Monday, November 27, 2017

I slept well despite getting up twice during the night and it taking me about an hour to fall back asleep at the 3am arising.

The 2 streets (Calle 37 Sur & Calle 37 Sur) on both sides of the park are open to traffic today.

At the gym I did my usual exercises in about 90 minutes.  At one point I saw Andres was wearing a t-shirt that said “unkind”.  I asked him if he knew what that meant and he said he thought it was a brand name.  I told him “no”, in Spanish it means “no amable”.  Jose told me we have to go see the movie Coco.  I told him I’m trying to get Teresa to go see it but she says it’s for kids.

A t-shirt I saw on a girl at the gym today:

En la vida.  En la cama.  En la gym.  Dile duro.

For non-Spanish readers, I think it means:

In life, in bed, in the gym, do it hard.

I understand Teresa is trying to get in touch with someone to see if it’s possible to have Laura’s birth certificate mailed to her.  This is when I found out Laura doesn’t go back to school until January 20^th.  No wonder it takes them 5 years to graduate.

I understand Laura called and her boss sent her home today (first day at work) because of her rash.  Teresa’s trying to find a dermatologist who will see her today, not in 2 weeks.

Laura called and I understand her friend Cindy got her an appointment in Caldas so I guess she’s headed there.

About 2:15 it started raining and didn’t stop until 5pm.

Teresa tells me she’s going to go to Mayorca later with Esmeralda to shop for a Christmas tree (for her) but first she wants to know what’s going on with Laura.

I ordered a birthday present for my daughter.  It’s supposed to ship in the next 3-5 days but I’m hoping it will be sooner.

Teresa invited me to join them to go to Mayorca but I declined because I was watching an interesting movie about Winston Churchill.  The movie ended just before Esmeralda arrived so I changed clothes and went with them.

Emeralda has an old car and she drove us to the mall.  Laura met us there and I learned she has hives and needs to have 2 shots.  They can’t do it at the pharmacy in the mall.  Teresa and Esmeralda went off shopping while Laura and I went to La Lolita where I had a tinto.  I learned that Laura has hives.

Here’s the Christmas Tree in Mayorca.

When Teresa and Esmeralda rejoined us we went up a couple more levels where we had dinner at Parmessano.  It cost me about 150,000 pesos – imagine 4 people having dinner with drinks (mostly fresh juice) back in the States for $50.

Back in Envigado Laura and I stopped at a pharmacy where she got 2 shots in her behind.  So she told me, I didn’t witness it myself.  Lol.

I watched a little Monday Night Football and went to bed at 11pm.

T-shirt of the day: Still in Beta.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Last night we went to bed at 11pm.  I laid there for about an hour before falling asleep so I guess taking the melatonin tablet an hour before is really important.  I got up twice during the night, finally waking at 7:30 and getting up at 8am.

After breakfast I made a quick trip to Exito for milk while Teresa headed to the finca to show it to her friend Esmeralda.  After returning with the milk I made a trip to the park where I had a café con leche.  Doug wants to visit Inter-Col and I wanted to give him a brochure I had saved from there.  After about 45 minutes I gave up and went back to the apt.

My Chicago Bears got destroyed by the league leading Philadelphia Eagles 31-3.  The only good news: for them I don’t believe they suffered any additional injuries and for me I had a clean viewing experience with absolutely no buffering.

Teresa came back about 6:30.

I watched an episode of 60 Minutes on my slingbox.

We found a seat for Teresa to San Andres on Viva Colombia for about $200.  She would leave Thursday and come back Sunday.  Laura believes it’s cheaper if we buy them at night so we’re going to wait until 10pm to purchase it.

The ladies were glued to the TV tonight because of the Miss Universe pageant.  It’s funny to hear how picky they get about different women.

I think Venezuela is going to win with Colombia coming in 2^nd.  But that’s just from looks and I’m not paying much attention to the show.  In the end I think it was South Africa that won and Colombia came in 2^nd so I wasn’t far off.  Venezuela finished in the final 5.  I think in the last 3 years Colombia has finished 1^st, 2^nd, and 2^nd again.

Laura has some type of a rash on her arms, stomach, and back so I gave Teresa some Caladryl to put on it.

At 10pm Teresa decided to wait until tomorrow to book a ticket.

We went to bed at 11pm.

T-shirt of the day: Superman unchained.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, fell asleep quickly but was awakened at 2am by Teresa’s snoring.  I poked her and she woke up and luckily didn’t start up again.  (She’s the only person I’ve ever known to sleep with the sheet and blanket covering her head.)  I got up again at 5am, slept until 8:30 and got up at 9am.

I thought Teresa was going to return to the finca for more work this morning but she told me she’s going to wait for more summer-like weather, by that I guess she means less rain.

After breakfast I walked downtown and caught a bus to Poblado.  I stopped at the Servibanca ATM where I made a large withdrawal – almost all 20s.  I walked a few blocks to Envios Market where I picked up my new sleep mask.  Wow, that took about 7 weeks.  I quickly caught a bus back to Envigado.  

I now see that the booths set up near the park are going to be used for selling arts & crafts, food, drink and such.  Downtown I stopped at Bartolos for a café con leche.  I was soon joined by Alan who told me he will soon be changing apartments in Envigado.  Soon we were joined by Doug, the Canadian.  We all learn a lot by comparing experiences.  For example, Doug thought he could stay here as a visitor for the last 2 months of the year and then with the new year he would start a new 6-month period.  We both told him the visitor visa is only 6 months in any 12 month period so he will have used up 2 of the 6 months come the new year.  Anyway, he will still be able to apply for a Pensionado Visa, he just will have to do it a little sooner than he expected.  Doug was sharing statistics like how many miles of lighting Envigado has put up for this year’s Christmas display.  They’ve been working on it for 6 weeks now and I understand they will turn everything on tonight.

After chatting for nearly 2 hours I said goodbye and stopped at Exito where I picked up half a dozen bananas at Teresa’s request.

The Colombian Peso closed at 2,978 to the US Dollar.  Either the Peso is getting stronger or the Dollar is getting weaker.

This is the view from our apt of the park behind the library.

Teresa and I left the apt at 8:30 and walked about 50 yards to the new garage restaurant Mi Casita Parilla (My little grill house).

There were vendors selling lots of food in the kiosks leading up to the park.

In the park the place was well lit up and there was a stage with a small band playing.

This was supposed to be video of the stage and band and the park but i guess a whole minute taping was too much.  The above is the are leading up to the entrance to Exito.

While Teresa stayed and listed I walked across the street where I took a few more photos.

We were there for about 90 minutes before heading back to the apt.

T-shirt of the day: Sex is money.

Friday, November 24, 2017

I slept well again last night, only getting up once at 5am, finally waking/getting up at 7:30.

On my way to the gym I picked up a free adn newspaper from a girl on the street.  I see that there are 2 dozen of those metal structures assembled in the side street and they have added plastic decorated sides and tops to make them more Christmasy looking – they are like little booths.

I did all my upper body exercises and a few lower body exercises in an hour and 20 minutes.  After 2 more sessions I’ll start increasing my upper body exercise weights and start adding more lower body exercises.

On my way back to the apt I bought a Q’Hubo newspaper for Chuck and picked up a free Gente newspaper in Exito.

Among new US movie releases I would like to see Darkest Hour (5.8).

I’ve heard good things about a Latino based animated film called Coco (9.1) so maybe I can entice the ladies to go.

Locally, Wonder (8.1) is playing at Mayorca and Santafe, and Happy Death Day (6.6) is playing at El Tesoro.  Coco (9.1) is playing everywhere but only the late showings (9pm) are in English with Spanish subtitles.

At 2pm it started raining so I might not be venturing out again today.  It finally stopped at 3:45.

I spent the rest of the day and evening vegged out in front of the TV.

T-shirt of the day: Anyone who says they care what people think is a liar.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, got up once about 5am, woke up at 7am and got up at 7:45.

I made a stop at the ATM for a little cash, picked up a few things at the pharmacy, a few things at Exito and was back at the apt by 9:45.  (Both the pharmacy and Exito didn’t have one thing I need so I’ll have to return later.)

I watched the first 90 minutes of the Today show.

Teresa and I left the apartment at noon and were at El Viejo y El Pancake by 12:20.  They only have 3 tables but they were all available.  We had a delicious lunch of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy with green beans, fruit salad and choice of drink for 40mil ($13.50) each.  (I have to remember to take photos of things like our plate before starting to eat but I have never been much of a photographer.)  Soon a large party arrived and they put together the remaining 2 tables.  I understood one woman was Alexi’s sister from Colorado.  Teresa enjoyed her turkey so much she asked if she could have some more.  Alexi said that they would have to charge her for another full plate so Teresa declined.  (I was a little relieved because I didn’t have a lot of cash with me.)  Another restaurant – Osea - was offering Thanksgiving dinner so maybe next year we’ll make reservations for dinner there and have lunch here.

Teresa heard there was a dress rental shop a few blocks away so we walked awhile looking for it, unsuccessfully.

We quickly caught a taxi to take us to Vizcaya mall.

Teresa spent about 2 hours trying on dresses.  She finally found one she liked and we put 50mil down on it.  I understand she is going to come back with a pair of shoes to see if they will work with the dress.

We caught a taxi heading east because I hoped the driver would be able to take one of the transversals south towards Envigado but he ended up turning around and we went down to Avenida Las Vegas and then south to Envigado.

First we stopped at the corner store and bought some milk then I walked to the pharmacy where I bought the thing that the doctor recommended and then stopped at Exito to buy eggs.  But they didn’t have the kind Teresa likes so I didn’t buy any.

I finished the paperback Pearl Harbor by Randall Wallace.  It was the basis for the movie of the same title using the same characters.  Remember Rafe, Danny, Red, Evelyn, and Betty?  Randall also wrote Braveheart which I assume was also the basis for the movie of the same name.

I went to bed at 11pm.

T-shirt of the day: Love this guy à.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, quickly fell asleep and didn’t wake up until 5am.  Wow!  I fell back asleep and Teresa woke me up at 8:10.  I wish I could sleep like that every night.

Teresa made me breakfast and then left right away for the finca.

I watched the first 45 minutes of the Today show and then left for the gym.

One of the side streets a block from the park is still closed off and they are assembling and painting some metal support structures. 

On the other side of the park I saw 5 large police vans parked diagonally in the street. 

At the gym I did all my upper body exercises and a few lower body exercises in an hour and 15 minutes.

Walking back through the park I saw dozens of policemen milling about even the cavalry with their tall black boots, golden neckerchiefs and a smokey the bear hat.  It started raining lightly as I walked through the park.  It got heavier as I approached the apt.  Luckily, the first thing I was going to do anyway was take a shower.

At 1pm Laura said she was hungry so we caught a taxi to Papa Johns.  They had lots of advertisements for Chicago style pan pizza so we both gave it a try.  It was good but I still prefer thin crust.  We caught a taxi back to the apt.

Teresa came back at 3:30.  I understand she has to return but tomorrow we’re going for turkey dinner and then she needs to try on dresses at Vizcaya.

At 4pm I left the apt for my 5pm Urologist appointment.  Waiting to cross the street a bus stopped at the stop sign for a few seconds and a young girl leaned out the window and said “hola” (“hello”) to me.  I said “hola” back.  She said “como estas?” (“how are you?”) and I said “muy bien” (“very well”) “comos estas?” and the bus left and I crossed the street.  People sure are friendly here.  I only had to wait a few minutes to catch a taxi.  I was at the office building in 20 minutes for 10mil.

I reported to the office expecting a long wait but there wasn’t anyone waiting and the receptionist soon ushered me in.  Doctor Uribe speaks good but not great English.  First I had him approve all the medications and vitamins I’m taking, which he did.  Regarding the main reason for my visit, he told me not to worry and gave me a prescription to use over the next 60 days.

Outside I quickly caught a taxi.  Unfortunately the driver went up to Avenida Poblado and we spent at least 30 minutes in bumper to bumper traffic crawling down the Gold Mile.  Idiot, he should have taken Avenida Las Vegas.  Idiot, I should have told him to take Avenida Las Vegas.  At one point we passed a car on a flat bed truck and then the road opened up.  It took me an hour to get back to the apt for 18mil.

Laura needs a birth certificate before she can start back to college in January so someone (certainly not me) needs to go to San Andres (her birthplace) and get one for her.  We figure one day each way traveling and one day there for a total of 3 days.  Laura wants to go as sort of a mini vacation for her but she starts work on Monday and there’s just not enough time available to plan for that so Teresa will probably be going.  With my brother’s research assistance we believe she can take flight out of Rionegro for around $70 round trip.  To be continued.

I finished Michael Connelly’s The Overlook: Harry Bosch series #13 on my Nook and downloaded his The Brass Verdict: Mickey Haller #2).

I went to bed at 11pm.

T-shirt of the day: First rule.  No rules.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Last night I slept as well as usual, woke up at 7am and got up at 7:30.

Last night I gave Teresa 250,000 pesos for more finca work and another 20mil for her transportation expenses.  Again she left early this morning.

I left the apt about 8am, stopped at Gana and added 50mil to Teresa’s cell phone, stopped at the paper store where I printed a page with the medications I’m presently taking, and stopped at Exito where I bought a large package of toilet paper.

I watched the first 45 minutes of the Today show.  Downtown Envigado I caught a bus to Envios Market where I paid the rental for November and December.  I took a taxi to Inter-Col which is a block from Unicentro mall.  I had to wait 5-10 minutes for another couple to finish with the only girl who speaks English. (I believe the other couple was a man (old) and his interpreter (young) because when they finished and he heard me speaking to the girl in English he asked me why they were speaking in Spanish.  I dunno!  Lol.)  She had me sign some document and then asked me to go to another girl to make my 871mil down payment towards my Pensionado Visa.

Here’s the itemized bill.

Attempting to decode the bill I think the first line item is for studying my visa.  If I’m not accepted then I wouldn’t have to pay the 2^nd item which is the visa itself.  The 3^rd line item is probably Inter-Col’s charge for their service.  (Otherwise I would have to go to Bogota and apply myself.)  I noticed I got a 45mil discount which I assume is, because I’m a repeat customer, i.e., they have most of my information already on file.  The last (4^th) item is for obtaining a Social Security Benefits Letter.  So, as I understand it, it costs me 405,000 pesos ($135) for having them do all the work without me having to schlep to Bogota and go here and there to get everything done myself.

I had been told I could charge it to my debit card but after 2 attempts the girl told me it wasn’t being accepted.  On my way out to the ATM the first girl gave me the document and told me to have it notarized.

I walked to the other side of the facing block to the Notary office.  I showed the man at the front desk my paper and passport and he personally took me around the corner where he stamped the paper and I added my signature and fingerprint.  He sent me to the cashier for payment.  Interestingly the sign above said “caja” in Spanish and instead of the correct translation to English of “cashier” it had another translation of “box”.  That was funny.  I paid 4,046 pesos, thanked the first man for his help and left.

At Unicentro I asked a guard if they had a Citibank ATM and was told “no”.  I asked for a Bancolombia ATM and he pointed straight ahead.  I was a little surprised there was no line and I quickly made 2 withdrawals of 500mil and 400mil.

Back at Inter-Col, 20 minutes later, I gave the 2^nd woman the cash, she gave me a receipt and I gave the 1^st woman my passport and the paper.  She gave the passport back to me and told me to bring it back when she calls me on my number – actually it’s Teresa’s number now.

Back at Unicentro I walked up to the theater and saw that all the movies are in Spanish.

I ran into Santa and his elves?  Obviously I need work on my video recording skills.

I walked around trying to decide on a restaurant for lunch and finally decided on El Corral.  It’s been a while since I’ve had a burger so I ordered their ½ pound combo.  It seemed like it should have been cooked a minute longer but it was still tasty.

Outside Exito I caught a taxi to the nearest metro station – Exposiciones – and took the metro to Envigado.  It was noticeably cooler as I got off the train and as I exited the building I found it raining.  Luckily I had my portable umbrella with me.  (My original plan, before I saw it was raining, was to walk to the tourist office to pick up another map because I gave my Colombia tourism map to Alex so I need a replacement.)  Instead, I got on a metro bus and it left the station a couple minutes later.  By the time it reached the bus stop a block from the park it had stopped raining.

I was going to stop at Bartolos for a café con leche but because of the rain all the tables were taken so I just continued on to the apartment.

Teresa came back about 5:30.

 Teresa cleaned my gym shoes so well they almost look new (despite the cracks) so I told her I don’t need to buy new ones and surprisingly she agreed.

She said she needs some more things for the finca so we left the apt at 5:30 and walked down to Home Center.  What she was looking at were fence posts, I understood cement (which I assume is to hold the posts in place) and something else I didn’t understand which is probably barbed wire.

First Teresa thought these posts were large enough but the salesman explained that they have to be sunk in the ground about 2-3 feet so I understand we need the larger size and they just don’t have enough in stock.

I understood we’re returning Saturday to complete the purchase – but then again, what do I know?

Teresa bought a folded plastic tarp, a paintbrush and some paint.  My hip was feeling slightly sore so I was happy we took a taxi back to the apt for the minimum fare of 5mil.

I went through my usual pre-sleep rituals and went to bed at 11pm.

T-shirt of the day: Cupcakes for breakfast.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Last night I slept as well as usual, woke up at 7am and got up at 7:30.

At 9am I had Teresa call my dentist, Dr. Franco, and he said he would try to fit me in at 2:30.

I emailed Alex and told him to come over sometime this morning.  (Yeah, I’m skipping gym.)

Alex arrived at 10am, I plugged in my magicJack and he called Social Security.  He had a 40 minute wait.  He was astounded that the connection was so good with my headphones.  I was surprised he was able to get them at all on a Monday.

While waiting I tried on a pair of jeans he brought me.  Because he lost 20 pounds he says he’s down from size 34 to 32.  They fit me and the length appeared to be near perfect.

He talked to someone at SS and was promised that his Medicare Part B will be cancelled and he should have a full reimbursement in his January payment.  (This has been a lingering problem he’s had since he left SF last spring.)

I shut down my magicJack and put in his magicJack and it worked fine.  Maybe his problem is incompatibility with his Apple laptop.  He said Alba has an HP laptop so maybe it will work fine with hers.

We left the apt about 12:30 and walked down to Deli Hoy for lunch.  Today they had oriental chicken with pasta in addition to the usual unlimited salad and juice for 11,000.  We both enjoyed it a lot.

We caught a taxi to Poblado where Alex jumped out at Monterrey mall and I continued on to El Tesoro.  Waiting at a stoplight I observed a young gringo and gringa couple with their backpacks that had just crossed the street.  They were stopped by a couple policemen and they had just taken out their passports to be checked.  First time I’ve seen that.  Traffic was bumper to bumper up Calle 10.

At El Tesoro I stopped in a restroom and brushed my teeth but I was still at the dentist’s office by 2:25.  A young man was being treated and he left just before 3pm.  I took his place in the chair and over the next hour Dr. Rendon worked on my tooth and fitted it back into place.  (For the record it’s my molar furthest back on the top left side.)  He noticed a crack in one corner but worked for some time on strengthening it.  We know it will eventually break but hopefully that won’t be for 3-4 more years.  It’s low risk, high reward if it works as it only cost me 150,000 pesos ($50) to put back in place.  I learned the doctor leaves on December 19^th for 10 days on his skiing vacation so I asked him what I should do if I have a problem while he’s gone.  He said to call him on his cell phone and he’ll give me the information for another dentist.

There was only one other person ahead of me for a taxi at the stand.  I was surprised to see the chicken again as I was waiting.  My driver spent most of the time talking to someone using his bluetooth.

I got back to the apt with no problem for 11,000 pesos.

Teresa asked me if I paid for the gym this month and how much.  I told her 200,000 pesos.  She asked why am I still paying for her mother when she can’t even go to the gym.  I tried to tell her because I didn’t pay for her a couple months ago after she had cancelled and I got jumped on for not doing it.  So I decided I would continue to pay for her until told not to.  So now I’ve been told not to.

Teresa and Laura left for the gym at 7:45 with all of my gym payment receipts.

When Teresa came back she told me that Sondra does not have cancer of the liver but doctor’s still don’t know why she’s getting stomach pains.

Laura informed me that she needs her birth certificate before she can continue at the university (CES) next year.  Her birth certificate is in San Andres.  So, in my imperfect Spanish I was trying to find out: if she’s sure that’s really necessary, can it be mailed to her from San Andres, would it be Laura or Teresa that should go, do they know if it can be obtained the same day she arrives, can she fly out of the Medellin airport or does she have to fly out of Rionegro, how much does it cost, etc.  She showed me what looked like an airline booking site but being in Spanish I couldn’t understand (and neither did she) if what we were looking at were prices one-way or round-trip.  To be continued.

I watched the first half of Monday Night Football and then started my pre-sleep rituals.

T-shirt of the day: Don’t follow me.  I’m lost too.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Last night I slept as well as usual, woke up at 7am and got up at 7:30.

After my shower I saw that I have about 6 bite marks on my left forearm and one on my right ankle from no-seeums from yesterday.

I was outside Exito at 8:48 when I heard a woman tell another that it doesn’t open until 9.

I walked over to the bakery and bought a blueberry muffin.

I was back at Exito by 9am, picked up a few things and was out by 9:10.  I noticed a dead pigeon outside Exito.

Back at the apt I saw another dead bird (different type) outside our building.

Teresa has been trying for some time to get me to buy new shoes to use for the gym.  I keep insisting that my current (and admittedly old) gym shoes work fine.  Since I got my gym shoes so dirty yesterday she was adamant about me buying new shoes today.

I walked up to the corner and caught a bus to Mayorca.

I was there by 10:22 and everything was closed.  I walked around checking out the shoe stores and then sat down in a comfortable chair until 11am when everything opened.  I found pairs of Nike shoes in 2 different stores but they didn’t have them in my size; they had 8 ½ and 9 ½ but not 9.

I took a taxi back to the apt for 9,000 pesos.

I told Teresa my problem and asked her to go with me to Santafe later to look for shoes.

Today the Chicago Bears play the Detroit Lions at home.

I was having a chicken salad for lunch when one of my crowns came out.  Tomorrow we’ll have to call Dr. Rendon for an emergency appointment.

At 3:15 it started raining but it only lasted 10 minutes.

My Bears lost 27-24 but for the first time I was able to watch the whole game with no buffering.

At 4:45 it started raining again so Teresa said she doesn’t want to go to Santafe today; maybe tomorrow.  By 7:15 the rain had finally stopped.

I don’t often watch 60 Minutes but I did tonight which just happened to be their 50^th Anniversary Edition.  The 3^rd topic they covered was a follow-up to the November 28, 2016 LaMia plane crash of the Chapeco, Brazil soccer team.  They were traveling to participate in the Copa Sudamericana (South American Cup) and there were only 3 survivors.  The jet ran out of fuel and crashed into a mountain just outside Medellin’s International airport.  This article was about how the team is rebuilding and the town is recovering after the tragedy.

I went to bed at 10:45.

T-shirt of the day: Keep calm and call my agent.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

As usual I fell asleep quickly, got up once or twice during the night, fell back asleep quickly, woke up at 6:30 and got up at 7:30.

I think it rained most of the night.

Our 3^rd plan for today was that I would leave the apt at 9am and by 3 Frischuletas and Pepsis at Frisby.  Then we would have them for lunch with Alex at the finca.

As I was lying there in bed it occurred to me that Frisby doesn’t server breakfast so they probably don’t open until 11am or 11:30.  I shared that with Teresa and she said that the muchacho working on the finca can go to Caldas and buy food for everyone (plan #4).

She talked to him about an hour later and reported that he has to leave about 1pm because he has something he has to take care of in Medellin.

Teresa finally came up with the idea that we would have lunch in El Rancherito which is just a short walk from the finca (plan #5).

About 9:45 I went downstairs and waited for Alex who showed up a few minutes later by taxi.

He said he’s lost about 20 pounds and was noticeably slimmer.

Upstairs I introduced him to Laura for the first time and showed him around the apartment.

Outside we quickly caught a taxi that took us all the way to the highway down the hill from the finca.  On the way we drove over the new bridge and went through the new tunnel.

We walked up and down the hill to the finca.  Not a dog in sight.  I understand Guillermo’s place is still unoccupied.

When we got to the finca I learned that the reason Alex had a hefty backpack with him is that he thought we were going to stay overnight.

Teresa unlocked the place, the muchacho soon arrived and he started working.   For example, I noticed him filling holes before we start the repainting.

Alex looked around and said he really liked the place.  I told him he could buy it for 300 million pesos (about $100,000).

At one point I led Alex down a path but I kept hitting cobwebs.  (I hope I didn’t get bitten by any of the few spiders I saw.)  After going down a bit I couldn’t see where the trail continued so we turned back.

I went another way that I’ve used before but I kept slipping on what looked like wet grass but ended up just gouging out mud on the side of the hill.  We eventually got down close to the bottom and we could hear the stream nearby.  By this time Alex had taken the lead and he headed a different direction than I intended.  There was a drop off next to me and I stepped 3-4 inches away from the edge when it gave way and my body weight with me being off balance carried me down the hill.  I ended up with my head about 6 feet below the ground level where I had started.  Looking down I couldn’t see any way to continue so I knew I had to get back up.  I was next to a small tree but most of the branches I grabbed were rotten and just gave way.  I saw a black tube maybe an inch in diameter poking out of the ground and by using that and the tree I managed to get myself up closer until Alex came with a tree branch and helped me get up and roll onto the edge. 

We still had to work our way up the slippery hill but by the time we got to the top my shoes, jeans, and arms were filthy.  Alex wasn’t much better and we washed off using the outside hose.

The muchacho left about 12:15 and we left soon after.

Down at the highway we walked about 20 minutes to El Rancherito where we had lunch.  Alex and I had a large slab of ribs and Teresa had their mixed seafood plate.  It rained on and off for the hour or so that we were there.  We all had tiramisu for dessert.

Across the street we waited about 10 minutes for a bus back to Envigado.  I timed the trip from the road to the finca back to the Envigado station and it was about 25 minutes.

We took a taxi from there back to the apt.

Alex and I walked to the park and I pointed out some things on the way.  At the park they were just starting to play some music so we moved to the bakery across the street.  He had a vanilla ice cream cone with raisins and I had a café con leche.  He said he really liked the atmosphere of the area.

Back at the apt he picked up his things and after a 5 minute wait across the street he was in a taxi back to his place.

Someone has moved into one of the 2 apartments that were for rent across the street.

At 10:15 it started raining again and it continued for most of the night.  I went to bed at 10:45.

T-shirt of the day: Today is just yesterday’s tomorrow.

Friday, November 17, 2017

After my usual pre-bedtime procedures last night, I went to bed at 10:45, got up once during the night, woke at 6:30 and got up at 7:30.

I believe Teresa got up at 5am and left the apt about 6am for more work at the finca.

I had breakfast at Carbon de Leña and then did all my exercises (I skipped a few lower body exercises so as not to aggravate my hip) at the gym in an hour and 30 minutes.

Among new US movie releases I would like to see Wonder (7.0).

Locally, there isn’t anything I want to see.

Laura and I had lunch at Deli Hoy – today was Bandeja Paisa day.

I went out and paid the Une bill.  This time there was no one ahead of me in line.  I stopped at the bakery and bought a blueberry muffin for 3,500 pesos ($1.15).  At Bartolos I started eating my muffin with a café con leche.  Soon I was joined by Ron and we talked for some time.  It started raining lightly right after we discussed that we hadn’t yet had our rain for today.  I told him not to get discouraged about not meeting women because he doesn’t speak Spanish.  His first priority is to get an apartment and he says that will be taken care of by the end of this month.

When we parted a couple hours later I walked over to the bookstore where I had purchased Lost City.  There was a man there this time but he let me exchange that book for the New York Times Bestseller The Patient by Michael Palmer.  I asked him how much and he basically said whatever so I said 5mil and we agreed.

I was back at the apt by 5pm.

Teresa came back at 6pm and said the finca is beautiful.  She also mentioned two very friendly large dogs that have been sleeping on the patio.  She says she feeds them when she’s there.

I finally heard from El Viejo y El Pancake – they are serving Thanksgiving dinner next Thursday beginning at 10am until the food runs out.  Teresa’s real excited – she wants to get an early seating.

Tomorrow Alex is coming over and we’re going to make a visit to the finca – my first time in a year and a half – his first time ever.

About 10pm it started raining.

I did my usual pre sleep procedures and went to bed at 10:45.

T-shirt of the day: The best time to drink coffee is now.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

I slept well only getting up once during the night, finally waking at 6:30, catnapping from there until getting up at 8:30.

We got some rain overnight and it’s another cool morning.  

According to my cellphone weatherman the highest temp we’re supposed to have in the next week is 80 degrees.

I received an email from Medellin Guru with an article entitled How to Obtain a Colombian Retirement Visa.  It had a number of misspellings and other errors so I wrote back and offered to proofread their future articles.

It’s 11:45 and only then did Teresa inform me that Direct TV was supposed to come in the morning not the afternoon.  Luckily, the guy showed up at 12:15, he left at 1:15, we now have Direct TV working again but I understand that something isn’t working right with the TV and we should get it fixed.

We took a nap from 2 to 3pm.

We all watched Before I go to Sleep (6.3) on Netflix.

At 6:45 it started raining hard but soon it tapered off to just a light rain.

I finished my Clive Cussler paperback Lost City.

Tomorrow Teresa has to return to the finca to finish some things so I’ll be on my own for the day.  Anyone want to meet me at the park for coffee?

I watched some Thursday Night Football.

By the time Laura returned from the gym at 10pm it had stopped raining.

I did my usual procedures and went to bed at 10:45.

T-shirt of the day: Chicago Wolves.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

I think it rained all night.

I got up once during the night, finally waking at 6:30 and getting up at 7:30.

The water was back on.

I was making plans to meet with Alex to give him some advice about getting married here.  We exchanged emails planning to get together. 

I did my exercises in the gym in 2 hours.

Back at the apt I ended up calling Alex and he explained that he’s got things well in hand.  He found out most of the things I was going to tell him.  He’s going to use Inter-Col to get a Union Libre and then he will also be able to get a marriage visa which only needs to be renewed every 3 years.

I was waiting for Laura to awaken from her nap so we could go to lunch when suddenly about 1:20 I realized I had a 3pm dentist appointment.  I sent her a WhatsApp message and then headed downtown.  I was waiting at the taxi stand about 5 minutes when I saw a taxi come around the corner and a woman grabbed it about 100’ before it got to me.  About 5 minutes later another taxi came by and a father with his young son tried to take it from me as they were just arriving but the driver stood up for me and I got in the front.  Sitting in the front has its advantages and disadvantages.  The advantage is that I feel safer putting on the seat belt.  (The ones in back are usually pinned behind the seats.)  The disadvantage is sometimes the driver is gabby and I have to talk to him.  Today I got the 5^th degree: what do I like about Colombia, where have I visited, what food do I like, what juices do I like, etc.  And he didn’t speak English so I struggled with my limited Spanish.

There was a traffic jam because workers had a lane closed off because they were trimming trees.

At El Tesoro I ended up having Chicken Combo #2 at Frisby. 

Just walking through the mall my right hip was bothering me.  I’d better be careful with increasing my time or speed on the treadmill. 

I was about 10 minutes early for my appointment.

I got my last procedure with the dentist for 160,000 pesos ($55).

Dr. Rendon is taking his family skiing on Sugarloaf mountain (if I remember the name correctly) in North Carolina for 10 days over Christmas vacation.  Nice!

The next time I’ll see him will be in January when we return for cleanings.

I waited 40 minutes for a taxi and while waiting I saw a chicken cross the road and go into the bushes.  (Why did the chicken cross the road?  Lol.  I have no idea!)

I did get this quick shot of him.  Can you see him at the base of the pole?

Traffic was pretty heavy coming back but I was back by 6:15.

I found that Direct TV didn’t show up today so Laura called them and they promised to come out tomorrow afternoon.  Teresa is supposed to return to the finca tomorrow but she’ll delay that until Friday so she can be here for Direct TV.

I received another email from Alex with the news that he and Alba are going to get an apartment together with her 10-year old son Darwin and then get the Union Libre after 2 years living together.  (Btw, Putumayo where he will be living is a separate department (state) on Colombia’s southern border next to Ecuador.)

Teresa and I started watching a few different Netflix movies.  We start one, she says she doesn’t like it and we start another.

T-shirt of the day: Let Boys be Toys.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Last night we went to bed at 9:45 and it took me something like an hour to fall asleep.

I got up once or twice during the night, woke up at 5:30 and got up at 6:15.  I think Teresa left about 6am.  I was at Carbon de Leña at 6:45 and since they weren’t yet open I sat in the park across the street.  They finally opened at 7:15, I had my calentado and café con leche for 8,500 pesos ($3).

I was back at the apt just before 8am in time to watch the beginning of the Today show on my Slingbox.

Per Dr. Oz, the high blood pressure guideline has been changed. 

PREVIOUSLY 140/90

NOW 130/80

Via the internet: The following new guidelines were announced Monday at an American Heart Association conference in Anaheim.

WHAT THE CHANGES MEAN

The guidelines set new categories and get rid of "prehypertension":

—Normal: Under 120 over 80

—Elevated: Top number 120-129 and bottom less than 80

—Stage 1: Top of 130-139 or bottom of 80-89

—Stage 2: Top at least 140 or bottom at least 90

Mine was 110 over 86 (if I can trust the woman who tested me) on 10/31/17 so I’m good.

I left the apt at 9:15, took the Metro bus to the Envigado station, got off the metro at Estacion Industriales, walked east past the Metro Plus station and found a row of waiting taxis.  The driver took me to Unicentro mall for 7,000 pesos.

I walked the block to Inter-Col where I found a 50ish couple in front of me.  They were speaking English and they had an interpreter with them even though the rep spoke English.  I understood they were there as visitors for the past 3 months and were getting the 3-month extension.  They wanted to stay longer but they were too about 12 years too young for the Pensionado Visa.  After they finished I found out they were from Oregon and I got most of the rest of the previous details.  I wished them a good time in their remaining 3 months here.

When it was my turn I asked the rep if I could start my visa renewal process as my current visa expires December 19^th.  The rep told me it would be better to wait until next Tuesday the 21^st so we are within one month of the expiration date.  I also learned: it costs 1,505,000 pesos ($500) this year, my down payment would be 871,000 pesos payable in cash or debit card, and the 634,000 final payment payable in cash or into their bank account.  I thanked her and left.

Outside it was only 10:15 so I walked thru Unicentro mall where I found most of the restaurants were not yet open.  Outside I quickly caught a taxi back to Estacion Exposiciones for 6,000 pesos.  I took the metro to Envigado and while waiting on the bus it started sprinkling a little.  On the way up Calle 39 Sur (Calle 37 Sur is still closed) I saw what appeared to be a butcher shop called La Pampa at Calle 39Sur (appr. #45-18).  I seem to recall reading about this name somewhere.

I got off the bus 2 blocks from the park (it had stopped raining) and stopped at the “closet” bookstore across the street from the park where I bought Pearl Harbor by Randall Wallace for 7,000 pesos ($2.30).  It’s obviously the book that the movie is based on because I recognized the names of the characters Reef and Danny.

I stopped in Exito to buy a loaf of bread but they didn’t have my usual whole wheat so I got something new called Vital Arándanos which is made with granola and blueberries so we’ll see how it tastes.

I left the apt again at 12:20 to have lunch.  It was raining again.  I had Bandeja Especiales (rice, beans, salad, French fries, slice of plantain, and 3 ribs with a mango juice) for 19,000 pesos (about $6.30).  It was raining harder as I returned to the apt at 1:30.

I left the apt at 2pm, and caught a bus downtown.  I see that Otre Parte is going through some expansion.  Traffic was horrendous and I was pretty sure I wouldn’t get to the movie by the listed start time of 2:45.  I got off at Parque Poblado at 2:24 and still had another bus to take so as not to walk up the hill.  I figured I probably had an extra 15 minutes to spare for coming attractions.  I bought a preferred ticket for 3,000 pesos ($1).  I found out later that Tuesday is half fare day.  I bought a small popcorn and medium soda for another 14,300 pesos ($5).

I was in my seat as they were playing the “ballet” short that I’ve already see twice.  After that I saw a couple of coming attractions.  There were about 15 other people in the audience and the movie – Murder on the Orient Express – was pretty good.

Afterwards I walked down the hill to Parque Poblado where I only had to wait 5 minutes for a bus.

I was back at the apt by 6:15.

Teresa and I watched Boy Missing (6.1) on Netflix.

At 9:30 we found that we lost our running water.

I went to bed at 10:45.

T-shirt of the day: Just got lucky.