Water is life

The water was shut off in the entire neighborhood yesterday and today the situation remains unchanged. You know, we just don't realize how important water really is until it is gone. We are still without water today and there has been no sign of it being turned back on. This morning I found myself getting pretty frustrated with the situation because no water also meant no shower, toothbrushing, or using the toilet, all things that I am accustomed to doing on a regular basis. I spoke with the hotel owner, a man visibly distressed by the situation, and he put it best by saying, "Water is life. Without water, we have no life!"

So, yesterday I also visited the IOM office and ran a few errands. I've "mastered" the Bogotá bus system (or at least the bus routes that run between my hotel and the office) and I have even met several co-workers. After stopping by the office and meeting the IOM staff, I checked out an apartment that Maggie and I might rent for the summer. The building is located in an upscale neighborhood of Northern Bogotá just steps away from the Parque de la 93. It was a spacious two-bedroom with beautiful hardwood floors, modern furnishings, daily housekeeping services, and a wonderful view of the city. The apartment includes two parking spaces, so perhaps I should think about getting a motorcycle. Just kidding.

Yesterday, I also got to experience the process of purchasing a cellphone in Bogotá. I went to COMCEL, one of Colombia's largest wireless providers. The mammoth store looked more like a bank with its 25+ numbered checkout counters (think bank tellers) and the dozen or so Customer Service cubicles that surrounded the cavernous display floor. The store was packed with customers, each one seemingly as determined as me to buy a new phone.

Unfortunately, the young sales people at COMCEL seemed rather indifferent to my determination and at one point I even said to a salesperson, "Sell me a cellphone. Any cellphone will do. Just recommend one and I'll buy it." Her response was, "Well, I don't know. I can't help you if you're interested in Motorolas. I only sell LGs and Ericcsons."

In the end, I found a Nokia (sans help from the LG/Ericcson salesperson) and proceeded to the checkout. But first, I was directed towards one of the Customer Service cubicles (a sign overhead informed me that this was for "Personalized Customer Service") to fill out an application. There I provided about 10 copies of my passport. Then I put my fingerprints on at least 12 different forms. I had my picture taken. And then, I waited...and waited. To be more precise, I waited about 45 minutes to be approved. I was then directed to stand in line to pay for my phone (a snazzy black Nokia). When I got to the head of the line, the credit card machine wasn't able to read my card. So, I ran to the bank and got some cash. When I returned, I stood in line again. Once I had paid, I then proceeded to stand in Line Number 24. After about 45 minutes in Line Number 24, I was given the most amazing, spectacular, and magnificent Nokia cellphone that I've ever seen in my life. After so much effort and anticipation, having it in my hands felt like how I imagine the birth of my first child. Seeing it there in all its plastic and silicon glory made the 4+ hours of personalized customer service seem all worth it.