Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, fell asleep quickly, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

After breakfast I went back to bed, fell asleep and got up at 8:15.

Teresa left at 8:45 for her gym class and I left at 9:30 for the mall. (We’re going to meet up for lunch in Crepes & Waffles in Santafe mall.)

I walked to the mall, recycled 3 plastic containers then went upstairs to Claro. The guy at the entrance gave me turn number T13 and they were serving T06. Forty-five minutes later I was called and I asked the clerk to register my new cellphone. She read the IMEI code off the box (I can’t read print that small since my vision correction surgery) and entered it into her computer; it took less than a minute. I showed her one of the Leidy Claro Hogar messages I receive daily and I think she fixed that too in little more than a minute.

My Capitol One card was denied at 3 of Davivienda’s ATMs

(I think maybe I’ve worn out the magnetic strip.) but my USAA card worked and I withdrew 3 million pesos.

I went downstairs and had a latte in Urbania. I left 45 minutes later and walked across the street to Metrosur and at the Gana kiosk paid 383,251 pesos for our DirecTV bill. I confirmed I could pay my Movistar bill there. Just as I finished, Jose Avendaño showed up. We chatted a bit and he said Superman is 10* and Jurassic Park only 5*. I told him I’d see him later and he asked me to text him.

I walked back to the apt while listening to music on my iPod.

I soon left again at 12:30 and took a Didi to Santafe mall. Teresa soon caught me in line at Crepes & Waffles. The line moved quickly and we were sat after a 5-minute wait. Teresa had the Mexican chicken and I a Cesar salad with chicken. We didn’t order drinks and the check came to 61,150 pesos ($15), including tip. (So much cheaper than the US.) I paid with my Capital One card because “tap and pay” still works.

This is what the atrium looks like

set up for Feria de las Flores. All the bright colors you see on the floor are fresh flowers.

We went down to Valentina’s where we had drinks and shared a slice of cheese cake. I wrote Teresa a note reminding her to call DirecTV to either have them repair the coaxial cable that Movistar cut or cancel our service.

We left at 3:30 and Teresa bought a few things in Medipiel and swiping my Capital One card didn’t work so I used my USAA debit card.

We returned to the apt by taxi.

I called Capital One (confirming my identity was a little challenging for reasons I won’t state here) and requested a new debit card and it should arrive in 3 business days. (In the meantime, my current Capital One debit card still works (for tap and pay)).

Teresa talked to Esmeralda about DirecTV then she told me we shouldn’t call DirecTV we should call Movistar to come and repair the cable they cut. I told her if she doesn’t want DirecTV then just cancel their service.

I received an email from the Illinois Tollway that my credit card has been declined. Not sure if that’s something I need to worry about since I believe I’ve paid all my tolls. (Strange wording though, “The credit card registered to your Pay By Plate service has been declined and needs to be updated. To avoid fees or violation, please update your credit card information on your account.” Maybe one of my attempts to cancel their service actually worked. And now I can’t even get to their website. Ah, probably because I’m in Colombia; I’ll try again later with my VPN.

I told Teresa when the baby bird’s eyes open they might imprint on us meaning they will think we are their parents and might be attracted to us in the future. She told me a couple stories that sounds like she’s been through this before at the finca.

Teresa shared with me her plans for tomorrow. Gym in the morning then she’s going to meet up with a lady she knew from Amaga that is having facial skin surgery and wants Teresa to be with her. They will have lunch then Teresa will be with her for her surgery. So I’ll be on my own for lunch tomorrow but in the afternoon we’ll meet up at Alcala to sign the new apt rental contract.

I put the ProFoot Super Sport arch supports, I bought at Ross for $5.99, in my moccasins. My feet in the moccasin feel a little tight but at least there’s no heel discomfort.

 

FUNNY