Once again I'm surprised, but I shouldn't be, at how long it takes to get things done! On Wednesdays, I teach by myself while Stephen prepares for band practice in the evening. There's almost always a new song for him to learn, so having prep time is important.
Anyway, I needed to stop on the way home to pick up a few things for Thursday's classes, including q-tips, a printer ribbon, paper clips, white chalk, and some fabric for a project I'm currently working on. I'm hoping it takes 30-45 minutes, at most. So, no big deal--we've got a "mall" for that; it's called Las Cascadas (the waterfalls.) The trip from school was quick and this mall has ample parking.
First stop, Wal-mart. Now before you think we've got it made, let me explain that our Wal-mart is not exactly like your Wal-mart! Here's how it went: go to electronics department to buy the printer ribbon (just got one there about a month ago.) Of course, they are locked in a cabinet and you have to wait for someone to help you. Oh no, they aren't carrying my printer ribbon anymore. Next stop trying to find q-tips, paper clips and chalk when your Spanish vocabulary doesn't include those words. After searching in the most likely places, I had to break down and ask someone for help--easier said than done. Eventually, she understood what I was talking about and directed me to the cotton swabs. Paper clips and chalk I located fairly easily in the school supplies aisle. Checkout was relatively painless. Before going to the next store, any bags you have need to be checked. They're not very trusting, which I'm sure they have learned from experience.
Next stop, Deposito de Telas--the store where I have purchased all my fabric for our quilt ministry at church. They were really busy so I just proceeded to pick out the fabrics I wanted and brought the bolts to the cutting table. I forgot that they want someone to help you--must work on commission--so about 5 people who were being helped came to the cutting table and had their fabric cut while I waited, including a man who bought 68 yards. About 20 minutes later, I think they realized I didn't have anyone helping me. Another lesson I learned--1/2 yard is their minimum cut and although it was more than I needed, most of the fabrics are less than $3 per yard, so it wasn't a big deal. Next step--go to the cash register and pay for your fabric. When you have the receipt, you stop at another window so they can check your receipt and match it to your fabric. All in all, I think I was in the store for about a hour! Yikes! Another stop at the bag check window to check the new purchases.
Last stop, Office Depot to buy the printer ribbon (costs more there, but at least they still have it available.) Finally, ready to head home. Oops, don't forget to go to the bag check to pick up your Wal-mart and fabric items.
I finally made it back to my car after 4:00 p.m. and noticed that traffic on the PanAmerican Highway was starting to pick-up. Sadly, my original estimate was way off--I left school at 2:30 and got home at 4:30, but, you know, I did have a couple of errands to run!
