One Thing Off My List

I just signed a two-month lease for an apartment for my dad. He's going to stay here in Zihua this winter and asked us, oh... about five months ago, to find him something. Last week I found a small place right in the middle of town and today I paid in full.

Most business transactions here take several steps, and this was no different. Thursday I found the place, then Friday we saw it. We knew we'd have to pay right away if we liked it (similar to renting places in high-demand cities like Chicago and New York) so I ran to the ATM to get the cash. But, ATMs only allow a certain amount each day, and this amount equaled 500 pesos less than the cost of the apartment. So we agreed I would return Saturday to pay for the second month.

Saturday I went downtown and took out another maximum amount from the ATM, then stopped by Ibis' bank because I needed the extra 500 pesos. I arrived at the apartment and was told the guy wasn't there. I went home.

Yesterday we tried calling but the number on his card didn't work. In Mexico, when you call a cell phone you have to dial 044 before the 10-digit number, but the card said 045. Finally today I decided maybe the card was misprinted and dialed 044. Voila. He was there and we made an appointment. Keep in mind that the entire time I knew I needed to call I was panicking because I hate talking on the phone in Spanish. I do much better in person.

An hour and a half letter I had a contract in my hand, but it doesn't end there. We have until mid-November to finalize the exact dates, to account for flights and all that, but I told him the exact date today. Nonetheless, the contract says I need to tell him by December the exact exact dates he'll check in. *sigh*

At least we're paid and my dad has someplace to stay. He can stay with us, too, but two months is an awfully long time to have three people in a 600 square foot condo. My mom can stay with him when she comes for a week, and now I hear my brother might come for a week as well. Yay!