Moving Day

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Last night never got any better. We both kind of freaked out trying to sleep in that loft. So we camped out in the living room all night. Oh, did I happen to mention the mirrors? For some reason there were mirrors in the oddest places. The shower was surrounded by floor to ceiling mirrors. I am a 66 year old woman. I do not need mirrors in the shower of ANY size. Then there was the floor to ceiling mirror that sat opposite the toilet. I don't need to tell you how attractive that can be. Of course, there wasn't enough light anywhere if you actually needed a mirror to see something! Then the power went out in the middle of the night. The a/c turned off - you can't open any windows. I thought we were going to suffocate!

I can't say enough how bizarre that room was. But it is over now and we are out of there. In fact we have been out since about 9:00 this morning. At first light, we were up and devising a plan to escape. Fortunately, the power came back and we got on wifi to research hotels. It's pretty overwhelming because there are so many areas. Entered our criteria in a search engine -- wifi, pool, a/c, hot water, etc. The tricky part was that we needed the room immediately for three nights.  

BINGO! Two hotels popped up.  One right down the street from where we were.  Ate breakfast (we paid for it), and told Carlos we were out to find another hotel. Be back shortly. Walked down to Casa Canabal. "Do you have a room for three nights" "Yes".  We looked at the room, which is bright, has a real shower with hot water, and even a coffee machine - plus free all day coffee in the lobby. Walked up to the pool area - which is right up from our room -- bueno!  We'll take it!

Got back to Casa Lola to negotiate getting our money back for the next three nights. No problem - but theyite would refund it to the agency. Paula in turn, and to her credit, immediately sent the refund to our paypal account. The difference between the "superior suite" at Casa Lola and a standard double in Casa Canabal saved us $350 for the three nights. And as far as we are concerned, this is a far superior hotel. Settled up with Carlos and took our bags down the street. No muss, no fuss! Another welcome cocktail and another 15 minute gratis massage. We are ecstatic!!  

The room was ready in the morning so we were able to just move right in. We dropped our bags and headed out on the great hat hunt. We are hoping to bring back some Colombian hats for those who wanted one. Well all sizes are not equal!  After much debate with a local hat guy, we searched other shops -- no luck.  We decided to buy a tape measure at a ribbon store. Went back to the hat guy and started measuring. I bought a hat and we did the best we could with the others. With that assignment done, it was back to the hotel and up to the pool. We ordered lunch poolside and just marveled in how lucky we were to find this place.Hung out in the pool after lunch talking with a lovely older (our age) couple from Argentina.

We had a 3:30 bike city tour appointment that we needed to get ready for, so we packed up and left around 3ish. Finally found the place, and discovered another couple from LA who had also made a reservation. They had been waiting a while. We all waited together until we were sitting ducks for the beggars/vendors on the street. We all gave up and said oh well! So no cycle tour today. Took our time walking through 
the streets and stopped to take in some of the local action. 
Popped into the Chocolate Museum, which is pretty much a store. Stopped to get some molecular gelato that they make right in front of you with nitrogen. Pretty "cool".

Got back to the hotel and heard from the bike folks. They were sorry something came up. Offered us a really free tour (this tour was free but you had to rent bikes for $10) for tomorrow. We are going to the aviary tomorrow - so no can do. Maybe Sunday -- have not heard back. No biggie.  We are good on our own.

It is Happy Hour at the pool again and I am thinking of collecting the free massage.  Dinner is at a restaurant that the Argentina couple recommended. 

Went to La Tinaja as recommended. We had a great meal and a wonderful time talking with one of the waiters who was practicing his English. From the restaurant we headed to the Clock Tower Plaza de Coches for some salsa. Dairo, from Punta Faro, said we should go to Donde Fidel, and so we did.  It is a tiny place that is really a bar and spontaneous salsa breaks out. Geoff and I tentatively joined in at first, and then we were part of the crowd. Great fun! Can't wait to go back tomorrow night!  What a wonderful day we had.


So all in all .... Life is good!

Next time.... The Aviary