Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, quickly fell asleep, got up once during the night, again at 5:30, soon decided I’d better get started with my day and got up at 6am.

I left the apt at 7am and quickly caught a bus outside Smartfit. There were only 6 others on the bus, I expected at that hour it might be nearly full. I got off at Calle 7 and and walked up a block to Cedimed.

I showed my blood order to a girl inside and she took it with my cedula. I took a seat and a few minutes later my name was called. The young man didn’t speak English but I managed to give him all my personal info, pay the expected 180,700 pesos and I understand they will email me the results.

I sat down again and my name was called again a few minutes later. The Phlebotomist (sp?) took me to a back area where she asked me a series of questions (lol); I didn’t understand a lot but I told her most of the medications I’m taking. She quickly and painlessly took a single vial of blood and it took an extra bandaid to get the bleeding under control. I understand partial results will be ready tomorrow and the remainder next week.

I went outside to their cafe Il Capuccino and it appeared they didn’t have much more than coffee and pastries. I walked up to the next café called Boulevard. I was happy to see calentado on their menu so I ordered it with eggs but they lady said they don’t have calentado so I left.

I walked across the street and tried the ATM hoping it would give me all 20s like before the pandemic but no, mostly 50s.

Outside I caught a taxi to Viva Envigado where I had my usual breakfast at Habia Una Vez. Upstairs I had coffee at Santa Leña. Trey, from Galviston, Texas soon arrived and we talked a little more. He’s been here 3 weeks visiting his younger brother Skyler. He was interested in hearing about cafes that I’ve tried here for breakfast. He soon moved back to his table as he had a 10am meeting on his computer.

Teresa called me and asked me to pick up tomatoes, lettuce, and plantain on my way back to the apt. I noticed they were checking cedulas before entering Exito so I didn’t even try to enter. I had the taxi driver drop me off at the little grocery store next to Asados Rogelio in La Buena Mesa. Finding tomatoes was no problem but no ripe plantain and the lettuce wasn’t her favorite crispa. I bought a ripe avocado from a guy outside our apt complex for 4mil on my way back.

On the afternoon news I understood Medellin is now under curfew from 5pm to 5am at least for holy week.

Juan Castro texted me that they have a power problem so we won’t be able to have a lesson today.

Teresa beat me in parcheesi today 4 games to 1.

Medellin Guru confirmed that Medellin (as well as all of Antioquia) is under curfew until April 6^th due to an increase in ICU occupancy.

Well, we hit the upper 80s today and it’s been 2-3 days without rain. Hope I’m not jinxing myself.

 

The US has 30,281,704 ð 30,318,445 ð 30,388,472 coronavirus cases with 548,800+ ð 549,000+ ð 550,000+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,382,730 ð 2,389,779 ð 2,397,731 cases with 62,955 ð 63,079 ð 63,255 deaths. Medellin has 205,366 ð 207,568 ð 208,428 cases, an increase of 1,394 from March 29^th to 30^th. Envigado has a total of 18,736 cases, an increase of 172 from March 29^th to 30^th. Again, the Medellin total cases didn’t change for some reason but the change did.

Joke of the day

To the person who brought multigrain chips to the party – you could have just said you didn’t want to come.

Monday, March 29, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, quickly fell asleep, got up three times during the night, finally waking at 5am and getting up at 6am.

I left the apt at 8:30 and walked to the mall. I went to Exito’s information booth and explained that I wanted to return the bathrobe I had bought. The lady sent me to the Exito Wow! station. There were 3 girls behind the counter doing nothing but one of them directed me to the machine where it gave me a turn number. It appeared on the board a minute later and the girl gave me a credit card for the robe. I went to the nearest cashier where I bought a package of underwear with the credit card.

In the mall I recycled a plastic bottle, withdrew a little cash and had coffee in Todo Fresa.

I left about 10:30 and took a taxi back to the apt.

Jose responded to my text that he won’t be able to play chess tomorrow. He is in the process of getting dental implants and I guess he’s not feeling up to it. Since I’m now free tomorrow I plan to go to Cedimed (alone) to get my blood draw.

We left the apt at 12:15 and arrived at El Tesoro by 12:45. Teresa waited downstairs at O’Cake and I went upstairs to Dr. Rendon’s office. I tapped on the glass door as usual and they asked me to sit in the large waiting room. I called Teresa at 1:45 to inform her I was still in the waiting room and she convinced me to take her to lunch. (Remember they had changed my appointment from 2pm to 1pm.) We were sitting in J&C Delicias at 2:05 when Dr. Rendon texted me. I explained what happened and we agreed I would come back at 3:30 to complete my root canal. I was there by 3:25 and I waited until 3:50 for him to finish with his previous patient. It was 5:10 by the time he finished the root canal.

Teresa exchanged a pajama top at Clonhadas and did some window shopping. I noticed Cinemark theater was open and I tried downloading their app but the only locations that came up were in Bogota so I just uninstalled it.

We had coffee and shared a banana muffin in Starbucks but that was the worst café mocca I’ve ever had.

At 6pm we took a taxi back to the apt and were home in about 35 minutes.

I finished Dean Koontz’s Watchers on my Nook.

About 10pm it occurred to me that maybe the clinic is observing pico y cedula and I won’t be able to get in tomorrow because it will be the 30^th and my cedula is odd. I asked Teresa about that and she assured me that they don’t observe pico y cedula.

 

The US has 30,223,198  ð 30,281,704 ð 30,318,445 coronavirus cases with 548,000+ ð 548,800+ ð 549,000+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,375,591 ð 2,382,730 ð 2,389,779 cases with 62,790 ð 62,955 ð 63,079 deaths. Medellin has 205,366 ð 207,568 ð 208,428 cases, an increase of 859 from March 28^th to 29^th. Envigado has a total of 18,563 cases, an increase of 73 from March 28^th to 29^th.

Joke of the day

My friend decided to walk to the edge of the earth to prove that it’s flat. He came around eventually.

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, quickly fell asleep, got up three times during the night, finally waking at 6:15 and getting up at 6:30.

I left the apt at 8am and met Glenn and Bianca at the Avenida Poblado bus stop. We took a taxi to Calle 11 then walked about 4 blocks to the little café called Hija Mia (Calle 11A #43B-9). First we shared an almond croissant with our coffee. Then I had some fresh fruit and granola concoction which seemed like it was swimming in chocolate pudding. Up the street we noticed another café called Seré at Carrera 43B #11-84 the we might try next week. While there we met a young man named Forrest that had a new business installing high speed internet. I understood 1Gig per second to compare to my 50Meg, and at a much lower cost. I also bought a medium sized bottle of crunchy peanut butter made by Mani Bros for 12mil.

We walked up to Seré to have coffee and check it out but there weren’t any outside tables available.

We walked a few blocks to Ganso y Castor but all their outside tables were taken so we went next door and had coffee at Brooklyn RL.

We shared a taxi back to Envigado and they got out at Jumbo and I continued on to Viva Envigado. I killed an hour upstairs at the food court before ordering chicken from Frisby. There was a line and about a 15-minute wait but my food came pretty quickly and I returned to the apt via taxi.

After lunch I had a nap from about 2-3pm and when I got up I saw the streets were a little wet so we must have had a quick shower.

Teresa beat me in parcheesi today 3 games to 2.

We started watching a TV series that Laura recommended called Who Killed Sara?

I was planning on having a blood draw early tomorrow but I mistakenly took my prostate medicine tonight so I guess it will be another day.

 

The US has 30,133,771 ð 30,223,198  ð 30,281,704 coronavirus cases with 546,900+ ð 548,000+ 548,800+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,367,337 ð 2,375,591 ð 2,382,730 cases with 62,640 ð 62,790 ð 62,955 deaths. Medellin has 204,551 ð 205,366 ð 207,568 cases, an increase of 1,169 from March 27^th to 28^th. Envigado has a total of 18,490 cases, an increase of 74 from March 27^th to 28^th.

Joke of the day

My neighbor was working in his yard when suddenly a car came crashing through his hedge and ended up on his front lawn. He rushed to help the driver, an elderly lady.

“You appear a bit old to be driving,” he said.

“I am!” She replied proudly. “I’m so old that I don’t even need a license anymore.”

“Really?” he asked skeptically. “And how did you manage that?”

“The last time I went to my doctor,” she explained, “he asked to see my license. Then he said, ‘You won’t be needing this anymore,’ cut it up and threw it away. So I thanked him and drove home!”

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, quickly fell asleep, got up once about 12:30am, again at 3:45, took a little while to fall back asleep, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

Something strange is happening with my USAA checking account. A few weeks ago I noticed a $153.49 “ATM Adjustment Credit” to my account. Then this month when I make a withdrawal from an ATM with an additional ATM fee I get a same day ATM Rebate instead of an end of the month combined rebate. Now I’m seeing my purchases with a small credit instead of the usual 1% foreign transaction fee.

Teresa left at 7am for eps, the gym, then Santafe mall with a friend. She said she will call me later and I can join her at the mall for lunch.

I left the apt just before 8am and walked to Parque Envigado.  First I looked in Exito to see if they had any robes. Nope. I had breakfast in Carbon de Leña which took me up to almost 9am. Across the street at the copy center I had some pages printed and bought 5 more cash envelopes. I walked 2 blocks to the used bookstore only to find it closed at 9:15. I’m beginning to think they open a little later on Saturdays. I tested my new debit card by making a small ATM withdrawal. I returned to La Buena Mesa where I had a café con leche at Parva and they gave me a free bag of sugar cookies. I know they are basically tasteless, so I gifted them to our porteros upon returning to the apt.

Teresa called me at noon and told me she’s returning to the apt but I should have lunch out on my own. I walked to the mall and had nachos and a Coke in Sport Wings. After, I went downstairs but all the table were taken at Todo Fresa so I got a table in Santa Leña.

I was playing a close game with MobileLegend and by the 80^th move I thought I could force a draw. There was one move I told myself I couldn’t make because it would be a sure loss. Darned if I didn’t make it a couple moves later. Sigh! That cost me 8 rating points.

At 3pm I left and picked up a couple bags of milk in Exito and returned to the apt via taxi. (I had looked in a different area and found a robe but upon returning to the apt it turns out it’s the same size.)

Teresa beat me in parcheesi today 3 games to 2.

Teresa suggested we go for pizza tonight but she was concerned about rain. I checked the sky and it certainly looked clear to me. She washed her hair then said we had to wait until 8:30 for it to dry. I told her I didn’t want to eat that late then she got the great idea to order from McDonald’s. It took a while for me to get the order straight in the iFood app then it wouldn’t accept my debit card info. I tried several times to get it to save my new expiration date and CVC number but was unsuccessful. Finally, I got it to accept cash but it says it won’t be delivered for an hour. It's only 0.2 kilometers away so I certainly hope it arrives faster than that. It arrived 16 minutes after I placed the order.

After we finished eating, I figured out how to delete the old card information and put in new information.

 

The US has 30,055,46 ð 30,133,771 ð 30,223,198 coronavirus cases with 545,300+ ð 546,900+ ð 548,000+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,359,942  ð 2,367,337 ð 2,375,591 cases with 62,519  ð 62,640 ð 62,790 deaths. Medellin has 203,885  ð 204,551  ð 205,366 cases, an increase of 1,032 from March 26^th to 27^th. Envigado has a total of 18,330 cases, an increase of 86 from March 26^th to 27^th. (The numbers don’t jive. I think the increases are probably correct but the totals themselves didn’t change from the day before.)

Joke of the day

I signed up for a Zoom workout class that was too advanced. So when the instructor said, “Do a plank and bring your knee to the opposite elbow,” I did a modified version where I turned off my computer and made pancakes.

Friday, March 26, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, quickly fell asleep, got up once about 5am, couldn’t fall back asleep so I got up at 5:30, went back to bed at 6am, soon fell asleep and woke/got up at 7:30.

I left the apt just before 9 and completed my usual 1-hour walk, picking up some Fab on my way back.

After lunch we took a short nap.

I left at 3pm and walked to Parva where I bought 2 pasteles de guayaba to go and 2 café con leches that I drank there.

There’s this old guy who patrols the 2 streets that meet at the corner that Parva resides on. He shows drivers where they can park and assists them, whether they need it or not, with their parking. I have seen drivers tip him, but I have no idea if he works for Parva or what gives him the right to even be there. Similar to Seinfeld’s “soup nazi” I think I will refer to him in the future as the “parking nazi”.

I left at 5:30 and returned to the apt.

I watched the first episode of the old Flash Gordon serial (1936) on Youtube. I recall seeing it in the movie theater when I was young. How old would I have to be before I could go to a movie alone? 10? So, it would be 1955, and the serial was 19 years old? Hard to believe. I texted my brother and he remembers seeing them on TV on Sunday mornings.

A light drizzle started about 7:15.

 

The US has 30,007,253  ð 30,055,469  ð 30,133,771 coronavirus cases with 544,400+ 545,300+  ð 546,900+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,353,210  ð 2,359,942  ð 2,367,337 cases with 62,394  ð 62,519  ð 62,645 deaths. Medellin has 203,885  ð 204,551  ð 205,366 cases, an increase of 814 from March 25^th to 26^th. Envigado has a total of 18,330 cases, an increase of 39 from March 25^th to 26^th.

Joke of the day

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, quickly fell asleep, got up once during the night, fell back asleep quickly and was finally woken by Teresa at 7:15. I think she thought I was meeting someone early for breakfast

Teresa left at 7:45 for gym class.

I left the apt at 8:45 and walked to the mall. I went upstairs to Santa Leña and they were just opening. I had a problem scanning their QR code for a menu but a waitress brought me a paper copy - in English. I ordered the 3 slices of French toast with fresh fruit and a café con leche which was pretty good and very filling.

In Exito I looked for a large men’s robe but everything was either women’s or unica (one size fits all) so I just left with my medium robe. I’m going to check the Exito in Parque Envigado and if they don’t have one then I’ll have Teresa help me with my refund.

I had a café con leche in Todo Fresa until 11am. In Exito I picked up 2 bags of milk and a bag of croutons. As I was leaving I ran into Teresa with a friend. She told me they’re going to the bank and I should have lunch by myself.

Back at the apt she called me at noon and asked me to meet her for lunch at Asados Rogelio. Walking the last block I was asked by a muchacho carrying a bucket if I wanted to buy strawberries. I responded “no” and kept on walking even though he started asking me in English.

At the restaurant I kept an eye out for the muchacho and when he arrived I asked Teresa if she wanted to buy strawberries. I heard him offer the remainder for 50mil which then changed to 40mil. Teresa said he lives in Santa Elena and I would be contributing to the economy so I bought them for 40mil.

Nobraskja texted me that I have a package. I told her I’ll be here all afternoon and I have the cash to pay right away.

I had a 2-hour chess lesson with Juan Castro. In the middle of my lesson, while Teresa was taking a nap, a portero stopped by and I understood my mail had arrived. I gave him 130mil and he soon returned with my package: a new chess book, Issue #19 of American Chess Magazine, and my new debit cards.

I beat Teresa in parcheesi today 3 games to 2.

My USAA checking account used to reimburse ATM fees at the end of the month but it’s becoming obvious they now reimburse them the fee the same day.

 

The US has 29,923,751 ð 30,007,253  ð 30,055,469 coronavirus cases with 543,000+  ð 544,400+ 545,300+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,347,224  ð 2,353,210  ð 2,359,942 cases with 62,274  ð 62,394  ð 62,519 deaths. Medellin has 203,206  ð 203,885  ð 204,551 cases, an increase of 666 from March 24^th to 25^th. Envigado has a total of 18,290 cases, an increase of 38 from March 24^th to 25^th.

Joke of the day

“How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? One, but it takes a long, long time, and the bulb must want to change.”

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, quickly fell asleep and woke up at 5am. I had a sip of water and went back to bed but couldn’t fall asleep so I got up at 5:30.

I met Glenn and Bianca at the Ave Pobaldo bus stop at 8:15. We walked 2 blocks north to the La Frontera mall where he introduced me to DeLolita. We each had a cinnamon roll with coffee then eggs – mine scrambled with tomato and basil. From there he showed me Parque Lineal La Frontera where he walks Bianca which reminded me a little of our forest preserves back in Chicago.

I returned to the apt by 10:30 and Teresa and I left at 11:15. We arrived 10 minutes early for our appointments with Dr. Rendon. I was taken first and he performed phase one of my root canal. The root is obviously dead because I didn’t feel a thing.

While it was Teresa’s turn I went down to O’Cake where I had a small café con leche.

She called me an hour later and I paid 150mil for her and 450mil towards my root canal. My next appointment is Monday at 2pm.

We had lunch at the upstairs J&C Delicias location because it was raining and this is a warmer location as they can close their windows.

Teresa did some shopping then went on a serious search for pajamas for her Santa Elena trip next month. She finally asked someone and was sent to Clonhadas. She was checking out pajamas when suddenly it occurred to me that I’m often cold sitting in the apt. I looked also and we both ended up with identical cotton Made in USA plaid flannel pajamas. She also chose a pair of warm slippers.

We picked up a few things in Carulla (I found Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce which I’m going to give a try) then caught a taxi back to the apt.

I tried on my pajamas and they are slightly large but if they were more form fitting they would probably be too warm.

 

The US has 29,859,433 ð 29,923,751 ð 30,007,253 coronavirus cases with 542,200+  ð 543,000+  ð 544,400+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,342,278  ð 2,347,224  ð 2,353,210 cases with 62,148  ð 62,274  ð 62,394 deaths. Medellin has 202,448  ð 203,206  ð 203,885 cases, an increase of 679 from March 23^rd to 24^th. Envigado has a total of 18,252 cases, an increase of 61 from March 23^rd to 24^th.

Joke of the day

A lady tried to cash a check at a supermarket in Florida. The clerk asked to see her real estate license. She said, “don’t you mean my driver’s license?” The clerk replied, “No, not everyone has a driver’s license.”

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, quickly fell asleep but was awakened just before 3am by a car playing music outside Exito. I eventually fell back asleep and woke up at 6:15. I drifted off again and got up just before 7am.

I beat Michael in another correspondence game increasing my rating to 1440.

I left the apt at 8am in 65-degree weather for Viva Envigado. I made a trip to the ATM then took a photo of the 12 different croissants at Santa Leña to send to Glenn. I found Jose waiting for me when I arrived at Habia Una Vez. We each had the complete breakfast then went up to the food court at 9am.

I had White in the first game and although I had been losing, he made a weak 24^th move giving me a sure mate in 4 so he resigned.

For lunch I had 2 orders of frijoles and rice while Jose made a trip to an ATM. Teresa wants me to have protein, like chicken, but I checked and pinto beans are 20% protein.

I had Black in the second game and though it appeared I was losing I found the winning 24^th move but didn’t follow up correctly with my advantage and we played to a 60-move draw.

I went down a level where I had a café con leche at Santa Leña before returning to the apt by taxi.

Per Meddellin Guru, starting this Thursday until April 5^th the department of Antioquia will reinstate nightly curfew, dry law and pico y cedula. I understand ICU’s are filling and I’m sure they want to limit partying during holy week.

Teresa returned at 6:30 but said she has to return another day. I told her not tomorrow as I’m not going to reschedule our dental appointments again. We then had an involved conversation about lunch tomorrow. One of our appointments is at noon meaning we’ll have to leave the apt about 11/11:15. The other is at 1:30 which means we won’t get out until about 3pm. So when do we have lunch? Teresa suggested 1. Before we leave (like 10:30?), 2. Afterward (like 3:30 by the time our food arrives), 3. Bring a lunch (to eat in the taxi? In the doctor’s waiting room). I told her the only thing that makes sense is to eat separately during the other’s 90-minute appointment.

About 6:30 is when it started raining. It didn’t last long but started again later in the evening.

I learned that the Santa Elena yoga retreat is just for the ladies, I’m not invited. I think it’s on Saturday/Sunday, April 17^th and 18^th.

 

The US has 29,825,308 ð 29,859,433  ð 29,923,751 coronavirus cases with 541,700+ ð 542,200+  ð 543,000+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,337,150  ð 2,342,278  ð 2,347,224 cases with 62,028 ð 62,148  ð 62,274 deaths. Medellin has 201,888  ð 202,448  ð 203,206 cases, an increase of 752 from March 22^nd to 23^rd. Envigado has a total of 18,190 cases, an increase of 37 from March 22^nd to 23^rd.

Joke of the day

Fruit cocktail is the most disappointing of all the cocktails.

Monday, March 22, 2021

Today is a holiday – St. Joseph’s Day.

Last night I went to bed at 10pm (it was raining), got up once at 3:45, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

I left for my walk at 9:45 in 67 degrees. Just before I left Teresa asked me to return with carrots and tomatoes so first I made a special trip to Madrid. I walked my usual route then stopped in Mundo Huevo looking for Planters Crunchy Peanut Butter. No dice but strangely, they did have Pricesmart’s home brand.

Wilson came over and spent hours cleaning our windows.

It drizzled most of the afternoon.

I gave up watching Age of Samurai – I just couldn’t keep those Japanese names straight.

 

The US has 29,782,853 ð 29,825,308 ð 29,859,433 coronavirus cases with 541,000+ ð 541,700+ ð 542,200+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,331,187 ð 2,337,150  ð 2,342,278 cases with 61,907  ð 62,028 62,148 deaths. Medellin has 200,997  ð 201,888  ð 202,448 cases, an increase of 768 from March 21^st to 22^nd. Envigado has a total of 18,153 cases, an increase of 29 from March 21^st to 22^nd.

Joke of the day

The thing I hate most about daylight savings is getting up at 2am to change the clock.