Friday, July 6, 2018

Last night I fell asleep quickly, got up twice during the night but fell back asleep quickly finally waking/getting up at 6:45.

Teresa informed me that Totto called and my old fanny pack has been repaired and is waiting for pickup.  I’m glad because the new one is just too large, too deep and hard to use so I’m going to switch back to the old one.

Among new US movie releases, there isn’t anything I would like to see.  Locally, the only possibility is Journeyman (7.6) which is playing at Oviedo at 11:30, 1:30 and 3:40.

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show and left for the gym.  I bought a QHubo newspaper on the way but didn’t see a free Gente newspaper in any of the usual places.

I completed all of my exercises in an hour and 45 minutes during which France beat Uruguay 2-0.

On the way back to the apt I stopped at Comfama but they didn’t have any Gente newspapers either.  I stopped in Exito and they had them.

Back at the apt Teresa said she’s not going to the finca today but she’s leaving very early tomorrow.  She asked me to invite Jim for lunch.  I texted him and he is coming to the apt at 1pm for lunch.

Jim arrived but I guess Laura is having lunch with the children.  Jim said that the Uber he took was less expensive than a taxi.

Teresa made a nice lunch of soup, pork, mashed potatoes, vegetable stir fry and fresh juice – tomate de arbol or tree tomato.  Colombia has a lot of exotic juices we don’t have in the US.

We watched the rest of the soccer match where Belgium defeated Brazil 2-1.

Jim took an Uber back to his AirBnB but it took about 30 minutes to get one that could find our apt.

I left the apt at 4:30 and quickly caught a Sabaneta bus.  I confirmed with the driver as I got on that he was going to Mayorca mall.  The driver went 2 blocks and then stopped.  Lots of cars and buses passed us.  I finally got up and opened the windows in the ceiling.  The women on the bus started chiding the bus driver and arguing amongst themselves.  At one point I heard “No pasa nada” – the first word means “no” or “not” and the last word means “nothing” so I figured “pasa” might mean something like “move’ or “passage” but I put it into my translator and it said it means “It’s okay”.  Strange!  Finally, ladies started looking out the back window and there was another Sabaneta bus and they all got off and I followed.  We got on the other bus via the back door so we wouldn’t have to pay again.  This bus also seemed to hesitate but finally he passed the stalled bus and I got to Mayorca mall.

I got off at the new section and made my way to the old section.  At Totto I picked up my repaired fanny pack for 10mil.  The zipper is nicely repaired but the thingy that holds the straps together is loose although it is new.

I worked my way back to the new section and up 2 levels where I had a café con leche for 4,900 pesos.  The area was cool again but at least it wasn’t freezing like before.

I went back to the new section where I bought a new container of Bi-Pro for 85mil – the cheapest price I’ve seen in awhile.  I also saw healthier mixes for pancakes but we’ve got enough packages at home already.

I easily caught a bus back to Parque Envigado and was back at the apt by 6:30.

Teresa’s cousin Jorge stopped by and picked up the 200,000 peso downpayment for painting the finca.  I understand the balance will be paid in September.

Laura told me that Ana Maria finally got the shoes for her business with Juan David but she told him she’s no longer interested because she wants to be an au pair.  Now I understand he’s mad at her.

Uh-Oh!  I checked and Jose’s opponent tonight has a rating of 2000 – borderline Class A and expert.

T-shirt of the day: Chocoholic.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

I did not sleep well last night.  I got up once then woke up and on purpose did not look at the clock hoping it would be easier to fall back asleep.  Not sure if it was 4:30 or an hour earlier or later but I don’t think I fell back asleep.  I finally got up at 8:15.

After watching the first 90 minutes of the Today show I went back to bed but just rested again didn’t fall asleep.

Jim, my son, texted me and he’s going to meet me here about 1pm and when Laura returns from her childcare job we’ll go to Bartolos for lunch.

I took an Excedrin Migraine and was soon feeling better.

Both Jim and Laura arrived separately around 1pm.  Jim took an Uber car and reported that it’s less expensive than a taxi.  He also showed me how I could adjust my present location on the Uber and taxi apps.  We walked over to Bartolos but all 5 of the outside tables were taken.  In fact we ended up at the table all the way in the back.

We all had the menu of the day for 13,000 pesos each.

Unfortunately, we were too deep inside the building to have any chance of accessing wifi.

On the way back to the apt we stopped at the copy center and I printed out more chess articles.  We had café con leche at the apt and Jim returned to his AirBnB.

Jose’s opponent tonight only has a rating of 1248 so he should be able to handle that.

T-shirt of the day: I’m 99% sure my soulmate is my dog.

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Happy Independence Day!

I understand a lot of the US is going through a heat wave.  Here it's a comfortable lower 80s.

We were out of milk and Teresa needed cash to buy fence posts so I left the apt before breakfast.  At 8:20 there was already a short line outside Exito waiting for it to open at 9am.  There was another short line outside Bancolombia waiting for the lobby to open.  My favorite ATM had an out of service sign on it so I had to use Citibank again.  I stopped at the corner store on my way back and picked up 3 bags of milk.

Laura told me she won’t me joining me for Mercado del Rio today so I left her a little cash so she can buy her lunch.

I left the apt at 12:22.  I figured it would take about 30 minutes to get to Mercado del Rio so I left the apt 8 minutes early hoping to catch a bus.  I gave up at 12:30 and walked down the hill to the metro station.  I got off at the Industriales Station and walked past the Bancolombia buildings and arrived 8 minutes late.  Hmm!  I certainly could have timed that better. 

We walked around both levels as it was Sean’s first time there.  We then split up and each of us ordered what we wanted on the fast food level and met at a back table.  I had the ribs from Piara and ended up with 3 of them to go.

We said goodbye and Jim will let me know what they are up to via Whatsapp.

I retraced my steps to Parque Envigado.  At the large copy center I printed out my brother’s flight itinerary for next January and at the small copy center I printed out more chess notes.

I was back at the apt by 3:15.

Teresa returned at 6:30.  I think another day or two and she should be finished with all the work on the finca.

I checked and saw that Jose Cruz IS playing in this week’s tournament.  Tonight his opponent was ranked 400 points higher (expert level) than him.  Yikes!  I told him I’ll try to catch one of his games this weekend.

T-shirt of the day: Be scared and do it anyway.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Last night I fell asleep quickly and didn’t wake up until 5am.  I don’t think I fell asleep again until after 6 finally waking/getting up at 7:45.

Jim left around noon to meet his friends at the airport who are arriving a little after 1pm.

I started watching the Colombia vs England World Cup match on my Slingbox.

The Direct TV guy arrived at 1:15 and had it fixed by 2pm.

After halftime, tied 0-0, I switched to watching the match on Direct TV.

At the end of the 90’ regulation Colombia was down 1-0 but they scored a tying goal within the 4’ extra time.  They then played 2 additional 15’ periods and it was still 1-1.  Colombia then lost in penalty kicks 4-3.  Sigh!

Jim texted me about 5:30.  I’ve got his suitcase so I’m going to bring it to his AirBnB between 6:30 and 7pm and then we’re all going out for dinner.

I left the apt at 6:20 and walked down the hill and after about 5 minutes caught a taxi.  I saw what I thought were empty taxis pass me by; maybe with the suitcase they thought I wanted to go to the airport.  Anyway, it turned out that Jim’s AirBnB is literally next door to The Flip Flop Sandwich Shop.  I saw Sean again for the first time in 2 years.  The others are arriving tomorrow and Thursday.  I gave Jim the business card for Tagliata and told him it would be a good place for all of them to meet for dinner some night.  We walked two blocks to Ay Caramba the Tex-Mex restaurant in Parque Lleras.  For a Tuesday night there were lots of people out on the streets probably because of the fütbol match.  We had a nice dinner and made plans to meet at Mercado del Rio tomorrow for lunch.  I’ll check in with Jim via Whatsapp after I return from the gym about 11:30.

I caught a taxi back to the apt and on the way the taxi driver practiced English with me.  His name was Fidel and he’s been driving a taxi for the 8 years and his only method of learning English is talking to English speaking people.

I had to answer the usual question as why did I move to Medellin.  I gave the usual answer: beautiful weather, beautiful women, and low cost of living.  And Colombians are very friendly.

T-shirt of the day: Nice story babe.  Now make me a sandwich.

Monday, July 2, 2018

Last night I fell asleep quickly, only got up once at 5:30, and woke/got up at 7:30.

Today is another Colombian Holiday – St. Peter & Paul Day.

At 8am I walked over to Carbon de Leña for breakfast.  While there I briefly met a young man named Morris from Austria.  He says he’s been here for 9 months so he must have some type of permanent visa.

Teresa had already left for the finca when I returned to the apt.

I left at 9:15 for the gym.  I completed all but one of my exercises in an hour and 50 minutes.  In the meantime Brazil eliminated Mexico 2-0.

My son Jim arrived at 12:50.  He brought me a large bottle of root beer, 6 packages of Glide floss, 2 small containers of lemon juice and a small bottle of Skippy Crunchy Peanut Butter.  I really don’t need someone to bring the latter as I can usually find it here now.

At 1:30 we walked down to Deli Hoy for lunch.  Today they had some type of casserole that was pretty good.  We got an extra one “to go” for Teresa.

Jim informed me that he has friends coming in tomorrow, Sean from 2 years ago, another young man, and 2 girls who are all going to stay together in an AirBnB near Parque Lleras in Poblado.  So he’ll be moving out sometime tomorrow afternoon.

When I got back to the apt I checked and Japan was ahead of Belgium 2-0.

I received an email from Amazon that my order (at least one of them) has shipped.  So my step counter should be here towards the middle or end of July.

At the end of the 90’ regulation Belgium and Japan were tied 2-2.  Belgium scored another goal in the 4’ extra period to win 3-2.  Wow, what a comeback from down 2-0.

Jim, Laura, and I went to Bancolombia where Jim and I withdrew some cash and then I paid the apartment rent, health insurance and gym membership for the month.

We walked over to Bartolos where we sat and had café con leche and talked.

I learned that Jim started his Masters classes in April and it’s a 2 year course.  I understand it will cost something in the area of $18,000 so the best I can do is help defray his expenses a little over that period of time.  He starts student teaching next January so from then on he will no longer have his other full time job.  We both spent some time explaining to Laura how things are different in the US.

I paid the 4,800 pesos for our 3 coffees and we returned to the apt.

I took iPad photos of my payment receipts and emailed them to the proper recipients.

Teresa returned to the apt about 5pm.

Teresa made spaghetti with meat sauce (ala Juanita) for dinner and I made garlic bread but I made a few too many pieces.  I think a good standard would be to make 1 ½ slices per person.

About 7:45 it started raining and was still raining when we went to bed at 11pm.

Well, I’ve run out of dictionary sayings.  Now I’ll go back to t-shirts for a few weeks but soon I’m afraid I’ll have to dip into my joke collection.  Prepare yourself!

T-shirt of the day: We’re all infected.

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Last night I fell asleep quickly and didn’t wake up until 5:30.  Teresa and I got up at 6:30, she made each of us a cup of hot lemonade and at 7am we went back to bed.  We finally got up at 9:15.

Well, I was going to go for a walk for Encicla but Teresa told me last night we were going to Mayorista for groceries.  Now, at noon, she tells me she’s too tired so she’s going with Laura tomorrow morning while I’m at the gym.

Wow, in the World Cup, Russia defeated Spain on penalty kicks.  I think that’s an upset.  Too bad we don’t have TV so I can watch some games today.

We ordered a whole chicken plus fixings from Frisby.  Teresa mentioned we’ve spent a lot of money on street food.  How true!  And lots of money fixing up the finca; I hope this is going to settle down soon.

Now Teresa tells me because she has to return to the finca early tomorrow she wants to go grocery shopping about 6:30 tonight.  I have no problem with that.

I ordered a step counter and safety leash from Amazon for $28.90 including shipping.

Croacia defeated Denmark on penalty kicks.

Because of her cold Teresa has been taking lots of naps.

A gringo sent a disturbing email about changes that Guatape is undergoing, all in the name of tourism:

https://myquest.blog/2018/06/16/tourism-and-sustainable-development/

Teresa and I left the apt about 6:30.  We quickly caught a taxi to Mayorista where we picked up groceries.  The grocery store closed at 8pm and we got out just a few minutes before.  Back at the apt Laura helped carry everything upstairs.

Still no TV; I understand they are coming sometime on Tuesday.

If your dictionary told the truth: “Marriage (noun): betting someone half your stuff that you'll love them forever.”

Saturday, June 30, 2018

It took me about 30 minutes or so to fall asleep last night.  Maybe because I ran out of magnesium tablets that help make me drowsy at night.  I got up once during the night, woke up at 6am and got up at 6:30.

Teresa told me she’s leaving early for the finca and Laura is spending the day with a girlfriend so she suggested I go see a movie so as not to be bored being alone all day.

I left the apt at 9am, quickly caught a bus downtown and got off at Envios Market.

They gave me my July issue of Reader’s Digest and I paid the 39,000 peso rental for July.  I walked over to Tostao where I had another large 16oz Cappucino for 2,700 pesos.  Unfortunately they don’t have wifi.  I walked the mile to McDonalds’ and on the way I noted the Terraza restaurant (034 268 5555) adjoining a hotel.  Per Trip Advisor the restaurant seems to get good reviews but the hotel not so much.  At McD’s I had another cold Cappucino Frappe but this time a Mocca for 5,600 pesos.  I sat outside on their patio as the A/C was very cold inside.  At least they have wifi.  Just before I left I double checked the showtimes and found that my movie starts at 1:15 instead of 1:30.  I took a bus to Calle 7 and withdrew a lot of small bills at the Cedimed ATM.  On the way to Vizcaya I passed Flip Flop Sandwich Shop so they’re still in business.  I arrived 20 minutes early for the movie.  Even though my Cine Colombia balance was 35,000 pesos I added another 40,000.  I bought a general seating ticket to Overboard (5.6) for 6,000 pesos. 

I bought a medium popcorn and large soda for another 16,300 pesos.  There were just another 3 people in the theater.  I enjoyed the movie, I just had one problem.  The movie is in English with Spanish subtitles but because the male star is Mexican a lot of the scenes where in Spanish.  In those cases I think it would only be fair if they had subtitles in English.

I walked down the hill to Avenida Poblado and soon was on a bus back to the apt.  They have removed the detour that used to go off Avenida Poblado in Envigado.

I arrived at the apt by 4pm and walked over to the large copy center just as they were closing.  I bought my monthly medications at Todo Drogas.  It was raining lightly as I returned to the apt.  I was back by 4:30.

I found that we no longer have a Direct TV signal.

The Colombian Peso closed for the week at 2,931 to the US Dollar.  It’s nice to see it over 2900 again.

Teresa returned at 7pm and quickly ordered a Frischuleta from Frisby for us to share.

Laura returned at 8pm.  At 9pm she left to buy herself some empanadas for dinner.

If your dictionary told the truth: Clapping (verb) Repeatedly high-fiving yourself for someone else’s accomplishments.