Running around Guadeloupe
Two locals stole my laptop. One of them distracted me as I was wrapping it up to leave where I'd been working. The other grabbed it and ran away. I ran after, but not in enough time. Fortunately, he only took the old laptop that was on the verge of failure anyways, not my passport, wallet, phone, and other stuff right nearby.
Most stores were closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. After walking around much of the town, I wound up at a supermarket. I left some of my stuff outside, and went in. No laptops there (some supermarkets do carry laptops, especially in these small countries). Picked up some vegetables (which the convenience store where I've been shopping during the pandemic doesn't carry much of); also, some glue to fix my shoe. While waiting in the slow line, asked the person behind me if any stores were open and sold computers. She indicated that a place somewhat far away did.
Outside the store, a bottle of soda was gone from my stuff. A guy who was begging outside the store came by, asking me if I wanted to buy a can of food, of the type that I had recently bought. I headed towards the store that may carry computers.
I walked and ran. It was a beautiful if somewhat hot day. Along the way, I noticed that I had the cans of food that I had bought! Made it to the store, which did carry computers. I bought one.
After a bunch of computer problems during setup, it does seem to run, so far.
These losses happen. Sad, but part of the process. Important to be able to handle these disruptions.
I liked running, but over long distances I far prefer biking. I think I'll still run/walk around this island, and maybe some or all of the remaining islands in this chain. Largely because it's a small area, I don't think it's worth switching to a bike setup for this since I'll likely have to get rid of the bike back on the mainland, and it's an interesting variation from what I've done.
So far, the new computer is waaaaay lighter, seems faster (although will probably slow down once I have more stuff running on it), probably has longer battery, and has a French keyboard layout and software. The French at least gives me a chance to practice that.
Also, it lacks certain annoying problems from the previous laptop, like a mouse pointer that would sometimes go berserk.
I don't know why this hasn't been invented, or if it has already: a laptop with the screen attached by extensible rods. You pull out the screen, so that it sits at eye level, while they keyboard remains at hand level.
Constant series of distractions, annoyances, problems: situation normal.
It takes a while to fix things, adjust.
It seems like there are largely problematic people in public during the pandemic, makes sense. Also makes it unappealing to stay here much longer. Also, while there are some decent folks here, they're often not my sort.
I think it's important to respond to situations as they occur, not just to follow one's initial notions.
As I've noted before, often things that seem like problems in the moment, later turn into benefits.
Weirdly, even the police station was closed. I would've thought that there would be more, not fewer police during a pandemic. I've seen a few police driving around, but not too many police out.
New laptop is lighter, quieter, has an easier keyboard, and numerous other benefits!
Like anything, it takes a bit of getting used to.
Some recent computers, like this one, resemble smartphones around as much as older computers.
Each place and time has its challenges. Seems better to tackle those challenges, instead of just wishing one didn't have challenges.
A tip for connecting to wifi. I've had numerous laptops fail to connect to wifi that my phone can connect to. Sharing a wifi hotspot from the phone disconnects it from the other wifi. However, Bluetooth network sharing (while somewhat trickier to set up) can connect to both a laptop and a wifi network, sharing the internet.
This has been one of the more frustrating weeks. Stolen laptop, weak wifi, stores closed, losing a few other small items. At least there are also better weeks!
And plus sides to these weak weeks!
I'm Caribbeaned out. Caribbean there, done that. Not entirely. There are still some places I want to go, culture I want to experience, and so forth. However, after spending the last year on Caribbean islands, and several years before that near the Caribbean, I feel worn out of the climate, much of the culture, and so forth. Looking forward to something different!
There are so many techincal problems in the Caribbean, it's a huge chore just to get anything done. (Not related to my above statement, I wrote this a while later while struggling with yet more annoyances. Well, not entirely related. It is an ongoing source of frustration, which I look forward to leaving behind.)
I do like Caribbean food and beaches, I think those are among my faves here.
Some of the islands, in particular the Latin ones, have exceedingly kind people.
The fruits are delicious!
There are numerous beautiful species of plants and animals which I was not that familiar with.
After a lengthy frustrating series of events, I've realized that I think I just went through with an incorrect render (lengthy process). As a result, I think I just wasted a bunch more resources, and STILL have more work on this left to do. One frustration piling on top of another. Yet, somehow, in situations like these I often feel a weird relief, having all thse frustrations bunched up together. Also, I tolerate this round due to the extenuating circumstances. I've been bouncing from impractical island to impractical island, struggling to stay safe, while also having a pandemic, crime, and more problems.
Tons going wrong. More computer problems, bad weather, obnoxious homeless people. Trying to solve computer problems, avoid the weather, and giving food and drinks and stuff to the homeless people.
Still, getting things done!