Category: Uruguay

The Elusive Mexican Restaurant

It should have been fairly straightforward: after my wife’s eye appointment, head down Blvd. Artigas, left, right, left, and ta!

After that first left, Google clearly shows a one-way street. No problem. However, here’s the view inside that rectangle:

It is quite clear that you are not to make a right turn here. We did go a couple streets further and found some guys who seemed to know exactly how to find the restaurant. But the maze of one-way Montevideo streets seems designed to prevent you from getting back to where you started, and in the dark of night it only took us a couple blocks to give up and head home.

I suspect anyone who has attempted to find things in Montevideo, especially at night, has a similar tale.

Large plate glass doors – how yesteryear

I haven’t ventured into the neighbor’s project in a while (I let the workmen park in our front yard so it’s cool). The project is definitely developing an industrial look. I’m undecided whether to call it Casa Industrial or La Fábrica. Apparently this stovepipe, erected yesterday, does not sit well with the neighbors beyond the wall, and I can understand why.

Meanwhile, closer by, I see there’s been a boo-boo, perhaps because of the wind today. The walls of this addition are going to have a huge proportion of large, sliding glass doors.

But—ye northerners—notice anything odd? Yes, the glass: plate glass, which when broken will form large, dangerous shards. Plate glass sliding doors, which have not been allowed in United States construction for over 45 years. Hmmm.

The lending library that wasn’t

Alvero has retrieved the refrigerator from a block away. Did he not anticipate people would leave things in it? Were the failed Macintosh keyboards offensive? Or did someone else leave something really offensive?

I suspect the latter, but don’t expect to find out soon. I glanced through our Union Vecinal Whatsapp group but saw no mention.

Why don’t I ask, you wonder. I guess that would be because I find it potentially interesting, but also kind of so what?

Palta harvesting

Our avocado harvests are always a crapshoot. One year, both trees producing; one year nothing; and this year one producing and one not. This year’s relative paucity has not diminished the appetite of the birds. Before mowing the lawn, I picked up the remains of 19 paltas, probably 10 kilos worth originally.

Two days later, there’s this on the ground. It would have weighed 600-800 grams before the critters.

Construction on both sides

Construction update: neighbors on the west side brought in a specialized (and noisy) crew on Saturday, when workers usually don’t work, to make framing for a dropped ceiling, presumably drywall. The metal of the insulated roof panels is not attractive: very cold and machine-like.

On the east side, the neighbors WTF project steams ahead. We now have the outline of a slanted roof that will drain into a wall. I guess they haven’t heard of gutters?

Adding a roof

Fascinating to watch progress on the neighbors’ project. The roof is metal-clad plastic-foam panels with enough structural strength to stand on, as you can see. The contractor told me the roof would be done in an hour, which was pretty much true for the full-length panels. They are gently sloping toward the background. But now they have to intersect the existing roof.

So roof work grinds to a halt for a few hours as they cut away part of that. How will they proceed now? I have no idea. It’s almost as if they’re making it up as they go along.

Designed?

Construction continues on both sides of us, and both strange. Workers have just finished the molds for huge concrete beams atop the 42m² addition. I finally got curious and asked about the plans.

The large opening in the foreground will have a sliding glass door (facing a bush and a wall). The two distant walls are to be glass. Since this is looking roughly northwest in the southern hemisphere, and the backyard is open, this structure might be concisely described as a solar oven. I expect there may be an overhanging roof.

But at least I get it. I also get that the neighbors on the other side are making some sort of grand entrance.

Walls that might be planters, two large columns (or something), and indented area (to the right). All very curious. But I’m not going to ask just yet. Too much fun trying to imagine where this ambitious project might go next.

Crap quality

Here’s the back of that brand new house I presented on June 8th. Lovely.

Here’s a “stainless” steel kitchen sink that’s a few years old, barely used except for a few months. No complaints: we let friends stay in our place in exchange for taking care of what they thought it needed, including a kitchen sink, and we knew this was very cheap. But still. Those dots to the left of the paint brushes are rust as well.