Monday, January 15, 2018

I slept well last night despite getting up several times.

Teresa left about 10am to work on the water tank at the finca.

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today and left for the gym.  I did most of my exercises in an hour and 20 minutes.  I talked briefly to Jose and we shared upcoming movies we want to see.  I see a lot of new faces among the personal trainers – it appears they had a complete turnover at the beginning of the year.  I have yet to see Teresa’s trainer Jose, for example.

I received an email from my brother – he sent $100 to me as a test using World Remit.  All I have to do now is get to the bank and show my ID and the magic number for pickup.

Laura returned to the apt at 12:30 and at 1pm we left for lunch at Deli Hoy.  The park we usually cut through has new tile paving and new plants.  We found the restaurant closed and a sign out front saying they are remodeling.  Laura talked to a man sitting outside and learned they should reopen next week.

We walked over to La Bahia for lunch.  I had pork teriyaki with rice that was quite good.  Just as we started eating Teresa and Wilson showed up.  I understood there was some type of delay at Home Center so they decided to come here for lunch.  Teresa was starving so she took Laura’s food and then Laura ordered another plate.

They left and then Laura went to her grandmother’s apartment and I caught a taxi to Las Rosas Hotel Boutique in Poblado.  The driver asked me if it was near Vizcaya mall and I said “yes”.  On the way while we were sitting at a red light I finally was able to translate a billboard in Spanish that said “Are you ugly and tired of going out without any cash?  Press this button and then you’ll only be ugly.”  When the driver passed Carrera 33 I thought something was wrong but maybe he knew a back way.  He stopped at a hotel across from Vizcaya but it was the wrong one.  (It used to be the Plaza Rosa Hotel that I stayed at when I came for my test visit back in 2012.)  I finally got him to go south on Carrera 33 and from there I was able to direct him to the hotel.

Luckily, this time the guy working the desk spoke some English.  I asked him if I could make a reservation for my brother for February 20^th through the 24^th.  He checked his computer and said “yes”.  I texted and also tried calling my brother using Whatsapp but didn’t get an answer.  (I don’t know why I didn’t use my new magicJack app.)

I sat down on a couch waiting to hear from him.  I was sitting next to an attractive 30 something mother and her 4-year old daughter.  At one point I asked her if she was trying to teach her daughter English and she replied, “no, German”.  I asked why she would want to teach her German and she said her school first starts them learning German and later English.  Interesting.

After about 20 minutes I confirmed with the muchacho that everything was okay and left for the mall.  I bought a ticket for 7,500 to The Commuter (7.5) starring Liam Neeson.  I also bought a small popcorn and large soda for 15,100 ($5).  The movie was good, was kind of a “who done it”, and had a lot of action.

Afterwards, I walked back to the hotel and asked the muchacho if he had my reservation.  He said he thought I needed to talk to my brother first.  I wrote on a piece of paper: my brother’s name, the reservation dates, and his email address and asked him to send my brother a confirmation email.

When I left I walked down Calle 7 and a couple blocks later walked past Mu restaurant.  Right after that, like 100 yards, is the Exito Express – the same street that Flip Flop Sandwich Shop is on.  Now I know exactly where it is.  I continued down Calle 7 to Avenida Poblado.

Suddenly, I had to use the restroom and luckily I made it to Krispy Kreme where they have a nice modern restroom – meaning with toilet seat and toilet paper.

Across the street I waited 5 minutes for a Sabaneta bus and got one of 3 available seats in the back.  The bus drove another 100 yards to Oviedo mall and as people got on it became standing room only.

I was back at the apt by 6:45.  Teresa came back at 7:15.

Teresa tells me she will need to meet with Wilson and Guillermo’s daughter the next 4 days to install the new 2,000 liter water tank.  I gave her another 500,000 pesos for that.  Then she should be done and can relax on her trip to San Andres.

As usual we went to bed about 11pm.

T-shirt of the day: Meet me at the gym.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

I slept well last night, finally waking/getting up at 8am.

Teresa informed me that a Dollar City supposedly opened up just down the hill from Carbon de Leña.  She asked me to stop by and buy a package of napkins, thinking theirs would be better.

I found the Dollar City and quickly found a package of napkins.  They also had colored ones for parties but I got the usual white ones for 8mil.  I stopped at the small bakery for a café con leche and returned to the apt.  Teresa was a little disappointed to find that the napkins were single ply.

I called Citibank and confirmed they have my correct zipcode.

Laura told Teresa that my football games wouldn’t be over until 11pm or midnight.  They left the apt about 4:15 for Santafe mall.

I watched a couple good games with some buffering only in the first game.

The Jacksonville Jaguars won a close game against the Pittsburgh Steelers 45-42 and the Minnesota Vikings stole one from the New Orleans Saints on the last play of the game 29-24.  Sorry about that Chuck!

The ladies returned at 9:15.

T-shirt of the day: The future belongs to those who dream.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

I slept pretty well last night waking and getting up at 8:15.

I left the apt at 9:45 and caught a bus from downtown Envigado to MBE in El Poblado.  They had a lady there that spoke pretty good English. 

My plan was to see my envelope and if I thought it wasn’t anything important I would just not pay and tell them its garbage and to throw it away.  Instead, she gave me my Chess Life magazine for September, a Christmas card from my friend Ruben in Hawaii, an “annual notice of Right to Elect or Revoke Federal Tax Withholding” from one of my pensions, and change of address confirmations from Citibank (with wrong zipcode) and CSC pension.  The last two letters were mailed in early August so it either took a while to get here or, more likely, for them to notify me that they were here.  I ended up accepting everything and paying 25mil ($9).

I walked a couple shops away where I stopped for a café con leche.  They only had 2 stools next to a counter so I didn’t linger as more people came in.

On the other side of the street I quickly caught a Sabaneta bus back to Envigado.

I stopped at Exito where I picked up a few things including a banana for tomorrow’s anticipated pancake breakfast.

Soon after returning to the apt, Teresa gave me one of those hand signals where she wanted me to listen outside Laura’s door.  I didn’t hear much and what I did I couldn’t tell if it was Spanish or English so I soon gave up.  (I do have tinnitus and a slight hearing loss.)  A few minutes later Laura came out and told me she talked to a family from Germany.  All of them, even the children, speak English but she would still need to pass basic German to get an au pair visa.  I asked her if she really wanted to have to learn another alphabet and hear words like “ich nicht ein nocht”.  I said almost no one in Colombia speaks German so that would be a wasted experience language wise.  I think she agreed!

She informed me that people who want to au pair in the US need to go through an agency like we visited a few years ago in Parque Lleras.  She asked if I could help with the initial payment to the agency with the proviso that she would pay me back over time.  I said probably, but first do I have to help her with paying to learn to drive?  I said all she needs to learn is automatic because that’s what 99% of Americans drive.  I suggested she ask her Aunt Vicky’s husband Albero to teach her.  Teresa suggested having Esmeralda give her lessons and then with the finca rental she’s saved she can pay to take the test.

Next, I asked if I would have to pay for English lessons and she said she’s studying English online.

In the meantime she should learn how to cook and take care of children before we go back to the au pair agency.

Wilson stopped by – probably a shopping trip back from our Exito – and tried a bite of my meatloaf.  He liked it (que rico!), Teresa cut the remainder into 3 slices and he took all the leftovers with him.  I didn’t mind a bit because it was a little dry – next time it will be better.

Teresa mentioned that Monday she’s going with Wilson to fix the water tank at the finca.  That should give me the opportunity to see The Commuter in Santafe or Downsizing in Mayorca.

About 3pm it started raining, lightly, while the sun was still shining.

The Colombian Peso closed for the week at 2,854 to the US Dollar.  The peso seems to be getting stronger vs the dollar; good for Colombia, not so good for gringos like me.

About 4:15 I started hearing thunder in the distance.  No!  I want to watch the NFL playoffs!

I set up my laptop and plugged in the earphones and they were working again.

About 5pm it rained hard for 5-10 minutes while the sun was shining – looks weird! 

The temperature here has been RELATIVELY cool for weeks if not months.  Climate change?  For example, the temp forecast for the next 5 days are highs of 78 degrees or less.  I think it’s usually in the mid 80’s so I’ve been enjoying the relative coolness.

I watched the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Atlanta Falcons 15-10 although I had buffering problems throughout the game. 

Interestingly, I had no problems at the end of the 2^nd quarter until I turned on my iPad and started reading emails and I immediately had a buffering problem on my laptop.  Bandwidth problem?

After the game Teresa wanted to watch TV so I unplugged the HDMI cable so she could use the TV.  I can still watch the game on my small screen – my laptop.

We ordered 2 chicken shish kebabs from the neighborhood Mi Casita Parilla and they delivered it – no extra charge - for a total of 18mil ($6).

I gave Teresa the bad news (for her) that I have 2 more football games tomorrow.  She threatened to disappear with Laura and her mother – probably to Santafe mall.

T-shirt of the day: Work hard.  Stay humble.

Friday, January 12, 2018

Wow.  Last night I fell asleep quickly and didn’t awaken until 7:15.  I got up because I know Teresa wants to go to the Claro office this morning to sign up for a monthly plan.  That should be less expensive than the 150,000+ pesos I’ve been paying each month.  The only challenge is that right now she’s still got 57,000 on her phone and we don’t want to lose that.

I had a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios – long time, no taste.  Teresa considers it a children’s cereal but I told her I’ve been eating it my whole life – well, at least since it was created.  She was very surprised to find we have this cereal in the States – I convinced her it’s Made in America by demonstrating she can’t even pronounce Cheerios.

On the TV news, people were being interviewed that have been inconvenienced by the closure of the road between Medellin and Manizales.  I wonder how long it will take for that to reopen.

Among new US movie releases I would like to see The Commuter (6.5).

Locally, I would like to see The Commuter (6.5) playing in Santafe at 2:20pm, 4:45pm, and 7:15pm and Downsizing (5.8) playing in Mayorca at 4:20pm.  I was thinking of going tonight, but as you will see (actually read) I didn’t get the opportunity.

Teresa and I left the apt and arrived at Claro just as it was opening at 9am.  (On the way I pointed out an apartment for rent.)  We were given a small flyer and I think we can get her unlimited minutes for 92,900 a month but first I think we’re going to wait for her to use up the minutes she has.  When we return to Claro I think I’ll check and see how much it would cost me to have some data plan on my cellphone.

Back at the apt Teresa soon left for an exercise class at the gym.  I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show and then I left for the gym.

I found Teresa sitting at the gym’s new health bar just outside the entrance.  She said she just tasted their healthy pancakes and showed me the package for 35,000 pesos.  She also informed me that I don’t have to buy special protein powder for her anymore – she’ll just share mine.

I did most of my exercises in an hour and 15 minutes.  I skipped the exercise cycle today and the hip adductor/abductor machine.  (I saw an older man wearing a Chicago Blackhawks cap.)

Back at the apt I was surprised to see Esmeralda who introduced me to her 30-year old son Alejandro who speaks a little English.  They all spent some time looking at flights and finally settled on a Viva Colombia flight that leaves Rionegro at 7am on the 23^rd and returns at 7:40pm on the 29^th.  They aren’t sure how long it will take to get Laura’s birth certificate (plus Teresa deserves a little vacation).  Teresa’s share of the cost is 496,000 plus a 105,000 San Andres entrance fee.  Esmeralda put it on her credit card and I gave her cash.  (I also learned – supposedly a one way fare is exactly half the price of a round trip – or they are just mistaken.)  I understand Teresa is just going to take a large carryon bag.

We ordered 2 full chickens from Frisby for 105,000 pesos which we all shared for lunch.  Afterward I gave Alejandro a couple free chess lessons.

They left about 6:30.

For dinner I made (actually Teresa made, but the idea was mine) a meatloaf sandwich.  I found the “recipe” online – Teresa warmed a slice in a skillet and I toasted a couple slices of bread, added mustard, tomatoes and lettuce.  I was surprised how good it was.

By 9:30pm Teresa informed me she was all packed for her trip.  Lol.

T-shirt of the day: I didn’t do it.  But if I did I was drunk.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

As usual, while I was having a breakfast of French toast, Teresa had the program Dia a Dia (Day to Day) on TV.   Besides the usual hosts, there were 4 young men, and 4 young women sitting on tall stools.  The band off to the side starts playing some stripper like music and one of the girls gets off her stool and starts strutting across the floor, taking off her jacket and putting her shoulders back to accentuate her large chest.  I call Teresa to come look at this and she comes out of the kitchen and starts asking me “what? the jacket?  the dress?  what?”  I said, never mind.  It was only a few minutes later when the girl made another pass and Teresa points out to me her large chest.  “Really?  You only noticed it now?”  What a country!

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show and then left the apt.

I walked down to the Gana store where I added 50mil to Teresa’s cell phone.  I stopped at Exito to withdraw a little cash.  At the metro there was a girl working Herman’s orange juice stand.  I took the metro to the Stadium station, checked out a bicycle and rode to the airport.  On my way back I returned the bicycle to the Rosales station.

I finished reading Michael Connelly’s The Black Box: Harry Bosch #16 and downloaded Elizabeth Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History.

I took the Metro Plus to Avenida 80 where I quickly caught a bus for 2,100 pesos to Viva Laureles mall.  Just like old times I had the chicken teriyaki at Sarku’s.  I made a trip to the restroom and then looked for a tech bag like I bought here 3 years or so ago.  No go.  I went across the street to Mall Laureles and bought 6 packages of toilet paper for 200 pesos each in their restroom.  Across the street I caught a Circular Sur 303 bus.  At one stop a blind man got on that I had seen before and he passed out packages of gum for purchase.  I gave it back along with 2,000 pesos and informed him that there isn’t anyone sitting on the other side of the bus.  At Aguacatala station I took the metro to Envigado.  Still no Herman at the juice stand.  I walked over to Exito where I bought a replacement container of protein powder for 89mil.  I walked up to the bakery where I bought a blueberry muffin.  All the tables were taken at Bartolos so I went across the street to one of the outdoor café/bakeries where I ate my muffin with 2 cups of café con leche. 

I was back at the apt by 4:15.  MT was there visiting.  Teresa told me that Esmeralda is going to call tonight because she needs her son’s help.

T-shirt of the day: Mickey who?  Wishing he were Bugs Bunny.

Great Weather and World-Class Healthcare in Medellin - Medellin Living

Great Weather and World-Class Healthcare in Medellín

12/21/2017 07:13 am ET

 

By Nancy Kiernan: InternationalLiving.com

“On our first weekend in Medellín, we enjoyed an outdoor concert,” says expat Byron Edington. “The FilarMed youth orchestra performed Antoní­n Dvorak’s ninth symphony, my favorite piece of music. It was a wonderful bienvenido to Medellí­n.”

Outdoor concerts and other events are common in Medellín, high in Colombia’s Andes, due to the perfect year-round, spring-like temperatures. Daytime highs in the upper 70s F to low 80s F allow you to spend plenty of time outside enjoying the city. And with evening temperatures in the low to mid-60s F, you never need more than a light jacket to be comfortable.

INTERNATIONAL LIVING

Downtown Medellin, Colombia.

If you love theater, music, art, and dining, then Medellín (home to nearly 3 million people) is the place to be. This First-World city has more to do than you will have time for, and at prices far below what you would pay back in the U.S.

Medellí­n is a cosmopolitan city with a neighborhood feel. Because of the perfect year-round weather, Medellín is always in bloom. Bright exotic flowers (orange, red, purple, blue, fuchsia) stand out against the lush green trees. Coming from Massachusetts, I found it interesting that many plants I used as indoor house plants (like peace lilies) are used in Medellín as outdoor landscaping, due to the temperate climate.

I’ve been semi-retired in Medellín for five years now and love to spend my time attending events in some of the cultural venues around the city. The 1,600-seat Teatro Metropolitano is home to Medellín’s Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to performances of classical music, the theater hosts jazz musicians, dance companies, contemporary artists, and opera. Prices for best seats run about $40—a quarter of what you’d pay in New York. That means you can either save 75% on tickets or see four times as many performances for the same price.

INTERNATIONAL LIVING

El Poblado, Medellin, Colombia.

EAFIT University and the University of Medellín have large auditoriums on their campuses that are open to the public for music, concerts, and dance performances. The Museum of Antioquia devotes its entire top floor to the works of Medellí­n-born painter and sculptor Fernando Botero. Before you enter the museum, you can walk among dozens of his larger-than-life bronze sculptures in the plaza. Be sure to rub one of them for good luck.

Expat Larry Rose recommends walking around the city and taking in some of the free events. (I’d have to agree.) “On any day at the malls, you may see championship exhibitions of salsa or tango,” he says. “You can find concerts by dance bands of all types, choral performances and art shows, poetry competitions, book fairs and readings, even Bonsai exhibits.”

There is more to Medellín’s urban culture than just music and dance. Take the above-ground metro to the Universidad station, and you can enjoy the gorgeous botanical gardens, the planetarium, Parque Explora (science park), and the zoo, all within a few blocks of each other.

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“Music events are numerous in Medellín,” Byron says. “But they’re just one reason we love living here. Libraries, museums, world-class public transport, ideal weather, friendly and accepting people, lower cost of living, state-of-the-art healthcare—all make Medellí­n a great place to live.”

INTERNATIONAL LIVING

El Poblado, Medellin, Colombia.

Eight of Medellín’s hospitals rank among the top 43 in all Latin America, including one that is accredited by the JCI. I spent over 30 years working in the healthcare industry, so I know good healthcare when I see it. While foreigners are eligible to sign up for the public health insurance at very low premium costs, those who decide to “pay as you go” out of pocket still spend one-fifth or less of U.S. cost. A doctor’s visit will run you $35, while co-pays for things like x-rays and bloodwork cost just $4.

If you are a foodie at heart, then you will certainly be thrilled with the abundance and variety of restaurants. And to help encourage people to try new restaurants, the city holds Medellín gourmet month twice a year. Seventy-five restaurants offer fixed-price, three-course menus that range from $15 to $22 a person, including a glass of wine. Dine on authentic Italian food one night, Argentinian barbecue the next, and Mediterranean fare the night after that. None of these meals will empty your wallet. My favorite steak house, which combines excellent food, live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and a phenomenal view of the city lights, is Marmoleo. You can get a great meal for two, with a glass of wine and tip, for $35 a couple.

INTERNATIONAL LIVING

Cafe, El Poblado. Medellin, Colombia.

Retirees can live comfortably on $2,000 a month, especially if they own their own home. Many expats claim they are living at 50% to 60% less than they did back home. I save $6,000 a year on heating costs alone, thanks to the climate.

Furnished apartments are mostly found in the expat-centric El Poblado and Laureles/Estadio neighborhoods and are more expensive. A two-bedroom, 860-square-foot apartment in El Poblado averages $1,500 a month, while a similar one in Laureles is around $1,000 a month. The Facebook groups Medellin Expats and Doing Business and Living in Medellín are great resources if you’re looking for a rental in the city.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

I slept well last night despite getting up a couple times during the night.

Teresa left for the finca at 9:45.  I understand she’s going to check the work of the gardener and then pay him 260,000 pesos.

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show and then left for the gym.  I did all my exercises in an hour and a half.  On my way back to the apt I ran into Charles.  It sounded like he and Ron had a falling out and they aren’t staying in the same apt anymore.  Ron asked me if I like to fish as he has some spot he wants to try.  I told him I would let him know if I was interested.

After I returned I suggested Laura and I go for lunch.  She said yes but she wasn’t interested in Carbon de Leña, she would rather go down the hill to Deli Hoy.  Then she happened to ask when would be the next time I would be going to Parque Lleras and I said today.  I told her I have some errands to run and some gringos claim the best pizza in Medellin is at the La Graspo de Uva Italian restaurant by Parque Poblado.

We left the apt at 1:30 and took a bus to Parque Poblado and walked down the hill a block and a half to the restaurant.  We ordered a half Peperonata alla Parmiggiana and half Alla Salsiccia Italiana for 28,500.  (I took a photo of the menu, why didn’t I take a photo of the pizza?)  It had a nice thin crust, actually probably a little too thin making it difficult to pick up.  Both sides were tasty and we had no problem finishing the 8 slices.  (In Colombia if you ask how big a pizza is they answer not in inches but in how many slices it has.  I guess they don’t know a pizza can be cut as many times as they want.)  They have a nice brick oven which is probably why their pizzas come out so good.  I ordered a Coke and Laura a mango juice and with the tip it came to 43,700 (about $15).

Laura went back to the apt and I stopped at Envios Market where I picked up my mail – my January Chess Life magazine and a year-to-date statement for my Zurich pension.

I walked over to Calle 10 where I caught a bus (2,600 pesos, wow, the price went up) and got off 10 blocks later at Carrera 30.  I walked south about 4 blocks to Las Rosas Hotel Boutique.  My brother might stay there for a few days on his February visit and he had a few questions for me.  I found out the large room is suitable for 5 people and the smaller room goes for 180,000 a night which includes breakfast and use of their pool and whirlpool.

When I left I walked down Calle 8 looking for the restaurant Mu but didn’t see it.  I think I was off by a block, probably making it closer to the hotel than I thought.

I turned and happened to walk past the Flip Flop Sandwich Shop.  I was surprised they were still open; they must have very irregular hours.

When I got to Calle 10 I had to go to the restroom.  I walked back up the hill to Vizcaya mall.

I walked back to Avenida Poblado where I caught a bus back to the apt.

Teresa came back just before 8pm.  She told me that Esmeralda called San Andres and Teresa needs to go there to show Laura’s school records and Cedula and sign papers.  Esmeralda is going to go with her and will buy tickets tonight (the belief is they are less expensive after 11pm) and I will pay her back.  I told Teresa I could go with her but then 1) Laura would be alone in the apt 2) Esmeralda would have to get her own room (more money for her) 3) they are getting the simplest inexpensive room for 50mil and I probably wouldn’t be comfortable with that.  So, we decided that Teresa would go with Esmeralda and I would stay here and keep an eye on Laura.

T-shirt of the day: Tall.  Dark.  Handsome.  Smart.