Posted by Lisa La Nasa
May 22nd, 2009 
3 Comments
More of Life at the Casita
We’re settling in to life here and here’s another update on stuff that’s been pending in our world:
Alejandra finished her first week here and we love her already. Cleaning this whole house top to bottom in the course of two days, including purchasing many of the cleaning supplies, doing dishes and some laundry. Total cost: 510 pesos for 6 hours on Tuesday and 350 for 4 hours on Thursday = 860 pesos or $36.00. She even arranged Geneva’s sock bin in color order! Wow~
Looks like Caminito (daycare) is a go for June 1. There is a picnic next Saturday to welcome the morning class into the afternoon and we are invited. We also dropped by today to get Geneva measured for her “uniform” (light green velour hoodie, grey velour pants and white t-shirt). We’re excited to get started! Now to just translate all the paperwork needed and get it filled out correctly.
The water issue in our bathroom is still on-going and we continue to turn off the main every night. The plumbers keep working on it and took out a little of the back of the kitchen sink cabinet today to try to learn more about where the water is coming from (there are 4 plumbing fixtures on the shared plumbing wall). After removing the rotted cabinet base under the kitchen sink two weeks ago, we don;t have too much of that cabinet left! Good thing it’s on concrete and they think they found something although we have yet to learn what they are going to do about it.
I took a few photos of our sink demo, but had a moment of clarity before posting. Who on earth wants to see a sock bin and under a sink in a post. I’ve gotta get better photos.
On a different note:
I was returning yesterday from a great playdate in the park when it started to rain. Geneva and I made it the 6 blocks or so dodging downpours and as I turned the stroller onto our street, I got a really strange feeling: We are living here. We’ve signed a lease. We’re no longer just tourists. We are interacting with the plumbers, the store clerks, the Jardin, the locals. We are committed. It was a really odd feeling of familiarity and comfort and at the same time a little apprehension. My heart began to race. In all my travels, I’ve never been anywhere this long before. I love it and it freaks me out. I blame the mood on ‘winter’ coming. I’ve never done well with winter. Luckily today is 80 degrees and winters here aren’t so bad. Bring it on!
Thanks again for all of the updates! Once you finally get it, don’t forget to post pictures of what will presumably be a very cute and adorable little uniform!
On an unrelated note, your fans are still waiting with bated breath for the weekly technology series.
If nothing else, I’d be curious to know how reliable Uruguayan connectivity has proven to be when paired up with your (presumed) US-terminated VoIP telephone service.
Scott
PS: Even though it’s our summer and your winter, it’s still 20F warmer in Montevideo than it is here today!
Loved reading your blog. My wife and I are exploring our options for relocation now and have been intrigued with uruguay for awhile. Do you mind giving me the range of prices for furnished apartments in Montevideo?
Hi Ken and Lena, Apartment prices really depend on how much space you want and where you want to live. We live in a house, but saw a lot of apartments before we decided on this place. In the Pocitos/Punta Carretas area (pretty upscale neighborhoods), a decent sized 2 bedroom furnished apartment could go for between $700-1200. I have seen 2 bedroom apartments well above that along la Rambla and I know if they are very small or in other parts of town, they may go for less. Check out the listings on El Pais classifieds or buscandocasa.com (click “Aquileres Anuales”, select your area, size and check the box to the right of “Hasta” for furnished.) Best of luck to you!