Waiting for Cablemas....

Yesterday they told me that the serviceman would come between 8am and noon “manana” to connect up my cable TV and internet.

I dutifully got up at 7.45 and dressed quickly so that I wouldn’t be still in my pyjamas when he arrived. For some silly reason I had it in my head that he would arrive first thing and that it would all be sorted by 10am and the rest of my day would be free for the other things on my list, like checking out the gym I just read about. I needed have bothered. I guess it’s Murphy’s Law, that had I slept in he would have been knocking at my door at 7.58, but in fact I could have slept in till 10.30, had a long, leisurely shower, made breakfast and still have been ready in plenty of time to receive him.

It’s now 12.20 and there’s been neither a phone call nor any sign of him. I remember when I lived in Italy and I was waiting for the hot water to be connected, and that the lesson I was meant to learn over those weeks was “patience”. Well, if I learnt it then, I’ve certainly forgotten it by now. I’m finding it hard to sit still. I have made and eaten pancakes, washed the floors, dusted, trimmed my nails and read several articles in a magazine. I’ve cleaned out the fridge, taken out the garbage and re-organised the pantry. I have written shopping lists for 3 different supermarkets, lists of things I need to do, lists of things I need to research on the internet, possible travel itineraries. I’ve tried plugging in the DVD player to 3 different power points, hoping it will magically come to life again (no hope). All while keeping one ear open for the sound of the intercom, or jumping up every 15 minutes to check the road outside for Cablemas vans. It doesn’t help that I spent 6 hours yesterday waiting for him, so I’ve already done pretty well everything I can do to pass the time - all the drawers and cupboards are already tidy. I have no books to read, I can’t watch a DVD and of course I can’t go out. Aaaaarrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhh!

At 12.30 I went out to ring them and give them a blast. I found out yesterday that the free call number of course isn’t free from my mobile and I didn’t intend to waste another $4 or $5 waiting while they investigate, again! I’m experienced now in pressing the right button and asking could they transfer me to someone who speaks English, and I ended up with the same young man. On checking my file, he told me “I’ll be honest with you, no-one will come today”, and then told me he would put in a report to find out why several appointments have been broken. So now I will get a phone call from the supervisor. The bad news is that it’s not going to happen before Monday, however he assures me that the technician will also come on Monday to connect it. I’m not holding my breath, and I need to keep reminding myself that this is Mexico, after all it’s not much more than a 3^rd world country and I shouldn’t expect too much. Stay tuned…