You’ve Got Mail

One of the things we were curious about when we first moved into our flat was: where do you get your mail? We contacted the realtor and asked him. His reply: “I’m not sure. Ask one of your neighbors.” This from the man who told us that if we had any questions or problems, just call him. His response to this question has been typical of his handling of other problems—such as the leak in one of the mini-splits that we noticed on day one. It’s still not fixed. I will now yield the soap box to someone else.

I digress.

We weren’t sure how we receive or send mail. We think we’ve figured out the receiving part. The mail carrier simply places it in the crossbeams of our gate (see the pic of the gate to our apartment complex). Yep, it’s out in the open and anyone can grab it. They slide it down between two beams in the gate, and then you check to see if you have mail. In the process, you also see who else has mail.

This becomes especially amusing when it comes to the electric, water, and internet bills; since they all arrive on the same day. If you see mail as you are leaving or returning home, you grab the stack and take the ones that are yours. At the same time, you can see what your neighbors are being charged. There doesn’t seem to be any privacy restrictions when it comes to Carrasco Norte (the area where we live). Mi correo su correo!

We still haven’t figured out how to send mail. Given this fact, there will be no birthday cards given this lack of information—and it would cost over $200.00 to send one anyway. Love does have a price. We love you, but not $200.00 worth. Please expect an electronic card.

Bills are paid through a service called Abitab. It’s a company with outlets throughout the city. You go there to buy things such as bus passes or to pay various types of bills. The one-stop-shop concept makes it easy. We have one within walking distance, which is convenient. One thing, though: since it’s a business that deals with large quantities of cash, you cannot use your cell phone inside the establishment. You might think that’s no big deal. It usually isn’t—except when you depend on your phone to help with translation. Mi espanol es muy mala.

“¿Qué?” That is usually my response when I am in an Abitab.

Thank you for sticking with me. Remember: be kind to one another and be kind to yourself.