Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving Day
Jayne and I cleaned up the house as it was dusty with the workers here. Then Jayne started making the dishes for today.
Richard came over at noon. He brought a ham, mashed potatoes, and banana bread. I didn’t eat the ham but I had the other food, which was very good. He’s a good cook.
Jayne cooked broccoli and made three salads. I had also bought desert, but since we had what Richard brought we didn’t eat the carrot and orange cake.
A couple of hours later we went to the mall to see the latest James Bond film starring Daniel Craig.
We were told that there is a special to see this film. For only $1 more we got the VIP Lounge. It was very nice. The lobby of this lounge looks like a theater from the mid 18th Century. On our balcony there were 10 lazy-boy chairs. The waiter comes and asks what you want to eat/drink and brings it to you. This is served on a table next to your seat. (Each pair of arm-chairs is separated.) Richard said on weekends the cost for the VIP Lounge is twice the entrance price. What we paid today was only $6.
After the film we went to a store that sells Christmas decorations. Richard was looking for lights that are the size of a grain of rice. I found it and it was exactly what he wanted.
Then went to a great coffee shop right across from the store. I treated everyone to cappuccino with cream.
Richard dropped us home around 7pm.
I called my Mother about 11am and had nice talk with her, though we didn’t speak long.
When we got back from the mall I called at Carol’s house. This was after they ate. I talked to Sharon and so did Jayne. Carol was busying washing the dishes and Alan was in the bathroom. There were only four people there. The fourth person was Steve’s girlfriend. He couldn’t make it as he is in Afghanistan on a “mission.”
Sharon told me that our sister, Heather, is expecting another baby in June or July. This will be her fourth. They have two boys now.
Jayne and I went to bed early.
So ends a nice Thanksgiving Day.
Visted Mathieu and Amparo
Wednesday November 26
I did some food shopping for Thanksgiving Day.
I did some food shopping for Thanksgiving Day.
Richard called to say that he’ll be here about noon. He said that he would bring ham, mashed potatoes and corn bread. (This is a Southern dish wish I had many times.) I bought fish today so I can have that while they have meat.
We left when the worker left and I offered him to ride with us in a taxi. We got at Matt’s home right at 6pm. It was good to see him, his son, Francois, his wife, Amparo and their two other children.
A friend of Matt’s – Mike – was there. He lives in Florida but a condo in Quito.
We gave the gifts that we bought for the whole family.
Then we went to the balcony to have our wine and cheese.
Then Mike had to leave to pick up his wife from the airport – who flew in from Miami. Then they came back and joined us on the balcony. We had a very nice conversation.
Mike and Eva know Richard, whom they will meet on Friday in Otabilo. The reason why that Richard is not with them on Thanksgiving Day is because they will be at Matt’s home. Mike and Eva stayed at Matt’s home tonight.
Jayne and I left Matt and Amparo’s house about 11.30pm by taxi. By the time we got to bed was about 1am.
Every step of the way a problem in Ecuador!
I had to go to the city to meet Judith about taking care of my banking. The purpose of the visit was to re-activate my account. Keep in mind it was inactive for just over 6 months – not a long time.
When we talk to the woman at the desk we showed her that I had the copies that the other girl said was needed, which was a color copy (front and back) or my two IDs and the latest bill (either electric or phone).
We’ll, from this other girl we were told that this isn’t enough!!??
She said that I need a color copy of my passport, three letters of recommendation from friends, copy of the ownership papers of the house, and to fill out an application. This is in addition what I already brought. In short, I need everything that is required to open an account!
Hey, why not the kitchen sink!!
Judith did a good job in arguing – though it was in a nice way and without a raised voice. She said that the other girl said we just need what we brought. Then the girl that was waiting on us told the other girl who originally talked to us. She said she didn’t know.
Judith told the clerk that her bank (Pichincha Bank) doesn’t require this and the girl responded and said this is not Pichincha Bank and that this is our bank policy. I said to Judith that this is a shit bank. I also told her, “That’s why many people don’t like Ecuador.”
I was about ready to say that I want to see a manager when the clerk said that she’ll see what she can do and said that an application should be filled out (one you use to open an account) then it could be re-activated. There were only three sections that she wanted me to fill out. When this was done we were told that I could get my money from the cashier.
Then I went to the cashier and said I wanted 1,000 Euros. He said that they don’t have any Euros now. I would have to call a number and ask when they will have them in.
Can you imagine a bank that doesn’t even have 1,000 Euros in the vault!?
I wanted to get Euros out and change them at an exchange office so I can get a better rate.
So I said I would like to take out 300 Euros and convert them to dollars. This, he was able to do. The rate was $1.19 to 1 Euro. At least the rate is better than the last time which was $1.14. I need the money to pay the workers and for our expense.
I told Judith to call the phone number on Thursday and see if they will have the money on Friday.
Then we went to the main office of the phone company.
Earlier Judith told me that she called the Internet company that does have service where I live and they told her that my phone line is bad. (She must have given them my phone number and they checked from their office.) If I get another line put in, or should I say, replaced, then they will give me the service.
I wanted to cancel the Internet I have with the phone company as I can’t get any service. Even if I could the speed is very slow. So, we’ll also see about getting the phone in my own name.
When we went to the phone company’s office, we were told that I have to write a letter telling them I want to cancel and to provide a copy of my ID. Judith wrote a letter in Spanish and I signed it and we got a copy of my ID. Then we had to go back to turn this in.
I was told that the service will not be cancelled until Dec. 12 and that I will have to pay $15 in Jan. for them to do this. This is poor service!
Judith was told that she has to go to another office for me to get the work done about putting in a new line. I asked her to ask them what documents I need and how much this will cost.
I hope I don’t have any problems changing the phone line as it’s common in Ecuador that homes are sold with the previous owner still having the phone and electric in their names. And the new owners go on paying the bills.
A strange system here!
When we talk to the woman at the desk we showed her that I had the copies that the other girl said was needed, which was a color copy (front and back) or my two IDs and the latest bill (either electric or phone).
We’ll, from this other girl we were told that this isn’t enough!!??
She said that I need a color copy of my passport, three letters of recommendation from friends, copy of the ownership papers of the house, and to fill out an application. This is in addition what I already brought. In short, I need everything that is required to open an account!
Hey, why not the kitchen sink!!
Judith did a good job in arguing – though it was in a nice way and without a raised voice. She said that the other girl said we just need what we brought. Then the girl that was waiting on us told the other girl who originally talked to us. She said she didn’t know.
Judith told the clerk that her bank (Pichincha Bank) doesn’t require this and the girl responded and said this is not Pichincha Bank and that this is our bank policy. I said to Judith that this is a shit bank. I also told her, “That’s why many people don’t like Ecuador.”
I was about ready to say that I want to see a manager when the clerk said that she’ll see what she can do and said that an application should be filled out (one you use to open an account) then it could be re-activated. There were only three sections that she wanted me to fill out. When this was done we were told that I could get my money from the cashier.
Then I went to the cashier and said I wanted 1,000 Euros. He said that they don’t have any Euros now. I would have to call a number and ask when they will have them in.
Can you imagine a bank that doesn’t even have 1,000 Euros in the vault!?
I wanted to get Euros out and change them at an exchange office so I can get a better rate.
So I said I would like to take out 300 Euros and convert them to dollars. This, he was able to do. The rate was $1.19 to 1 Euro. At least the rate is better than the last time which was $1.14. I need the money to pay the workers and for our expense.
I told Judith to call the phone number on Thursday and see if they will have the money on Friday.
Then we went to the main office of the phone company.
Earlier Judith told me that she called the Internet company that does have service where I live and they told her that my phone line is bad. (She must have given them my phone number and they checked from their office.) If I get another line put in, or should I say, replaced, then they will give me the service.
I wanted to cancel the Internet I have with the phone company as I can’t get any service. Even if I could the speed is very slow. So, we’ll also see about getting the phone in my own name.
When we went to the phone company’s office, we were told that I have to write a letter telling them I want to cancel and to provide a copy of my ID. Judith wrote a letter in Spanish and I signed it and we got a copy of my ID. Then we had to go back to turn this in.
I was told that the service will not be cancelled until Dec. 12 and that I will have to pay $15 in Jan. for them to do this. This is poor service!
Judith was told that she has to go to another office for me to get the work done about putting in a new line. I asked her to ask them what documents I need and how much this will cost.
I hope I don’t have any problems changing the phone line as it’s common in Ecuador that homes are sold with the previous owner still having the phone and electric in their names. And the new owners go on paying the bills.
A strange system here!
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