Dinner with Maurice

Since we are illegally stealing internet from our neighbours (don't worry, we're getting our own next month) the signal is often quite weak. Last night I was on the internet trying to find a job-not trying too hard of course, while Blake was making a delicious spaghetti bolognese sauce on the stove. The signal seems stronger outside on our patio than inside, and after much frustration I decided to head out to finish my not so enthusiastic job search. I guess I forgot to tell Blake I was heading outside because a few minutes later he stepped onto the deck in a bit of a panic. He shut the door to keep the air conditioned apartment cooler. And that was the big mistake. Upon trying to reenter we realized we were locked out, in our socks, with no phone, no phone numbers and a boiling pot of sauce on the stove top. Have you ever felt like the stupidest person on the planet? Thats how we felt. Lucky for us, our downstairs neighbours were home and graciously lent us their phone, phone book and air conditioned apartment. They told us it would cost about $200 to get a locksmith out on a Sunday night ( remember, Sundays are the days of no work here). In a massive panic, and with vivid images of burning down our condo complex, we frantically tried to call our landlady and our rental estate agent, both who weren't home, or at least weren't inclined to answer the phone on a Sunday evening. Finally we bit the bullet and called the locksmith. He told us no worries, he was on his way and would be here in 90 minutes. Ha, by that time I knew we would be on all too friendly terms with the fire brigade, so we tried another company, and that is how we met Maurice. If you have ever watched The Lion King and remember the character of Rafiki, well this man is the human version. He giggled uncontrolably in a language one could assume might be english. His most coherent sentence being " I ain't ever seen any tinga lika dis before." After several minutes of trying- and several minutes watching steam come out of the pot in our kitchen, he picked up his hammer and slammed our doorknob right off the door, all the time laughing maniacally. However, the door still wouldn't open, so he had to jimmy what was left of the lock. When all was said and done, he only charged us $60 (never listen to the neighbours!) and came back today to install the knew knob I bought from the store. Gotta love the locals. Oh! And as for the spaghetti sauce, well that turned out perfectly simmered!