I posted on Facebook today that I might go to town to ‘hit the bank’ and my friend L replied that I should perhaps rethink my choice of words. I’m still giggling about that. It’s rather like the time I told my boss I was gone such a long time making the daily deposit ‘because there was a hold up at the bank.’ The English language never ceases to amuse me!

I wound up giving my landlady my last 500 peso bill to get gas for my last month here and do an advance payment on the final light bill. I have a pretty light work queue for the next few days, so I decided to run to town today for cash rather than wait. I was due for a break anyway. What with emotions running high in the first part of the week, I didn’t get much work done and really paid for it Wednesday and Thursday. It was really nice to have a slow morning, start on a project, then break for a long while in Maz.

A common sight at home, but not here on Isla! Rabbits are conejos, not cojones. You only make that mistake once.

The exchange rate is bad/good, depending on how you look at it and I was FINALLY able to make an 8,000 peso withdrawal! That’s always been just above 700CAD since I’ve been here, my daily withdrawal limit. Today, it was just $687 with the fees!

After months of saying I would do this and not doing it, I finally went into the bank to change my 500s for smaller bills. I had lots of time in a very long line to work out what I would say. This is how I handle new situations, by anticipating potential questions and answers, so that I don’t get to a teller and go ‘Uh…’ The teller was friendly and I told her, “The machine gave me a lot of 500s and my landlady doesn’t like them. Can I change them for smaller? 200s and 100s would be good.”

She understood and said that she could do that. I handed her nine 500s, she counted them, and then asked me to confirm that it was 4,500 pesos. She then counted the money out in 200s and 100s and handed me a big wad without counting it out for me the way a Canadian and US teller does. I wasn’t worried, so I stepped out of line and found a quiet corner in the bank to confirm that I had 15 of each.

Then, I went to Beach Burger for lunch and splurged on not only a limonada mineral (I find it hilarious that beer is cheaper), but also the ‘Wipe Out’ burger with BBQ sauce and avocado. It also had cheese, mustard, ketchup, onions, and pickles, in addition to Montreal steak spice, and was probably the most amazing burger I have ever had. OMG! And I forgot to say no mayo but the server remembered and told the cook for me! That’s amazing considering the fact that the hot dog lady I see every week doesn’t remember that! For some reason, I also got chips and pico de gallo with this meal, so I came out of there stuffed!

Nowhere near sick of pico de gallo yet and a meal without it is lacking! I can even handle a little heat now without crying!

The server always insists on speaking English to me and I always insist on speaking Spanish, this way we both practice! We chatted a bit and it came out that I’m renting a house here on Isla. He told me what he pays in Centro histórico for a one-bedroom with a bathroom, a mere 2,000 pesos! I was thinking of looking for a deal like that to be in town next year, but am not feeling that adventurous even if I know I am paying a Gringo premium on my place.

I headed to the Mercado next and look what I noticed kitty corner from the cathedral?

Main Maz post office!

Am I blind???!!! How could I have gone by there so many times and only now noticed the post office?!

I then passed Panamá’s and resisted the call of the pastries, but I happened to notice this:

What the heck is Canadian cream?!

Before getting veggies at the Mercado, I wanted to price a final (?) dress. I’ve seen it for months, since just after Christmas. It’s of a similar style to my Christmas dresses, but has a bit more embroidery, and it’s that gorgeous orangey pink I have on my dressing room walls at home that made me fall in love with some shades of pink.

The clerk pulled it down for me and I was rather disappointed to find that it looked a little small. Then the clerk said something to me (in English) I have never in my life heard, “I think it might be a bit big on you. Maybe you try it on over your dress and see?”

Um, okay. I tried it on and the fit was good! Woohoo! She wanted 350 or 360 and I got it for 330, which I knew was a very good deal. I wouldn’t have paid more than 350, though, as I’m really starting to stretch my clothes budget! I had planned to come home with a closet full of Mexican dresses, though, so these really are planned purchases. I just think it’s time to say I’ve hit the limit. But they’re so inexpensive and high quality it’s hard to stop!

This picture doesn’t do justice to the colour or exquisite details of this dress.

Then, veggies and a quick Ley stop for yoghurt and ham. I was hoping they’d have some of that granola I found at Mega, but nope. The only ‘no sugar’ granola was three times the cost and sweetened with agave. Sugar is sugar, people. Read the labels!

I then took the shortcut I’ve discovered to reach the panga, where there was just one other passenger besides me. It was a quick ride since we didn’t have to go to the Colonia dock.

Now, I should probably try to get a little work done…