Monday February 27, 2023 Prepared

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Monday February 27, 2023

I walked the dogs yesterday and today and also hope to have a farewell walk tomorrow too.  I should be able to manage that and still be ready to leave at 7:30am if I don't do internet chores. 

Because I am a Type-A personality, but improving.... I have been working yesterday and today on packing, weighing and making the hard choices.  I must have mis-weighed the black suitcase with the computer tower initially, because I removed some heavy items (some unused, brand new) and it became overly light so I was able to add some back, like the Echo Dot (Alexa).  As I finished today, I should have a kg leeway on both, after dumping some clothes and adding my Tim Horton's mug, which I almost forgot.....

Then I took videos of everything in the suitcases and backpack in case Ineed to makea baggage claim...  The insurance is only $1200 USD so ....

Once I was satisfied, I zip-tied the zipper clasps and had Cristina help me wrap the suitcases in plastic.  Because of the values involved, and these 2 suitcases comprise my "Start-over" kit and kaboodle, I hope they will arrive in Bogota, Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton intact and untouched.  Some airports have kiosks for the wrapping, so it is acceptable.  THey can still x-ray the luggage for guns and drugs, etc and open if they feel it is necessary.  Because of all the work involved, I do not intend to open them at all during my week in Ontario, making do with my change of clothes in the backpack.

Ready to go

 

I am finding delayed peace with my decision as the usual BS swirls around me.  Now Cristina is on the outs with bossy Adiela again so the world turns and turns.

Time to do the Check-Mig to allow me to leave Colombia in peace.

I thank everybody from around the world that are sending me good wishes on my journey.  Hugs.  Love you all.  Please don't expect a Blog for a couple of days...

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

Al

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© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission. 

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.

Start

 

 

 

Fin

 

Saturday February 25, 2023 Wolf

PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.

Older Blogs:  https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/ and https://cuencaresidency.blogspot.com/

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

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Saturday February 25, 2023

We lost out IPTV again supposedly to a general outage last night and it still has not returned.  So I am missing the curling finals and the hockey....  I am stuck with NetFlix and YouTube... Oh joy....

We managed to cancel NetFlix as of March 2 when my next payment is due...  Perfect...

Because time is running out, I was awake at 3am with the mind rolling, and we walked at 3:45am under a dark sky, no pigs in sight, and only could make out 2 calves, and we skipped going by the horses.  We came home and I tried to sleep again, to no avail, so I was up at 5am to get garbage patrol done (forgot last night) and to do chores.

I am slowly getting some things properly prepared to go in the suitcase.  I am taking some photos of things with prices, like the camera, etc.  The baggage insurance is only $1200 so that wouldn't even cover the Nikon with the main lens... which will come with me in the backpack, along with the Lumix, and laptop, etc.  I am so scared that what will be in the suitcase will be too attractive to pass up to the crooks in baggage-handling.. and proof will be required to make a claim.

My laptop was acting up unusually and I suspected a mouse problem so I tried the wireless one from my TV and that cleared the problem.  So I walked up the street and bought a new one for the TV for $6 USD...  I hope the laptop will let me do the ArriveCan online documents 72 hours prior to landing, and also the Colombian CheckMig health declaration 24 hours before leaving (from Bogota??) and online check-in 24 hours before leaving Cali.

So I am hoping to have almost everything ready to pack tomorrow, with final packing for weight with Roger's help Monday night....

Wolf had invited me for lunch yesterday at Berthold's but I begged off until today.  I took a "pirata" taxi to the main corner and walked 2 blocks.  Next to Berthold's is a fancy Motel.  The sign is below.  And, like most "motels" here, they cater to the sex trade.  I am sure you will easily figure out the Spanish 1 second to 3 hour rates... at 5,000 pesos to the dollar....  Gotta like the handcuffs... lol.

Again, there were several German friends gathered at Berthold's along with the Italian owner of Gianni's Pizza 2 blocks from our house.  He promised that he could make a meat-lovers one for me but they only open at 4pm, Thursday to Sunday and I have a lot of salad to eat...  Boo Hoo.  I had one beer and almost nodded off in front of everyone...  I swear that the sun did not move from directly above me for 2 hours!  I was beginning to melt...

So, after a sausage lunch again, I jumped on the back of Wolf's bike and we went to his place for a coffee and cake.  We had fun with his parrot, Martina, who loves to get out and playfully peck at him everywhere.  And she loves to respond to talk or whistles...  It was a very warm day, even up there in the shade with a nice breeze.

Wolf drove me home on his bike so that was my final bike ride in South America, which makes me kinda sad.  Maybe Wolf will come and visit in Canada with Fabiola...  I suggested September for reasonable weather... and cheaper flights.

My daughter sent me a video of my digs for the coming while and it is better than anyone could expect.  I am excited about that but a little sad to give up what we had here in Colombia.  I am looking forward to being happy again, and not angry all the time, but I would be lying if I said that I am happy to leave my wife and the dogs.  I am going to miss them all, ....a lot...

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

Al

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© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission. 

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.

Love these big trees

Parasite plants (aloe??) on some trees

Another big shade tree

Around $10 USD for most....

Love this plant at Berthold's

Pretty ladies, all Colombiana spouses I think

Group pic

2

3

An envious view from Wolf's balcony

Martina comes out to play

Kisses, kisses

A very smart bird!

Martina loves to play

A nice pet!

My last bike ride in South America..