Changes

I have been in Montevideo for almost a week.  Enjoyed staying in bed & breakfasts [http://www.unanochemas.com.uy Una Noche Mas] in Punta Carretas and now at [http://posadablanes.com Posada Blanes] in Carrasco.  The former is in a quiet part of the city and across the street from a great sushi restaurant; the latter is on a residential street, walking distance to Plan Ceibal, Portones Shopping, and Carrasco.  Both have buses to the conference location, and a ticket is 18 pesos = US $0.95.  There's also a long (50min) walk along the shoreline between Punta Carretas and Plaza Independencia.

I have been in Montevideo for almost a week.  Enjoyed staying in bed & breakfasts [http://www.unanochemas.com.uy Una Noche Mas] in Punta Carretas and now at [http://posadablanes.com Posada Blanes] in Carrasco.  The former is in a quiet part of the city and across the street from a great sushi restaurant; the latter is on a residential street, walking distance to Plan Ceibal, Portones Shopping, and Carrasco.  Both have buses to the conference location, and a ticket is 18 pesos = US $0.95.  There's also a long (50min) walk along the shoreline between Punta Carretas and Plaza Independencia.

Traveling: have stuff in your carry-on if your luggage is delayed. Connecting in Rio: you don't need a Brazilian visa unless you want to leave the terminal or your layover is over 7 hours.  Everyone from the ticket agent to the flight attendant will take your passport and look for this visa. Say "transit only". Checking in the day before: I booked on Travelocity and American Airlines needed my passport info before I could check in. Checking into Pluna: I was unable to check into Pluna through American Airlines.  When I checked in with TAM, they gave me my Pluna ticket, but I was paged in Brazil and needed to show my passport. Customs: easy. Airport pickup: Do it. Pickup available for additional charge from Una Noche Mas - schedule several days in advance. Airport phones: call locally from Antel office in the main lobby. Buses: about US $1 for most, US $1.50 for the DM1 from the airport. Sometimes you pay the driver, other times there is a separate fare collector. Make sure to take your receipt.

Traveling: have stuff in your carry-on if your luggage is delayed. Connecting in Rio: you don't need a Brazilian visa unless you want to leave the terminal or your layover is over 7 hours.  Everyone from the ticket agent to the flight attendant will take your passport and look for this visa. Say "transit only to Montevideo". Checking in the day before: I booked on Travelocity and American Airlines needed my passport info before I could check in. Checking into Pluna: I was unable to check into Pluna through American Airlines.  When I checked in with TAM, they gave me my Pluna ticket, but I was paged in Brazil and needed to show my passport. Customs: easy. Airport pickup: Do it. Pickup available for additional charge from Una Noche Mas - schedule several days in advance. Airport phones: call locally from Antel office in the main lobby. Buses: about US $1 for most, US $1.50 for the DM1 from the airport. Sometimes you pay the driver, other times there is a separate fare collector. Make sure to take your receipt.

===April 2 by Caryl===

===April 2 by Caryl===