Thursday, April 17, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 7:15. (I thought I heard some rain overnight which was confirmed by a small puddle outside our door.)

Teresa seems to have calmed down and she finally asked me why I left the church yesterday. I told her my back hurt, I was hot, and I needed to pee. She told me there’s a restroom in the church which was news to me.

We had the usual simple breakfast in the hosteria. She was on the phone with someone as I got my laptop and moved to a shadier part of the hostel (where they used to have hammocks set up).

So far today is an unusually overcast day. The Weather Channel says it’s 84 degrees and mostly cloudy, predicting thunderstorms likely around 10:30am. Hopefully that will keep the heat down.

Around noon I needed the restroom but the closest one had waste floating on the water and nothing happened when I tried to flush it. I went up to our room and that one wouldn’t flush either. Obviously, we have no running water. As I headed back down the stairs two workmen were coming up with toolboxes.

We had lunch about 1:30, cream of broccoli soup, chicken with the same nice sauce, a cheese stick, and a small salad but they forgot to bring our juices.

It was about 2:30 when Teresa crashed and we returned to our room so she could take a nap.

We returned to the second pool area but her preferred lounge chairs were taken. Seems like there’s more people here today, instead of the usual 4-6 it looks more like 20.

Whenever people aren‘t hogging the pool, the pigeons come down for a drink

but I don’t think it’s very healthy with the chlorine.

We had a late supper in the hotel, the meat was a type they call posta, which I remember from when I was a kid but I don’t remember the name.

Running water is working again. 😊

About 8pm, the same time we heard a religious procession outside, Teresa mentioned we need to get more water. I volunteered because I was concerned it was just a ruse to join or watch the procession. I was surprised when she agreed and in five minutes I went across the street and purchased 2 more 1000ml bottles of water for 1,900 pesos from Tienda D1.

We were both tired and we went to bed about 9:30.

 

EL ARROYO

 

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30. I didn’t look at the clock the one time I got up – 4am? 5am? I prefer not to look hoping I can return to sleep quickly. This time it didn’t work, I think I rested more than slept.

Teresa got up at 6:30 and I soon after.

Because they serve such a simple breakfast here, today we decided to go out.

Attached to Hotel Mariscal Robledo is Café Canelo where we had breakfast. Nice presentation

and the lattes were hot (and good).  I had another after we finished eating. The total check came to 74,000 pesos ($17). If we come back, I’ll try the waffles.

Looks like Laura will be joining us after all – she bought flights for July 2^nd & July 6^th, both evening flights, like 8pm-10pm.. I told her she has to sleep on the couch and she has to follow our schedule or use Uber and go on her own.

We went for a little walk but didn’t find the other hosteria. We stopped in a tienda naturista, Casa Verde, where Teresa asked for something. In front of me in a display case I saw the word “Calendula”. I pointed to it and the sales lady brought it out but it was a cream. I asked if she had it in capsules and she brought out a bottle of tablets.

100 500mg tablets for 45,000 pesos ($10.50). It's a deal, I just hope they work and I can find them in Envigado which would save me a lot of trouble buying them in the US. I took one right away with water from the thermos we carry with us.

Back at the hosteria Teresa worked on her latest art project and I played some rapid chess on Chess.com.

About 4:45 surprised me by saying she wanted a waffle. We returned to Café Canelo and ordered this waffle with ice cream.

I think it was a yucca waffle which is why it didn’t easily absorb the ice cream and was difficult to cut.

I had my usual latte while she had a granalada (sp?) which is like a cold coffee with whipped cream or ice cream.

I had another latte after since we weren’t in any hurry. The check came to 62,000 pesos.

We returned to Casa Verde where Teresa bought something for 5mil.

She wanted to walk some so we continued on to the park and of course she led me to the church. It was 5:50pm when we took a seat in the stifling pew. We soon moved to a different pew closer to the entrance with a little more air. I understood mass starts at 6pm and a procession at 7pm. I was sitting alone at on the pew while she moved to the wall in back of the pews so she can see better. In front of me was a display of the 12 disciples. A family of four came in and crawled under what I could now see had handles so it was a “float” for the procession. Teresa told me they were going to carry it. In this heat? It was 90 degrees, probably warmer in the church. At 6:30 I couldn’t take the heat any longer and went over to Teresa and told her I’ll see her back at the hosteria. I returned to our room.

No relief for my back as yet, I guess it will take a few days. I took another calendula tablet. I’ll take them twice a day until I get some relief.

Teresa returned about 7:15 and jiggled the door handle and asked me to open it. It wasn’t locked but I went and opened it. She was obviously mad at me for leaving. She didn’t ask me why she just said she wasn’t going to go with me to my church in Chicago, I could go alone.

I finished reading Lee Child’s No Middle Name, a collection of short stories: Too Much Time, Second Son, High Heat, Deep Down, Small Wars, James Penney’s New Identity, Everyone Talks, Not a Drill, Maybe They Have a Tradtion, Guy Walks Into a Bar, No Room at the Motel, and The Picture of the Lonely Diner.

Well, I’ve read all the Jack Reacher books that are available. The rest of the series are already borrowed so Put on Hold the next one in the series.

I found another set of Lee Child’s short stories called Safe Enough: Crime Stories.

 

ICE

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30.

I waited until 7am for Teresa to get up. Next time I’ll take my shower first since she was soon ready to leave.

Two months from today we’ll be arriving in Chicago. 😊

Breakfast was the same as yesterday: we each had scrambled eggs, an arepa, a small croissant with butter and cheese and a café con leche but they first brought us a small plate with a few slices of pineapple and watermelon.

I moved to a shady area closer to the 2^nd pool to work on my blog.

Some details about our (superior) room: it includes an armoire with a generous number of hangers, two armchairs, a queen size bed, end tables on each side and an air conditioner that we run 24/7. As normal for Colombia there is a paucity of lighting: one bulb above the bed and another for the toilet area. There is a bulb over the armoire that doesn’t work connected to the switch by the door so after dark we just leave the other one on.

The shower is a tub with a handheld attachment where the water dribbles out but at least there is hot water. (Later I discovered I can get a stronger flow if I switch to cold water. ☹) The drain plug doesn’t work so the bathtub idea is useless.

We found 3 sets of electric outlets so I didn’t need to bring my electric cube.

The toilet is in a separate room about 3’ by 4’ with just enough space to close the door without hitting the toilet.

There is a separate nook for the sink but no light and a metal soap container fixed above it so it’s not easy to lean over to wash your face or rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth.

We also have a fridge that comes in handy for keeping cold water and some of Teresa’s things.

Teresa talked to the owner (previous?) a single woman who lives alone in an area in the back off the pool. This used to be a convent which is probably why there are so many rooms but I don’t know if she’s a leftover “sister”. Anyway, she told Teresa there’s another hosteria nearby that’s less expensive so we’ll see if we can find it and check it out.

Teresa seems to be getting tired of the food even though, except for breakfast, it’s been different every day.

Lunch today was chicharron (Colombian version of bacon?), which I don’t care for, so Teresa ordered a couple fried eggs for me which was fine.

About 2pm Teresa wanted to return to the room: too tired or too hot, I don’t know.

I’m beginning to regret not bringing my Calendula capsules but so far my back isn’t too bad. I googled and found Walmart appears to have them (60 Swanson 400mg capsules for $9.99) so I’ll stock up while we’re in the States. Oops, looks like they might only be available from Walmart online. I’ll probably order a few and have them sent to my brother’s house.

This place has a jacuzzi and steam room although I don’t know who would want to use them in this weather, anyway they are covered and/or out of order.

We moved to the main pool area where I had another dip in the pool, immediately showering off right after.

I see some rooms have window air conditioners.

My eyes feel so much better without the pollution of Medellin.

Tonight’s supper was the most disappointing. The cream of carrot soup was good, the problem was no meat on the single chicken leg they gave us but the sauce was good and it came with rice and a small salad.

We needed another bottle of water but Teresa was suddenly hit with fatigue so I made a quick trip across the street to Tienda D1 where I purchased 2 bottles of water for 1,900 peso ($0.80).

I got to bed at 10:15 and quickly fell asleep.

 

EL ARROYO

Monday, April 14, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:45.

After my wet experience from last night Teresa and I moved the bed about 4” away from the wall.

I took a quick 2 minute 51 second video of the hosteria but when I tried to upload it, it said, “Trim video? This file is too large to attach. Trim it down so it will fit” but I don’t know how to do that. ☹
Breakfast was right at 8am and we each had scrambled eggs con hogao (with tomato), an arepa, as small croissant with butter and chesse and a café con leche. They first brought us a small plate with a few slices of papaya and watermelon. Breakfast was okay, nothing special, but sufficient.

Looks like its going to be another hot one today.

I just checked our reservation and the week cost 3,324,000 pesos ($778.50), a little more than the $500 I was thinking. (When I mentioned it Teresa still thought it was cheap. In fact she wants to return around Mother’s Day to work on her tan before our Chicago trip.)

I played a few games of rapid chess on Chess.com.

Lunch included Cream of Broccoli soup, barbecued pork with rice and a small salad. All the food here has been good thus far.

I set up my chess set on a table near the pool and reviewed some English Opening moves from my book.

Late afternoon we moved to the main pool so Teresa could get some more sun.

We had supper at 7pm by the pool. She had some type of beef and I chose the BBQ ribs:

About 8pm we left the hostel and walked a block away to a busy Tienda D1 where we bought a large bottle of water (sin gas) and a bottle of soap in a pump bottle.

We sat on a park bench for a while (much less busy than yesterday) to watch the sites. This large St. Bernard came through several times making Teresa nervous but I petted it one when it came nearby.

At 9:15 we returned to our room and I started my pre sleep routine.

I set up my pillow and sat against the wall to read my book. The A/C dripped on my four times during the 45 minutes or so that I was there.

I finally went to sleep at 10:15.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

 

DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER

 

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 7:15.

We packed up our stuff: Teresa with her carryon and I with my backpack and the separate bag with my tournament chess set.

I was watching Freestyle Chess (in Paris) on Twitch and the coverage reminded me of Sports Center. 😊

Teresa just updated me we’ll be leaving here at noon. Depending on when the bus leaves, maybe we’ll be having lunch in the bus station.

We left the apt at noon and took a Didi to Terminal Norte for 19,800 pesos. We went downstairs and bought 2 colectivo (private car) tickets to Santafe de Antioqua for 44mil. It was a van that seated 9 not including the driver.

We left right away at 12:40 and due to the tunnel, the new expressways and the new bridge it only took an hour and 10 minutes from terminal to terminal. This pueblo is hot, as usual. From there we took a moto taxi to the park for 5,000 pesos.

Teresa was disoriented, her excuse later, as I led her across the street to the restaurant Jumaye where we had lunch. She had salmon and I had the chicken breast, she had a Coke and I a coconut lemonade:

The check came to 90,200 pesos ($21) including tip.

After lunch we walked the last three blocks to Hosteria de la Plaza Menor dragging our bags.

Teresa insisted on seeing the room first and in the meantime the receptionist asked for my passport. She seemed confused when I told her I had a cedula until I showed her my Residency Cedula. She gave me a paper with the hotel WiFi password and the meal schedule. (Breakfast, lunch, and supper are included in our hotel reservation; not bad for 2,000,000 pesos.)

Teresa was okay with the room, reported the A/C and toilet work and we went upstairs to room 25 (no numbers on the doors) and started unpacking.

We hung around the 2^nd pool, Teresa working on her latest project and I reading my latest Jack Reacher book of short stories.

A girl about 15, with her mother, entered the pool and I watched her do a mean dog paddle to the other side then she returned with proficient strokes and I figured I don’t have to worry about her.

Around 4pm the heat broke (at least poolside) and it got more comfortable.

Teresa ordered our supper for 7pm, fish for her and pork for me and it arrived right on time. Mine included pieces of pork with mixed vegetables, rice, and a small salad. We both also had a bowl of cream of broccoli soup and a glass of juice and we were happy with our food.

About 8pm we went out and a block away is a small park in front of the church that was quite busy. They had one of those inflatable bouncy things for kids, donkey rides, and mini chivas buses that a little kid would sit in and an old man would push from behind. We sat down on a bench across from the entrance to Hotel Mariscal Robledo. Lots of people out and about and the usual kiosks selling souvenirs and other stuff.

About 9pm we returned to our room, got ready for bed and went to sleep at 10pm.

I was a little concerned about the glass blocks in the shower which, not having a curtain, might awaken us very early in the morning so I put on my eye mask.

I was lying there, minding my own business, when I heard a splat sound every couple minutes. I probed and found the back part of my pillow wet. I figured out it was condensation from the A/C mounted at ceiling level right above it. I moved my pillow a couple inches away from the wall but now my feet hung over the end of the bed. I went into a fetal position and finally fell asleep.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

 

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, got up once during the night (it was raining), finally waking/getting up by alarm at 7:30.

At 9:30 I walked to the mall where I paid the epm utility bill of 443,000 pesos ($103) in Exito (no line). I walked through the parking garage to the escalator that took me up to Urbania where I had a latte for an hour. When I left a few minutes after 11am I withdrew 2,000,000 pesos from a Davivienda ATM. Today I did something different and walked back to the apt instead of taking a taxi.

This is a bracelet that Teresa made.

Occasionally I watch Anna Cramling playing live in the Reykjavik Open on Twitch or Chess.com. (She’s not doing very well.)

I basically just vegged out all afternoon.

I thought we would be leaving the apartment after lunch here tomorrow but Teresa wants to leave here about 11am so I guess she’s planning on us having lunch in Santafe de Antioquia.

I watched some news in the evening.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN