STILL NO PHONE

I was putting off blogging because I was hoping my phone would show up so I could download my photos, but then I discovered that they were in iCloud, so I can access them from my Mac. Lesson learned here: Make sure my phone is connected to the Find Me app. I think it was not. My iPhone did not show up in a search, only my Mac.

So, I texted Spectrum, and they locked the phone. My last attempt at trying to find it will be to speak with the bus drivers tomorrow. That’s the only other place I was on Sunday that I have not checked. My friend, Joyce, called the central bus office, but they didn’t have it. I’ll just try the drivers. In the meantime, I will contact Spectrum again and see if I have any coverage for a replacement in case of loss.

It’s been a great week. Last Thursday I went with Barb and Murray to a social hour for the Chiriqui Progressives. We met at the Villa San Miguel Cabins. I love this place. I met Kitty and Pat, friends of Barb and Murray’s who are plant-based eaters, and we exchanged ideas for a while.

I’ve decided I’m finished talking about it. I’m bored. I’m going to collect my own personal data and see where it takes me. Bottom line is that one size does not fit all. I have learned that I need to figure out what is best for my own body genetic makeup. Individualized treatment seems to be the direction of healthcare.

Prior to the party, Barb picked me up and took me to her house to show me her recently refreshed orchid greenhouse. I was enthralled. This video is six minutes. I’m sure it doesn’t do it justice. It lacks the humid feel of the air and the mild scents. It is an engaging work of beauty.

Barb has a new friend who lives nearby and is an orchid expert and has been helping them with the greenhouse. He is also very creative with wood. I laughed out loud when I was studying this wooden image and realized it was a likeness of Murray.

He also made the bench that Barb and I are sitting on.

Barb’s plants are so happy.

I am exasperated trying to get my photos figured out. I cannot find the cute picture I had of Adrianna and Charlie. I went to their place on Friday. Totally broke my diet plan. Not a problem. Having prosciutto and manchego was delightful.

I did not realize that they had moved to a new condo in Boquete Country Club. I just had Fernando drop me off at the condo I rented from them two years ago. A strange man answered the door and said he didn’t know who Adrianna and Charlie were. Then his wife, Heather, came to the door. He introduced her, and I asked her, “Are you a friend of Natalie Kelly’s?” She said she was. How strange to meet her like this. I’ve been hearing about her from Natalie for a while now.

In any event, I pulled out my phone (which I still had at the time) and saw that Adrianna had sent me a message on WhatsApp giving me their new address. So, Heather drove me over. It wasn’t far, but with the wind being fierce, it was nice not having to walk.

Their new condo is very cute, but Adrianna is moving on yet again. She told me that a new “aparthotel” is being built in Boquete Country Club, and she is buying a unit there. She encouraged me to do the same. She said to buy a unit, live in it for the four months I am here, and then have the management rent it out the rest of the year. Adrianna was working hard to convince me, but the $300K is more than I can deal with – not even the thought.

Another “thank you” for technology. Once at Adrianna’s, I realized Fernando would not know where to pick me up. I sent him a text in WhatsApp and sent a pin of my location. Beautiful. So much less angst and stress when these things happen.

I actually messaged Jose Arbeldo (?) this afternoon. He is the owner of the Villa San Miguel cabins where the party was on Saturday. He took the photo of us that is posted above. He is trying to sell the place, but he said that we could talk about the possibility of my renting there next year. I looked on booking.com, and the price was nearly $10K for four months. I asked if he could do better for a four-month rental. He said:

🤦🏻‍♂️hola Christine! Lol… Noo absolutely that wont be yiur price! Lol… I will give you a Special price. Long term is a diferent rate😊 , including jubilado discount🤣
When you are ready you can come and we make good numbers for you👍🏻

Barb is going to take me over on Tuesday. Yoly and Mike stayed there a few years ago and liked it. Jose is a very sweet man. I told him I hope the place doesn’t sell.

It would be a great place. It’s not downtown; it’s actually in the area known as Alto Boquete, which is a couple of miles south of Boquete center, but it is near a couple of very nice grocery stores and a few of my friends. It would also be very easy to get a good walk in. So, we’ll see if this one pans out. The possible rental at Betty’s complex, Valley of Flowers, fell apart because a short-term lease is at least six months.

I got less than six hours sleep last night because I had a sleepover at Betty’s. She made an excellent vegetable curry, we polished off a bottle of red wine, and talked until after midnight. We were going to watch a movie, but that never happened. Maybe next time. Love our visits.

So…off to bed.