A Home on Sarandí

The apartment search is over. I'm living on Peatonal Sarandí, a pedestrian street in Ciudad Vieja (Old City). It's cold, and that's just a part of life here I'm going to have to live with. I'm sharing the flat with a masters student from Spain named Cecilia, who speaks little English, but is very patient in helping me with spanish. Here are some photos of the flat:

View to the left

View to the right

Now that this part is over, I should get to experience more of the music, and culture in general. Not that I've just been sitting.

Last Tuesday, I attended a candombe workshop in Buceo, and played for the first time. I had no idea I was going, thus the lack of photos. The experience was amazing, and I was welcomed by everyone there, being told that "Club Buceo is now my home." Another old man told me that in nine months, I would have the "sangre uruguaya." I'm actually hoping these workshops will become a regular part of my time here.

Just this past Tuesday, I attended a masterclass given by Osvaldo Fattoruso. Most of the recordings I have of Uruguayan popular music incorporating candombe feature Hugo and Osvaldo Fattoruso. He's a phenomonal drumset player, who I hope will contribute to my research. I recommend listening to Hugo Fattoruso and Rey Tambor. Phenomonal!

Tomorrow I finally go to Mundo Afro and begin working with Alvaro Salas, one of my primary affiliations here. So I promise pictures!

On a side note, I'm extremely lucky to be in Montevideo and have this opportunity. However, I learned today that David Carter, one of my oldest friends, had a stroke. I've not seen or spoke to him since our 10 year high school reunion in 2005, but this kind of news hits hard, and makes it difficult to be so far away.