Souvenir Photo Studio, by Al Bourassa

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Wednesday March 11, 2026 Edmonton

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Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa

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Wednesday March 11, 2026

I survived the flights OK, but my carefully wrapped luggage with all my belongings, gifts, 2 cameras, a tripod, and my laptop got molested. It must have been Customs in Cali who ripped off my plastic film wrap and broke into the bag and moved things around. They damaged the zipper sliders in such a fashion that I could not open the bag to check until this morning. Then I had to break the zipper, rendering the luggage useless... To make a long story short, I have reported it to the AC counter in the Edmonton Airport, and just finished filing a Damage Claim online as instructed, having just ordered a suitable replacement bag.

Even though I have had little sleep in the last 36 hours, I was up early, checking the bag and, as far as I can tell, nothing was taken, surprisingly... And, there were no notes from Customs about any inspection....

Around noon, Bernie helped replace my battery in the Regal and it started up nicely with no problem.

That allowed me to slip up to the bank for some cash, and then over to the Registry to renew my car Registration.

Next it was a little grocery shopping because the cupboards are bare.

I got the IPTV working again here since Cristina was not interested in keeping it down there...

Then I slipped over for a quick visit with my friend Bob who is in Hospice at the old Edmonton General Hospital, 2 blocks from me. He realizes that he will not be going back to his apartment. He has developed a respiratory problem which makes it hard for him to talk above a whisper which is mostly understandable. His family has been to see him.

I hardly recognized him with hair on his head and face, and he has lost so much weight! I promised to return tomorrow with the laptop so he can write down his wishes for his apartment and his scooter....

Don called me that he had a yen to go for Wings, so I joined him.

Now I really need to get some shut-eye........

I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.

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If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

Monday, March 9, 2026

Monday March 9, 2026 Almost..

PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.

Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa

******

Monday March 9, 2026

I finally reached vet John to confirm that we will leave Andalucia around 2am. The Avianca website says to be at the gate by 4am for the domestic leg to Bogota, so we should be good for time.

There was no email from Avianca or Air Canada about check-in, so I went to the AC website and they said the check-in would have to be done with Avianca.......... And, that went much easier than anticipated.

I am now checked in on all 3 flights and just need to drop off my luggage and go through security. Like the trip down here, I will only have my fanny pack to roam the airports. I was a bit shocked to remember that I will have a 5-hour layover in Montreal before catching a 5-hour flight to Edmonton, arriving just before midnight. I think I really need a good book.....

Cristina and I went shopping for last-minute items and for a nice lunch.

With the lake in the backyard, I should not have been surprised to see several dragonflies cruising for mosquitoes. Catching them in flight is almost impossible, but one kindly landed nearby for a photo-op. I kept these 4 pics out of 76...

We have a few items of construction and housekeeping to attend to before finalizing the packing, wrapping the suitcase in plastic wrap, and showering for the long travel day.

So glad we are not flying anywhere near the Middle east or even the USA.

The boredom of a long air voyage is not something I look forward to.

Hugs to everyone....

I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.

******

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

This the best I caught in flight...

This one posed for a bit.

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Sunday March 8, 2026 Prep Slowly

PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.

Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa

******

Sunday March 8, 2026

We awoke to a huge thunderstorm and a torrent of rain. For some reason, hopefully simply electrical wiring, the sump pump quit working.... So we again have lakefront property and have to keep the dogs on the patio and in the house, or else we are cleaning up mud all day long... The dogs are being really good and I walked 3 of them before rain re-started this afternoon.

I am slowly positioning things I brought to Colombia to be ready for the return. A couple of minor things are staying so I should have no worries about luggage weight.

Cristina surprisingly went out to vote today. Who, or what, they are voting for, I haven't a clue.... To me, ALL the politicians in Latin America only want to be in politics to line their own pockets. I have yet to be proven wrong...

I am watching some of the World Baseball Classic, some of the curling finals, Special Olympics, and more hockey.... Our Oilers play again tonight, but I have just about given up on them, they are playing so far below their capabilities it is totally frustrating.... I had better-trained PeeWee teams...!!!

Carlos & Franci invited us out for coffees, or whatever this afternoon but that is being delayed by the rain to maybe 7pm....

So, since I have to be packed up basically by midnight tomorrow, this will likely be my last Blog until I am back, and operating, in Edmonton.

There is so much to do on my return, so don't expect anything soon....

I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.

******

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

The birds are on dry ground

But we have lakefront again....