Signs to give up or signs to keep trying? Recently we've been searching for a new apartment to extend our stay here in la Paz. Albeit, a bit rushed of a search, it turned stressful pretty quickly.
Every place sucked or had a glaring flaw. It came to the point where we decided to split up, and Neil would stay at his aunt's while I would look for a one bedroom shared in a home.
And I found the perfect one. The renter even spoke English, after living in Miami for 15 years. We met and the place was wonderful. Everything I needed, and more, and extremely affordable. We decided one month was a good start, with an option for another or two at the end of the month to be discussed. Everything went smooth and moving day was the next morning at 10:00 am.
I arrived a bit early, slightly anxious, around 9:15. The Aunt (I'm assuming) who owns the home and was renting it out.
"Lo siento, ocupado."
What? Remembering she lived in London for 5 years, I forced her to speak English. She tried to tell me that if I was going to be early I should've called. That someone had rented it since I met with her niece.
I met her about 13 hours prior, at the last minute too. How could this lady have shown the apartment, and rented it out in that time... All while wearing a night gown and complaining I was too early?
I told her she was lying. I knew she was, and she did too. She then claimed she wanted one month plus a deposit which I kindly offered her. Then a new excuse came, and another.
After a few minutes of bickering she finally just told me to get a hotel room. "How long do you even plan to stay here?!" I gave her all the details I discussed with her niece. Nothing worked. She wouldn't let me in. She insisted she was sorry, to which I told her she wasn't.
She really wasn't. The only conclusions I could come to honestly was this was either a race or sex issue; two situations I can't say I've been in. It was terrible.
Here I am, with all my luggage, and money, ready to move into my new place only for the renter to essentially change her mind for no reason. Neil just called her to ask what happened; she hung up. The place is most likely still for rent, but apparently not to white males.
I'm disheartened. I want to give up, really. The place we found was so perfect and last second it was like a sign of fate. Or is this the sign of fate telling me to get out of La Paz?
I'm hoping I can hold out until the weekend when I go to Cochabamba, but I don't know what to do now. Actually, I don't even know when I'll have wifi to post this. I'm writing while it's all fresh in my mind having happened not even an hour ago.
Every time I think the break comes, the break actually breaks. I have nowhere to stay tonight, and all my bags are packed. I'm really tired. The people here are incredible so hopefully I can shake this bad experience.
Maybe this is why I'm a bit superstitious with good news? Usually, I keep it to myself, but the last two great apartments I shared with friends, fell through.
UPDATE: the day has a happy ending. In the end I found a place further away, but close to my favorite market living with a nice lady and her daughter (And two cute cats!)