Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, got up once during the night, again at 5:30, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

I heard last night’s rainstorm caused the Medellin river to overflow its banks and flooding of the highway and traffic today is still suffering because of it.

I left the apt at 8am in 66-degree weather. I ran into the guy from across the street with his Samoyed and I learned she cost him 3 million pesos. I had just turned the corner of Parva when I felt something bounce off my shoe. It looked like a baby dove that I guessed had just took his maiden flight from a nest across the street. I walked to Parque Envigado where I had breakfast in Carbon de Leña. I bought my monthly medications in Todo Drogas then had something printed in the copy center. I arrived at the bookstore at 9:20 and was happy to see it was open. My problem now is that I’ve read the majority of interesting books they have in English. I found what looks like a love story, exchanged it for the hardcover I had just read and walked back to Parva. I was having a café con leche outside when my brother called me on my cellphone. We chatted for about 50 minutes then I returned to the apt.

On the afternoon news, Medellin doctors are calling for a total quarantine. (Medellin ICU occupancy is at 98%.) They also believe the metro is a “super spreader” (my words).

We took a nap after lunch.

Teresa beat me in parcheesi today 4 games to 3.

So far, Medellin isn’t under quarantine.

 

The US has 30,720,407 ð 30,784,975 ð 30,864,924 coronavirus cases with 554,500+ ð 554,900+ ð 555,900+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,246,219 ð 2,456,409 ð 2,468,236 cases with 64,094 ð 64,293 ð 64,524 deaths. Medellin has 217,824 ð 219,377 ð 221,134 cases, an increase of 1,757 from April 5^th to 6^th. Envigado has a total of 19,502 cases, an increase of 101 from April 5^th to 6^th.

Joke of the day

I was in a job interview today. The interviewer handed me his laptop and said, “I want you to try to sell this to me.” So I put it under my arm, walked out of the building, and went home. Eventually he called and demanded, “Bring it back here right now!” I said, “Three hundred bucks and it’s yours.”

Monday, April 5, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 5:30, went back to bed and slept until I was awakened at 6:45 by a truck outside Exito.

I left the apt at 8:15 and walked directly to Todo Fresa. It was open so obviously they finished their remodeling in time. I’ll return on Wednesday or Thursday to buy my monthly medications. At the tienda naturista I bought a bottle of L-Arginina. I stopped at the Pasteur pharmacy in La Buena Mesa and bought a package of cotton balls for Teresa. I bought a loaf of pan sano at Parva, milk at the little grocery store and returned to the apt.

Teresa left just before 10am for a gym class. She told me she would call me later to meet her in Exito so I could pay for some skin cream for her.

Jose called me and told me that last Wednesday he and his wife Maria were exposed to someone who later was found to have Covid-19. They will get tested this Wednesday so we won’t be playing chess tomorrow. Hopefully it will come back negative for both of them.

Teresa called me at 11am and asked me to meet her at Medipiel so I could buy her some skin cream. I was already dressed so I just had to walk to the mall. I first printed 2 copies of my wellness record at Auros then waited about 10 minutes for Teresa to arrive. After she spent some time talking to the saleslady I paid for her skin cream. In the mall she did some shopping at Adidas then found a pair of leggings and workout top at Puma. We went upstairs to Crepes & Waffles for lunch. Afterward she did some more shopping in Decathalon where she found some type of inexpensive head covering.

I gave her 6mil for a taxi back to the apt then I went for coffee at Todo Fresa.

I left about 3:30 and took a taxi back to the apt.

She beat me in parcheesi again x games to y.

Teresa made an appointment for me with my urologist for Thursday, April 22^nd at 12:30pm.

About 6pm we heard some thunder and a few minutes later the downpour started. I unplugged the TV and the computer. Fifteen minutes later our power went out but it came back a few minutes later.

Teresa beat me in parcheesi today 5 games to 2.

Teresa showed me her head covering used as a facemask. I told her it didn’t give her any more protection than my thin t-shirt. She showed me it again over a facemask like she’s really going to wear it like that.

I finished reading Dean Koontz’s The Silent Corner on my Nook.

 

The US has 30,665,835 ð 30,720,407 ð 30,784,975 coronavirus cases with 553,900+ ð 554,500+ ð 554,900+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,437,197 ð 2,246,219 ð 2,456,409 cases with 63,932 ð 64,094 ð 64,293 deaths. Medellin has 216,485 ð 217,824 ð 219,377 cases, an increase of 1,553 from April 4^th to 5^th. Envigado has a total of 19,401 cases, an increase of 166 from April 4^th to 5^th.

Joke of the day

What does a dyslexic, agnostic insomniac do at night? He stays up wondering if there really is a dog.

Sunday, April 4, 2021

Happy Easter!

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, got up at 5:30 and was aware it was raining, went back to bed and catnapped until I woke/got up just before 7am.

I left the apt at 8am and confirmed Otra Parte was open on my way to the Avenida Poblado bus stop where Glenn and Bianca were waiting for me. We quickly caught a taxi to Calle 10 and Carrera 37 for D’Andre restaurant. We had our choice of tables again choosing to sit outside. I had 2 fried eggs with hash browns and crispy bacon. The hash browns were a little too salty and the bacon a little too crispy but I still enjoyed everything. From there we moved a block away to Pergamino #1 where we had coffee while sharing an almond croissant.

We walked over to Calle 10A where we caught a taxi back to Envigado. They got off as usual at Jumbo and I continued on to my apt. Today there was no ciclovia so the taxi was able to take me all the way.

Teresa was there and she told me she was too tired to go to her gym class this morning.

I watched a couple more episodes of Outlander.

Teresa beat me in parcheesi today 5 games to 2.

 

The US has 30,630,180 ð 30,665,835 ð 30,720,407 coronavirus cases with 553,500+ ð 553,900+ ð 554,500+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,428,048 ð 2,437,197 ð 2,246,219 cases with 63,777 ð 63,932 ð 64,094 deaths. Medellin has 215,025 ð 216,485 ð 217,824 cases, an increase of 1,339 from April 3^rd to 4^th. Envigado has a total of 19,235 cases, an increase of 114 from April 3^rd to 4^th.

Joke of the day

It really doesn’t feel like September until Macy’s puts up their Christmas decorations.

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, took about an hour to fall asleep, got up at 5:30, went back to bed but couldn’t fall back asleep so I got up at 6am.

I downloaded my blood test results. My PSA was too high but all my other tests were withing the normal range.

I left the apt at 8:30 and walked to the mall. I bought a small package of Zopiclona at the pharmacy but Auros was the only store that still had their gates down. There was a line outside Bancolombia as it didn’t open until 9am. Inside there was a short wait to see a cashier. I don’t think she’s handled my type of transaction before as she was slow and occasionally asked the guy in the next booth for advice. From there I went to Av Villas where I paid the apt rental.

I went into Santa Leña and took a small side table. They were pretty busy but when I left 45 minutes later not a single waitress or manager had come to my table to ask if I wanted to order anything. That’s Colombia for you.

I had 2 copies of my test results printed at Auros then took a taxi back to the apt. The driver spoke great English having worked in the New England area for many years.

I ran into Doyle walking through the garage and we just exchange hellos.

I had a 45-minute nap in the recliner while Teresa was preparing lunch. After lunch she took a 2-hour nap.

At one point in the afternoon I heard a loud peal of thunder. I’ve never heard thunder as loud as here, not sure if it’s because we keep our windows open or if it’s because we’re in a valley. No rain developed though.

Teresa beat me in parcheesi today 4 games to 3.

 

The US has 30,485,280 ð 30,630,180 ð 30,665,835 coronavirus cases with 551,600+ ð 553,500+ ð 553,900+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,417,826 ð 2,428,048 ð 2,437,197 cases with 63,614 ð 63,777 ð 63,932 deaths. Medellin has 213,169 ð 215,025 ð 216,485 cases, an increase of 1,460 from April 2^nd to 3^rd. Envigado has a total of 19,121 cases, an increase of 91 from April 2^nd to 3^rd.

Joke of the day

My aunt was in the hospital for hip-replacement surgery and not happy about having to wear the hospital garb she’d been given. So when she was wheeled into surgery, my mother ran out and bought her a nice robe to wear instead. Rather than being thankful, my aunt was appalled.

“You left the hospital while I was in surgery?” she asked. “What would you have done if I had died?”

“I’d have returned the robe,” answered mom.

Friday, April 2, 2021

Today is Good Friday.

Last night I went to bed at 10:15, quickly fell asleep, got up once at 5:15, finally waking/getting up at 7:30. Wow, that was a good night’s sleep. I’m wondering if it’s because I didn’t drink anything last night, as I only had an apple with peanut butter. I’ll try that again tonight.

I left the apt at 9am in 72 degrees. On my usual route the only café/restaurants I saw open were Aymará, Antonio’s Gelato, Los Porteños, and AlfaMore. San Marcos church appeared to be full with a few people standing just outside the entrance.

When I returned to the apt it was obvious Teresa wasn’t dressed for the gym. She said she had to go to the finca for an emergency water problem so I’m on my own for lunch.

I watched an episode of Outlander while cooling down, took my shower, then watched another episode while drying my face before shaving.

I left the apt at 1pm. Waiting for an elevator I saw it was first stopping on the 5^th floor. I was thinking that’s Doyle’s floor even though I’ve only seen him once in the past year. Sure enough, when the doors opened it was him with his young girlfriend. He asked me when was the last time I was back in the States. I replied, 7 years ago. He said in some States you have to wear a mask. I told him I won’t be going back until next year, hopefully next summer. He said, in some States, like California you will have to wear a mask. I said I’m not going to California as I reached my floor and stepped out of the elevator. What I should have said, that I didn’t think of until a couple minutes later, is “with over half a million Americans dead I don’t appreciate your sense of humor.” I think my gut was correct not to make friends with him when I first met him a couple years ago.

It started raining just as I was exiting the porteria so I put up my little umbrella. I arrived at the mall a little wet around my pants cuffs and surprisingly my upper back. I guess I protected my front more than my backside.

I had the chicken teriyaki in Sarku’s without a drink then I went downstairs to Todo Fresa where I had 2 café con leches and what they call a nut bar. It took about 30 minutes for my t-shirt to dry out.

When I left about 4pm the main entrance gates were down and there was a line for taxis so I just walked back to the apt in a light drizzle.

Teresa returned at 5pm; luckily, it didn’t rain in her area and she got a guy to fix the water problem so she doesn’t have to return.

Another day that we barely hit 80 degrees.

About 5:15 we lost our power for a second and Direct TV and the router did a reset.

I finally finished season 1 of Outlander (8.4).

Rain started again in the evening but at least we’ll have a cool night’s sleep.

 

The US has 30,447,000 ð 30,485,280 ð 30,630,180 coronavirus cases with 551,000+ ð 551,600+ ð 553,500+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,406,377 ð 2,417,826 ð 2,428,048 cases with 63,422 ð 63,614 ð 63,777 deaths. Medellin has 208,430 ð 213,169 ð 215,025 cases, an increase of 1,855 from April 1^st to 2^nd. Envigado has a total of 19,029  cases, an increase of 104 from April 1^st to 2^nd.

Joke of the day

Daughter (via text): Mom, where are you?

Mom: Leaving Walmart. Halfway home. Why, sweetie?

Daughter: You brought me to Walmart with you.

Mom: Oh, darn! Be there in a bit!

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Happy April Fool’s Day.

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, quickly fell asleep, got up once at 3:15, again at 6am, finally got up for good at 6:30.

Yesterday my brother informed me that he’s coming for a visit in September. Teresa didn’t like that idea because of Covid-19. I told her things should improve in the next 5 months. He’s been vaccinated and by then we should be both be vaccinated also. In any case if need be he can always cancel his flight.

I left the apt at 8:30 and walked to Parque Envigado. I was surprised to see the tienda naturista wasn’t open. I found Todo Drogas also closed and in fact it was under remodeling. I didn’t even try the paper store or bookstore I just walked to the mall where I found the banks were closed. I tried my new Citibank debit card in a Davivienda ATM and it said I exceeded the maximum time for the transaction.

I went downstairs to Todo Fresa where I had a café con leche for about an hour. Back upstairs I tried the same ATM again and this time it just said it couldn’t process my transaction. In Exito I tried a Banco Caja Social ATM and this time I was successful in making a 300mil withdrawal for $82.69.

I took a taxi back to the apt and asked Teresa why she didn’t tell me the banks were closed today. She said she didn’t know. (I found out later today is Maundy Thursday.) I’ll try again Saturday minus the trip to downtown Envigado.

After lunch Teresa took a nap then we bought groceries at Mercado Madrid. When we returned at 4:15 I had a 2-hour chess lesson with Juan Castro.

 

The US has 30,388,472 ð 30,447,000 ð 30,485,280 coronavirus cases with 550,000+ ð 551,000+ ð 551,600+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,397,731 ð 2,406,377 ð 2,417,826 cases with 63,255 ð 63,422 ð 63,614 deaths. Medellin has 208,428 ð 208,430 ð 213,169 cases, an increase of 1,739 from March 31^st to April 1^st. Envigado has a total of 18,925 cases, an increase of 81 from March 31^st to April 1^st.

Joke of the day

My teenage son and I were discussing dating and relationships. To impress upon him that I had valuable experience to share, I commented, “You know, I’ve been around the barn a few times.” “Yeah, mom,” he said, unimpressed, “but always on the same horse.”

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, quickly fell asleep, got up once at 5:45, finally got up for good at 6:15.

Teresa told me her plan for today is to go to the gym then when she returns, before lunch, we would go to Mercado Madrid for groceries.

I left the apt at 8am and completed my usual 1-hour walk.

Teresa called at 12:30 to tell me that she’s bringing me lunch from La Casita Parilla. After I finished eating she informed me of her new plan. She’s going to get her eyebrows done this afternoon and tomorrow morning, after my usual 1^st of the month errands, we will go to Mercado Madrid. I told her “fine”, but I have a chess lesson in the afternoon.

I left the apt at 2pm and was having coffee outside Parva when at 3:30 they started bringing in tables & chairs and putting down the gates so I took the hint and left. On my way back I noticed Love in Waffle was gone but there was a sign that said they moved to the corner opposite Outlet. I’m guessing that’s the jeans store on the corner opposite Asados Rogelio.

Teresa beat me in parcheesi today 3 games to 2.

 

The US has 30,318,445 ð 30,388,472 ð 30,447,000coronavirus cases with 549,000+ ð 550,000+ ð 551,000+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,389,779 ð 2,397,731 ð 2,406,377 cases with 63,079 ð 63,255 ð 63,422 deaths. Medellin has 207,568 ð 208,428 ð 208,430 cases, an increase of 1,603 from March 30^th to 31^st.  Envigado has a total of 18,843 cases, an increase of 107 from March 30^th to 31^st.  Again, Medellin’s totals vs change don’t balance.

Joke of the day

“All you need is love.” But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.