Post date: Nov 2, 2013 1:16:13 AM
1 November 2013
Not a lot to report today. Driver picked us up at the hotel across from the airport and we arrived in Granda about noon. I paid our first month’s rent, and Elizabeth took us, our driver, and our six bags over to the house.
She apologized that someone was working on the water. I found later that the brother of the owner of GPS (who rents and maintains houses in Granda) was replacing the bladder in the water system pressure tank. Up under the roof. In a cramped cubby-hole with two tanks, and pump, and the pressure tank. Nice guy. Took him most of the day.
Of course I forgot all about lunch, with moving in to a house and all. About 2:30 my stomach began to protest. Neither Carol nor I had taken a siesta and barely sat down all day, but we walked over to Hotel Darío for a hamburger (Jim), a Caesar salad with chicken fajitas (Carol) and mango smoothies for each. Good.
By the time we were finished it was time to go to Granada Meet and Greet, but Carol’s feet were hurting something terrible and we couldn’t find a taxi. So we went back to the house. I was not certain of the location (Nicaragua does not use house numbers, but Granada at least uses street names) so walked in the general direction.
Actually I was confused because one direction said Calle La Libertad and the other said ‘opposite TelePizza’, which is on the next street, Calle El Arsenal. So I stopped and asked. Or, rather, I paused to ask when a young man stepped forward and offered to help. I took him up - before I smelled the beer - but he spoke perfect English and knew the way.
Unfortunately (but as I suspected) he wanted money for his gesture. Considerably more money than I was willing to pay. He asked for US$20, which is absurd, since I could get a taxi for under a dollar.
We entered the room at Alianza Frances (a french language school) where about 30 people had gathered (I was considerably late). He wanted more money, but was reasonably quiet about it. Nevertheless it caused a disturbance. Finally I said ‘Adios’ rather firmly and gestured to the door. He left. Sigh.
I was late arriving, of course. The early-arrivers were seated in a circle with name tags. The hostess was explaining upcoming events, for which new businesses could participate and get some exposure. The passed out soft drinks and tarts! There was some interesting art to see on the walls. A dance instructor gave a Michael Jackson impression.