Getting Settled

It has taken a few days to get the wrinkles ironed out, both at the home stay and at the school. We are enjoying both situations now.

The home-stay hosts, Alicia and Vincente are both extremely nice... as are their daughter, her husband and their kids. They are very accommodating. We took the bike to school yesterday so that we could ride out to Pichilinque to get the permit for the bike. We told Alica that we would not need dinner but when we came back to the house at about 6pm she showed up at our door with some incredible tortas... shredded beef, diced onions and tomatoes with shredded cheese on top. Baked on a tortilla. Muy buena! Me gusto mucho!

The school situation was less than ideal as well. Linda had signed up for a 2 hour/day introductory conversation course and I had registered for a 4 hour / day intensive course. We both were slotted into the intensive 4 hour/day program and Linda & I were grouped together in a class with 2 others. After the second day we realized that the course content in our class, was overloading Linda and much of what was being taught were basics with which I was familiar. Linda & I discussed our options and were thinking that we might only stay with the school for the rest of this week. At breakfast this morning I mentioned to our host that we might only stay 1 week and explained our concerns about the course. When we arrived at the school, a class reorganization was already in the works. A student shuffle occurred to realign us. I was moved to a slightly more advanced class and Linda stayed with the original group. We are pretty sure that the reorganization was triggered by a call to the school from Alicia... but whatever the reason for the shuffle we now plan to stay at the school for two weeks.

There was no problem getting the permit for the bike at the Ferry Terminal at Pichilinque. They were not busy and very friendly. It went smooth as glass! Since there was no delay, Linda & I rode to a scenic beach, Playa El Tecolote, on the point past Pichilinque, sat in the sun and had a bite to eat.

Playa  El Tecolote

The chain on the bike is stretched and needs to be replaced I have a new chain with me but I have been reluctant to attempt to install it. I am short one tool. I could probably make do but if I screwed up the repair we might be here for longer than we would like. Today I found a bike shop that can replace the chain and sprocket. I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully that all goes smoothly too.

Just a comment on money here in la Paz... It used to be very common to be able use US dollars on the Baja but this situation has changed. The crackdown on narco trafficking has made it less attractive for those outside of the narco business to use or accept US dollars. We have been told that stores are reluctant to accept dollars and banks are hesitant to change dollars into pesos. There is no problem using your bank card in any of the banks or ATMs to get pesos. There is even a Scotia Bank in la Paz.

Back to my homework...