Two weeks to Uruguay

"Where?" This is what people ask about first we when tell them we are traveling abroad to Uruguay. I asked the same thing when Doug returned from an International Living conference and proposed Uruguay as a place to investigate for living and investing abroad.


Uruguay borders Brazil to the North and Argentina to the West/Southwest and the Atlantic Ocean to the Southeast. There are many distinctions that set Uruguay apart the rest of Latin America: Uncorrupted politicians and bureaucrats, stable economy, 98% literacy rate, low poverty, little crime, without natural disasters, cows outnumber people 3.8 to 1 and its economy is agricultural.

Piriapolis is to the west to the internationally acclaimed Punta Del Este and the first destination in our journey within Uruguay. Here we expect to find white sandy beaches, fresh caught seafood and a bit more laid back lifestyle than Punta.

While researching living options in Punta/Piriapolis, I discovered the Sugar Loaf Ocean Club and Spa development. We will begin our travels as guests of David James, its Texan developer. Both the lifestyle of Sugar Loaf and potential rental income peak our interest. We expect to find it somewhat like Vanderbilt Beach of Naples, FL...at a quarter of the price.

Montevideo is Uruguay's capital city with 1.5 million residents, half of the country's population. Here we will meet with residency, tax and agrobusiness attorneys. Additionally, we will seek the assistance of experts in establishing a farmland operation and appreciation syndication that Doug will oversee.

Buenos Aires might be the birthplace of Tango but on weekends the streets of Montevideo fill with the dancers of "Street Tango". I can't wait to try this sexy form of partner dancing with Doug.

The US has the cheeseburger. Uruguay has the chivito. Filet, ham, bacon, egg, tomato, mozzarella and olives are piled into a bun with mayo. The low carber in me relishes a chance to gorge in the paradillas. Since 88% of Uruguayans descend from Europeans, the cuisine has variety. There will be German pastries, Latin American empanadas, Italian pasta and gnocchi and Spanish churros.

Once you leave the urban Montevideo, ritzy Punta Del Este and historical Colonia, you enter Uruguay's vast farmlands, home to the gauchos. While the Uruguayans are friendly, the beaches renowned and cost of living on par with the US, it is the opportunity to own arable lands that beckons us to Uruguay.

Our trip will last just about 3 weeks. We can hardly wait to see what Uruguay holds for us as expats and investors. We are putting a few things in motion. Who knows, we might come back soccer fans!

San Antonio Pilates

Beloved San Antonio. April 6-11 found me there for a workshop with my Master Teacher, Pat Guyton, at a the studio I was formerly employed by, Studio A Pilates. I also enjoyed a few extra days catching up with dear friends and shopping at favorite haunts such as Central Market and Lululemon Athletica Quarry Market.


Best of all, I got to stay with one of my best friends, Dana, with her new husband at their new creekside home in Boerne.

My first night there, Bill and Dana hosted the "Pilates Mafia" - Dana, Jean and Martha, with a true Texan bbq.

I met Mary Permann on her lunch break at The Cove. Mary was one of my teacher-in-training clients that became a friend ... and go-to girl for Doug!

Jill Tarpey is a lovely woman I met when she was performing ballet and teaching NIA. She has since moved into the world of yoga. She made time to give us a class at her new in home yoga studio before we began our Pelvic Power workshop.

Our workshop began with a Franklin Method Pelvic Power class. Pat Guyton uses brilliant props and imagery to teach functional movement. This participatory exercise taught us about our pelvic floors.

These are the cookies by Lily's Cookies that Studio A served at the break during the Pelvic Power workshop. I resisted because I removed grains from my diet this past Jan. I also was beginning the Xtreme Fat Loss diet and exercise program the next day. If I knew then what I know now, I would have eaten the cookie.

All Pilates and no play make for an unbalanced life. It was our duty to meet up at Paloma Blanca after a long Saturday session for some margaritas and Mexican food.

On Sunday, Pat demonstrated how she conducts a private session with a client. Here she increases the complexity of Mermaid by having the client in a tripod stance, increases the benefit by having the client rotate as well.

The trip was made complete when the Aguirres met me at the Henderson Starbucks for a face to face catch up.

The best part of this trip is knowing I get to do it all over again in June!