Souvenir Photo Studio, by Al Bourassa: Friday April 30, 2021 Flood

SUBSCRIBING ON THE RIGHT stops in July ?? >>>>>>>>>>

To be safe, PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.

Please see more of my artworks for sale at my websites: http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/ or http://saccc05.tripod.com/

******

Friday April 30, 2021

Yesterday the dog walk was cut shorter because of steady drizzle. It is not good to get caught outside when it decides to pour.

I did some changes with my investment counsellor in Canada and transferred some money here because the exchange rate is the most favourable in many months.

Aram decided that he needs to fly to Bogota from Armenia on Monday and wants me to drive him, about 1hour 10 minutes each way, 4 tolls and a tiny airport. They have to wait to buy a ticket because people on the road are still affected by strikers and guerillas on the road... I thought that foolishness was over by now.

So I spent all Thursday afternoon working on photos again. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have the photography here.

My car insurer wants some kind of information and security update but their system keeps kicking me out. I don't really care. It's their problem.

Thursday night we had a super heavy downpour. When I finished watching my movies (Maltese Falcon and The General) I realized how bad it was as we had leaks through the ceilings in 4 places, including the edge of the big bed. The lavanderia had 1" of standing water that we had to shoot outside onto the patio. We moved the bed and put pails to catch the major drips. The rest could wait until morning. So, instead of counting sheep, I counted drops, 12 into one bucket, then 1 in the other, like precision. I might have to try that again as I did fall asleep quickly.

Today was drizzling again so the dogs only got a short walk again. I then walked to the Gym only to find it closed which was odd, it is not a holiday. Later, Alejandro responded to my query saying that it is because of the new lockdown, which he figured I should know.... Not.

I grabbed the mop and soaked up all the water in the living room, hall, lavanderia and bedroom. We get leaks at different places depending on the direction of the rain. Claudia is going to refer us to a roof tile specialist to inspect and rearrange the tiles once they dry. Apparently this can't be done when they are wet (and softer?)..

The lake is as big as ever in the backyard so I am again putting up lakefront property for sale, lol. The birds and the dogs are liking the new addition. Judging by the amount of water in the birdbath tubs, we got more than 6" of rain last night.

Then, as usual, after a heavy rain, the water is shut off because the dirty swollen river overwhelms the water treatment plant. Grrrrr Thank God for our emergency tank, again.........

For lunch I cooked up 1/2 a package of Cheddar Smoked Sausages that I bought at PriceSmart. They can be cooked a multitude of ways, microwave, broiler, fried, but the best is still over an open fire... Some day.... I used the microwave and we all had a nice feast,... better than any local sausage by far.

Aram asked that I check online for flights Monday from Armenia to Bogota. I gave him 2 sites to check but naturally they did their own thing again. They found some obscure EasyFly airline that isn't even on the radar of any of the travel search engines which only show one Avianca flight. They reserved a ticket, unpaid, until they could be sure via friends that the roads would be clear. A fireman friend of Liliana's brother was making the same trip this morning so they awaited his findings, then they called me. They needed to buy the ticket, at 1/2 the price that Avianca wanted for a Monday one-way flight (he can't be sure when he can come back). So they came over by 2:30 because this ticket had to be paid for before 3pm... After much trial and tribulation, I got into the EasyFly site, used their reservation code, and finally managed to get to the payment area. Their Credit card is maxed out so we tried their Bancolombia Debit card, same as we have, but those stupid things do not have the 3-digit security code, so they are rejected... So, very grudgingly, Al to the rescue once more, hoping my newly acquired CIBC credit card was indeed activated, and would work... it was our last hope... Relief to all when it did go through.. We printed the eTicket and they paid me in cash. So I guess I am making a trip Monday morning 9am...

Aram says he is coming back for a movie tonight.

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.