Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the
night, finally waking/getting up at 6am.
Another interesting day in paradise as you will see (or read)…
I was up early enough that Teresa made me breakfast, the
usual coffee, scrambled eggs and half a bagel with strawberry preserves.
Troyclough resigned our game on the 21st move
increasing my rating to 1606.
At 7:45 I took my shower, at 8:15 there’s a knock on my door
and it’s the guy to fix our hot water heater. I explained I don’t understand
much Spanish but I let him in to take a look at the problem and I understand
there’s more to it than just putting on new plumber’s tape and tightening it
with a wrench, as we need a new hose; still probably something I could have
done weeks ago. I had him put Teresa’s telephone number in his phone so they
can agree on a time to meet.
I left the apt at 9:15 and Marcos and Marshall were waiting
for me at a Parva outside table. Marcos informed me there’s a new
airline named JetSMART with low-cost flights (starting at 60,000 pesos?) to
Santa Marta so hopefully other airlines will lower the cost of their seats. He
also recommended this beach called Baru an hour from Cartagena.
Marshall informed me he was born on a beach. I bit and said,
“really?”. He replied “yes, I’m a son of a beach”. 😊
A large flatbed truck pulled up and they unloaded a number
of 20’ pieces of rebar and took them inside next door.
Marcos and Marshall left just after 10am and I moved inside
and had a large latte for 10,500 pesos.
I received this interesting text message from someone in
India. I replied and then blocked their number.
Teresa called and told me she will be having lunch in La
Bahia. I explained I’m going to a restaurant in Poblado because I want to
exchange a book. I was planning on taking a bus to Sweet Georgia in
Poblado but now The Weather Channel is predicting showers.
A couple of my low rated opponents are giving me all I can
handle in the endgame. I’m hoping for a win and a draw between the two but
we’ll see.
I received an email from Margarita Montez letting me know
she has 2 apts available in Laureles. I told her I’d keep an eye out for her.
I left at 11:30 and returned to the apt.
I left again at 12:30 and took a Didi to Sweet Georgia
in Poblado for 11,000 pesos. (I wanted
to get there before the rain.) A block from the restaurant traffic wasn’t
moving so I got out and walked the last block. I saw this interesting sight
across the street
The man on the left is in the new police uniform that
probably means he’s higher up than the normal policeman. He was putting on a
bulletproof vest as I arrived. I certainly had their attention when I took the
photo. Good thing they’re trained not to shoot bystanders.
Inside I exchanged my hardback, Becoming by Michelle
O’Bama for 2 New York Times Bestsellers in paperback, home safe by
Elizabeth Berg and The Round House by Louise Erdrich.
I had a waffle with scrambled eggs, coffee and a glass of
orange juice for 43mil.
Teresa called and asked me to meet her for gelato at Antonio’s
but I reminded her I’m in Poblado. She didn’t say anything about the guy to fix
our hot water heater so I guess they have yet to connect.
I ordered a Didi for 15,000 pesos and it took him at least
10 minutes to arrive. I was standing near the entrance just out of the rain and
the 2 men across the street were standing together on the street corner still
keeping an eye on me. My best guess is there must be an important person in the
area that needs protection.
When I got in the car the driver motioned for me to not slam
the door which is unusual with the exception of taxis.
I was back at the apt in a steady drizzle by 2:30 and Teresa
had returned.
Teresa wanted to go for pizza but I showed her the weather
prediction for this evening
And she changed her mind and we had it delivered.
CREEPY THINGS
