In the coming weeks, we will be featuring a new six part weekly technology series by Brad to be released on Mondays. This coming Monday will be the intro feature with the description of the topics to follow.
We’re also working on an extensive list of baby items that we brought with us- along with a few items that we wish we had. This will be released in the coming days.
I had read in some of the Expat forums prior to arriving here that certain products are either hard to find, extremely expensive or even non-existent in Uruguay. Specific spices, nuts (expensive), Goat’s milk and prepared “ethnic” foods like Mexican are a few examples that come to mind. I am so very happy to report that while preparing for the worst, we have been very pleasantly surprised.
The most common foods found here are an Italian/Spanish hybrid along with what most outsiders consider the “Argentine” Asado. We’ve been to one Mexican restaurant, Roma Tijuana, were quite pleased and know of only one other by Montevideo Shopping. Contrary to what some Norteamericanos think, Uruguay is NOT Mexico!!! It is easier to find a Heineken or Stella Artois here than a Corona!
We packed a few things with us that we’d use frequently, like fish oil and flax supplements along with a hefty sized bag of TVP (texturized vegetable protein). We thought it was such a specialty item, there was no way that we’d be able to find some down here. We use it as a filler instead of meat for stews, chili, etc. Well, lo and behold, today I found it.
There is a street market or Feria that sets up every Friday just outside of our hotel door. Stretches one block down calle José Martí and two blocks down Pedro Francisco Berro and is mostly fresh fruits and veggies with the occasional meet, cheese, clothing or housewares stand. I was walking through with Geneva today and wanted to get some fruit (Now which one of the 40 fruit vendors do I go to??) when I happened upon a lone vendor of spices. He was jammed in between a few busy fruit stands and with baby in tow, I coundn’t muscle my way in to the stand for a closer look, but my superior height allowed me to see the labels of the items, including bags of a chunky, recognizable, dried product labeled “Protein de Soya”. Bingo! It’s here. It’s around. Our bag will probably last us a long while but it’s good to know that reserves exist!
The whole atmosphere surrounding the discovery was made more wonderful by the old accordian player sitting on the corner. As he hunched over his well loved instrument, I dug for some change and put it in his tin. I am a sucker for the accordian.
Later today, long after the market packed up and traffic once again took over those streets, we found that the Mexican restaurant down calle José Martí in the other direction was open for business. After several days of watching and waiting while they set up, we can’t wait to try it out. It is more of a restaurant stall, with a vey small but cute storefront and outdoor seating (picture to come tomorrow). No matter, I’m sure we’ll end up there tomorrow to try out their veggie burrito (Brad) and some wonderful meat option (me) all washed down by a few lovely Corona….
There are a few other things that we brought with us that have been invaluable to an extended stay in a hotel. These were all items that we purchased for previous adventures abroad (Peru and Thailand) and I think they are all nifty little tools to share:
Campsuds: This is a multi-purpose, biodegradable liquid soap that can be used for clothes, dishes and body. While we have bathed with it before, we are using it for clothes and dishes right now. There are several scents available and it is concentrated so it lasts forever. We have a 4 oz bottle that has lasted us from our Peru/Inca trail trip a few years ago.
We use Dr. Bronner Castille Soap for showering and other cleansing. Another excellent concentrated all-purpose naturally derived biodegradable liquid soap.
Pack Towl: These microfiber towels are amazing and we have them in 4 sizes. Ours are a previous generation, so I assume that they could only get better. They have been great as dishtowels, bath towels, wringing wet clothes dry- you name it. They’re light, have a snap loop to hang with, wash perfectly and dry incredibly quickly. What more could you ask for? Be warned though, these are not cushy towels. It’s a bit like drying with a giant chamois, but they get the job done.
Frio Pouch: This was the only solution that I could find for trekking in Thailand in 2002. I needed something that would hold my insulin and keep it cold when I was going to be away from refrigeration for extended periods of time. The Frio pouch was/is a godsend. It has a gel that is activated by water that keeps the pouch cool for days. Soak it for about 10 minutes or so and you’re ready to go. When the water starts to evaporate, simply re-soak it (I did this in more then one stream during the Thailand trek). The gel dries to a sandy texture and it completely reusable. Saved my insulin from the Thailand heat and has gotten through airport security in my carry on and everything!!
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: I highly recommend carrying a doctor’s note when traveling with any medical supplies/devices. I have also found it helpful to call the airline and have a note added to your record if you are traveling with large amounts of supplies (thank you to Brad for recommending this). It saved me a whole lot of trouble this last time! Also, just because it worked for me, does not mean it will work for you and/or the airline you are flying. Check and double check with them first!!