Thursday July 26, 2012

Thursday July 26/12 update

Bella slipped out to weaving this morning while I was occupied uploading photos to my 3 sales sites.  She did not make it over to the cheap copy store to make copies of Rosa’s invoices, but we have 1.5 weeks to accomplish that.

I left early to catch the 2 buses necessary to get to San Joaquin for a 4pm dentist appointment.  I rode the #16 to the totems to walk the few blocks to the Feria Libre Mercado.  I admit I went the wrong direction and made my trek twice as long.  I passed this discotheque that is inside a jet’s shell and took a couple of shots.

Feria Libre is always busy and I am still blown away by the sheer volume of vegetables and fruits for sale there.  That, of course, is in addition to everything else, from live dogs and fish to television aerials.  At one large “booth” a Dad was swinging his older son in a hammock, just above the veggies.

I then caught the #19 almost immediately to the neighboring town of San Joaquin, arriving an hour early.  San Joaquin is a farming community, with almost every yard having a huge garden with an abundance of cabbages. 

I tried to help a little girl get her kit aloft but she wasn’t doing her part so we weren’t successful.  Then I tried to take a photo of the nice Coopera buildings, to which they are adding on, and the security guard said I couldn’t!  They are so paranoid at Coopera Credit Unions where you even have to remove all hats and sunglasses. 

I waited inside and said hello to Dr Pena while waiting.  I tried to nod off but the sounds and smells from the Dentist’s room were beginning to make me nauseous, then I was called in.  I had written out the minor tooth repairs I needed and had translated them into Spanish so the Dentist, Dr Cristina Sarango had no problem grasping this.  Now picture this,… we have adjoining doctor and dentist offices, run by these two women, and not any assistants!  This would be unheard of in Canada.  I had repairs done to 2 teeth and the bill was $4 under our Coopera health plan.  What does your Dentist look like?

I caught the #19 back and it takes a neat route, close to the river across from Joe’s Secret Garden, past Otorongo Square and up the hill to Calle Larga.  GringoTree had posted that there was to be an exhibition, starting tomorrow of huge metal hummingbirds decorated in different fashions at Otorongo, and indeed they were already set up.  I think that will be my excursion for tomorrow.

I then caught the #3 bus back to Monay Mall and walked down the hill.  I stopped at the Ferreteria where the nice young man speaks some English to ask for his assistance.  I told him I wanted a person, preferably a plumber, who could come and assist me in repairing a bottom leak from Bella’s toilet.  He said he knew of a

person who was well-known and respected in the area but didn’t have his phone number at hand.   I will stop by tomorrow and get it.

Bella had supper ready just as I arrived home, so all in all, the whole day went like clockwork.

I mentioned to Bella that I hadn’t heard or seen Tom Thumb for 2 days now and she agreed that she hadn’t heard him at all either.  She suggested that maybe they are migratory?   I hadn’t thought of that, so we sincerely hope that is the case for our dear little friend.

Our internet was down for several hours tonight.  I contacted our serviceman who lives across the street, Cristian, and he said they were having electrical problems at one of the towers and they expected to have it corrected within two hours, so we went down to watch a movie.

Part way through the movie I see someone walking infront of our window and a white SUV parked there.  Then our doorbell rings.  Well this is unusual!  I turn on the lights and open the door and see Jorge Beltran, his wife Martha, and son Matteo.  What a surprise!  We invite them in  and they are all smiles as they hand us an invitation to their daughter Gabriela’s graduation as a doctor on August 10^th!    I was all giddy about this until Bella reminds us all that she is leaving for Canada 5 days before.   Bummer!  I promised to be Gabriela’s date and we all had a good laugh.

That was today’s excitement.   Please see the day’s photos at souvenircuenca.blogspot.com.  Hugs to all.