It’s the last full day in Rodadero. So we went out for breakfas to the corner cafe. When we got there I realized I’d forgotten my wallet, so Naomi ran back to get it while I sat down to enjoy my almond croissant and cappucino. Naomi soon joined me and had a tall orange juice. When we got back to our place Naomi headed down to the pool and I read the news.
We both read for much of the afternoon, and then I suggested that we should ‘celebrate’ the end of our good times in Rodadero by going out for supper — and what better place than our old favourite, back in Santa Marta. It’s about a 20 minute bus ride from our place here in Rodadero to the Parque de los Novios, which is just a block from where we stayed for a week in early February. We waited until sunset before setting off to catch a bus, trying to avoid the hot sun. It ended up being a lovely and comfortable evening. It was a short walk from where the bus drop us off to the park. Lots of people out and about on a Friday night. Our restaurant is called Donde Chucho and it’s in the far corner of the park. When we got there we managed to snag a table for two right in the middle of the outdoor courtyard, with an oscillating fan next to it. Great!
This was either the third or fourth visit to this restaurant and I’ve ordered the same meal each time — a lovely grouper fillet covered with shrimp and a delicious sauce. Did not disappoint. The evening was lovely, the restaurant was full and people lined up waiting for a table, the musician was a bit too loud but folks at tables around us seemed to enjoy singing along. After we’d finished our meal Naomi happened to check her phone and announced that the Jets were leading the Devils 1-0 in the first. What? There’s a hockey game on tonight. Why don’t we hurry home and catch the last 2 periods.
We were riding along in the crowded bus when, about halfway home, I put my hand in one of my shorts pockets, looking for my apartment card-key. The card gets us into our room, and then we have to slide it into a receptacle on the wall in order for the lights and air conditioners to turn on. Quite a few of our Airbnbs have used this system. It’s a bit annoying to only of the one key, and to come back to a warm apartment if you’ve been out for a couple of hours.
Well, you KNOW what happened next. Oh oh. Can’t find my key. After we got off the bus I told Naomi. Are you sure? She checked her shoulder bag. Of course it wasn’t there — I knew I’d put it in my pocket. In fact, I was pretty sure I knew how and where I had lost the card. It must have fallen out when I took my phone out of that same pocked as we were leaving the restaurant — the key card is much like a credit card and will have ‘stuck’ to my phone and then fallen away. Oh, this is NOT good! It was 3 or 4 blocks from where the bus had dropped us to our apartment, and as we walked back Naomi was already texting the owner of our apartment with the bad news. What were we going to do? We have to be on the road by tomorrow morning at 9:45, and we need to get into our apartment and pack our stuff before that. It’s Friday night and how will we get in touch with our host, “Santiago”? And what can he do to help? I think he lives in Bogota.
When we got into the front lobby there were two guys working the desk. We did our best to explain our situation and they got to work. They phoned Santiago. One of them went up to our room, then returned and motioned for us to follow him back up. He punched in the ‘secret code’ on the door entry panel and the door unlocked! Great! Ah, but when we opened the door a wave of warm air hit us. Oh yeah! What about our A/C and lights, etc? We need ‘the card’ in order to be able to sleep in here and gather up all our clothes and get packed.
Naomi stayed in the room — she opened up the patio doors and plunked herself down on a chair on the balcony and read her Kindle book. Mr Concierge and I went back down to the lobby. In the meantime, Santiago is texting us, telling us it’ll all be okay, don’t worry, no big deal, they’ll figure something out. The other front desk guy is already phoning our restaurant, and WhatsApp-ing the a photo of a similar key card he happens to have — asking them to check if anyone has seen or picked up our card.
Things are looking grim. I considered getting a taxi to take me back to the restaurant so I could look for the card — but I really wasn’t very sure that that’s where I lost it. And it was getting close to 10 o’clock — closing time for the restaurant. And then Santiago texts, “Sol María will be with you soon. Give me 10 minutes Naomi.” (I guess Sol Maria is the cleaning lady.) Then, “We are working on” followed by “Rudy you are in a good hand. The card is not a big deal” and “You are safe in the apartment . Sol María has extra card.” And shortly after that text, there’s Maria, smiling and waving at me as she comes through the door into the lobby. She digs through her purse and fishes out another key card. Bingo! We’re in business. I thank her a few times and run upstairs to see if it works. I slip it into the slot and kaboom! the washer, which was almost finished a load when we left earlier (and obviously did NOT finish because when we left I took the card out and thereby shut off all electrical power in the place!) started up. Then the A/C and the loud ceiling fan started up again. We’re good to go! Thanks to Santiago and Sol Maria and the two guys at the front desk.
Oh, and by the time I’m settled back into my comfy living room chair and opened up my laptop to catch up on the latest news, the Jets are done with the Devils — winning 6-1. How about them Jets! Good night.