Sunday, October 30, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, fell asleep quickly, got up twice during the night, woke up at 6:30 and got up.

I suddenly had a brilliant idea. I’ll add my Citibank card to Didi, pay the 2,500 pesos I owe them, cancel my Citibank card and have them send me a new one. He-he-he!

My Uber driver’s name was James Alexander, same name as my son. I arrived at Pergamino (#2) 5 minutes before their 9am opening. There were a few people waiting for the restaurant next door to open. Glenn arrived 10 minutes later. He loaned me the personal copy of his book Gluttony at Table #1. He’s going to return to the US December 2^nd and stay for a month or so for a few medical procedures.

Along with 2 lattes I had something called Granalado (sp?) which was granola, yogurt, nuts, seeds, strawberries, coconut, and bananas. It was delicious and quite filling.

We shared a taxi back to Envigado.

I received this message from USAA.

USAA SCREENPRINT

Why can’t Charles Schwab be this easy?

Teresa left at 12:15 to visit her niece.

I watched the Bears get walloped by the Dallas Cowboys 49-29.

I used my Citibank debit card to pay my 2,500-peso ($0.54+$0.06) Didi fine. It’s now pending in Citibank; when it “clears” I’ll cancel my card and order a new one.

I’m on the last episode of season 5 (the last season) of Breaking Bad.

I finished reading the paperback The Bastard: The Kent Family Chronicles Volume I. Now, I guess I’ll download the next volume to read on my Nook. First, I’ll check the used bookstore and see if I see any of the other volumes.

Teresa returned at 9pm.

Today I got in 750 steps.

 

Fun pix

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm (still raining), fell asleep quickly, got up twice during the night (still raining the first time but not the second), woke up at 7:15, did my Kegel exercises and got up. (In the future know that I do my Kegel exercises before I get up in the morning, before I go to sleep at night and, if I take a nap, I’ll do them again. Now I won’t have to mention them again unless something changes.)

Teresa wanted a leather burning kit so I bought a wood burning kit on Amazon. It arrived yesterday but the directions are in English and they are only about wood, not leather. I thought she would know how to use the wood burning kit but she didn’t. We understand she needs to find a class on how to use it. Maybe Panamericana.

I left the apt at 10:30 and a café con leche in Parva.

This is the side street of La Buena Mesa in its final month of construction.

At 1pm I walked a block away to Barrio Sur where I had a BLT and a Coke.

Jerry, who I ran into yesterday, wants a jacket decorated on both sides (250mil) as a Christmas present for his wife. He’s going to buy the jacket then we’ll arrange to meet. Right now she’s working on one as a birthday present for my daughter.

Chris Cajoleas (aka the Tejo gringo) arrived to watch a soccer match. He’s working on a new business idea, this time something about a laser show. His team lost 2-1. I went to Los Porteños for a latte and returned to the apt by 5pm.

There was a kid’s party in the back parking area.

They even had popcorn and cotton candy for the kids.

Teresa called me at 6pm and asked me to meet her in La Mesa at 7pm for patacones. When I arrived by Uber she was there with MT and Vicky.

I had received an email from Rappi that Teresa cancelled her Frisby order yesterday and I owe 36,700 pesos. Teresa says she received the order and paid so I don’t know what’s going on. She only seems to have problems with car and food orders when I’m not here. ☹

Teresa sold 4 jackets to Martha for 100mil each and she gave me 200mil, my 50% commission.

We bought pastries for the porteros, caught a taxi, dropped off MT and Vicky at MT’s apt and returned to our apt for 9mil.

I texted Glenn that I’m available for breakfast tomorrow so we’re going to meet at the Pergamino cafe on Calle 10B.

Wow, no rain today.

Today I got in 2,907 steps.

 

Fun pix

Friday, October 28, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 1am (raining), again at 5am (no rain), fell back asleep, woke up at 7:30 (raining), did my Kegel exercises and got up. It’s still raining as Teresa left for the gym.

It’s still raining but I left at 9am by offering 10mil for an InDrive ride to Viva Envigado. I printed out my Update Your Schwab One International Account application at Auros. I picked up a Gente newspaper and had the complete breakfast at Habia Una Vez including orange juice for a total of 16,500 pesos ($3.50).

Upstairs I used my CS and USAA debit cards to make small withdrawals at the same ATM. I want to see if I get different currency exchange rates although I’ll have to wait 3 days or so for the transaction to appear in my CS account.

I had a latte in Todo Fresa while reviewing my CS application. One thing they want is a copy of a utility bill. “Please note that the utility bill must show a street address identical to the address you enter on your account application and Substitute Form W-8BEN. (A post office box is not acceptable.)” (Is that here in Colombia or in the US?)

I checked my ATM receipts, and they are identical except each includes the last 4 digits of my debit card.

I left at 11am and was picking up a few things in Exito when I ran into Jerry. He’s now 69 and doing well. He married his girlfriend since last time I saw him. I told him about my two surgeries and otherwise I’m doing well. I showed him photos of Teresa’s decorated jackets and he wants one for his wife for a surprise Christmas present. While talking to him Martha, Wilson’s gf, stopped by. I introduced them and showed Martha the same photos.

I picked up milk, checked out with a couple other things and returned to the apt by taxi.

I left at 12:15 and picked up a package for 40mil at Envios Market. I showed Nobraskja a couple photos of Teresa’s jackets and she wants me to send her some photos with prices. The package was a kit that I ordered for Teresa that will allow her to “write” on leather.

At 1:30 I offered 20mil for a ride to El Tesoro mall. I quickly got two offers and accepted a ride from Juan Carlos. He spoke a little English having worked in SF, LA, Chicago, NJ, NY, and Miami.

For lunch I had a delicious Hong Kong bowl and a bottle of water at Natto Bowls for 31,680 pesos ($6).

I was early for my 3:40 appointment with Dr. Castaño and I was invited in early. I showed him my blood test results and he said all is good. I told him I’m not wearing the faja anymore (after 8 months), I still feel tweaks and pinches down there, and I’m still leaking. He thinks that will improve over time and exercise should help.

I asked whether he thought I should get another tetanus shot. No. I asked whether I should have an endoscopy and colonoscopy and he wrote up the order. I asked about exercise and he said I have no limitations but to start with light weights. (I’m thinking about first doing more walking and maybe about February I’ll consider returning to the gym.)

Our next appointment will be Friday, April 28th at 2pm with my 6-month PSA test results. I paid 260mil ($52) for the office visit.

I stopped in the Arts & Crafts store and called Teresa but I understand they don’t have what she needs and maybe only Panamericana does.

I had about an hour wait to return to the apt by taxi for 15mil.

We had more rain in the evening.

Today I got in 5,494 steps.

 

Fun pix

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, fell asleep quickly, got up once at midnight, fell back asleep, got up again at 4:30, fell back asleep, woke up at 6:30, did my Kegel exercises and got up. Teresa had just left for the gym.

I left the apt at 8:45 and took a Sabaneta bus to Calle 7. I walked up to Cedimed and picked up my blood test results. I had a 5-minute wait for a bus back to Envigado. I took this photo of “Hijamia Coffee House” which I saw between the casino and the Pasteur pharmacy on the Gold Mile. Could this be a 3rd restaurant of theirs?

I texted Glenn and learned he’s having breakfast at Los Porteños so I told him I would meet him there in 5 minutes. I took this photo of work on the street off Calle La Buena Mesa.

I met Glenn and he had finished breakfast and I had a large latte. He’s trying to schedule a medical procedure he wants to have in NY. I checked my blood test results and everything appears normal:

VLDL 18.8 (0-30 is normal)

Total Cholesterol 189 (less than 200 is desirable)

HDL 58 (sub optimal; optimal is over 60)

LDL 112.2 (less than optimal; optimal is less than 100)

Triglycerides 94 (< 150 is normal)

PSA <0.01 (still cancer free; Yay!)

I have an appointment with Dr. Castano next Monday afternoon.

I called CS at (877) 686-1937 and talked to Blaine and because I spend so much time in Colombia it appears it would be better if I was an international client. Now I have to talk to someone else to make the switch.

I talked to Shawn at (800) 472-9813 and he recommends I stay with the brokerage account, they will change me to an international client, I won’t have to fill out the Travel Notice but I won’t have any banking privileges (but I will have a CS debit card, go figure). He is going to email me a short application I have to fill out and email back.

Today I see the 1% charges added to my USAA transactions. So, on with the goal of using Charles Schwab as my ATM (0% Foreign Transaction Fee) and USAA for my online and in-store purchases (1%).

Dr. Castaño’s office called and I accepted to change my Monday appointment to tomorrow at 3:40pm.

At 2pm the downpour started. So much for me going to Viva Envigado this afternoon. (We have one egg left and a little milk.) I joined Teresa in her nap and didn’t wake up until 3:30. The rain had stopped but I have a new plan. The egg and milk are for Teresa’s breakfast tomorrow and I’ll go to VE tomorrow, have breakfast and bring back eggs and milk.

Tomorrow I’m going to try an experiment. Within seconds of each other I’m going to make ATM withdrawals with my USAA card and Charles Schwab card and see if I get the same CER.

For supper I ordered chicken wings from Rocket Wings.

Today I got in 2,361 steps.

 

Fun pix

 

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 1:15, fell back asleep, woke up at 5:30, did my Kegel exercises, fell back asleep, was awakened by my alarm at 7am and got up. Teresa had just left for the gym.

I was leaving the apt at 8:15 when Teresa returned because she forgot to do something. I walked to Los Portenos where I had a small latte and Teresa arrived about 15 minutes later. Workers outside were finishing up installing a curb using preformed concrete sections about 4’ x 3’.

I had my usual whole wheat croissant with scrambled eggs and Teresa ordered her usual ham sandwich. We each had a large latte to go with it. She didn’t seem to like the arugula on her sandwich so she sent it back (1,900 pesos) and had them add onion (3,200 pesos) and tomato (1,900 pesos). The total was 62,933 pesos ($13).

She returned to the apt and I met Marcos at Maca at 10am. He told me when he dies he wants to have his body shipped back to New York so he can be buried in the same cemetery as his parents. He is looking for a mortuary here that he can prepay to take care of all the arrangements. I told him I can’t help him with that one. I was showing him my new Forcasz pants when I realized they don’t convert to shorts like the others I have.

After Marcos left I went inside the café but soon Teresa called and asked me to return to the apt as we’re soon leaving to see Daniela in the hospital.

Back in the apt I changed into a lighter shirt but took my jacket (which I never needed) because I still have some symptoms of a cold.

In the porteria we had the portero call us a taxi which Teresa directed to pick up her mother. I caught this quick photo of the south side of the Ikea construction from the taxi.

We then went northbound on the highway. I noticed old narrow railroad tracks between the highway and the river. Funny I don’t recall seeing them before. The tracks didn’t look very wide, was it a narrow-gauge railroad? We passed a mall named Florida where I saw a few soldiers (one with a semi-automatic weapon) standing outside. We arrived at a hospital named Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana.

The guard wouldn’t allow us to enter without a cedula and of course Teresa forgot hers. She searched the photo gallery on her phone while I did the same and I finally found one from a year ago. They checked her ID, took a photo of her and allowed her to enter (only one visitor at a time). MT and I waited outside until Teresa returned about 45 minutes later. We went to the hospital’s cafeteria where we had a tasty “menu del dia” for 11mil each.

After lunch, I made a trip to the restroom and noticed this sign:

Teresa invited me to go upstairs to visit with Daniela. She was sitting up in bed looking pretty good. I learned she was first in Miami for 5 days then 3 days out of 7 in a 5-star resort in Cancun when her problem started. (She mentioned that Mexican food is very spicy so I wonder if that somehow contributed to her problem.) Her blood hemoglobin level was at 5 and now it’s 8 but she can’t leave until it’s at 12. While there I noticed it was raining heavily outside. I wished her the best and told her I would see her later.

Outside we quickly caught a taxi back to Envigado. The driver didn’t have any GPS or cellphone app so I turned on Waze on my cellphone to guide us through heavy traffic back to Envigado.

The charge each way was almost 30mil.

Esmeralda came over in the evening and Teresa showed her the jackets she’s finished thus far. She wants to help Teresa sell them.

There is glitter on the floor in every room which you can see when you catch the reflection from the lights.

The currency exchange rate (CER) is getting very close to 5,000, a good time to visit Colombia.

Today I got in 3,144 steps.

 

Fun pix

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 11:30, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 1:15, fell back asleep, woke up at 6:45, did my Kegel exercises and got up.

I walked to the mall where I found Jose waiting for me. We had our usual breakfast at Habia Una Vez – mine was 14,500 pesos.

We went upstairs and I had White in the first game. I got a strong attack going and he resigned after 32 moves. In the 2^nd game he got a strong attack and I resigned on the 41^st move.

He left and I bought a sandwich from Q’Bano and took it downstairs to Todo Fresa where I ate it while having a latte. I bought a slice of carrot cake to go for Teresa.

I printed a few things in Auros and returned to the apt by taxi.

Teresa tells me we’re going to visit Daniela in the hospital tomorrow afternoon.

I tried downloading my test results but again the website said my user id or password was incorrect. That’s happened to me before so it looks like I’ll have to make a trip there in person.

I received an email from CS, “We need more information to process your request” so I need to call them,.

I finished season 4 of Breaking Bad. One more season to go.

I’ve read about some health tests on the internet. One says that those who can stand on one leg for 10 seconds are 4 times more likely to be alive in 10 years than those who can’t. I can pass that one without much trouble. Another is a heart test where you are supposed to walk up 60 steps in 60 seconds. I did that one in 47 seconds and we have several landings in between that would slow me down.

Today I got in 2,752 steps.

 

Fun pix

Monday, October 24, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm (still raining), fell asleep quickly, got up once at 1:45 (no rain), fell back asleep, woke up at 6:30, did my Kegel exercises and got up.

I left just before 7:30 and walked to Smartfit on Ave Poblado. It was just a 5-minute wait for a Sabaneta bus but when I got on it was packed, standing room only. Today I took note and saw an HijaMia sign between the casino and Pasteur pharmacy on the Gold Mile.. I got off at calle 7 and walked up to Cedimed, noticing 2 umbrellas selling snacks that had signs advertising they sell facemasks. I stopped outside the main doors to get myself ready: put on my facemask, take out my prescription and my ID, when a woman asked me where they sell facemasks. I pointed in the relative direction of the umbrellas and she said “de donde?”. I walked her around the corner and pointed at the first umbrella in views and said, “sombrilla”. Maybe “paraguas” would have been more accurate.

Inside I gave the receptionist my cedula and prescription for the tests: PSA, HDL, LDL, Total cholesterol, and triglycerides. She asked me a question I didn’t understand then she gave me a page in Spanish that I’ve seen before. It asks questions like have you been on a horse, bicycle, had sex, had sex with the same sex in the past XXX days. I said, “no”, she gave me a number and I took a seat.

As usual it was only a 5-minute wait. I paid 139,600 pesos ($28.50) with my USAA debit card and took a seat again. Ten minutes later a phlebotomist came out and called my name. Inside I showed her my list of medications, supplements and vitamins and explained I hadn’t taken any today. Also, the last time I ate something was 7:30 last night and it was an apple with peanut butter. She withdrew a single vial of blood and told me the results will be available today. (I forgot to show my Amigo card for my discount when I paid the bill but Teresa told me I’m in the system anyway.)

She put this little round band-aid on me and I added a regular band-aid. Back in the waiting room I waited 10 minutes to make sure I didn’t feel dizzy or start bleeding.

I walked to Hija Mia Nomada in 16 minutes and had 2 lattes and an acai bowl for 42,350 ($8.50).

I walked back up to Ave Poblado and immediately caught a Sabaneta bus. This one had lots of seats available. I got off just past Otra Parte and walked back to the apt.

Teresa and I left at 11:30, arriving by Uber at Clinica Las Americas by noon for her 1pm appointment. She was finally called in about 1:30.

When she came out she said everything is okay but she has to pick up some medicine. First we went next door to the Arkadia mall where we had lunch in Crepes & Waffles.

I stopped in Decathlon looking for another pair of Quechua convertible pants. I found a pair sized…well you tell me:

So ‘FR 46’ is that France? And ‘EU XL’ is that Estados Unidos extra large or does that stand for European Union? Anyway I tried on a pair and Teresa said they looked too tight in the legs. She found another pair, this time the same size but the brand was Forclaz. I tried those on and they fit much better so I bought them for 172mil and charged it to my CS card. I want to see if there’s much difference in CERs between USAA and CS. Teresa did some more shopping then we returned to Las Americas where we waited an hour for Teresa to pick up some medicine.

Outside we quickly caught a taxi to Panamerica in Poblado. While Teresa looked for her paints for designing jackets, I checked out the book section in English

They had lots of Christmas decorations and a few gifts.

We were there about an hour and we bought 133mil ($27) of stuff. Across the street we quickly caught a taxi back to Envigado and traffic was slow but reasonable.

I’m beginning to think that USAA no longer charges foreign transaction fees. I’ve noticed no extra 1% added since the last “end of month” balance on the 15^th. In that case I might not need the CS account. Time will tell; maybe USAA is making up the difference with a lower currency exchange rate. I’ll do some comparisons ATM and Charles Schwab to see if the CER is different.

I understand Daniela is back in Medellin and they will be transferring her to a different hospital.

I tried downloading my test results but again the website said my user id or password was incorrect.

I watched the Chicago Bears clobber the New England Patriots 33-14. 😊

Today I got in 6,852 steps.

 

Fun pix

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm (still raining), fell asleep quickly, got up once at 3:30 (no rain), fell back asleep, woke up just at 6:45, did my Kegel exercises and got up.

How’s my cold? No comment!

I took the bus to Poblado and was surprised that an Envigado northbound lane was open so I saved 5 minutes not having a detour.

I arrived at Sweet Georgia at 9:15 and Glenn was already there. At one point we had a rather heated discussion about debit/credit card store purchases in pesos vs in dollars. He left to take a taxi back to Envigado and I used Uber to return. I got out across from Mercado Madrid and walked across the street where I bought 2 bags of milk before returning to the apt.

In CS, I found this message under Account Maintenance, “Our goal is to complete your request within 3 business days. However, it could take longer during busy times (such as tax season, year end and high market volatility) or if we need additional information. We'll be in touch if we need anything from you.” The same message was also sent as an email.

From a screen print Teresa showed me it looks like Daniela has a hemorrhaged gastric ulcer.

My current plan is to use a CS debit card for ATM withdrawals and my USAA credit card for store and online purchases.

My brother bought Glenn’s book:

About 3:30 a downpour started. I’m glad we didn’t go to any fair today. I guess being in a valley is the reason we have some unbelievable thunderstorms here.

I watched more episodes of Breaking Bad.

The rain finally ended by 7:45 but started up again before I went to bed.

Today I got in 1,807 steps.

 

Fun pix

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 2am, fell back asleep, woke up just before 7am, did my Kegel exercises and got up.

My cold seems to be better today. 😊

Using Google Maps I found the location of Parque La Providencia (Cl. 12 Sur #25-245) in Poblado where the fare is supposed to be today from 10am to 4pm.

I didn’t go anywhere this morning because she wanted to go to this fare.

Around noon she must have seen something on her phone because now she wants to go to a different fare at Parque del Rio. If it’s raining, then we will go tomorrow instead.

After lunch, 2pm, she was tired so she went to bed for a rest.

The lightning started at 4pm and the downpour at 4:30 and lasted until 5:45.

Teresa received a call from Adriana that Daniela (the bacteriologist) is sick in Mexico. She went with her boyfriend. Something about strangling in her stomach. Endoscopy came out negative. Teresa is in tears. She showed me photos of Daniela in a wheelchair and in a hospital bed. Her symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. That’s all I understand at this point.

We had more rain later in the evening.

Today I got a new low in steps (per my app) with 147.

 

Fun pix

Friday, October 21, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 9:45, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 2:45, fell back asleep, woke up just before 7am, did my Kegel exercises and got up.

My cold seems to be much better today.

Teresa is taking her mother to an 11am doctor’s appointment so I will be on my own for lunch.

I met Marcos for coffee at 10am. He thanked me for pointing him to the fish store in Mayorista. He bought a large piece of a red herring and it was fresh, delicious and enough for 3 meals. I shared with him how Badia tea is helping me with constipation and he’s going to recommend it to his girlfriend.

I walked to the mall and printed new copies of 2 pages of my CS High Yield Investor Checking Account application in Auros. I picked up a copy of Gente newspaper. As I was walking out I ran into Chris Cajoleas and we each said “hi” and gave each other a high five.

In the mall atrium I found what looks like an obstacle course for dogs:

I made a withdrawal from a Davivienda ATM using my CS card then went down to Todo Fresa where I got the last table in a corner. I filled out the two application pages again and “read” the Gente newspapter. While there I heard a lot of barking nearby. When I left I saw what appeared to be an area where they had dogs up for adoption.

In Auros I had my 10-page application scanned and copied to my USB drive.

In the restaurant area I decided to try an Italian restaurant named Dante and had one of their specials of the day, ravioli filled with smoked eggplant and a mango juice. 

Teresa called and invited me to go to some type of craft fare. I remembered reading about one last week in Gente and I thought it was on Saturday so I declined.

I went into Cine Colombia and checked out the English titles of a couple of movies I had had trouble translating.

In Exito I bought the Fab liquid detergent Teresa requested and a bag of Snickers mini-bites for trick or treaters. As I was walking out I ran into Chris again. I asked him about the “Chess Kings” t-shirt I had seen him in on FB and he explained it was a popular store in Florida. I inquired about his health and he said all was good although he’s going to be having an proctoscopy in the near future.

I returned to the apt by taxi in heavy traffic on Calle La Buena Mesa.

I watched a few more episodes of Breaking Bad.

When Teresa returned she told me she thought today was Saturday and I guess that’s why there wasn’t any fare today. She brought me a chicken shish kebab from La Estacion. She also had a package that had been delivered to the porteria. It was a book my son gave me for my birthday, titled “Every Goddamn Day”, by Neil Steinberg. I used to love reading his humorous columns in the Chicago Sun-Times so I’m sure I’ll enjoy this book. First I have to finish a paperback I’m working on so it will probably be a few more weeks.

I uploaded my completed application to Charles Schwab using their Messages upload feature.

I think we hit a new high today with 4,917 pesos to the dollar.

Today I got a new high in steps (per my app) with 6,637.

My cold is just the same, it just feels better early and gets worse during the day.

 

Fun pix

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 2:30 (it was raining), fell back asleep, woke up just before 7am, did my Kegel exercises and got up.

My plan for today was to go to the mall and take care of my CS paperwork but Teresa wanted us to go to Eduardo Madrid for fruits and vegetables.

Before Teresa left at 9am for the gym she told me she would probably have coffee after with a girlfriend; when she returned then we would go to the grocery store. I was going to go for coffee but it was drizzling out.

I found a notice in my USAA account that: they no longer charge ATM fees (not to be confused with Foreign Transaction Fees) and they will now reimburse only $10 monthly instead of $15.

Teresa returned at 11am and said she would prepare the meat for lunch then we would go to the grocery. Next thing I know lunch is served. Then she was tired and took a nap. Then she started working on one of her jackets. I patiently waited, expecting her to forget all about the grocery store.

I finished a couple more episodes of Breaking Bad.

Finally, at 5:45 we walked down to Mercado Madrid. Interestingly, the store rearranged their aisles so everything is more difficult to find. We bought 258mil ($54) of mainly fruits, vegetables and some limited meat and a muchacho pushed the grocery cart back to our apt.

I think we hit a new high today with 4,904 pesos to the dollar.

Today I got in only 1,163 steps.

 

Fun pix

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 4:30, fell back asleep, woke up at 7am, did my Kegel exercises and got up.

I believe I mentioned I’m not wearing a faja any longer. Also, I’ve started using urinals again. 😊

I tried on my 38/48 size Quechua pants but Teresa deemed them too tight.

Teresa and I left at 9am for Los Porteños where we found orkers laying a new cement sidewalk outside. While having our usual breakfast I did multiple translations on my cellphone to explain to her: my application for a USAA credit card, my application for a Charles Schwab “banking product”, and my belief that the new Pricesmart is going to be close to the border with Envigado.

Teresa left to meet her girlfriend Mageli (sp?). I stayed a bit longer to read some more in a chess book. My brother texted that he believes he will come for a 10-day stay in January.

I returned to the apt and dropped off my book, picked up the package with my pants and walked to the mall.

I had my CS application scanned and copied to my USB drive. I went upstairs and looked for a larger pair of Quechua pants in Decathlon but no luck. I had no trouble returning them for a full cash refund, I guess because I bought them with cash.

I went down to Todo Fresa and had a latte while going through some chess notes. A guy I met before named Peter came in with his wife and sat down near me. He informed me that Colpatria is now charging an ATM fee plus a 6% fee for withdrawals so I recommended Davivienda. He has a CS debit card so I asked some questions and got some good advice. One thing, he recommended I not include Colombia as one of the countries in which I reside. (Trying not to end the sentence with a preposition. 😊) Because of that I’ll have to change my paperwork and have it rescanned to my USB drive.

I left at 1:30 and as I was walking across the street I took this photo of the Ikea construction:

At La Bahia it initially looked like all the tables were taken but the owner invited me to a table (2 tables together) where a man was sitting alone. I said the polite, “permiso?” and he replied the polite, “bien puede” and I took a seat diagonally from him.

I ordered frijoles and pechuga de pollo and had a difficult time understanding the waitress’s questions and responses. Now I know why I don’t go there without Teresa. She brought me a bowl of frijoles, chicken breast, French fries and a small salad with a fresh mora (blackberry) juice so all was good.

When I stepped outside it was drizzling. Luckily, from the entrance I managed to flag down a taxi to take me back to the apt.

Teresa called at 5:30 and asked if I was interested in going out for pizza tonight. We agreed to meet closer to 7pm.

Teresa called at 6:40 and asked me to meet her at Antica Pizza. I couldn’t use Didi as they won’t allow me to use their service again until I pay their 2,500 peso fine with a debit/credit card. I used InDrive for 12mil but it isn’t as accurate as Didi as to where they are in relation to me. While sitting inside having our pizza we suddenly smelled an awful odor of marijuana. Somebody reeking must have just came in. If the restaurant make their crust any thinner there won’t be anything to hold the ingredients.

We picked up a couple pastries for the porteros at a nearby bakery before returning to the apt.

I think we hit a new high today with 4,848 pesos to the dollar.

Today I got in 4,624 steps.

 

Fun pix

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 5am, fell back asleep, woke up at 6:10am, catnapped until my alarm went off at 7am, did my Kegel exercises and got up.

I left the apt just before 8am and walked to the mall. I recycled a few plastic bottles then printed my CS application.

Jose was waiting in Habia Una Vez when I arrived. I had the complete breakfast for 14,500 and Jose had his usual coffee with a couple pastries. He told me his previous hernia has returned plus he has another one in a new location but he’s going to wait on having another surgery.

We went upstairs and I had the white pieces in the first game but I blundered a knight on my 31^st move.

I wasn’t hungry so after reviewing the first game we started the second. He resigned on the 21^st move when I trapped his queen.

I explained I have a doctor’s appointment two weeks from today so we decided to meet next Tuesday and then two weeks after that.

I bought a sandwich in Q’Bano for 16,900 and took it down to Todo Fresa where I ate it with a latte.

I saw this poster on a store in the mall.

I stopped in Decathlon where I found a similar pair of Quechua pants but they were 175mil. I purchased them and returned to the apt by taxi.

We had a short shower late in the afternoon.

I watched another episode of Breaking Bad.

I started filling out Charles Schwab’s Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking Account Application for Existing Schwab One Brokerage Account Holders.

I think we hit a new high today with 4,761 pesos to the dollar.

Today I got in 3,572 steps.

 

Fun pix