Pete E - 72 hrs in Cali and????

[QuitoMan]

....... too busy to break away for a moment? Being savaged by a possee of Caleñas? What gives?

[Pete E]

... in response to Pete E - 72 hrs in Cali and?, posted by QuitoMan on Dec 9, 2003

I got to Cali Sunday night.The plane landed at 8.20,got out of the airport at 10.00.
I bought a new "Shuttle " computer,small box desk top about 7"x7"x12",and a flat panel monitor.I hooked it up in my hotel room and nothing.After messing with it awhile I discovered it does not have a modem installed.I thought it had all the bells and whistles but I guess alot of hook ups don't require modems anymore so you don't automatically get one.Its kind of like my ex wife,cute as hell but doesn't function as intended.I may be at the hotel for awhile so I guess I need to buy a modem,or do what I'm doing,post from Matrix at Chipi Chapi.I think I will see if I can find one.If they have an external modem that would be easier.I wouldn't want to have to have someone work on it or keep it.
Its been a quick almost 3 days.I've been trying to look at apartments,so far nothing I want but we get to see a couple that sound interesting tommorow.One is furnished,one not.The furnished places have been disapointing so far,they want much more money,kind of like a semi hotel.I am going to check out furniture tommorow,I was thinking it would cost$2500 minimum for a 3 bedroom place but Cali Vet says I can do better than that and told me where to go,I'll check it out tommorow.
Speaking of Cali Vet,I went over to his place last night.He had sent me pictures before and he was just like I thought he would be.His wife is cute and nice also.He has given me lots of tips on things.I went to DAS (Colombian Immigration)
with him today.He is getting a Cedula,like a resident card,whichb he says I need also.I got my retirement Visa fron the Colombian Consulate in San Francisco,but they didn't tell me I also need the Cedula,plus you have to Go to Bogota every year to renew your visa.If he didn't tell me I would have had no idea.so we went to DAS,they managed to  find something to send him home for,but I got my application and know where to go.Cali Vet speaks good spanish,I need a translater for that place,he offered to lok over my papers and go back with him.He also took me to look at an apartment today,but it was rented this morning.One of the ones we will see tommorow he put us on.
We is me and Diana,al that works for my friend Howard and he has her helping me.Very nice girl.she speaks pretty good english but sometimes doesn't understand.She called Howard to have himtranslate what I was saying.I did by a language translater today ,that sholud help.
My spanish is worse than I thought.I can get across alot of words although I don't put them together right or miss pronounce them.Cali vet put me on to a lady that teaches spanish.I need it and I'm not good on self study so I will hire her.
I got a little discouraged with the spanish lasdt night.I thought damn,I have to go through this again.I paid for english cñlasses for almost 4 years and now I'm back ton square one.I guess thats an advantage if I learn spanish.
I can take the skills needed to communicate with me instead of losing them with her,since it was her skill.I'm lazy,I admit it.I hope its not true what they say about old dogs or I'm in trouble.
I'm staying at the Travelers suites a few blocks off avenida sexta.Its pretty nice.A 1 bedroom 2 bath suite.
About $1.50 and 5 miniutes to Chipi Chapi.Its $55 a night,but the price goes down if you stay longer.Its $650 for 15 days or $1000 for 30 days.Tonight will be night 4 so
for $780 I can stay 26 more days,like $30 a day from here.Or for $430 I can stay 11 more days,or less than $40.
It looks like it could take awhile to find a place.The prices are all over so it takes looking to get the kind of deals you hear about.
I guess I better start doing something other than looking at apartments.
But,the weather is great,people are nice,I'm starting to relax.I was a little stressed the other day and then I thought hold it,I've got all the time in the world.
I will try to post more often,and check my mail.particularly if I get the computer fixed.Nothing  else I'm willing to expound on
right now.I need to mail some people,don't have time to even read whats going on here.You guys that are coming in,mail mewhen you get your numbers.reminds me one I forgot to call.

Pete in Cali

[Miguel]

... in response to Just got to a working computer, posted by Pete E on Dec 10, 2003

[This message has been edited by Miguel]

It would be interesting if you kept us abreast of your progress in improving your Spanish.  The extranjeros here in the U.S. that speak fluent English often had to learn it to survive.  They moved here without their families, settled in communities or worked in environments without their fellow paisanos, and so were speaking good English quickly.  Sounds like you're in a similar situation, and I bet your Spanish is going to improve quickly.

[Cali James]

... in response to Just got to a working computer, posted by Pete E on Dec 10, 2003

Hey Pete,

Glad things are going reasonably well.  Sorry to hear you're not having much luck on the apartment front, I suspect the holiday season and La Feria have something to do with the lack of availability.  I kind of recall that it took Leyda a couple of weeks to find me something at this time last year and prices were a bit higher also.  Anyway, I still think you can find a furnished apartment, check El Pais on Sunday's and try a couple of real estate offices also.

Regarding your modem, you can get an external one at "La Pasarella" (sp) where there's probably 15 computer stores selling pretty much anything having to do with PCs.  It's a mall on Calle 23 (Av. Estacion) and Avenida 5a more or less.  If you say 'La Pasarella' your taxi driver will know where to take you.  It's about 3/4 the way towards Chipi from Traveller's Suites.

Anyway, I'll give you a call one night soon.

C. jAMES

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Just got to a working computer, posted by Cali James on Dec 10, 2003

Thanks James,
Sorry I kind of ignored you guys packing the other night.I'm such a procrastinator.Lucky I made my plane,but the line moved fast.I had to take 3 bags,no 3 cost $100 extra.And those I could hardly close.Customs didn't open a bag.
Tell me about the phone the US thing.If you mailed me I didn't se it.
I may have to stay at travelers for a month.Thats OK,its nice and the price is good from here.

Pete

[Fuzzyone]

... in response to Re: Re: Just got to a working computer, posted by Pete E on Dec 10, 2003

I am glad to see you are landing on your feet and hope that everything
works great for you down there. You sure deserve it for all you went
thru....