'Relax and enjoy expat meetings at Fellini's on Sunday' Expat

Relax and enjoy expat meetings at Fellini's on Sunday

I have been attending these great get-togethers for about 4 years now, starting in 2006. I usually make it to one a year, sometimes two, and if I am very lucky, business takes me to Uruguay more often.

I am kind of backward around groups of people I don't know (yes, there are actually those of us in business with that hangup), but I was so intrigued by the gathering of expats and wanted to see if it could perhaps be a place to meet friends, have some people to visit with on my trips, and just enjoy my travel time instead of being all alone during my stay.

I am happy to say that I was amazed by the friendliness and open attitude of everyone who attended these gatherings.

Sometimes when you are a wary business traveler, you wait for the other shoe to drop and find out what sales tactic someone is pushing. I mean, I have been to other organized meetings and many times there is a REASON they want you to be there. This group was definitely a welcomed exception.

There was not only NO agenda for anyone there except to enjoy themselves and meet and enjoy people, but there was absolutely no sales pitch, no gimmick and no DRAMA.

Nobody was arguing, nobody was complaining (well maybe when it was packed and the food was a slight bit slow, but that is to be expected), nobody was hating on anyone else! Everyone in attendance actually seemed as though they had no place in the world to be except right there enjoying the presence of complete strangers or perhaps at some point they became friends. People of all different kinds of backgrounds were acting as though they had been best friends for years! Amazing to say the least.

My hat is off to the organizer of these great expat meetings on Sunday at Fellini's. You have managed to bring us all together and it feels great and warm to be there. I was welcomed even on my first visit when I didn't know a single person in attendance.

What is also nice, is that I don't have to wonder if there is going to be a meeting or when it will be. No matter when I travel, I know that I will be able to go to Fellini's at 1:00 and there will be a group of friendly people waiting. Everyone acts as though they are waiting just for you, even when I walked in the door for the first time! See you Sunday!

I have to say that when I moved to Uruguay I was coming to a) learn Spanish and b) try to immerse myself in the culture/the people etc. As such I actually had a conscious plan to avoid "expats" at all costs because of my experiences in popular spots in Europe where British people tend to relocate en-mass and set up mini versions of their hometowns complete with English tv, English newspapers, English bars etc.

I have to say I was more than pleasantly surprised when out of sheer curiosity I attended my first Sunday expat meeting in late 2008. It wasn't anything like the expat groups in Europe. There were people of all ages and backgrounds, both Uruguayans and foreigners, not loud, not domineering, not determined to stick out like a sore thumb. They welcomed me, offered me help and advice and phone numbers, and now more than a year later I am still good friends with the expats I met that day. It was a pleasant surprise, and I think the welcoming environment continues to be a lovely surprise for newcomers.

Anyone looking for details on the meeting its all here:

• Sunday Expat Meeting, Open to all!

It was such a no pressure, low key group, that I felt right at home immediately. Here's hoping to becoming new friends one day at one of the Sunday meetings!

ja

The last time I was there I was speaking to a few of you and talking about game nights to help learn castellano in a fun way and will seeing who wants to get involved. I brought my game with me from BA. My apartment is not the Ritz but it is big enough.

Nos Vemos Domingo

besotes

Patt

Game nights? What is that all about? It sounds like fun.

Over a year ago I played a game called PALABRAS PROHIBIDAS. It is the Argentina version of TABU. I had so much fun that I bought the game I have brought it with me to Uruguay.

It is most fun played in mixed teams of native speakers and those of us that are not. It does not matter what level of Spanish one has to play as we all help each other.

What is great about this game is that it gets you to use any vocabulary you have in a fun way. Personally I think that is the most enjoyable/no pressure way to use language - WITH LAUGHTER.

For example, you need to get your team to say the word OSO (BEAR) but in your description you cannot say the other 5 words listed on the card.

OSO - BEAR

the prohibited words are on that card are...

YELLOWSTONE

SALMON

YOGUI (jaaa YOGI BEAR)

MONTANA (not the state - I don't have a tilda on my netbook - mountain)

MIEL (honey)

There is a time limit but I broke the "reloj de arena" sand timer glass so we can make up the time we want. :P

If the word is too difficult for someone just keep picking cards until you find one that is ok.

MICKEY MOUSE

--

RATON

DISNEY

DIBUJOS ANIMADOS

OREJAS

MINNIE

So lets get a list together that would like to play. I have facebook which makes it easy to plan things or people can send me a gmail. FB uses my gmail in the search.

pawha1@gmail.com

I think a private home would be best - cafes just are not appropriate for game nights.

:0) GENTE - Let me know what you think.

besotes

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