I have arrived

I have been so busy being here I realize I haven’t answered myself when will I arrived.

I am not sure when the exact date and time, but I am here now.

This place is so different than anyplace I have ever lived before.

Today I wanted to go to the store to buy some food and stuff for the week.  Easy to do in most other places I have lived… not so San Clemente.

It starts with a walk to the Y… goolemaps says this is 1.7 KM.  I can usually do this in 15 minutes… but I don’t.  The heat makes me slow down so it may take 25 or so minutes.

Then I wait for the bus….. and wait…and wait….  I could go two different directions, One way there were 3 or 4 buses, the way I wanted to go, today not so often.

The bus arrives and for the fee of $1.25 I get to ride 45 minutes or so to the city
(Bahía de Caráquez) I wanted to go to.   Once I am there I have to pay another .15 to ride the city bus downtown.  Basically 2+ hours just to get to the store, and do some transactions.

Then I get to do one of my (not) favourite things…food shopping.  I get enough staples and stuff to last me a week or so ( I have simple tastes)  for about $75.  This is way too much to carry on the bus, so I take a taxi to my apartment.  A 25 to 35 minute ride ( depending on the driver)… cost is $12.

So to go grocery shopping I left my place at 9:30ish and got back around 2:00.  And there are items I needed that I forgot to get.  I won’t be running back to the store soon.

But why am I here:

This picture might explain it.