Thursday July 16
We went out and had a bit to eat. Then we went to the hairdresser where I got a haircut which cost 9 euros. The girl did a good job.
When we went to another place to get something to drink, Carol called to say she can pick Jayne up. Jayne had to see about the electric and why they charged so much. I stayed home when she went with Carol. When Jayne got back she said that the man was very nice and had things checkout for her.
Friday July 17
We went to the bank so Jayne could do some banking. I also changed two 100 euro notes to see if I would get the same problem as I did in England. There was no problem – thank God. I gave it to one teller and asked for 20s. Since she didn’t have any, she gave the bills to another teller. Then he gave me the 20s. Neither one of them took a careful look at it nor did they put in under some light. So, at least they take their own currency.
Then we ate at the restaurant that has internet. I brought my power cord and was able to plug it in there. There is only one outside connection, and I’m glad that we were able to sit which gave me more time on the net.
Saturday July 18
We went out to the store to buy a newspaper and have something to eat. I also bought a Russian newspaper so I don't lose more of the Russian I already have.
Sunday July 19
We did our regular routine – buying a newspaper (Daily Mail) and getting a snack at a restaurant.
Carol called to say that she will buy tickets to the ballet online. She likes the ballet but I don’t. Jayne said she will pay for her ticket, too. She said this because Carol’s help the other day without her charging for her time. The ballet will be tomorrow evening at 10pm – that’s if tickets are still available.
Monday, July 20, 2009
At the Beach with Carol
Sunday July 12
About 9.30am the cell phone rang. I answered it and it was Carol. She asked if we were going to the beach and I said yes. (I had invited her to meet when she was here last Sunday and go to the beach.)
Jayne and I planned to go to the Sunday market, and get the bus at 8am, but because we were up late last night watching a movie, we got up late this morning.
We met Carol on the beach. We got to the beach at about 11.30am and I thought that was late, but it was even later that a lot more people came to the beach. I see that the beach is only crowded on weekends. So, it’s an indication of a poor economy as most Spaniards come here by car on weekends.
We left about 2pm and went back to the apartment to shower. Then we went out to eat lunch. We treated Carol to lunch.
Carol drove us back and she went home.
In the evening, we watched a movie. Bill had a lot of VHS movies here that we are watching. Before we came down here, Steve said that the DVD doesn’t work, but at least the VHS works and that there are movies here.
About 9.30am the cell phone rang. I answered it and it was Carol. She asked if we were going to the beach and I said yes. (I had invited her to meet when she was here last Sunday and go to the beach.)
Jayne and I planned to go to the Sunday market, and get the bus at 8am, but because we were up late last night watching a movie, we got up late this morning.
We met Carol on the beach. We got to the beach at about 11.30am and I thought that was late, but it was even later that a lot more people came to the beach. I see that the beach is only crowded on weekends. So, it’s an indication of a poor economy as most Spaniards come here by car on weekends.
We left about 2pm and went back to the apartment to shower. Then we went out to eat lunch. We treated Carol to lunch.
Carol drove us back and she went home.
In the evening, we watched a movie. Bill had a lot of VHS movies here that we are watching. Before we came down here, Steve said that the DVD doesn’t work, but at least the VHS works and that there are movies here.
Met a Russian
Saturday July 11
We just went to the cafe today. The one that we stopped at, Amsterdam, I saw a girl working there that looks like Russian. I asked her if she was Russian, and she said yes. Then I started talking to her in Russian and she was surprised. So, we had a little talk. It’s good to speak Russian again.
When I went back to pay, I asked the girl if she worked here a long time and she said she’d been in Spain for seven years. I told her that I remember her from two years ago. She was pleased that I remembered her. Jayne was glad that I was able to speak some Russian.
The rest of the day we were at home.
We just went to the cafe today. The one that we stopped at, Amsterdam, I saw a girl working there that looks like Russian. I asked her if she was Russian, and she said yes. Then I started talking to her in Russian and she was surprised. So, we had a little talk. It’s good to speak Russian again.
When I went back to pay, I asked the girl if she worked here a long time and she said she’d been in Spain for seven years. I told her that I remember her from two years ago. She was pleased that I remembered her. Jayne was glad that I was able to speak some Russian.
The rest of the day we were at home.
Trip to Cartagena
Friday July 10
Jayne and I went to Cartagena. We left about 9am. When we got to the bus stop we saw that we still had some time, so we went to La Costa cafe to have coffee. This is the stop and the cafe we often went to when we visited Jayne’s father in Santa Maria del Rossell Hospital.
The bus ride was 5.20 euros for both of us. It was a direct bus and it took us about 35 minutes. Taking the one that goes through the towns would take about another 30 minutes.
We saw the tour bus of the city (which picks up people across the street from the police station). The ride cost 8 euros for two people. The driver gave us earphone so we can listen to the recording. They have it in different languages. The bus was a red-double decker bus with the top being without a roof. Jayne and I sad on the top deck and we were the only ones on it for the first part of the trip.
I took some pictures, of course. The city is not pretty, as the building are not nicely done. There are the scattered nice building and the sidewalks are very nice as they are all done in tile (as is the area in which we live).
The ride took only 45 minutes
Then we walked to some of the places that we saw on the bus. We stopped in one cafe to have a bite to eat. Across the street from the cafe is a beautiful church that was built in 1890. I took some pictures inside.
Then we walked down a narrow street that had shops on both sides. While walking, Jayne did a lot of looking in the shops. But it was only one shop that she bought something.
We went to the supermarket, which is right next to the hospital that Bill was in. We had lunch there, too. Jayne paid for the nice lunch we had. Then we took a walk to the internet cafe there. I’m glad they are still in business and their interest was fast. We spent about two hours there.
Then we walked back to the bus station and bought a ticket there. He had some time to wait, so we got something to drink in the cafe there. I saw that they divided it up from the last time I was there. One half of it is a game room that includes internet. I saw that their computers were coin operated, which I find them expensive. At the internet cafe we were just in the cost is not cheap but it’s cheaper than the hotel we were in the other day. I paid for both of us with a total of 4 hours that came out to 10 euros. So that is 2.50 euros per hour.
We got home about 6.45pm.
Jayne and I went to Cartagena. We left about 9am. When we got to the bus stop we saw that we still had some time, so we went to La Costa cafe to have coffee. This is the stop and the cafe we often went to when we visited Jayne’s father in Santa Maria del Rossell Hospital.
The bus ride was 5.20 euros for both of us. It was a direct bus and it took us about 35 minutes. Taking the one that goes through the towns would take about another 30 minutes.
We saw the tour bus of the city (which picks up people across the street from the police station). The ride cost 8 euros for two people. The driver gave us earphone so we can listen to the recording. They have it in different languages. The bus was a red-double decker bus with the top being without a roof. Jayne and I sad on the top deck and we were the only ones on it for the first part of the trip.
I took some pictures, of course. The city is not pretty, as the building are not nicely done. There are the scattered nice building and the sidewalks are very nice as they are all done in tile (as is the area in which we live).
The ride took only 45 minutes
Then we walked to some of the places that we saw on the bus. We stopped in one cafe to have a bite to eat. Across the street from the cafe is a beautiful church that was built in 1890. I took some pictures inside.
Then we walked down a narrow street that had shops on both sides. While walking, Jayne did a lot of looking in the shops. But it was only one shop that she bought something.
We went to the supermarket, which is right next to the hospital that Bill was in. We had lunch there, too. Jayne paid for the nice lunch we had. Then we took a walk to the internet cafe there. I’m glad they are still in business and their interest was fast. We spent about two hours there.
Then we walked back to the bus station and bought a ticket there. He had some time to wait, so we got something to drink in the cafe there. I saw that they divided it up from the last time I was there. One half of it is a game room that includes internet. I saw that their computers were coin operated, which I find them expensive. At the internet cafe we were just in the cost is not cheap but it’s cheaper than the hotel we were in the other day. I paid for both of us with a total of 4 hours that came out to 10 euros. So that is 2.50 euros per hour.
We got home about 6.45pm.
Internet Problems
Monday July 6
Jayne and went to the restaurant that has internet. When we set up we found out there was no connection. The woman said that they cut the electric off in this area. We left there and went back home.
Then we went out to the bank as Jayne had more business to do. She found out that the electric company paid her back for the over charges. This is surprising and strange, as Jayne didn’t put in a request and the bank worker said this is the first time she ever saw this.
Then we went to Jayne’s lawyer, which is right around the corner and set up an appointment with him. We’ll have to go back there Wednesday at 11am.
On the way to the lawyer’s office we passed a cafe and I saw a guy with a laptop computer. On our return I saw another person with a laptop. I asked the waitress if she had wireless there, and she said yes. This is great. This is where we’ll go tomorrow.
Then we got something to eat at the cafe we’ve been to before. You get more food for your money if you order tapaz.
In the evening we watched a film on my computer. I put the computer on the coffee table so we can sit on the sofa. We saw Ben-Hur. This is what Richard gave to me back in April.
I hadn’t seen this film since it first came out in 1959! I remember it well, it was when my family, including my aunts and uncle were in Wildwood, NJ, on vacation.
July 7
Problems with internet
Jayne and I took our computers to the cafe that we saw has internet. We couldn’t get a connection, thought we tried and tried. We saw a guy who was on the desktop computers that the cafe has. I put money in one and I wasn’t connected, but it took my money (one euro). I did get my money back.
Then we went to the hotel that is in the plaza to see if they have internet. They do, and you have to put euro .50 in which is good for only 7 minutes! What a joke this was – it was so slow! I found out shortly after I put the money in that someone had broken the space bar. I had already noticed that someone had broken the space where the CD drive would have been. And this is suppose to be a 4 star hotel.
Well, I was only about to read two emails. One was from Matt and he said he had no news.
Then we left there to go to the cafe where we usually eat. I said to Jayne that in hte evening we’ll go back to the cafe we were at the other day but didn’t have electricity and see if they have connection.
At the cafe I decided to ask the friendly owner if he has wireless, and to my surprise he said yes. He gave me the password. But guess what? We couldn’t get connection.
This area really sucks for getting internet. You would think that in a tourist area in Europe there would be no problem. The owner said he just got wireless three weeks ago but no one had used it. What does he expect, he (or others that have it) don’t advertise. There is nothing on the door with a sign that says he has internet.
The owner later brought over a guy who is English and he helped us. He finally got Jayne connected. He said that with the Vista Windows there is usually a problem. He then went to my computer and got me connected, or at least he thought he did – as he didn’t even open up a Browser.
I opened up the Browser but I had a difficult time connecting. It was real slow but at least I got to my Yahoo page. But being so, so slow I had to shut it down. I had already used up a lot of battery before this guy came to help.
The guy who helped us out said that he is a waiter at the restaurant next door. So, what we’ll do is go to his place tomorrow. Since Jayne has to see her lawyer tomorrow in the same plaza, it would be convenient.
It’s hard to believe that there could be so many problems with a simple thing as the internet, but in this area it’s real.
Wednesday July 8
We went to a cafe of the guy who helped us yesterday with the internet and it was closed. His sign said they open at 10am, but this was 10min. past 10 and there wasn't even anyone inside. So, we went to another cafe.
At the cafe the internet was slow. If it was any slower I would be going back in time. When we were there, the owner gave Jayne another orange juice, though she didn’t ask for it.
Later, he gave me another beer, though I didn’t ask for it. I decided to look at the bill to see if he charged us – and he did!
I asked Jayne about this and she said that it’s a custom in Spain if you are a regular customer they give you another drink. Well, I was under the impression that it was free, as he did give us some peanuts to eat with the beer.
Well, the Spanish have a bad custom. The foreigners will not like this. I paid the bill and said nothing, so I didn’t leave a tip.
He didn’t wait long before the drink was finished before he came with another one. Also, he couldn’t use the excuse that we were there long and didn’t order anything else. If we go back the next time I’m be sure to tell him I don’t want it. I won’t care if the beer goes flat waiting for someone else to order it – that’s his loss.
I also noticed with different waiters/waitresses at different places that they don’t listen. This morning at our first cafe the woman came back again and asked how many coffees. On the bill, they had two tortilla and one Russian salad, when it was just the opposite. But since it came to the same price, I didn’t say anything. At other places you usually have to tell them three times. And if you order something and changed your mind – even when they are still there – you’d think you gave them a hard math test!
It had been exactly five years ago that I first went to Ecuador - that was a big mistake. I should have bought propertry somewhere else. It would have cost me more, but I would not have lost money as I had with Ecuador. With the cost of flying back and with the government allowing the sale of one property and with the cost of being a resident there, it resulted in 10s of thousands of dollars lost.
Jayne and went to the restaurant that has internet. When we set up we found out there was no connection. The woman said that they cut the electric off in this area. We left there and went back home.
Then we went out to the bank as Jayne had more business to do. She found out that the electric company paid her back for the over charges. This is surprising and strange, as Jayne didn’t put in a request and the bank worker said this is the first time she ever saw this.
Then we went to Jayne’s lawyer, which is right around the corner and set up an appointment with him. We’ll have to go back there Wednesday at 11am.
On the way to the lawyer’s office we passed a cafe and I saw a guy with a laptop computer. On our return I saw another person with a laptop. I asked the waitress if she had wireless there, and she said yes. This is great. This is where we’ll go tomorrow.
Then we got something to eat at the cafe we’ve been to before. You get more food for your money if you order tapaz.
In the evening we watched a film on my computer. I put the computer on the coffee table so we can sit on the sofa. We saw Ben-Hur. This is what Richard gave to me back in April.
I hadn’t seen this film since it first came out in 1959! I remember it well, it was when my family, including my aunts and uncle were in Wildwood, NJ, on vacation.
July 7
Problems with internet
Jayne and I took our computers to the cafe that we saw has internet. We couldn’t get a connection, thought we tried and tried. We saw a guy who was on the desktop computers that the cafe has. I put money in one and I wasn’t connected, but it took my money (one euro). I did get my money back.
Then we went to the hotel that is in the plaza to see if they have internet. They do, and you have to put euro .50 in which is good for only 7 minutes! What a joke this was – it was so slow! I found out shortly after I put the money in that someone had broken the space bar. I had already noticed that someone had broken the space where the CD drive would have been. And this is suppose to be a 4 star hotel.
Well, I was only about to read two emails. One was from Matt and he said he had no news.
Then we left there to go to the cafe where we usually eat. I said to Jayne that in hte evening we’ll go back to the cafe we were at the other day but didn’t have electricity and see if they have connection.
At the cafe I decided to ask the friendly owner if he has wireless, and to my surprise he said yes. He gave me the password. But guess what? We couldn’t get connection.
This area really sucks for getting internet. You would think that in a tourist area in Europe there would be no problem. The owner said he just got wireless three weeks ago but no one had used it. What does he expect, he (or others that have it) don’t advertise. There is nothing on the door with a sign that says he has internet.
The owner later brought over a guy who is English and he helped us. He finally got Jayne connected. He said that with the Vista Windows there is usually a problem. He then went to my computer and got me connected, or at least he thought he did – as he didn’t even open up a Browser.
I opened up the Browser but I had a difficult time connecting. It was real slow but at least I got to my Yahoo page. But being so, so slow I had to shut it down. I had already used up a lot of battery before this guy came to help.
The guy who helped us out said that he is a waiter at the restaurant next door. So, what we’ll do is go to his place tomorrow. Since Jayne has to see her lawyer tomorrow in the same plaza, it would be convenient.
It’s hard to believe that there could be so many problems with a simple thing as the internet, but in this area it’s real.
Wednesday July 8
We went to a cafe of the guy who helped us yesterday with the internet and it was closed. His sign said they open at 10am, but this was 10min. past 10 and there wasn't even anyone inside. So, we went to another cafe.
At the cafe the internet was slow. If it was any slower I would be going back in time. When we were there, the owner gave Jayne another orange juice, though she didn’t ask for it.
Later, he gave me another beer, though I didn’t ask for it. I decided to look at the bill to see if he charged us – and he did!
I asked Jayne about this and she said that it’s a custom in Spain if you are a regular customer they give you another drink. Well, I was under the impression that it was free, as he did give us some peanuts to eat with the beer.
Well, the Spanish have a bad custom. The foreigners will not like this. I paid the bill and said nothing, so I didn’t leave a tip.
He didn’t wait long before the drink was finished before he came with another one. Also, he couldn’t use the excuse that we were there long and didn’t order anything else. If we go back the next time I’m be sure to tell him I don’t want it. I won’t care if the beer goes flat waiting for someone else to order it – that’s his loss.
I also noticed with different waiters/waitresses at different places that they don’t listen. This morning at our first cafe the woman came back again and asked how many coffees. On the bill, they had two tortilla and one Russian salad, when it was just the opposite. But since it came to the same price, I didn’t say anything. At other places you usually have to tell them three times. And if you order something and changed your mind – even when they are still there – you’d think you gave them a hard math test!
It had been exactly five years ago that I first went to Ecuador - that was a big mistake. I should have bought propertry somewhere else. It would have cost me more, but I would not have lost money as I had with Ecuador. With the cost of flying back and with the government allowing the sale of one property and with the cost of being a resident there, it resulted in 10s of thousands of dollars lost.
Our First Wedding Anniversary
Sunday July 5
Today is our 1st wedding anniversary!
The past year went quickly. There was a lot of things we did during this time, such as, getting Jayne's extended visa, having home repairs and such. We really went thought a lot of things since we first met - things that would take other couples years to experience and do.
About 10.30am Carol came over. She called from the street and told us she was there and to open the car gate for her. Jayne looked for the remote but couldn’t find it. She told me to go down and wait with Carol. I did.
We waited but still Jayne didn’t come down. So I told Carol there is a space on the street to park. Carol called Jayne and told her she found a place to park. Jayne came down and said she still couldn’t find the remote. It must be somewhere in the house as she didn’t use it since Carol left here the last time.
We walk to the beach near the apartment with the umbrella and mats. There were a lot of people there. We all went into the water later.
After being on the beach for about two hours we walked back.
We showered then took the car to a restaurant nearby. Carol and Jayne both had fish while I had soup and chips. They didn’t have what I wanted so I had this. It wasn’t filling but I’ll get something more to eat back at the house.
I paid for everybody’s lunch. It was just good to have Carol there for a friend that Jayne and I to talk to. I invited her to come back next Sunday.
Jayne and I went out to dinner for our wedding anniversary celebration. We went to the same restaurant that we were at for my birthday.
We had the potato salad and swordfish. The salad was good and a big portion but the swordfish was a thin slice. The last time I had it someplace it was years ago, and I remember it was ½ inch thick.
Today is our 1st wedding anniversary!
The past year went quickly. There was a lot of things we did during this time, such as, getting Jayne's extended visa, having home repairs and such. We really went thought a lot of things since we first met - things that would take other couples years to experience and do.
About 10.30am Carol came over. She called from the street and told us she was there and to open the car gate for her. Jayne looked for the remote but couldn’t find it. She told me to go down and wait with Carol. I did.
We waited but still Jayne didn’t come down. So I told Carol there is a space on the street to park. Carol called Jayne and told her she found a place to park. Jayne came down and said she still couldn’t find the remote. It must be somewhere in the house as she didn’t use it since Carol left here the last time.
We walk to the beach near the apartment with the umbrella and mats. There were a lot of people there. We all went into the water later.
After being on the beach for about two hours we walked back.
We showered then took the car to a restaurant nearby. Carol and Jayne both had fish while I had soup and chips. They didn’t have what I wanted so I had this. It wasn’t filling but I’ll get something more to eat back at the house.
I paid for everybody’s lunch. It was just good to have Carol there for a friend that Jayne and I to talk to. I invited her to come back next Sunday.
Jayne and I went out to dinner for our wedding anniversary celebration. We went to the same restaurant that we were at for my birthday.
We had the potato salad and swordfish. The salad was good and a big portion but the swordfish was a thin slice. The last time I had it someplace it was years ago, and I remember it was ½ inch thick.
July 2-4
Thursday July 2
Today we went to the lawyer’s office. This is in the same block as where the bank is, but its location is in a shopping center. Jayne found out that the death certificate and the bank statements from her father was sent to Andrew. Jayne didn’t know this, so she will call Andrew.
Then we ate at the same cafe, which is across the parking lot of where the lawyer’s office is. Jayne had a tomato sandwich with a marinated beef on it. I had the same Spanish tortilla.
Then we walked along the beach on the bay side. I had to leave my sandals on for a small part where there was no beach to walk on. Since this area of the water also had stones in it I had to keep my sandals on.
Friday July 3
Today would have been my father's 83 birthday. He'll always be remembered by me, my mother and my sister.
We took a walk to another shopping center near here. This is our first time there since we arrived. We had coffee and tapaz and read the newspapers we bought. On the way back, I bought Jayne a dress and sandals for my wedding anniversary gift to her.
On the way back I saw a woman at a bar with a laptop computer. I asked if she had wireless internet there and she said yes.
Great!
Now we have some place to go close by to go on the internet.
About 4pm we left for the bar/restaurant with our computers. The lady is also the owner of the place and she was most gracious. We got connected and had ourselves a glass of beer.
I got emails from Sharon, my friends in Russia, Clive and Mary. Also, I got emails from those on my facebook site from people who graduated with me. It was all very nice.
There was no added charge to go on the Internet. It looks like we'll be there most every day we are in Spain.
Saturday July 4
Today is American Independence Day. We have lost most of our freedoms, so the day would be better in learning how we lost our independence and how to gain it back. However, you can be sure that with all the celebrations going on in the US it will just be parades, picnic lunches and fireworks. There will be no learning of what made our country great. It’s really a shame.
Today Jayne and I went to the shopping square at the bottom of the hill to have coffee and tapaz. We read the Daily Mail that I bought. This newspaper has some good articles in it which includes the things that big government is doing.
From there we went to the local supermarket to buy some food. Then we returned home.
Today we went to the lawyer’s office. This is in the same block as where the bank is, but its location is in a shopping center. Jayne found out that the death certificate and the bank statements from her father was sent to Andrew. Jayne didn’t know this, so she will call Andrew.
Then we ate at the same cafe, which is across the parking lot of where the lawyer’s office is. Jayne had a tomato sandwich with a marinated beef on it. I had the same Spanish tortilla.
Then we walked along the beach on the bay side. I had to leave my sandals on for a small part where there was no beach to walk on. Since this area of the water also had stones in it I had to keep my sandals on.
Friday July 3
Today would have been my father's 83 birthday. He'll always be remembered by me, my mother and my sister.
We took a walk to another shopping center near here. This is our first time there since we arrived. We had coffee and tapaz and read the newspapers we bought. On the way back, I bought Jayne a dress and sandals for my wedding anniversary gift to her.
On the way back I saw a woman at a bar with a laptop computer. I asked if she had wireless internet there and she said yes.
Great!
Now we have some place to go close by to go on the internet.
About 4pm we left for the bar/restaurant with our computers. The lady is also the owner of the place and she was most gracious. We got connected and had ourselves a glass of beer.
I got emails from Sharon, my friends in Russia, Clive and Mary. Also, I got emails from those on my facebook site from people who graduated with me. It was all very nice.
There was no added charge to go on the Internet. It looks like we'll be there most every day we are in Spain.
Saturday July 4
Today is American Independence Day. We have lost most of our freedoms, so the day would be better in learning how we lost our independence and how to gain it back. However, you can be sure that with all the celebrations going on in the US it will just be parades, picnic lunches and fireworks. There will be no learning of what made our country great. It’s really a shame.
Today Jayne and I went to the shopping square at the bottom of the hill to have coffee and tapaz. We read the Daily Mail that I bought. This newspaper has some good articles in it which includes the things that big government is doing.
From there we went to the local supermarket to buy some food. Then we returned home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
