Thursday, November 24, 2022

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 12:15 (no rain), again at 4:15, couldn’t fall back asleep so I got up at 4:45 and took another allergy pill, returned to bed at 5:30, waking/getting up at 7:30.

Today is Thanksgiving Day. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Teresa had informed me that she has to pick up her medicine today so I’m on my own for lunch/dinner. I had contacted Philly Steaks and asked for an early reservation for one.

I left the apt at 9:15, printed a couple chess notes at the Bancolombia window in La Buena Mesa then had a café con leche in Parva. There was a 50-something couple at the next table who I think are the owners. At one point a young man came in and sat at their table and I had the impression he was on a job interview.

I left at noon, bought a loaf of seed bread in Eduardo Madrid and returned to the apt.

Something to be thankful for: Last night when I went to bed I noticed my pad appeared to be completely dry and today I was out for 3 hours without needing to pee. Hopefully, signs that this leaking might be finally coming to an end.

My brother reserved 4 days in January at the same hotel in Santa Marta and bought us plane tickets via Viva Air.

Troyclough resigned our game after 22 moves so now I’ve put a space of 24 points between us and this game I have the white pieces.

I contacted Philly Steaks and I now have a 3pm seating time. I hope I can get there and back before the rains start. The Weather Channel predicts mild to moderate showers over the next several hours.

Now I’m trying to book the room at the hotel – Casa Verano Hotel, Santa Marta. My brother ended up booking it on Booking.com for approximately $110 a night. I owe him some pesos!

A portero stopped by and I understood we will not have running water tomorrow from 8am to 3pm. With the help of my translator I also learned, “do not flush the toilets because they are going to make a repair on the first floor and it is from the sewage pipe”.

I left at 2:30 and quickly caught a bus to Poblado. I arrived at Philly Steaks 10 minutes later for my 3pm reservation. I was sat inside right in front of a large screen TV. Soon a couple took the table next to me. It appeared to be a gringo with his younger Colombiana. He had his back to me when I tapped him on the shoulder and said, “well it isn’t American football but it is fútbol”. His name was (still is) Lemont, he is from Hawaii and he married a Colombiana last February. She is from Buenas Aries (sp?) area of Medellin. We exchanged restaurants we like. He told me a story how he was named after The Shadow and I told the story how I believe I was named after the comic strip Terry (Lee) and the Pirates.

Thanksgiving dinner was good this year including dessert for 100mil ($20).

I left about 4:30, made a trip to the restroom across the street in Hija Mia, then walked up to Ave Poblado where I quickly caught a Sabaneta bus. I had my choice of 4 seats towards the back. By the time we picked up passengers at the last Gold Mile stop outside Oviedo it was standing room only. I was back at the apt by 5:15.

Just saw a cool Doritos commercial, “football vs soccer (fútbol)”. And it was nice to see John Madden again.

Teresa tells me I owe Direct TV 20,200 pesos more. The lazy B%^&$s haven’t sent me a bill for years, since I changed my service from Platinum to Basic.

Teresa wanted me to order chicken wings for her from Rocket Wings. I started the order then when I went to pay they wanted 35mil or so for an old Frisby order from months ago that Teresa says she paid. I told her I’m not ordering food or cars for her when I’m not with her to make sure everything goes smoothly. So, we’ve agreed not to use Rappi anymore. We’ll see how long that lasts.

Today I got in 4,452 steps.

 

Fun pix