Settled in

With January coming to an end we are happy to report all is going well. The search for a car has ended with our purchase of a 2013 Nissan Tiida Hatchback. Quite a process. After checking classifieds for weeks every time we found what we liked or a good deal it was gone before we called. Automatic transmissions are not common here, I think it is a luxury. It seemed like we might have to travel to Bogotá or Medallin, many hours, just to find one. We checked all the small dealers with no luck. Finally we visited the big Chevy dealer, they had two used automatics on the floor, but we soon found out they were too already sold. But she said they are cleaning one and we could see it the next week. Thinking it too would be gone by then we paid a deposit based on approval after seeing it. It turned out great and after one week we took delivery. Lots of paperwork, fingerprints, trips to the notary, the transit dept (DOT), more papers. The collision insurance is optional, but is 100% coverage including roadside service with no deductible for $300/year. Pretty cool.
Now Gloria has renewed her license and we are good to go, she even had to get a medical and psychiatric exam, very thorough.
Gloria's house sold right away in January so she was relieved. The apartment is working well but we are slowly looking to buy a place here. The dollar is very high which makes things good for me but is tough on the Colombians. But it is a good time to buy, even with the peso low, Pereira is the fastest growing city in Colombia so prices are rising. From what I've seen, we can find a very nice place for $40-45,000. It's hard not to.
The only concern I have in the apt. is the noise I make in the workshop/bedroom. No one has complained and I only do it during the day for short periods of time so maybe there is no problem. It sure has been fun to putter around with some small projects. Just starting to understand the local woods so I have lots of ideas.
Many people ask what does it really cost to stay here. So here are the details for the last month, keep in mind the peso is now at 3,300/dollar compared to $3,100 when we paid the last bills.
Rent $284
Cable $35 includes 5 gig WiFi, TV cable and house phone
Water $15
Electric $28
Gas $6
This totaled $368 for November. We each have cell phones with sim cards, so service here is $6.10 for one month at one gig, add $3.05 if you want another gig per phone.
The beauty is the savings are just the icing on the cake. The climate, friendly people and natural beauty is the best part.
Headed to Florida for a week starting Valentines Day starting with a visit to Craig and Sue in Cape Coral.
Happy February to all.

This was one of my first projects

Balcony view from 7th floor

Small balcony

Very cool small Coke truck downtown

Our car in the garage below

Storage shelves I made in workroom using free recycled bedslats and guadua(like bamboo)

My first lathe project

A new year

Let me start by not saying that I have been too busy to keep up with the blog, nobody wants to hear that from a retired guy.
One morning in November I shared with Gloria that the upcoming Christmas would be the first without seeing the kids and I wasn't sure how I was going to handle it. Then while talking to Craig shortly after, he asked jokingly if I was calling to rsvp for Gary Ladick's retirement party. The wheels started turning and we lined up a 20 day visit to include the party and a Wisconsin Christmas returning just before New Years. It was great to see everyone and we were graciously hosted by Dave Ladick in Stevens Point. Gloria got to see snow for the first time and we took in a rainy Packer game at Lambeau Field against Dallas. Lots of leisurely visits with the kids, mom, and family. Nice to not have to rush back right away.
The week before we headed up to Wisconsin we were joined here in Pereira by Dave Ladick. Had an awesome week exploring the area sights. Thermal hot springs, fishing, climbed the highest church steeple in South America, 4-wheeler ride, horseback ride in the mountains and enjoyed walking downtown viewing the light celebration before Christmas and a lot more. It was great to have Dave here and share the beauty of the area.
Now we are back here all rested up after the travels and a celebration of New Years at Gloria's life long friend Lucero's farm. A wonderful night shared by great friends. The highlight was the burning of effigies of Steve Harvey and the newly crowned Miss Universe from the Philippines. The tradition is to burn a symbol of the past to start the new year fresh. Lots of funny pics with Steve Harvey, the man who crowned Miss Colombia then after a few minutes said he called it wrong and then gave it to Miss Philippines. Most here in Colombia did not like what was one of the biggest blunders on live TV. But it made for lots of jokes at the party.
Our most sincere wishes go out to everyone for a great new year. We are feeling very blessed for every day we get to enjoy together and hope the same for all!