waters, lush green trees and plants, gorgeous country food, and a nearby afffordable spa. I have just defined Salto, Uruguay.

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-70446160720719186712007-04-15T17:20:00.000-07:002007-04-15T17:36:36.445-07:00

Wahoo...I am teaching yoga in Uruguay. As you recall back in early October I was keen on teaching here in Montevideo. This Weds I will be starting a six week course at friend's house in Punta Carretas. The space is perfect, includes mirrors, and is quiet and tranquil. There is space for four more students, so please email me if you are interested. Second, I have started teaching privately

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-57499264509323692292007-04-09T08:57:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:56.982-08:00

Since Tuesday I have been in beautiful Buenos Aires, enjoying the sunny weather, great museums, good eats, and most importantly the company of my good friend and former Santa Barbara roomate. I visited some locations I had previously seen, and also had the opportunity to explore some new barrios, restaurants, and shops.When ET and I went to BA back in November, we did not take the time see a

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-32118867494890209482007-03-31T18:59:00.000-07:002007-03-31T21:08:10.970-07:00

If you happened to be tuned in to Canal 5, Televisión Nacional, at 7:30p.m. You would have seen a program segment on Pássaro Pilates featuring GG as a model pilates practitioner!The segment was an interview with Monica Pássaro, gym owner and instructor extraordinare. Monica introduced her studio and exercise philosophy to the interviewer while GG was folding, stretching, bending, posing, and

El Torerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356208895149211040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-39773509600074667282007-03-25T17:01:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:57.514-08:00

More often than not as I walk up Avenida Brazil I see caterpillars. I have seen quite a few smooshed on the ground, but was fortunate to see a live one the other day. ET recommends that I don't touch them (he says they are poisonous!) Nonetheless, I love the way the move...me fascina! I looked up the translation of caterpillar on a dictionary online, and found two words. As with many Spanish

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-82621106821879729142007-03-19T17:13:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:57.943-08:00

When I post less frequently it is either because I have been busy with daily life or I am at a loss of what to post about. Lately, it has been both reasons!The pictures above are shots taken in 1918 and 1917, respectively. To give you an idea of how much things have changed - below is a picture another main street in Montevideo taken a few months ago.ET studies the migration of Uruguayans in

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-47685010239727477052007-03-13T16:52:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:58.120-08:00

So I went to my local carnicería today and had a nice long chat with my butcher. He first asked me if I saw my President while he was here. I said no, that he failed to drop me a visit. Then the butcher continued to tell me that just a few days before Bush's visit there was another well-known American here. It took me a while to understand the jist of what me was trying to tell me, there were

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-22025283093147506742007-03-11T05:59:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:43:58.386-08:00

Hello friends and family! Pardon my lack of interesting posts lately, but I have been somewhat busy. Here is a quick update from ET and me.Today marks the beginning of fall in Uruguay. Last night the time changed, just as it did in the states. However we fall back and the states spring forward. This is good news! There is now only a four hour time difference between Uruguay and California!

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-68373764315347216742007-03-08T10:40:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:43:58.518-08:00

Today is Woman´s Day in Uruguay. Qué Aproveche!

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-87452984635717654162007-03-04T09:44:00.000-08:002007-03-04T10:02:54.533-08:00

There has been a notable shift in Montevideo from last week to this week. Streets are crowded, stores are filled, and traffic has increased. School starts this week, and I see many young people with backpacks jumping on the bus to register for classes. I realize how much I missed the movement of the city. Less exciting is the weather change! The first days of March have brought cold, wind,

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-91369749918232750012007-02-26T15:11:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:43:59.011-08:00

This past Saturday was a gorgeous 75 degrees or so with little humidity. Too nice to stay inside, I called a friend and we headed downtown. Originally, the intent was to get some good coffee and masas at Oro del Rhin, but like so many other businesses downtown, they were closed for the weekend. We opted for ice cream in Plaza Matriz, and stumbled upon a great show. Flamenco dancers, formed

El Torerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356208895149211040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29619354.post-38071429954243226982007-02-23T11:07:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:43:59.180-08:00

Last night I met two lovely girls, both named Veronica and both hair stylists here in Montevideo. I am sure I overwhelmed them - as soon as their professions were revealed I started my plea to them to fix my hair.It's not BAD, but it ain't good either. Uruguayans seem to like a certain style of hair cut for women which leaves long layers on the bottom and lots of hair on the top, cutting right

La Gaucha Guapahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00515718831114091975noreply@blogger.com