Songbirds of Montevideo

Yes, it is springtime in Montevideo. The days are gently warming, the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing sweet songs to usher in the new season. I was just reading that Uruguay is known as the Kingdom of the Birds. There are over 400 beautiful and unusual species residing in this country, but one in particular is most notorious--known to the locals as the official songbird of Montevideo.


They never migrate. They are omnipresent. Their maddening call pierces the night air and echoes throughout the day. I am convinced they must mate at an alarming rate. It seems hundreds of new birds hatch each day and join the cacophony of the city. If I may, I would would to try to recreate their high-pitched, high-decibel shrieking:

Ooowee! Ooowee! Ooowee! Weeooo! Weeooo! Weeooo! Eeeee! Eeeee! Eeeee! Whooeep! Whooeep! Whooeep! Beeeep! Beeeep! Beeeep!

This sequence repeats until the creature either gets tired or dies, I'm not sure which. We recently listened to one screech for 18 hours straight. This one didn't tire or die. A passerby finally reached the breaking point and killed it.

These birds prefer to nest in crowded parking garages (unfortunately our apartment happens to back up to one of the busiest in town.) When one chirps, they all join in and at times, the air is filled with nothing but their frenzied twittering.

This species is not native to the region. Their introduction to the country was somewhat of a government mandate. They were imported in great numbers to protect the citizens of Montevideo from an increase in theft. However, as with most government-sponsored solutions, this one is completely out of hand. There is no solution to the solution that has become a huge problem. I would even do my part if officials called for a mass extermination of these useless creatures.

Before you get your PETA panties in a knot, the songbirds I refer to are of the genus autophila alarmica--the common car alarm.

The good news is, the din from the two construction sites directly adjacent to our apartment building has all but eclipsed the sound of the songbirds. It gets better. Our lease isn't up for another six months. Ain't life a kick in the pants?

Live from Montevideo!

Ok, Ok. I know it's been more than a while, but I've finally gotten my act together and am ready to regale you with our escapades from south of the equator.

The purpose of my blog is two-fold: I want to keep friends and family in the States updated on our new life, as well as provide a lighthearted source of information to expats in Montevideo who may be as befuddled as we are!

Our first few months have been spent dealing with mundane matters like renting an apartment, beginning the residency process, setting up and figuring out how to pay our utilities, honing our communication skills, etc. In other words, learning the little nuances of everyday life in a new country. It's all quite overwhelming and can, at times, be a full time job.

Is this a luxury hotel in Montevideo? Nope, it's our new home (at least until next April.) Torres Nauticas is a complex of 3 high rise apartment buildings in Pocitos situated one block from the Rambla. The complex has 24 hour security, a small market on the property and is located directly behind Montevideo Shopping (one of the big malls in town.) Our apartment (on the 19th floor) is 66 square meters in size, which by all accounts is pretty darn small. But we have everything we need and are growing accustomed to the close quarters (at least I am!)

We chose this apartment building because of the modern conveniences it provides. I have a washer/dryer combo -- dryers are extremely rare in Uruguay. Most people hang laundry to dry outside their apartment windows or in the lavadero (laundry room with an open window and implement to hang wet clothes.) We have the benefit of the laundry room and the dryer. The apartment also has a dishwasher (which I have yet to use as it is located in the lavadero!) The unit has radiant floor heating and air conditioning in the living room and bedroom (heat and air conditioning are also rare.)

Now, it's time to run to the market for my daily shopping (and a cappuccino!) Needless to say, I am happy to be back in the blogosphere. I look forward to sharing our journey and hearing your comments. Stay tuned.

Ciao!