Looking for some unique Christmas gifts?

Mis Petates is a store that sells unusual and unique items, including great little gag gifts.  There is always something you can find here for that person that is hard to buy for, or just for yourself.  I would recommend you have a look at one of their three stores in Montevideo.

Mis Petates
Cambará 1621 (Carrasco), Jaime Zudáñez 2609 (Trouville), & Montevideo Shopping

info@mispetates.com

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Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-8pm

Are you looking for fabulous Uruguayan wool clothing/homewares?

I was at a fair today where I saw the lovely products that Don Baez makes.  I then visited their store and was even more impressed by the quality and styles of their clothing and homewares.  Don Baez is a Uruguayan brand and all products are 100% undyed merino wool.  I recommend you check out their store!

Don Baez
Jose Ellauri 532, Montevideo
2716 2375
donbaez@donbaez.com
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Have you been to Pueblo Chico?

I have visited Pueblo Chico twice and have enjoyed it so much that I thought I would tell you all about it.   Pueblo Chico offers a day experience - you can go for lunch in the restaurant which includes use of the swimming pool and the large grounds/playground - or you can go for an overnight experience and stay in one of their great cabins.  The food in the restaurant is typical Uruguayan cuisine with a slight twist, due to the owners Greek heritage.  The restaurant prices are on the slightly higher side but seeing as it includes the use of the swimming pool and vast grounds I find it acceptable.  Overall I think this is a lovely place to go (especially for a family with young children).

Pueblo Chico
Interbalnearia km55.500, Costa Azul, Canelones
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Website

When are the next gift fairs happening?

Does it snow in Uruguay?

We may not have real snow in Uruguay but there is fake snow falling at the Christmas display at Punta Carretas Shopping Mall!, check out the schedule of snowfalls:

Are you looking for a charity to donate to?

Proyecto America is a non-profit organisation here in Uruguay (with headquarters in Florida, USA) that will come to your house (in the Montevideo region) to collect goods.  They will collect clothes, toys, homewares, furniture...basically anything that can be put to use or sold to raise funds.  They use the goods and funds to help any place or person that lives in extreme need, whether by catastrophe or poverty.  Also in June/July/August they collect food to help feed the homeless.  You can contact them in English (I did so via SMS) and they came to collect my goods that same day!  What a great way to help others :)

PROYECTO AMERICA
Calle Colonia 1243 (esquina Yi)
Facebook
Website
conosur@proyectoamerica.net

Have you been to Brawn Bar?

Brawn Bar is a relatively new bar that serves over 60 different craft beers as well as a small selection of food.  Super friendly owner/operator and the wait staff were good.  The menu for dinner is a couple of pizzas, a couple of burgers, homemade fries and 2-3 other items.  Though not an extensive menu, what they do have is homemade and yummy.  A particularly hot spot if you like craft beers!

Brawn Bar

Acevedo Díaz 1156

2401 0908

brawnbar@gmail.com

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Hours: Tue-Thu 7pm-1am, Fri & Sat 7pm-3am

What are some great books about Uruguay?

These books are all bilingual and great pictorial/informational books to keep as souvenirs of Uruguay.  I own all of the following books and would recommend them as a great gift for yourself or someone else.  These books can sometimes be found at Mosca or Bookshop but also the first four below can be purchased online from Aguaclara and delivered to your door!  You can also see more about the beautiful work that Aguaclara does on their facebook page.

Large hardcover USD$28 - available online from Aguaclara

Large hardcover USD$28, small softcover USD$15 - available online from Aguaclara

Large hardcover USD$48 - available online from Aguaclara

Large hardcover USD$51 - available online from Aguaclara

Small softcover U$590 - available on mercadolibre 

Large softcover U$990 - available on mercadolibre

Did you know there will be a gas station strike on Monday and Tuesday?

On November 21 and 22, ALL gas stations in Montevideo will be closed due to a general strike! So make sure to fill up your gas tanks prior to this :)

When are the Christmas time fairs happening in Montevideo?

 

How do you get the yellow fever vaccination in Montevideo?

For some reason the yellow fever vaccination is not available at hospitals and clinics.  Instead you have to make an appointment and head down to the Unidad de Sanidad de Fronteras at the port to get this vaccination.  I found the entire process quite time consuming and difficult so thought I would help you all to figure out how to get this vaccination.  Here is how you do it:

1. Phone 2915 4765 between 9am-1pm Monday-Friday and ask to make an appointment.  Notes: you will need to speak Spanish.  You can only make an appointment for the current week (no further in advance).  You will need patience because the phone is not answered very often (it took me multiple tries on different days to get someone to actually pick up the phone!).
2. If you are taking a child under the age of five you will need a certificate from your Dr to approve that they are allowed to get the vaccination.
3. For your appointment:

•  head to the port and enter at the main entrance under the BQB sign
•  take a right at the Uruguay Tourism building and then the first left just past that building
• you will drive down the fence line to the left of a large loading building
• at the end of the building turn right, you will see this building:

• enter the building at the main door:
  

• the foyer looks like you are in the wrong place but don't fear:
  

• Walk up the wooden staircase to the 1st floor, where you will see:

• Then join the queue of people and wait to be the next one called.  Yes, you heard me right - even though everyone has an appointment this makes no difference!  it is first come first served.
• When you are called through you will have to pay $570 per vaccination and then you go to the nurse for the jab.  This part of the process is surprisingly quite quick.

Are you looking for a great washing machine repair man?

I can highly recommend the services of Gabriel Machado for your washing machine repairs.  He is based in Carrasco but will travel over the city.  He came to my house to assess the problem with my Candy washer/dryer and when he couldn't fix it on the spot he left and came back with a loaner machine and took mine away.  He was able to fix my machine and returned it within 4 days.  I found his service to be excellent and his price reasonable too.  He also fixes dryers, dishwashers and water pumps.

Gabriel Machado
2102 Costa Rica, Carrasco
2601 3458
096 709 040

Have you been to the newest Cafe/Bakery in Carrasco?

Some of you may know La Linda Bakery from Punta Del Este, well they have now opened one up in Carrasco!  I have visited La Linda for coffee/snack in the mid-morning and also for lunch and I would highly recommend you check it out.  The setting inside a renovated old house is just beautiful, including sitting outside in the garden.  The food is yummy and the service is excellent (including wait staff that speak English).  Although the coffee could do with a little improvement (note: I may be a coffee snob), I will definitely be returning to La Linda.  Stay tuned to Ask Annette for more great recommendations :)

La Linda
Facebook
Website
2605 9015

Potosí 1666, Carrasco Hours: Tues-Sun 8am-8pm

Are you looking for a fab restaurant?

Friends took me to Gourmet Marti the other night and I have to say...what a gem of a restaurant to find!  Gourmet Marti offers a fine-dining experience with unique cuisine.  The food is quite different to the usual Uruguay cuisine, so this was a really nice change.  The service was excellent and the setting is very quaint (the restaurant is set in the front garden and green house of the owners home).  I would recommend booking for dinner as it is a very small restaurant with limited seating.  I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and would recommend you try Gourmet Marti.

Gourmet Marti

Jose Marti 8062, Barra de Carrasco

gourmetmarti@gmail.com

099 603 766

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Hours:

Avocado sorrentinos

Steak and vegetables

Octopus

Are you interested in playing darts in Montevideo?

Looking for some great Uruguayan made Christmas gifts?

This store is my go-to for excellent Uruguayan made products at great prices.   It is tucked away in a house in Carrasco Norte and totally worth checking out.  There isn't much they don't sell and they are very friendly and helpful.  Note: the store is not sign posted from the street so can be hard to spot (just ring the gate bell when you get there).

Costumbres Uruguayas

Antonio Pena 2470, Carrasco Norte

2600 8519

Website
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Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-3pm, closed on Sundays

When is the next design fair in Carrasco?

Are you looking for a summer school for your kids?

Last summer I sent my children to summer school at the Club Naval and they loved it!  The counselors were great, the kids swam every day and did a ton of fun activities like field trips to the beach, arts/crafts, family pool day, carnival/games day, and even a sleepover at the end.  When it rains, they take the kids up to Deportivo Naval so they still get some swimming/exercise in. The club has just released their 2016/2017 summer prices and details:

Summer camp is 0800-1600 from December 19 to February 24.

Members price: $15,000 pesos/per child (one camp t-shirt included)

                      10% discount if paid in cash

                      10% discount for second child

                      10% discount for third, etc. 

Registration for members started Nov. 3.

Non-members price: $ 29,000 pesos/child (one camp t-shirt included)

                     10% discount if paid in cash

                      10% discount for second child

                      10% discount for third, etc. 

Registration for non-members begins Nov. 16. 

Orientation meeting for parents is on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 19:30.

Documents/Information needed to sign kids up: You must take these to the Club Naval (on General French) and they will show you the administrative office upstairs:

1. Carne de Salud or school health form* (the UAS health forms that were filled out in August are accepted). 

2. DOB, ID or passport number (parents also,) address, phone, etc. 

You will get your t-shirts when you register and a supply list that you're supposed to bring to the orientation meeting. Additional t-shirts will also be offered for sale a the orientation meeting. 

The age break downs are:

3-5 red group

6-7 green group

8+ blue group (not sure max age)