End of an Era

1922-2012

Lots of activity since the last post.

First off, it's the end of an era, as they say.

Janine's mother Maria Amalia Cipolina Borrazas passed away this January 27, just 6 days shy of her 90th birthday from complications due to an infection. I guess being nearly 90 caught up with her. We felt prepared for anything, but this ended up happening kind of fast. In many ways that's probably best.

Jani's older brother Gabriel had booked a visit to coincide with her 90th birthday. Alas, the universe just listens to our plans and laughs. That party didn't happen, but Gabriel's visit did in what turned out to be a great visit that I'll be sharing in the next post.

A surprise (extended) family visit to Coffee Shop recently. The children of Janine's Godfather (also Amalia's first cousin) Gejermo Riva-Zucchelli. Clockwise from front left; Fernando, Juan, Maria Isabel and Elena. Their dad was this amazing sculpter and had a swanky villa near Punta del Este. He threw Janine and I our wedding party and it was kind of outrageous.

Great that they are getting together. (Are other siblings doing this too?)  And so nice that they thought to drop by Coffee Shop.

This past week the prodigal son has finally returned.


Gabrielito's visit was as easy going as I've seen. He was in some new place and was only faintly bemused by his ex-country's idiosyncracies. The last guy who showed up with his mug couldn't handle milk in a bag. 180 degrees around and headed in a positve direction. Waddya know?







School has started for many kids and our guys head back on the 12th. Vincent will be getting up just after 6:00 am.

Vincent and Mauro. Morning guys?

I can hardly think of anything that sounds less natural.

Vamos Arriba.

Thanks for checking in.












Hypocondriac (not this last time though!), gadfly, complainer who could speak volumes on any subject without the inconvenience of  facts getting in the way, she was the life of any party for more years than any of us youngsters can remember. Intrepid and stoically pressing forward despite lesser fortunes these years, it seemed sometimes that she's be here forever.

C-c-c-c-cold down here!

What heat we've got is working full time these days.

Sumo gets toasty

As I've posted, many houses have no heating systems. Fancy homes may have hot water radiators with a gas furnace, some oil burners may still be kicking around.
Most, use any combination of space heaters (electric or gas) and a type of wood burning 'stove' that is incredibly effecient. Those heaters are iron boxes that take a small cut of split wood. It's kept closed off and I think the restricted air influx keeps it burning a long time. A friend has one and says it's  eccomical and efficient.
No small concern considering we pay around $3 pesos per kilo for wood, buying the minimum 300 kg for a delivery. This price has risen steadily since we've been keeping track, so we try to use it wisely. $900 pesos is about $45 dollars and depending on how cold it is, lasts us from 3 weeks to a month.
Working in concert with the fireplace is our handy 'estufa'. It's a little wheeled appliance that carries it's 13kg. tank of gas around behind it. We have two of these and it's the same type of  tank that powers the stove. We groan and order a new 'garrafa' or tank every week (or few days) or few minutes it would seem. They are around $320 pesos or U$16.
I don't know what this all adds up to, but we juggle cost and comfort for what feels like a very long winter.
First order of the morning is to fire up some heat so the family can wake up slightly more comfortable than I did.

Our kitchen

Feisty Uruguay
Here's a link to a great article about Uruguay and it's prospects for the future. No sales job here, I'm just saying that as the US credit rating slips, tiny Uruguay is on the rise. I'm just saying.

Coffee Shop
Life is a little whacky these days as Janine and I are super busy attempting to start a new business Here in Uruguay. If you follow that blog, you've witnessed some of the process.
We are exhausted, nervous and excited. When will it be finished? How will it be received? Will we make a decent living? How will I manage with my Spanish?
Everything is falling into place. So soon we will see.

We hear the Eastern Seaboard is experiencing a rare hurricane. Good luck to all our US friends and family on riding out the storm.

Our niece Natalie is out in the world again, this time learning how to teach and polishing her Spanish in Peru! You can keep track of her travels on her latest blog. She's in Arequipa and fighting to stay positive.
First world, meet the rest of the world. Rock on Natalie.

That's all.

Montevideo Coffee Shop

As we anxiously await a closing on San Salvador, we must ponder our options. What is the correct posture between patiently waiting for the 'right' time and seizing the moment?
In one way, there isn't a moment to spare regarding our new business. We need to begin this part of our journey and start earning as soon as possible. 
On the other hand, I can't escape the feeling that we'll be spending the money too fast. Like kids who can't hold on to their earnings for even a day.
Since we've been planning this business for nearly forever and have been sizing up the market almost since we got here, I would say we have put in the time. 
It's such a plunge, any amount of time would probably feel rushed. 
Here's our latest, best hope.....

 Keep up with the process on Coffee Shop blog.
Cheers