Keys, gates, dogs, houses

When we first arrived, a friend said "I have so many keys, I feel like a prison warden."

Truer words have never been said.

We have around 10 keys to manage our modest house. There are 2 keys for the front gate, 2 keys for the back gates and another key for the "service area" gate (laundry, extra rooms, storage.). Then there are keys for the doors, the parilla *bbq*, and then a mysterious amount of keys for unknown uses.

Keys I know what to do with

Keys I was given that I have no idea what to do with

You will notice these keys are not keys like we have in the States, or even in China. They are ancient looking long handled keys that can often fit in a lock 2 ways, and only 1 way works. Yesterday, Rob taught me how to tell which side stays up (the slight bend in the front wings). I have also color coded the keys so I know which goes to what (white goes to front door because of "t". Well, it makes sense to me...) The keys have caused me a lot of trauma, to be honest, compounded by the fact that Rob and I locked ourselves out of the front gate early on. Now, we have a system in place, color coded keys AND a copy of all vital keys that lives at a colleague's house nearby in case we get into a real pickle.

The number of keys then lead to the discussion of gates. About 90% of houses in my neighborhood have tall, menacing metal fences around them, on the windows and on the front door. I was facetiming with a friend who said "why does it look like you are in jail?" It is true. The endless gates and fences took me aback at first, but like all things, you start to get used to them, and see them less and less. But I still wonder, why so many fences and gates?

I have asked people, mostly Uruguayans, about the fences, and they all say the same thing- "it is dangerous here. You need to lock your door/lock your gate/not leave anything in your car. People will rob you." To be honest, I have never felt in danger or threatened, and the gates are a pain to open/lock, open/lock multiple times a day. I really don't like the gates around the floor to ceiling windows in my back yard- it disrupts a sweet little view of the avocado tree.

And if anyone scales the wall in our backyard, they will be impaled with a metal spike. Ouch!

But it is what is done. These are some of the less "threatening" gates that you can actually see through. Some are solid walls that make it impossible to admire the gorgeous house hiding in the back.

Which brings me to dogs.

There are many, many dogs in Uruguay. I know this for 3 reasons:

1. MeiMei must smell every inch of public space on our walks.

2. I get woken up by dogs barking throughout the night.

3. See above. Dogs behind gates guarding houses. Or, wearing jackets.

I feel badly for so many of these dogs. They create tracks in their yard where they go back and forth all day, they bark at every moving thing, and they run in circles, maniacal from being left out all day. They surprise you as you walk in front of a heavily fenced house, and snarl as you come around the corner. Some seem cared for (see jackets) and others seem left out to fend for themselves and keep bad guys away. Meimei enjoys their smells and acting tough when she sees them behind a fence.

I love the houses around where I live. They are various and interesting- cute, menacing, German, stucco and cement block. There are houses with brick everything and apartments with sleek metal angles and glass everywhere. The variety makes me think that I am in a new city, on a new block on my walks, even though it is quite likely I have been there before and just not noticed this turret or this door feature. My favorite discovery is house wall mosaics and cool doors It's like a treasure hunt...where will I find some public art next?

I love these bright colors. Not super common- white is the color of choice here.

Zoom in for art

The doors!

This is a great way to make an ugly apartment building amazing.

I don't know why they don't paint all the public utilities. Goreous

Doors! Wood!

This is a very typical style in our neighborhood- painted cement block with tile roof. Often a rambler.

I love this one. So unusual.

Probably my favorite house in my neighborhood. Gothic, stone stairs, and a front row view of the river. This picture does not do it justice. Swoon.

Just a turret on a neighborhood street.

I am not an architecture expert, but there are definitely many European cultural influences here- German exposed wood, Spanish tile roofs, lots of interior courtyards and gates that lead to mysterious and private backyards. There are huge brick houses and elegent French style mansions. It is all here.

This week, we ate a Rosh Hoshannah meal with a Jewish family from Marieka's gym. It was fascinating, fun and so wonderful to be with another family celebrating the new year! The grandmother immigrated from Israel to Mexico 40 years ago and ended up teaching at a Hebrew school for the next 40 years! She also told us about "Ladino," a Sephardic language from Spain. She continues to write songs in the language to keep it alive. It's similar to Yiddish (in terms of history) and is mostly spoken in Israel. Fascinating!

We also worked, checked out a new market, at more torta frita (fried dough) and went to dinner in a newish food court. It was thrilling to have ramen and sushi and mexican-style food! They also have a CEREAL AND WAFFLE RESTAURANT! Brilliant!