November 16, 2012
“We arrived!!!! My heart is pounding. Months of planning, now we are here. The Montevideo airport is packed. The lines are long. Used my cane – leg was acting up – they took pity on me and let me go in the shorter handicapped line. Thank you nice Immigration lady. Got our first passport stamp! We are officially in Uruguay.
Very concerned about dogs: how they faired and getting them through customs. Did not even “see” the airport.”
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Later entry:
“Rode in a van to our new “home.” I’m exhausted: Stress over dogs and a long flight. First time I can relax in months. Past few months were non-stop. Wish there was one book telling you how to do everything. I need a glass of wine.”
The small country of Uruguay way down on the Atlantic coast
Took the redeye flight from Miami, arriving the next morning in Montevideo. We began the process of getting into Uruguay. We waited in line for our visa stamp and then continued to baggage claim to collect our suitcases. Our luggage filled one metal cart. We walked a little farther until we found our dogs waiting near the special claims area. Apex was so excited he peed the kennel a bit. We loaded their kennels onto a second cart.
Now, we were to the part that had kept us awake for weeks: getting the dogs through customs. I led the way with the cart of suitcases. Chris followed with his cart maxed out with 2 large dog crates. We were separated due to the crowds of people all trying to get through and out of the airport. I was perhaps 10 feet ahead when Chris was stopped by a guy speaking rapid Spanish (a language we still had to learn) and pointing at the dogs. Chris could not understand him, but assumed he wanted the paperwork for the dogs. I had the papers. Unfortunately, by now I was even farther ahead not having seen him stop. The Spanish got louder and faster, and the hand gestures grew bigger. Chris kept pointing ahead at the mass of people I had disappeared into… Suddenly, the man stopped waving his arms, smiled, and gestured for Chris and the dogs to proceed. No paperwork was looked at. That was it! All that worry for nothing. I can’t say it would go this way a second time so DO NOT come unprepared. We were fortunate this time.
Our first “home” was in Montevideo, the capitol of Uruguay.
We were glad to find a patch of green grass right outside the airport doors. As I looked back, I realized what a nice, modern airport they have in Montevideo.
Our apartment complex had arranged a van to transport us with all of our “stuff” including two dog kennels to downtown Montevideo. We stayed in the area known as “Ciudad Vieja” or Old Town. It was within blocks of the port where our car was to arrive. Our new home was an apartment complex on a pedestrian street, Sarandi. We were 6 floors up facing south towards the water. Montevideo is situated on a wide river that empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Across the river from Montevideo, you will find the more well-known city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The pedestrian street in front of our apartment – notice the graffiti wall.
Now that we are here, I am anxious for our car to arrive. We will be tracking it.
I would love to hear some good pet travel stories; please comment below.