Sooo we have hit our first Manana lifestyle problem. Our router is broken and we are getting the usual service you get when you need a new router (be there tomorrow between 8 and midnight) with the addition of a general you have no other choice attitude where they take days to show up between 8 and midnight. Starlink is up but we have no way to mount it on the roof since this is a rental so service is slow and sporadic. All this is a long winded way of apologizing for the intermittent posts.

Thursday we delved into the local market and enjoyed crafts and veggies for sale at slightly inflated prices that were still lower than what you would see at a farmers market in Canada. Found incredible homemade pickles for the exorbitant cost of 6$ a package and a lovely garlic spread that was value priced at 3$. I found Phil another hat, baseball this time (also 6$) and a purse for myself (10$). As you can see you have to pick and choose.

Weirdly there was a Starbucks in the parking lot, which made Amanda’s heart twinkle. I admit I was also eager to see how they interpreted one of the comforts of home. It was a little awkward. English menus so the customers understood but then the staff have no clue what you are ordering. My read is that some expat thought it would be a hit with other expats until they realized that they couldn’t find staff that would understand the expats. Oh well my match latte was good and Callum’s refresher was better.

Back to the pool where Addie used some magic voodoo to tame a feral cat which she and Cal named Veronica (after Veronica Mars) and I renamed Purronica. It followed us most of the way home and then ran away when it realized we had no food. Cal has high hopes that it will show up again someday soon, I wish him all the best.