When is the Christmas Fair at Belmont House?

This week from 11am-9pm on Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun the Christmas Fair is on at Belmont House in Carrasco.  Worth checking out and don't forget to take your Itau credit card for 25% discount!

Where can you get great beauty and healing treatments?

I can highly recommend the services of Yoshie at Skye and Gaia Healing.  Her facial treatment is awesome and I have also nothing but great feedback about her massages.  Yoshie also does a number of other treatments.  Worth checking out!!!

Skye and Gaia website

What can you do after blueberry picking?

Are you heading out to pick blueberries this Saturday or next?  if you are and you would like a great recommendation for somewhere to head for lunch afterwards then I would suggest Estancia Renacimiento.  We really enjoyed our long afternoon here in the sun last year after we went blueberry picking.  The lunch was great, the kids enjoyed playing in the large playground and with all the animals, overall it was a great afternoon out.  We will be heading back here for sure.

Estancia Renacimiento
address: Route 11, km 157 Canelones (basically it is the same route that you drive to get to Pilar's blueberry chacra)
website: http://www.estanciarenacimiento.com.uy/

Christmas displays....

It is that time of year when the beautiful Christmas displays are going up at the shopping malls in Uruguay.  A nice little outing for anyone to enjoy.  Here is a sneak peak of a couple of the great displays:

Cirque du Soleil is coming to Montevideo...

Cirque du Soleil is coming to Montevideo on 9 March 2016.  Get your tickets from Abitab after 2pm on 11 November.

Read more here.

Anyone interested in helping out at a beach cleanup tomorrow?

Head on down to Playa Verde tomorrow, Saturday 7 November from 10-12 to help in a beach cleanup:

When does the blueberry picking season start?

Pick-your-own blueberries!!! from this Saturday 7 November, and continuing every Saturday throughout the season at Pilar´s chacra, from 9am-1pm.

BLUEBERRIES just 130 pesos/kg!!!

From the Atlántida overpass, head north (inland) on Ruta 11 for 6.5 km. You will see a metal windmill (water pump) on your left. Turn at the next road RIGHT.  On this road, the first left turn is to the beehive sandbag house. The second turn left, through the big open gate, is Pilar´s chacra.

There are buckets to pick blueberries but please bring your own containers to take the berries home.

Everybody is welcome. Tell your friends. 

Looking for a garage/yard sale today?

In Montevideo:

In Punta Del Este:

Looking for some family events this weekend?...

There are family friendly events all weekend in Prado:  check it out here.

Looking for something to do next weekend?

Are you looking for travel deals?

I have been using the services of Carrasco Viajes for a couple of years now and really like them.  My travel agent is Anne (her email is below).  I request flight quotes as well as package holiday quotes via email which is very convenient.  You can join their Facebook page to see information on upcoming deals.  I find their prices very competitive and the service is efficient.  I highly recommend Carrasco Viajes.

Carrasco Viajes
1615 Cambará
Tel: 2604 8330 
anne@carrascoviajes.com.uy
Facebook
Website

Looking for something to do this weekend? how about a taste of Africa...

Don't know how to park? don't worry...move to Uruguay where no one knows how to park!

It doesn't take long after arriving in Uruguay to you realise that no one in Uruguay seems to know how park, nor do they care how they park!  Even if I park slightly close to the line on the carpark I back up and straighten up but this is unseen in Uruguay.  People park wherever they want in whatever way they way.  These are just a few of the photos from the hundreds of possible pics of terrible parking in Uruguay:

Two carparks and half a disabled carpark...why not!

Smallest car in the world but it needs two parks...

How about you park 20cm from my car so I can't even get into it!...

Don't want to park on the street...no problem just park on the nature street or the footpath!...

What is the next production by the Montevideo Players Club?

The Montevideo Players Club presents their next production...

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

by William Shakespeare

Directed by Marcelo Garmendia.

at 9:00 pm, at the Neil Fairless Centre, Acevedo Diaz 2324.

Shows in the garden!! 

(In case of bad weather it will be indoors. IT WON'T BE CANCELLED)

SHOWS IN NOVEMBER:

Wednesday 4th

Thursday 5th

Friday 6th

Thursday 12th

Friday 13th

Saturday 14th

Wednesday 25th

Friday 27th

Saturday 28th

TICKETS:

Adults - $ 250.-

Students & OAP's - $ 150.-

Members - FREE!

SPECIAL OFFER FOR STUDENTS - ONLY FOR WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY PERFORMANCES - Groups of 10 or more (including the teacher!) pay only $ 100.- each!

Bookings exclusively through:  montevideoplayers@gmail.com

Our bookings/payment system works as follows:

1) You contact us (by mail or phone shown above) and indicate which show you want to attend. Groups must book only in teacher's name.

2) We confirm the availability of seats for that performance and hold them for you for a maximum of 48 Hrs.

3) You go to any Red Pagos branch anywhere in the country within the 48 Hrs. and pay the ticket/s amount with name into

    RED PAGOS COLECTIVO Nº 44275 – MONTEVIDEO PLAYERS

(Groups must pay in teacher's name, otherwise payment cannot be traced.

If payment is not made within the 2 days, you go back to point 1 and start all over again!)

4) Red Pagos informs us of the deposit.

5) We confirm your booking.

6) You pick up your tickets at the Box Office straight before the show.

7) You enjoy the show!

REMEMBER

- Red Pagos DOES NOT issue tickets - they provide a collection service where you simply deposit cash.

- If you deposit in Red Pagos before booking with us, you run the risk of paying for a ticket that has already been sold!

- Red Pagos makes NO RESERVATIONS

Resource Packs regrettably not available

BOOK NOW!

The Pub will be open as of 8:30 PM, during the interval and after the show (when you can meet the Cast!) serving Pub food and real English draught beers.

Are you prepared for the sidewalks in Uruguay?

Like other countries in South America (i.e. Brazil) the responsibility of sidewalks belongs not to the government/local council authorities but to the house owner adjacent to the sidewalk.  What this leads to is a mis-match of sidewalks (if any!), badly maintained sidewalks and next to no curb ramps.  So be prepared and if you have young children bring a great stroller with good suspension.

This is what I walk over (and push a stroller over) on the way to school everyday:

 No sidewalk, no curb ramp...

Busy intersection with no curb ramps and no pedestrian crossing lights! cross the street at your own risk :)

Are you looking for somewhere to have brunch in Montevideo?

We visited NoveCento restaurant on the weekend to have brunch.  Yes, you read correctly, there is indeed somewhere to have brunch in Uruguay!  I enjoyed eggs benedict and although it was served on bread and not an English muffin it was still good.  For $145 pesos the kids meals are a bargain and massive servings.  The lunch menu is also good - the steak fries are awesome!.  The added family-friendly service and environment is great, they even provide crayons and paper tablecloths for children to draw on.  My family and I will be returning here for sure, I want to try the NoveCento omelette next :)

www.novecento.com
Rambla Pte Charles de Gaulle, Montevideo
2624 1900

Did you miss the last Design Fair in Montevideo?

Not to worry...there are two more Ferias Maxima De Diseño coming up this year:  the Summer fair on 16/17/18 October and the Christmas fair on 27/28/29 November.

Would you like to play some darts?

The Montevideo Players Society are happy to announce...

THE URUGUAYAN OPEN DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP

To be held on Saturday 3rd October at 8.30pm at the Neil Fairless Centre - Acevedo Díaz 2324.

Admission:

$200 - Adults

$100 - Members/Students/OAPs

To participate in the tournament, please confirm by e-mail to montevideplayers@gmail.com.  The admission will be charged on the night.

Have you been to El Gran Pez Restaurant in El Pinar?

I visited El Gran Pez Restaurant in El Pinar yesterday and it stood up to all the great things that I had been told about it.  The food was excellent, full of flavour and quite different to all the other restaurants we have tried in Uruguay - make sure to check out the specials too.  The sunny outdoor space at El Gran Pez is lovely and our kids enjoyed running around as well as playing on the small playground.  You need to make reservations at El Gran Pez, it is quite popular, and also note that it is cash only.  Check out El Gran Pez on Facebook.

Want to go to a Spring Food Festival tomorrow?

Are you looking for 2nd hand clothes at a great price?

There is a garage sale in Carrasco tomorrow (Friday 4 September) from 10am-8pm.  Plenty of mens and womans clothes/shoes going cheap!  More than 300 items and everything must go!!! 

Contact Yoshie at yoshie@skyeandgaia.com for the address and more details.  Also, there are more photos and info on the Uruguay KIDS/FAMILY INFO*BUY*SELL group on Facebook (if you are a member).

Where can I buy cheap pineapples and strawberries?

On the corner of Cooper and Av. Italia there is a stand selling strawberries (2 kilos for $100) and pineapples (2 for $100).  The stand has been there everyday this week, keep an eye out!

How can I learn to sew?

I love teaching sewing lessons.   I am very proud of my current student who made a bag-inner purse using her Grandmother's old sewing machine.  Before we started lessons she had never even threaded a machine! and from there she designed the purse, and learnt how to draft a pattern and sew it all together (including the zip).  The finished design is great!  Now we are onto our next project.

If you are interested in sewing lessons please feel free to contact me contactaskannette@gmail.com 

How do you claim back some of your FONASA payments?

Do make payments to BPS?...did you know that you can claim back some of your FONASA payments...and the more dependents that you have the more money you will get back!

As of 12 September you can check if you have any money available for repayment from excess contributions to FONASA (from the 2014 financial year), on the BPS website: https://devolucionfonasa.bps.gub.uy/. This service is available 24 hours, every day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays. Then after you check what you are owed (if any) you can collect the money by showing your cedula at any Abitab, after the date specified in this schedule:

The last digit of your cedula:	Collection after:
0 - 1	23/09
2 - 3	24/09
4 - 5	25/09
6 - 7	26/09
8 - 9	27/09

Are the Rolling Stones performing a concert in Uruguay?

Yes they have finally confirmed!  The Rolling Stones are performing a concert in Montevideo on 16 February 2016.  You can follow them and get updates via the Facebook page.  Mark your calendars :)

Where can you buy beans for a bean bag in Montevideo?

It seemed to me that all 'bean' bags in Uruguay were actually filled with foam chips so I went on a mission to find actual beans to fill my bags. After much searching I managed to find bags of beans at a shop called Paganini Rossi, address: Colonia 2223 (not too far from Tres Cruces Mall area). 350pesos for a large bag (1kg worth). However, I made the bean bags myself because to find those is much harder - unless you like plastic/vinyl covered bags which seem to be able to be bought in Uruguay (but are not very comfortable to sit on).  It took me two 1kg bags of beans to fill each of my bean bags.

Does anyone need stickers from Devoto?

I have 3 full books of the stickers from Devoto for their current crockery promotion.  I won't be using them so if anyone needs them please let me know.

Where is Oceania del Polonio?

I just returned from a weekend away in Oceania del Polonio in the Rocha area.  It is the beach area before Cabo Polonio, but unlike Cabo, Oceania has electricity and running water.  There are a few houses scattered around Oceania but it is pretty rural - just sandy/dirt roads leading to each house and no street lights.  We booked a nice little 2 bedroom house on Airbnb.com and there are a few to chose from on that site.  Use this link if you are new to Airbnb and want a $25 credit:  www.airbnb.com/c/aswale?s=8

So if you are looking for a nice rural getaway on the beach I would recommend this quiet spot.  Just remember to take all your food/drinks/necessities with you and enjoy!

Where are there gymnastics clubs in Montevideo?

Centro de Gimnasia Artistica
8 de octubre and Herrera
Facebook
cgauruguay@gmail.com
Florencia 099 295 589 
Luciana 099 180 884
Open: Mon-Fri 5-9pm

Escuela de Desarrollo Gimnástico

Liceo 15 gym on Costa Rica and Couture

Facebook

edgimnastico@gmail.com

Florencia 099 698 992

Also Lawn Tennis Club, Malvin Club and Club Nautico all have gymnastics, but you have to be a member of the club.

When is the next production at The British Schools?

Tickets went on sale today for the latest British Schools production...get in quick, it is only on for 1 week and tickets are selling fast!

Where can you take classes in glass fusing, ceramics and mosaic?

You can take classes in glass fusing, ceramics and/or mosaic (all 3 or just choose one) at Taller de Montevideo.  They speak basic English if you need assistance but it is not a problem to learn any of these arts without speaking Spanish.  They also speak French.

Classes in Glass fusing, ceramics or mosaic are: 

Monday 15 to 16.45

or 

Wednesday 9.45 to 11.30

or 

Tuesday  9.45 to 11.30

Contact:

Rosina or Pablo

Taller de Montevideo

Luis de la Torre 670

http://tallermontevideo.blogspot.com/tallermontevideoarte@gmail.com

2711 6558 or 099 474 438

How is the shopping in the Barrio Judio (Jewish Area) of Montevideo?

I finally made it to the Barrio Judio for some discount shopping the other day.  I started at the corner of Justicia and Amezaga streets and wandered in different directions.  In particular I can highly recommend the Casino shop for lots of homewares, toys, tools, nic nacs and more.  Also, the ABC Home store was great for lovely homewares and gifts.  And lastly in the Indian Emporium store not only do they sell lots of great shoes and clothes at awesome sale prices but they also offer a great selection of fabrics.  I will be returning to this great shopping area again for sure :)