Are you following 'Living in Uruguay - Ask Annette' on Facebook?

Are you following Living in Uruguay - Ask Annette on Facebook?  that is the best way to now stay in touch and to find out about what is happening in Uruguay!

And you can now review Ask Annette on Facebook too!  Click on the 'review' button and write your comment along with the star rating that you choose to give :)

Best apps for Expats and Travelers alike...

If you are anything like me then you get a bit overwhelmed by the process of app shopping…as an Expat living abroad these are my must have apps:

XE Currency	No matter what country I am in I always need to know how much things cost.  XE is a great way to easily convert any currency.
Weather Bug	A great app for telling you what the weather is or will be in any place you are, or any place you plan to travel to.
Google Translate	Having trouble communicating in a foreign country?  This app is great to translate almost any language, via text or orally.
Booking.com	My favourite booking site for hotel bookings – they offer great deals and if you use them enough you become a ‘Genius’ booker and get even better deals and special offers.
Priority Pass	If you are not one of those people with a super fancy airline membership card to access their lounges, then Priority Pass is for you.  For an annual fee you get access to any of the 900 Priority Pass lounges around the world.  Download the lounge info with wifi and then use the app offline when you arrive at any airport.
Netflix	You can’t beat the Netflix shows on offer for a small monthly fee.  And now you can download shows on the app for offline viewing.
Airbnb	Are you looking for a cheaper accommodation option than a hotel?…the houses and rooms on offer via Airbnb are a great travel option.  I am also a fan of sites like Airbnb that allow you pay by Paypal.
Spotify	If you can handle the occasional ad then this app is great for free music.  To get the ad-free version you will need to pay for the app.  But in the end the free version still has less ads than a radio station!
Words With Friends	And lastly, for a little bit of light entertainment…Words With Friends is an app where you can play scrabble with your friends (as opposed to playing against AI).  Beware…it is slightly addictive.

Any budding actors out there?

The Montevideo Players Society is holding auditions for Shear Madness.  

Auditions will be held on Wednesday, May 3, from 6:30 to 9 PM.  If you intend to drop in after 8:30 PM please let us know beforehand.

About the play: The madness erupts at your not-so-typical Montevideo hair salon, when suddenly the old lady upstairs gets mysteriously murdered and everyone’s dying to know WHODUNIT? The audience combs through the clues, questioning the suspects like a bona fide “SHERLOCK HOLMES.” And the best part? It’s different every time you see it!

The audience interacts with characters throughout the play (including the intermission) AND votes to determine how the play will end and who the guilty party will be. So… different days have different endings, which are already scripted accordingly.

About the roles they need to fill:

Mikey Thomas: Male, should look under 30. A preppy-looking, eager-beaver who’s a capable and earnest undercover cop.

Tony Whitcomb: Male, should look under 40. The flamboyant, irrepressible proprietor of the Shear Madness salon: fun, devilish, interesting, passionate, spontaneous and a real character.

Eddie Lawrence: Male, should look over 40 but under 60. A well-dressed, nice-looking confident man who covers a dangerous interior with a smooth, suave, and 

They are also recruiting for an understudy for the role of Barbara Demarco: Female, should look under 30. A wise-cracking, gum-snapping, nail polishing hairdresser; very attractive, though on the cheap side. An understudy is not expected to perform unless something prevents the regular actress from performing, but it can be fun and there are lots of other things to do backstage for which we would definitely appreciate the help.

Email montevideoplayers3@gmail.com for more information.

When is Criolla Del Prado this year?

Traditional food, handmade goods, and cowboys riding wild horses at a festival of rural gaucho traditions in Montevideo...  

Criolla Del Prado will be held from 9-16 April 2017.  The Criolla Del Prado is held at Rural del Prado (Montevideo’s agricultural expo venue) in the Prado neighbourhood (this is the same venue as the Expo Prado is held each year, and I am sure many of you have attended that great event too!).

More info on the IMM website and you can see pictures from last years event on The Guardian website.

The Birdcage Show is back!...

If you missed this funny show, you now have the chance to see it on two extra nights!

Looking for something new for your kids to try?

My kids Taekwondo school (ATA Punta Gorda) is having a 4 day summer camp workshop open to everyone from Jan 24-27. Hours are 5pm-8pm. Contact them directly for pricing.  Facebook contact

When is the next quiz night in Montevideo?

The first Montevideo Players Society quiz of 2017 is the SUMMER QUIZ!!  

THURSDAY 2nd February at 9pm at the Neil Fairless Centre. 

Tickets - $ 350.-
Members - $ 250.-

Get your team of up to 5 organised and book a table through montevideoplayers@gmail.com indicating your team's name and who is in it.

Once they confirm your booking, you go to any Red Pagos branch within the 48 hrs and pay the tickets amount into the "colectivo" N° 44275 

The deposit must be made in the name of the person who booked the table. Otherwise, payment cannot be traced.

PLEASE NOTE! - To allow proper planning/catering we will only accept bookings till Tuesday 31/Jan at midday.

Capacity is limited, so if you drop in on the night, chances are you'll be left out.

If you don't have a team, just let them know and they will fit you into one.

Doors will open at 8:30 PM sharp and not before and tables will be drawn as each team arrives.

If it rains, it will be held indoors.

When is the next Sodre ballet?

Purchase your tickets here.

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

Website
Facebook
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
Website
Facebook

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
Facebook
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

Facebook

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