Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up several times (yes, it was raining), the last of which I took an Advil, finally waking/getting up at 6:30. I was bathed in sweat, the sheets were wet, but I felt better so hopefully I got that out of my system. I hit the shower right away.

My right thigh is still sore but better than yesterday.

Teresa left at 8am.

Teresa gave me a list of instructions to access some of her test results. I tried with the Edge browser and it translated the website to English. Normally that’s good but then it doesn’t exactly match the instructions. When I couldn’t make headway, I switched to chrome. This one let me switch back to Spanish. Still, I couldn’t make progress.

I left at 8:30 and was finishing a croissant with scrambled eggs at Los Porteños when Glenn arrived. He had an early vet appointment for Bianca. We discussed a vacation in Dominican Republic including renewing my passport and hurricane season.

I left at 10am and returned to the apt. Walking is a little easier today.

Workers were in the process of repainting the outside of the next door Exito from yellow to gray. Inside it looks like most of the product is gone and some of the shelving.

Teresa returned from the gym at 11am.

I just stumbled on this fact: Did you know journalist Bob Woodward was born in Geneva, Illinois? (That’s 3 small towns away from where I was born.)

At 1pm I heard thunder even though it was sunny. TWC says, “Thunderstorms likely to continue for the next several hours”.

Teresa was on the phone with some doctor, I believe, when she asked me about the test results. I told her I need her help. When she got off the phone, I showed her the website and asked her how to continue but soon we got some type of error. She said, “we’ll try again later”.

My incision site is starting to feel more normal.

A Colombian “band” of drums and trombone spent about 20 minutes loudly “serenading” us. I thought they would never leave.

We had a little rain in the afternoon.

More from Michael:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/03/29/last-train-out-of-russia-00021263?fbclid=IwAR12qB8E3qokRB3wiFd4IXYBT77296CRPI1HdZt0qVf0dpeZBfzzdD5xIXQ

I watched another episode of Hanna.

A lot of guys play chess at various cafes in Medellin on Saturdays; I’m hoping I will feel well enough Saturday, April 9^th to venture out for a game.

 

It was about 9:15 that I realized we have no running water. ☹ Teresa found a partial bottle of water that was at least enough to use to take our pills.

The water was back as we went to bed at 10:15.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 29,157 ð 29,253 ð 27,621 new cases and 753 ð 716 ð 701 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 296 ð 301 ð 311 newly reported cases with 12 ð 10 ð 12 newly reported deaths.

 

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Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once in the middle of the night, took a while to fall back asleep, finally waking up at 6:15 and getting up at 7:30.

When I tried removing my socks I had some pain my right thigh. (I usually lie on the bed and let gravity help me lower my foot when putting on and taking off socks.

Teresa left at 9am for the gym and returned at 10:20. She helped me tie my shoes and again I had pain lifting my right food to put it on her thigh.

We took a Didi to the medical clinic next to Clinica Medellin on Calle 7. We went up to the 11^th floor where we waited about 15 minutes to see her gastroenterologist. When she returned she reported everything was okay. We stopped on the 6^th floor where Teresa talked to a doctor about facial treatments. They cost me 2,508,000 ($662.50) but she wanted this as her Mother’s Day present. Outside we had lunch at their Boulevard café. I wasn’t hungry so I just had a little pasta salad and carrot salad and a bottle of water. Teresa got the rest of my meal to go.

We took a taxi to Viva Envigado. First Teresa wanted to stop at the apt to drop off my takeout and some other things. Avenida Poblado was open until we got to Santa Teresita then we were detoured back to our apt. She went upstairs and soon returned and asked me for my keys. Sigh!

At Viva Envigado Teresa asked at the Exito Wow station and I gave the lady all my details. We needed to give them a copy of my cedula and of course they don’t have a printer so Teresa went to Auros and made a copy. I finally received the 584,250 pesos that Laura owed me. Afterward we had yogurt at Percimon then returned to the apt by taxi.

We had a little rain in the evening.

I watched another episode of Hanna, season 2.

At 9:30 I was so tired I couldn’t take it anymore and went to bed.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 30,174 ð 29,157 ð 29,253 new cases and 795 ð 753 ð 716 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 348 ð 296 ð 301 newly reported cases with 14 ð 12 ð 10 newly reported deaths.

 

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Monday, March 28, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 2:30, finally waking/getting up at 6:45.

Teresa was jut leaving for eps to pick up her medication. She expected to be back by 7:30 to make my breakfast. (She said if she went in the afternoon there would be a long line.) She was back by 7:45.

I couldn’t finish my breakfast and requested next time 1 piece of toast not 2 and 1 egg not 2.

Why do I feel so tired and cold?

After breakfast I napped for an hour and a half.

I couldn’t finish my lunch. After, I napped for an hour and 20 minutes.

I took an ibuprofen and soon was feeling closer to normal.

Some additional info from Michael:

 

Laura texted me. She wants us to go to Europe (Spain, France, and Italy) next September for 16 days for 8,600,000 pesos per person. Teresa and I discussed it and she finally realized it would be a lot of running around at the whim of the tour guide. I think we’re more likely to spend a week at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic where we can just relax.

I finished season 1 of Hanna.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 30,387 ð 30,174 ð 29,157 new cases and 830 ð 795 ð 753 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 351 ð 348 ð 296 newly reported cases with 23 ð 14 ð 12 newly reported deaths.

 

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Sunday, March 27, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, we were awakened at 1:15 by someone attempting to play music on their car horn for about 5 minutes. I got up again at 5am and catnapped until getting up at 6:30.

According to The Weather Channel there should be no rain until 10:30am.

Teresa decided to join us for breakfast at Hija Mia then we’re going on to Pricesmart. Glenn texted me he’s going to arrive early, just after 8am.

We caught a Didi car at 8:20 and arrived at the restaurant by 8:30. Glenn had to wait for a table as he was just sitting down. We had just ordered coffees when the electricity went out and emergency lights came on. Glenn asked me if I’m watching the NCCA playoff. I told him I saw there was a Cinderella team that was still in it. He said that was St. Peter’s of New Jersey and they would be playing tonight at 4pm Colombian time on CBS. The electricity returned in 10-15 minutes. After our first coffee Glenn ordered French toast and Teresa and I ordered their banana waffle. They brought Teresa’s waffle and Glenn’s French toast. After waiting about 10 minutes I started helping Teresa with her food. My waffle arrived another 10 minutes later. The waffles were so big neither of us finished our food.

We said goodbye to Glenn and took a Didi to Pricesmart. We bought 608,182 ($160) of groceries and quickly caught a taxi. As we were leaving the store at 11:30 the raindrops started and it soon turned into a drizzle.

I tried taking a nap but couldn’t fall asleep.

At 4pm I watched Saint Peter’s vs North Carolina until the former were behind by 15 points. I tried watching more Hanna but got too much buffering.

For supper I used iFood to order burgers from McDonald’s. I can only get Teresa’s chicken sandwich if I order it as a combo so I simply order a single McNifica for me. It arrived in just 18 minutes.

 

Tomorrow Teresa has to go to Caldas and I’m going to Exito Viva Envigado to pick up the pesos Laura sent me for the medications I Fed-Ex to her.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 30,259 ð 30,387 ð 30,174 new cases and 919 ð 830 ð 795 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 293 ð 351 ð 348 newly reported cases with 19 ð 23 ð 14 newly reported deaths.

 

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Saturday, March 26, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, woke up at 6:30 and got up at 7am just as Teresa was about to leave for the gym.

I texted Glenn that I should be at Ganso y Castor around the same time, 9/9:15.

I left the apt at 8:50 and found Glenn already there at an outside table. We soon realized that we couldn’t hear each other due to the jackhammers so we moved inside which cut down the noise by about 50%.

I found this posted on the construction wall.

We left about 10am and I moved to Parva where I bought a café con leche for 4mil. I had just taken a seat when Teresa arrived.

She informed me the apartments across the street rent for 2,500,000 pesos and sell for 750,000,000 pesos. (Is 300 times, sales vs rent, normal? I have no idea.)  If I paid that much rent there would be a lot less savings for future vacations but that may change when we sell the finca and buy an apt to rent out.

She said she has to go to Santafe mall to exchange some pants so I will be on my own for lunch.

She left and I studied chess tactics for an hour before returning to the apt.

Laura sent me 587,897 pesos which I can pick up at Exito Viva Envigado. Probably do that on Monday.

Only 76 degrees at noon; I love it (as long as it doesn’t rain while I’m out).

It looked like I finally had the opportunity to get a cheesesteak at Philly’s Cheesesteak in Poblado. I requested a Didi car but after 20 minutes they cancelled my request and tried to find another one so I cancelled them.

I ordered chicken wings and fries from Rocket Wings but I think I made a mistake and ordered an additional order of fries.

More from Michael:

 

Teresa returned at 3:30 and brought me a donut from Dunkin Donuts. I’ll have it later with a glass of milk.

Teresa suggested we go on a trip to Cancun or Dominican Republic. Great idea, I’d love to see Punta Cana again, but let’s wait until I’m healed.

I watched my all-time favorite movie, The Shawshank Redemption, for the umpteenth time. Years ago, I even read Stephen King’s short story of the same name.

On the third try I was finally presented with episode 5 of Hanna.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 30,259 ð 30,387 ð 30,174 new cases and 919 ð 830 ð 795 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 293 ð 351 ð 348 newly reported cases with 19 ð 23 ð 14 newly reported deaths.

 

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Friday, March 25, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up at 2am and 5:30, finally getting up for good at 6:45am.

Teresa left at 8am for the gym.

I had a small bowl of granola, managed with some difficulty to trim my toenails and left just before 9am.

At Parva I ordered a latte and a pastel de guayaba. The cashier asked me if I wanted a café con leche and I said, “yes”, and this time it only cost the usual 4,500 pesos. Go figure! I completed another hour of chess puzzles. At the entrance, while leaving, I took this photo toward La Buena Mesa where you can see the drywall. Actually, I don’t think it’s drywall, more like particle board.

Michael, currently in Prague, posted this article

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/03/american-volunteer-foreign-fighters-ukraine-russia-war/627604/?fbclid=IwAR15ovd2nPbhHBXJ08LA7ltXB4mvHHmdudu-_2lAnIu-drWNySbsuvHeW6s

and this video

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4691337000978386&id=100003063960999&sfnsn=scwspmo

On the way back to the apt I stopped at Tienda D1 where I bought a package of spaghetti and 2 bags of milk. When I returned to the apt Teresa told me she wanted a different brand of spaghetti. Well, esp is not my gig.

We had rain come through at 12:45 and again at 3:15.

I texted Glenn about what time to meet for breakfast tomorrow, mistakenly thinking today is Saturday. He said he would be at Ganso & Castor about 9/9:15.

I beat Teresa in parcheesi 3 games to 0, but she sure loves to talk smack.

I finished episode 4 of Hanna but it isn’t offering more episodes. ☹

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 29,288 ð 30,259 ð 30,387 new cases and 1,009 ð 919 ð 830 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 294 ð 293 ð 351 newly reported cases with 18 ð 19 ð 23 newly reported deaths.

 

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Thursday, March 24, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up at 1:45 and 4:30, finally getting up for good at 7am.

After breakfast I went back to bed for an hour.

About 10:15 I was taking a shower when Teresa poked her head in and informed me she was heading for the notary.

She called me about noon and asked me if I wanted to meet her at La Bahia for lunch. No, I didn’t feel like going out. She returned about 12:45 and showed me the signed papers so I guess this finca sale is going to happen. She left for lunch in Palo Grande while I ordered a burger and fries from Clap Burger.

We both had a short nap in the afternoon.

She informed me she’s going to the gym early tomorrow so either it’s cereal for me or I have to go out.

I watched a lot of CNN and MSNBC until it became too repetitive.

Teresa invited me to join her and Esmeralda for pizza but I was feeling too sore. It helped when I switched fajas, however.

I watched Oliver & Hardy then started the series Hanna on MTV.

She returned at 8:15 with a slice of vegetable pizza for me. Delish.

Colombia beat Bolivia 3-0 this evening delaying the start of her Desafio program.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 29,288 ð 30,259 ð 30,387 new cases and 1,009 ð 919 ð 830 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 294 ð 293 ð 351 newly reported cases with 18 ð 19 ð 23 newly reported deaths.

 

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Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up at 12:45, 3:45 (it was raining lightly) and 6:30, set my alarm for an hour and got up for good at 7:30.

I’m pretty much back to taking a military shower in order to keep my incision area bandage dry. I’m going to ask Teresa to help me jury-rig a plastic “apron” to try to keep it dry.

Per The Weather Channel (TWC), thunderstorms possible after 2pm.

Teresa left for the gym at 8am.

I left the apt at 8:45 and Glenn apparently had just arrived at Los Porteños. I ordered a croissant with scrambled eggs inside. It came with scrambled eggs outside the croissant but that was okay and even found it less messy to eat. Those along with a small latte was 6,600+3,800+6,500 = 16,700 + 1,500 tip.

When I left and walked to Parva I found more of the side street drywalled off and both directions outside of Antonio’s Gelato closed off.

In Parva I was charged 7,700 pesos for my usual 4,000 peso. Not sure if that was a mistake (size was the same as usual) or an increase.

I studied chess tactics for an hour before returning to the apt.

Teresa excitedly told me she has to leave soon as someone is interested in buying the finca. She also mentioned her Aunt Mary (owner of El Rancherito) and Girardota and renting an apt so I’m not sure how many topics we’re talking about here. I told her to just sell the finca first.

At noon TWC said “occasional thunderstorms likely to continue through 3pm”.

Finally, CNN and MSNBC are back to covering the war in Ukraine.

I was considering going to Philly Cheesesteak for a sandwich but just as Teresa was leaving at 12:15 she asked me to bring her an order from Asados Rogelio so I guess I’m out of luck.

At 1pm, TWC stated, “thunderstorms likely to end around 2:45pm”.

When Teresa returned she stated that she found a buyer for the finca at her requested price to be made in four payments over the next year. She asked me how late Bancolombia is open and according to google it’s 5:30. She said she has to see a notary and asked me to order her a Didi car.

She left by 3pm and didn’t return until just before 8pm.

More info from Michael:

 The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 29,612 ð 29,288 ð 30,259 new cases and 1,055 ð 1,009 ð 919 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 508 ð 294 ð 293 newly reported cases with 19 ð 18 ð 19 newly reported deaths.

 

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Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 9:45, got up at 1:30 (it was raining lightly) and 4:15, finally waking and getting up at 7:15.

We have neither eggs nor milk so Teresa had some delivered for 25mil.

Teresa left at 9am for the gym. Luckily the rain had stopped and per Weather Channel we shouldn’t have any more rain until after 3pm.

No more pain in the area behind my left knee.

I texted Daniel at Celebrity Barber Shop and arranged to get a haircut at 11am.

I left the apt at 9:30 and took a Didi to Viva Envigado (VE) mall. I had a terrible coffee (bad tasting and in a paper cup to boot) in Coffee Market very close to the barber shop. Daniel texted me at 10:50 that he was ready. I asked for a simple haircut without all the other fluff and I was out in about 30 minutes but for the same 70mil. Downstairs I had coffee at Todo Fresa. Teresa called me at noon and told me she made lentil soup and she was going to meet a friend later. I returned to the apt by taxi at 1pm, she heated up some soup for me and left via Dida at 1:30 for Parque Sabaneta to meet with a friend.

Just a couple minutes before 3pm a downpour started but it only lasted a few minutes.

I checked both MSNBC and CNN for news about the war in Ukraine but it was all about the interview of Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court Justice.

I watched The Dead Don’t Die (not worth watching) on Netflix.

I read that Amazon is opening a supply hub in Slovakia for Ukrainian refugees.

And Michael sent this:

My daughter Jeannie is a life/career coach in Chicago and my brother’s gf Joan sent me a link to an interview she did with her daughter Airin on Instagram.

I stepped out on the balcony where I noticed a single bat flitting around. After observing it for a few minutes I noticed it would always stop for a few seconds in the same location of a tree. I wonder if it has a nest there.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 29,905 ð 29,612 ð 29,288 new cases and 1,102 ð 1,055 ð 1,009 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 542 ð 508 ð 294 newly reported cases (this was the lowest number of daily cases since 5/5/20) with 18 ð 19 ð 18 newly reported deaths.

 

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