The Apartment

I haven’t written in a couple of days. On Friday we met with the guy about the apartment. We went to see the apartment, eat some “biscochos” (Uruguayan pastries) and drink some “mate” (traditional tea). We really liked the guy even though he who seemed a bit nervous about the whole meeting. He was speaking really fast and switching from theme to theme. We ended up going for some pizza with him and got to know him a little better. We agreed on everything about the apartment (which really does have a beautiful view!) and Andi and I pretty much told him we want to move in right away. We moved in on Sunday afternoon. The apartment reminds me of a bachelor pad. The only thing missing is heating. You would think it doesn’t get cold in Uruguay… but believe me… IT DOES! Brrrrr. It is so windy around here because we are right by the Atlantic ocean that no matter if it is 10 degrees C it still feels like a lot less. I know everyone in Canada is laughing… but hey… no one is forcing to live in that cold version of gringolandia! :P
About the apartment: Andi and I have a room with a view of the Ramblas which is right by the coast and we can see the beach. The water right now looks pretty brown, so I would not suggest going for a splash. The apartment is located in the Cuidad Vieja which is right by the main street. To me it feels like living right near Mariahilferstrasse except with a beach too… weird thought. There is a room next to us with a bunk bed. The living room has a supposedly kick ass sound and I am too naïve to really appreciate it. The couch is comfy and there is no T.V. Andi will have to go watch soccer somewhere else on Saturdays. The bathroom needs some fixing… as I am writing this I can hear the water dripping from somewhere into somewhere. It is slowly making me crazy. The kitchen is nice in its bachelor pad way. There is linoleum on the counter and I think it doesn’t meet hygiene standard (hihi) but, I am working on that!
The guy: Julio is a character! He is 35 and really nice! He is into Buddhism and has a looooot of interests. Practically everything in the apartment has some sort of history. He doesn’t buy new mostly because he likes stuff from the 50’s, 80’s… whatever! The toaster which I haven’t tried out yet is from the 50’s. The sofa and bed he made himself years ago. The cutlery in the kitchen is oooold and it grosses me out . Andi and I already bought some new cutlery. Overally it is pretty cool living here. Julio seems like a nice part time roomy because, most of the time he is in Buenos Aires.
I must admit though I do miss seeing Aia everyday but, I am sure my grandma is glad that I am 4 blocks away. :)
Saturday: On Saturday we actually went to a couch surfer meeting. Mom would be proud. We met some nice Uruguayans and some nice Germans, a French girl and her Mexican bf. It was fun getting to know some people finally. Andi and I have been isolating ourselves a little… not so much on purpose because I think it happens when you are new anywhere and have a friend or partner around to keep you company. You end up being almost everything for eachother. So we are working on getting things back to normal. Andi needs a soccer friend to accompany him to all the soccer games and he will be good to go! I do enjoy the games somehow I just don't want to go ALL the time. I do like our Uruguayan team Nacional a lot.

Andi and I are doing good. I feel like we can get through everything if we stay open and honest and are kind to each other. We like living with new people because there is so much to learn from others. Let's take Julio for example... he gave us like 50 GB of documentaries and movies. From Verena we learned to cook! From Stefan we learned to fix the floor :) Take things as they come.