Details, details

Yes, the only internet provider in Uruguay, government-owned ANTEL, has an insecure web site.

Two telephones

Had two errands to run yesterday. Both involved buying a telephone.

This is the first.

And this is the other. Yes, that’s what they call it here.

Corona marketing

This display appeared, at the opposite end of the supermarket from the beer section, after the panicdemic arrived in Uruguay. I didn’t even know they sold this shit here, but then I’m not a beer drinker.

Because otherwise we’re all gonna die

So there’s an employee, standing there with face mask half off, counting out loud as people enter and leave.

Sandias

Have a few! And slow around corners, please.

Let’s see, what should we name our taxi company?

Scorpion? Shark? Both sound cozy and inviting.

Are Tienda Inglesa employees trained to do this?

Tienda Inglesa: the shopping cart slalom, courtesy of employees’ abandoned carts used for restocking shelves.

Tortoise, go!

Advertised as “in stock,” it will take us 5-6 days to transport your purchase of a single bed sheet 25 miles. What? There’s something wrong with that? What? Did you specify express delivery?

Consumer debt

New, and all the rage in Uruguay.

Welcome to Yesterguay

I tried to use my card at the Tienda Inglesa checkout, and after several failed attempts we realized it had just expired at the end of December. No problem, they have a little office in the store.

It took the girl quite a few minutes looking for my new card before realizing it might be alphabetized by my last name, not my middle name. Then there was an elaborate form to fill out – by hand. At the very end, as I told her my email address, “b” as in “bravo,” she write “v” (they are pronounced just about the same in Spanish), got a new form, filled it all in and tore up the first one.

Finally she handed me my new card. I expected instructions to go the ATM and set my PIN. But no…

…she tells me to check back next week. The card should be activated in 5-7 days. Unbelievable. And so Uruguay.

Oh yeah: today is the third day of 2020. Notice the start date of the card I was just handed….