Grouchy Gabe visits the ROU

 Janine and Cecilia's brother Gabriel was here for a visit at the end of February.  He spent an easy two weeks living among us with no set schedule.  It's a rare pleasure to have a visitor that's not rushed either by the pressures of getting in all the 'required' visits or their own hectic itinerary.

Grouchy who? It was a pleasure.
                                                                                                                                   

We had a chance, during Gabriel's visit to spend the weekend in Punta del Este and we jumped at it.




The stay was short, but the weather was great.

Gabriel, Janine & Cecilia

These are some siblings that had some catching up to do.
And boy did they.



After so much distance, it ended up easy breazy.
You never know.

One night we had to remind this long estranged 'Porteno/Yanqui' just how good our Chivitos are.

This night we had a nice table outside at Tinkal. It's right on the Rambla and the night-time ambiance was spectacular.

And the Chivitos? Fantastico, por supuesto.

We had some problems with the plan to upgrade from PS2 to PS3.

Rebecca had been so kind and dilligent to find the new equipment and games while Gabriel hauled it down here.

The kids are thrilled and are trying hard to sell the old system,  which languishes on a sort of 'ebay', Mercado Libre, waiting for a new home.

Mission Accomplished?

American visitors, look out!

I had made some contact with an American couple toying with the idea of Uruguay as a retirement spot. I like to check out Expat Blogs, sometimes even throwing in a comment or two.  When I heard they were coming at the end of March, I offered to show them around a bit.
We drove out east to see Casapueblo in Punta Baillena, Punta del Este glamor and the famous Playa Brava fingers sculpture (above). I was trying to get a shot of our guests, but this adorable tourist from England kept getting in the frame. 
We also went to check out a gated community development marketed toward expats that they found on the internet. Spectacular views, some pretty nice homes under construction near Pan de Azucar. The developer has promised golf membership in a ritzy Pt. del Este club, a Healing Center and a Heliport to justify the hefty price tag. $250-$400,000 USD with some financing if you pony up now. The area is beautiful, quite near beautiful Piripolis beaches and just an hour and a half from Montevideo, but I'd think twice about throwing in with this guy. Our new friends want to be here for (our) winter to escape Atlanta's summer heat. This part of Uruguay will be cold, windy and almost deserted that time of year. Plus I wouldn't be so sure the developer can make good on all promised.
Where's the heliport?

I think they are enjoying the trip and are starting to appreciate Uruguay. However, like many of their countrymen with the nerve to venture out into the world, they are trying to force their square peg into this round hole and wondering why it doesn't fit. I don't think they'll be back, there's a lot of world to search for a place that really speaks to them. Good Luck on the quest and thanks for the visit.