Saturday, March 1, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 3:30, finally waking/getting up at 5:45 thanks to a bird singing right outside my window.

I left the apt at 8:30 and walked to the mall. There was a line outside Auros and only one worker so I walked a little further to the Bancolombia consignacion ATM where there was no line. I deposited cash in Laura’s account (for Smartfit) and another account for my health insurance. Back at Auros there was only one person in line and now two workers. I got a laminated copy of my new cedula made for 10,600 pesos.

Upstairs in the mall proper I got in a medium long line in my bank to pay the apt rent. Ahead of me was the guy from our building who previously rented our garage space.

I made a withdrawal from a Davivienda ATM and finally got a mix of bills. 😊

Downstairs I had a latte in Urbania. I left at 11am and bought a preferred iMax ticket to Se7en (8.6) for the 3:20pm showtime. I bought a 6-pack of Coke in Exito before returning to the apt by taxi.

I completed a couple more lessons on ChessMood.com.

I heard thunder as I left the apt at 2:15. By the time I got in my Didi the raindrops had begun. At the mall I went up to Cine Colombia and took a seat in their lobby. At 3pm I bought a medium soda to go with my free popcorn and entered the theater. I’ve come to not like this iMax theater because the speakers are too loud so sometimes I have to put my fingers in my ears. When the credits started I wanted to see if Kevin Spacey was listed. I saw Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, but before or after Gwyneth Paltrow a couple walked in front of me to get to their seats. ☹

The movie was great but again I had to cover my ears a couple times with the loud background music. At the end, the credits listed “John Doe: Kevin Spacey” first which is fitting.

Outside I was happy to see no line for a taxi but my driver insisted on putting our complex in his cellphone but by that time we had missed our turn so my trip cost 8,300 pesos instead of the usual 7,400. As they say here, “cada peso cuenta”.

I found out Laura will be here for another week so I told her we need to find some time to talk about Chicago.

While Laura was putting on her makeup, she and Teresa had words, although Teresa did most of the talking. Laura left with a carryon and said she was going to go visit abuela. Teresa then started explaining to me and here’s what I think I understand. 1) Laura (and Vicky) are just using our home as their hotel - a jumping off place where they can sleep and get ready to go out partying, 2) Laura hasn’t spent any significant time with Teresa or abuela, 3) Vicky isn’t going to be using our place as a hotel in August, 4) Laura isn’t welcome to join us in Chicago, it’s our vacation.

I have no problem with those decisions.

 

EL ARROYO