22.09.2013 Bulletin

by Marita
(Montevideo Uruguay)

Consider:

"Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You'll find what you need to furnish it - memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey." ---- Tad Williams

Dear Folks,

Santa Rosa has departed (until next year), Montevideo's beautiful blue sky has returned, and the full moon shone bright in last night's cloudless celestial dome! It's yet a bit chilly at times to some, but who can doubt Spring is here? This Sunday we'll celebrate our Vernal Equinox (actually on September 22!), when our days finally become again longer than our nights.

The Uruguay Info Exchange meets at La Papoñita every Sunday at 14:00 (2 pm)! So come join us this Sunday, the 22nd of September, to meet new people, renew acquaintances with those you already know, and to discuss all manner of topics--whatever interests you.

This week's items of note include:

1. The Montevideo Language Exchange (MLE) will be taking a break from Costa Azúl this Friday, September 20th, to try a new location: Gallaghers Irish Pub at Pagola 3233 in Pocitos. For more information, MLE communicates via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Montevideo-Language-Exchange/232371325939.

2. A new law took effect September 14th stating that everyone 18 and older in Uruguay who does not file an election otherwise is now by default an organ, tissue, etc. donor. The link to the El Pais story is http://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/nueva-ley-organos-todos-son.html, and the link to the law appears to be http://200.40.229.134/Leyes/AccesoTextoLey.asp?Ley=18968. Since the law states "Toda persona mayor de edad ...", this appears also to apply to non-citizen residents, and perhaps even visitors? Can anyone help clarify?

3. Speaking of laws and such, a number of citizens of Australia, Canada, and the U.S. seem unaware of the current situation regarding the Reciprocity Fee required to be paid before entering Argentina. Whereas last year it was possible to take the ferry from Montevideo and avoid this fee as it was only being collected at the Buenos Aires airports, Argentina is now requiring that this fee must be paid in advance and on-line via credit card.

The website for payment is https://virtual.provinciapagos.com.ar/ArgentineTaxes/Registro.aspx. Please note that this website says the fee "can" be paid on-line, which could be interpreted that this is a convenience and not necessary. However, if you go to the official site http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesibleingles/ and click the "Pay your Reciprocity Rate" link you will find this statement: "The National Immigration Office charges the "Reciprocity Fee" by the "Provincia Pagos payment-system through credit card, which is the only way to pay the "Reciprocity Fee"" (emphasis added).

4. Coming up on October 5th & 6th are the Dias del Patrimonio. On these days, there is FREE entry to government buildings, museums, educational institutions, churches, and other buildings or homes with historical or architectural interest. The theme this year is "El Tango", and coincides with the Día uruguayo del Tango, October 5th. More information as available.

5. A visitor coming from the U.S. with his 12-year-old daughter asks if there are any festivals (besides the Dias del Patrimonio above) happening in Montevideo between October 4-12? Please reply if you know of anything.

6. One of our members has an Apartment available for sale or rent, described as follows:
Apartment available for sale or rent, directly facing the park in Villa Biarritz. Doorman building. Great area, one block from 21 de Septembre. Close to buses and Punta Carretas shopping and a few blocks from the Rambla.

The apartment is on the first floor and has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in the apartment itself. Then, there is a very large (90 square meters) terrace/garden/backyard, and a small "casita" (room with bath) at the back of the garden. So there are a total of 3 bedrooms/3 baths including the casita. The apartment is about 100 square meters, the backyard/terrace about 90 square meters and the casita/bath about 10 square meters.

You really need to see this apartment. With the view of the park and the large terrace/garden with parilla, it is special.

Can rent it, or sell it and the prices are negotiable. Already had an offer previously for $200,000 for the apartment.

You can see photos of the apartment by googling "Apt. with garden and park Montevideo airbnb."

Please write Charla at ccooper495@gmail.com