A Very New Year...

Hello everybody! We made it! In case you are lost, we are in the middle of this photo where the muddy Rio de Plata--the widest river in the world--empties eastward into the Atlantic Ocean! Southward lies the fabled lands of Patagonia, the snowcapped Andes tower to the west, and far to the north the mighty Amazon flows as her rainforest grows...

Zooming in on Uruguay, you can see its long coastline and many rivers. Although Montevideo is a major modern metropolis, the majority of this country's three million citizens live a rural life raising livestock--twelve million cows and thrity million sheep to be precise! Accordingly, barbeque or "asado" is a cultural favorite along with a surpisingly prevalent Italian influence including delicious pastas, pizzas, pastries and desserts! Kindness and hospitality run deep here. It's evident whenever people meet--everyone exchanges kisses on the cheek instead of a handshake. Our growing circle of friends treat us like family.

These politcal maps will help you follow our adventures. First, note that Uruguay is far below the equator giving it weather comparable to Oregon (although it rarely freezes). Now, it's summer, and days are dominated by sun but cooled by ocean winds. At night, unfamiliar stars twinkle. Temperatures hover in the low thirties (celsius!), and the beach (playa) is just meters away (metric system!). Soon after we explore Uruguay's coast we hope to head southwest by boat and bus--while it's warm. After beginning in Buenos Aires, we'll wind west to Mendoza's wine and water country, past Mt. Aconcagua and descend to Santiago. Further destinations like Iguacu Falls, Patagonia, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Rio de Janeiro, and the Amazon, must wait for the approaching seasons...


Okay! Sorry about the big boring social studies lesson! The cool photos are coming soon. We, by which I mean me, Adam--Leandra is busy trying to learn Spanish by watching "Los Simpsons"--I thought some background information would help you "experience" this journal. If you look closely at this map you can find La Paloma, Cabo Palonio, Punta del Este, and Piriapolis due east of Montevideo...the first four coast towns we'll visit after New Year's Day. Later, we'll venture west to Colonia, across to Argentina and beyond!

Perhaps, you are wondering why. It was Leandra's idea! However, I, Adam, agreed immediately. We love to travel--for the nature, culture and history. This picture was taken on a ferry, at sunset, between British Columbia and Vancouver Island during one of our many amazing adventures. We explored most of North America only wanting more. Two reasons led us to South America. First, we've never been there! Second, we want to learn Spanish. On December 27th, after months of research, planning, and luck, our plane departed Portland for...huh? Uruguay?!?

Meet Justo Laiz! (Hoo-sto La-eez--think Espanol now!) Try to follow this: Justo's sister Raquel works with Leandra's brother Jonathan's wife Suzanne teaching Spanish in Portland Public Schools, and Leandra told Suzanne who told Raquel who told Justo about our hopes to teach and travel, so Justo told Raquel to tell Suzanne to tell Leandra that Uruguay is awesome: stable, modern, clean, safe, healthy, kind, fun, beautiful with delicious food! (It also has a temperate climate in central South America, wink!) Professor Justo heads the analytical chemistry department at the University of Uruguay; he also teaches at a private high school. Raquel and Justo grew up in Cuba. Raquel studied law and eventually moved to America to raise a family. Justo studied science, attended college in Moscow, U.S.S.R., and returned to Cuba to work in a hospital. Twelve years ago, he had an opportunity to work in Montevideo. He like it so much he stayed and became a high school teacher and college professor. Today he heads the Analytical Chemistry Department at the University of the Republic of Uruguay!

Justo is why we chose Uruguay. Prior to our arrival, he contacted international schools inquiring about jobs, he secured a gorgeous new apartment for us in Pocitos--Montevideo's best beachside neighborhood!--and when we landed he met us at the airport in his trusty '90 Renault and booked us into the marvellous Hotel Marti.

This is Justo's car, the magic, elastic Renault! Justo loves his dependable car. We love it too.
Like us, Justo came here solo, but he's claimed by a family of friends--and he's opened his world to us. Meet Juan Pablo, Gustavo, Pedro, Jong Ah, and Lourdes--old and new members of Justo's inner circle. Former student Juan Pablo is Justo's "Numero Uno"
at college--a chemisty grad student, a guitarist, and a guy who can keep you laughing in two languages! Another past student, Gustavo opts for biology and boarding sand dunes. Peers Pedro and Lourdes are a couple and Justo's close pals --he is an agricultural engineer specializing in rice, and she works in the chemistry department. Current student, Jong Ah, an intern reporter, loves music, dance and the sun...

We've been here three weeks...
The people are wonderful...
The food is delicious...
The land is beautiful...
We are very happy...
And we miss you...

Now, it's time for some pictures and stories! We will probably be posting new items fairly often, so check regularly! We already have over 500 photos! But, before we start, some of you probably have a few more questions. First, financially we are doing well. The exchange rate is good, and products and services here are generally inexpensive relative to America. We are continuing to contact schools about employment and have many prospects! We are certainly looking for opportunities beyond education--especially if they pay more! Employment will likely come in February or March. For now, we are adjusting to the culture and learning about our surroundings. We are practicing Spanish every day. Currently, I sound like a Spanish caveman (for example, "moso ahora cerveza" which means "waiter now beer"), but we are learning more every day and many people speak English. Surviving is easy; sounding intelligent is hard. When we hear small children speaking Spanish, we're like "whoa, him smart nino." We have cable television and internet access so we're only a click away from the latest news and our email.... which we love getting. E-us as often as possible, and tell us about your life, at asmith@pps.k12.or.us or leandra@leandrasmith.com

And please share the address to this blog with everyone!

Ready? Here's our first photo in Uruguay. Drum roll...

Our first full day in Montevideo, Justo took us into the old town center. I was just learning how to use our new camera--by the way, I tend to be the photographer and Leandra the model--and we saw this. I'm pretty sure it says "Terrorist Bush...stay out of Latin America". Can you blame them? Don't worry about us though, people here are really nice! You might be surprised how much better they understand world politics than most Americans...


...here is the real town center, with the gate from the original Spanish fort, and the country's most famous tower. These constructions are often the first iconic images you find when you research Uruguay.




See more of our first days in our next entry...