Despite all the pretty pictures, we spent a good portion of our last trip working and completed some significant projects. Buying and installing a dishwasher. Installing additional shelves in the master closet. Improving the ventilation of said closet. Replacing all the slats in our bed. Buying and building a standing desk. Increasing the strength of the Wi-Fi. Getting rid of stumps, pruning and weeding. Planting and moving plants and trees. Protecting a new tree from wind.

All of the above was good and productive work. Unlike the morning I spent with the water company. And got nowhere.
It goes back to when we bought the house. I opened an account and put down a deposit to get the water turned on. We had water and were happy. I did not get a bill for water usage. I kept checking online as I was not sure when I would get a bill, then I forgot about it. About nine months later, we went to the house and there was no water. There was a note at the door saying they turned it off.

Our neighbor Isaac was working in Florida at that time, was kind enough to loan us his water. Santosh was able to connect a hose from Isaacs’ house to our house, and water was available everywhere. Very nifty.

We had to go to Caguas, which is about 45 minutes away and wait in line. We learned that we were being fined $1500 for inappropriately turning on the water. They agreed to turn on the water if we paid all the unpaid water bills (which they never sent me), and an additional deposit. I contested the fine. I was given no indication that anything was amiss with my water account. They asked me to send a letter with all the particulars. I sent a certified letter with all the details. It came back because no one picked up the letter from the Post Office. I resent my letter via email.

The next step was to receive an in-person appointment to appeal the fine. COVID happened and I heard nothing.
Then in Jan 2021, I checked my bill online and found that $1500 had been added to the bill. I tried calling but was unable to get through.

So on this trip, I again went to Caguas to speak to someone. After several hours spent in wrong, socially distanced lines, I was able to speak to the receptionist. She took my phone number and registered me for a online meeting in “several days” I left, frustrated with the experience but willing to add it to the cost of living on the enchanted island.
Since I was in Caguas, I decided to check out a local plant nursery. It was a huge one. As I was walking around, I started receiving texts, Amadisse was ready to talk to me. Daniel was ready to talk to me. However no one was calling me. I was very confused as there was no info to call either.

So I finished shopping and went back to the water company. Another receptionist (who was miffed that I did not speak Spanish) said someone would call me. I did end up speaking to someone who unfortunately did not speak English. Since it was late in the day, they said someone who spoke English would call me the next day. No one did. I gave up.
I did learn how to use the online request system, so I will try again from PA. As I said, it is not all fun in the sun.