The gardener

gardener

¡Milagro!

OK, not exactly a miracle, but feels like one after buying plastic ice trays that start breaking within a few days: orange ones purchased at Disco supermarket.

Even after ten days in the land of low prices / high expectations (that would be ‘Murka; Uruguay being the land of high prices / low expectations), I still joy in something as simple as cheap orange ice trays that eject intact ice cubes — the entire tray! — and have shown no sign of cracking after several weeks.

Price shopping

We have two supermarkets in Atlántida, Tienda Inglesa and Disco, the latter a bit more down-scale. Because the wait for a cashier in Disco is often considerably longer, and it’s just a dingier experience overall, I seldom go there, but got inspired to compare prices.

Wine price comparison Uruguay: Tienda Inglesa, Disco — Wow! Quick way to knock 10% off the cost of wine.

I think that might change. A cashier offered that they also give you a further 10% on ten bottles or more, something I’ve certainly never heard at Tienda Inglesa.

Turning the heat to “low”

Gas stoves in Uruguay, generally not matched to the gas sold here — Onions and panceta getting ready for Sunday omelets

Amongst many other curiosities in Uruguay (such as virtually every refrigerator sold with a door that opens to the right, usually not reversible), you’ll probably end up with a gas stove that is not jetted properly for the “Supergas” sold here. Light the burner, turn it back towards “off” slightly, and if it’s the only thing you’re cooking, put some more distance between pan and heat!

Have moto, will massage

Massage therapist with table on motorbike in Uruguay

I have shared my fascination with motorbikes here, their number of passengers and what they carry. This rigging of our massage therapist’s to carry his massage table strikes me as rather clever — though I didn’t notice if it hides the brake light.

Feria winding down

Thursday is street market day in Atlántida. I traversed its length at the end of an unusually long beach walk with the dog, balm in a stressful week.

feria-1

Packing the VW Bus with unsold shoes.

feria-2

Oopa—gotta get that mannequin out of the way.

feria-3

feria-4

And of course chat for a bit.

2013 Bodega Garzón Sauvignon Blanc

Thanks to Shiba Sommelier for permission to repost:

shibasomelier

Guys, I’m super psyched about this Sauvignon Blanc from Uruguay! Can you tell? Green pepper, grass, white peach, and lime rind on the nose. Lots of nectarines, white peaches, and lime rind on the palate with nice, crisp acidity.

5/5 bones

Sauvignon Blanc

13% abv

Garzón, URUGUAY

Snow in Uruguay!

snow

OK, so it didn’t fall from the sky; the peril of not having a frost-free freezer in a place where the relative humidity rarely dips below 60%.

Moldy lumber

More rain. Too much rain this year. (1)(2)(3)

moldy-wood

In my makeshift workshop, compare the effects of a wet winter on pine (with curiously mold-repelling knot) and eucalyptus.

No fat! No cholesterol!

In bell peppers: amazing? How do they do that? Must be genetic modification….