A pot-luck bbq in Piriapolis, and other expat meetings

The parrillero under the wisteria in full bloom

Many readers may not be aware that the recent influx of foreigners settling in Uruguay has spawned many expat groups along the coast, all the way from Colonia to Punta del Este.

One of the most numerous, or fastest growing is the lunch group in Piriapolis. It started over a year or so ago as a "ladies lunch group," which sounded quite unappealing to many ladies by making us feel really old and useless, but subsequently changed its name and nature to simply a lunch group, and better yet, a co-ed one.

Under the organization of Jean Petley and Kristy Tonsing the group meets once a month in various spots in and around Piriapolis. My favorite was Silvana's house, but when that became unavailable, the other lunch spots were nice on views but terrible on the food front, so we were thrilled to hear they finally went the pot-luck way. You can't go wrong with a pot-luck bbq.

My correspondent at the latest lunch, Karen Nelson, confirms it was as fantastic as expected. Unfortunately I could not make it but Karen sent us some pictures and tells us the setting was beautiful, the company great and the food bountiful and delicious. The venue was the the brand new home in Las Flores -- west of Piriapolis -- of recent Seattle transplants Rex and Sharri.

Rex, the host

Hector the bbq-meister and Judith Levy

Neal Nelson and Dennis Tonsing

Other expats groups meet in Montevideo every Sunday for brunch, and on certain Thursdays for happy hour, and there is a monthly meeting in Atlantida as well. There is much "cross-pollination" going on, and it would appear that Harold and Judith Levy, who live in a farm in Soca, attend all of them!

For meeting schedules , etc., see Total Uruguay.