Monday March 11, 2013

Monday March 11/13  update #389

My first chore of the day was to get a haircut.  Bella had found a real reasonable hairdresser just a few blocks away that gave haircuts for $1.50.  Luckily she was open today and I arrived just as she was finishing another client.  This lady is fast, like the $15 haircuts at home that take 10 minutes, and she is as good as Bella said she was.   But she doesn’t do manicures or pedicures….

Bella was doing her Monday grocery chores as I tried to catch a catnap because Pancho kept me awake all night.

I had an appointment to renew our house insurance which is decidedly different than in Canada.  I went in to see Cristina Alvarado at Seguralmeida on Roberto Crespo.  We did a quick review and decided to leave everything as is for another year.  Insurance is VERY different here than in Canada or the US.   They feel there is a larger burglary risk here so their rates are really quite high.  I keep pushing them to allow more discounts like they do in North America as an incentive to keep their good clients.  The homes are concrete or solid brick so fire isn’t much of an issue, but they easily allow earthquake or flood insurance, again very different.  I know we are underinsured, but at least we are insured for disaster and are probably the only insured home for many blocks, as Ecuadorians basically self-insure.

I was waiting for the #16 to return home and was surprised when it came from behind me so I was waving away, at the bus stop, and the buggar just drove on by.    Luckily the next one was only about 5 minutes behind him.   Welcome to Ecuador.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.    Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/