Manabi Ecuador-
Some of you might remember my post from December, “Manana Means Not Today.” I am pleased to report that manana finally arrived today, almost four months late!
Gatito the carpenter eyed the (slight) water damage from the poorly-installed window then slowly rubbed his jaw as we discussed those old tablas (boards) that his crew failed to replace and sundry other details that were never finished.
On parting we agreed that work would resume on Tuesday, and we shook hands.
“Martes,” I looked him in the eye and held it for a few seconds more than needed.
“Martes,” he nodded.
“Martes in six days,” I said, “and not Martes in August.”
He laughed, and I laughed, and most likely he will honor his promise.
Gatito’s father – “Pancho”
Anyone want to place a bet? Will he show up on Tuesday or not?
Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
Well, Lisa, if “manana” means anything like “insha’allah” in the Middle East, I’d bet he won’t show up. But I sure hope he does, for your sake!! 🙂
thankfully i have so many projects going, it really is ok if he doesn’t show up! my hands are full, though it will be nice to get the ‘mess’ finished so that i can paint the studio floor!
thanks so much for your feedback!
z
No bets Lisa…..but I have a feeling he will turn up 🙂 That word means the same in most of the developing world!
i think he’s going to show up as well.
z
No, I think it will be Wednesday. One day is as good as another 🙂
Since he showed today “looking” to continue the work, my bet is he’ll return Tuesday, now what time on Tuesday is anyones guess. Wish I did live closer amiga, would be fun helping you and Barbara piant the floor 🙂
he never showed up, and wow, i wish you were here to help as well. it’s going really well, though we’re getting tired. we’ll probably take half a day off tomorrow.
I am happy that your manãna finally arrived, Z.
he showed up and said that he’d return ‘manana, ‘ then never showed up!
Good things come to those who wait. Hope it turns out well.
lo siento, i’m sorry to report that he did not show up! thankfully someone else did agree to help, and he showed up!
When we lived in Italy, it seem that “domani” was the same as “mañana” – which means he will show up on Tuesday… Unless something more important comes along, like a family member, a friend, or a meal!
Im guessing Martes manana…
hey from mindo!
yes, i hope they will show up, as i am about to leave mindo for pedernales/jama strictly so that i can hold up my end of the bargain. it would be nice to stay one more day.
it’s raining here; i hope that it’s clear on the coast!
thanks! z
Well, I would hope he will, but I wouldn’t be willing to bet on it.
he did not show up.
🙂 he will be at some point…
I so want to say he will….but, I’ll think about it and let you know mañana
ja ja JA! i suppose that is what he said as well, and he decided not to come!
You are probably a bit unduly influenced by the fact of where you are living. However, I can say that I view it more as a “contractor” thing than a cultural thing. Can’t tell you how many times in lovely California I had contractors come to do whatever, start it, and then disappear for days. Presumably because some other little job came along that they could get quick money for.
you are so right’; it’s a universal problem. i think down here they’ll tell you what you want to hear b/c they don’t want to say, ‘no.’ or admit that they don’t have time.
Please show up on Tuesday….
he didn’t. 😦
I always thought “manana” was in the morning. I hope that these folks show up for you and get the work done! Hugs – B
he never showed up, but someone else did the work for me.
manana can mean morning, but it also means ‘tomorrow.’ spanish can get confusing, yet english is equally confusing!
I say go with having faith. Think positive and you’ll feel happy and relieved – til martes. 😉
he was – and still is – a no show. 😦
UGH!
I don’t know he should up, but I’m still smiling! It teaches you patience and then some ~ bless his smiling heart!
you are so right.. he did not ever show up…. and i was beyond the point of getting frustrated. someone else did the job for me, so that barb and i could start on the bodega floor.
z
I wouldn’t bet on it, but there’s always hope. Contractors in this country are almost as bad. I hate to think how many days I waited patiently (?) for a contractor to show up as promised — and don’t start me on the cable guy!!
he showed up on tuesday as promised.. looked at everyything just as he had the week before, said he’d gather the materials and would return the next day….
not.
someone else agreed to do the work for me on the weekend, and the job was finished before i returned from guayaquil (with barbara) so that we could start work on the bodega floor.
z
I don’t believe I’m a pessimist by any means but having heard “mañana” many times during our time in Mexico, I’m not sure you will see him on Tuesday. 😉
well, he showed up as promised, then said he’d return ‘mananan,’ and i suspect you can figure out the rest of the story…
someone else agreed to do the work for me, and when i returned from guayaquil (w/barb) the work was finished, and we could start work on the bodega floor as planned.
Z, I hope he does, but don’t hold your breath. We had this contractor who said all the time regarding his deliberate style – “quality takes time.” After being three months late, I responded to this standard comment by saying, “Well, you better get him on the train and get him here as if my kid depreciate what you have done and you are still working, then you need to fix it.” He finally finished – a two month effort took about five months. Best wishes, BTG
Nop…haha
Manana Means ‘Not Today was one of my favorite post…I told my mother about the post and she said…monday means one month mañana means… she stops and then says who knows 😉
I am glad he a least finish this, see what happens on tuesday…
can not wait for martes…see if gatito show up ;).
I learned to do things myself, my brother is in construction, and he always says he will send me someone mañana and adds tempranito (early), so if a room needs to be painted I do it myself, I have learn so many things lately, I do not wait for him anymore I even fix my toilet the other day and it was just 5 dls. But, I can not fix the light fixture and the electrician never showed up.
When I was in Liberia, it worked like this.
You asked a carpenter to do this or that. He looked it over and said, “I will try”. Days pass. Weeks. No work. You go and find the carpenter, explain that the work has not been done and it has made you “small angry”. He shrugs his shoulders, gives you a look of utter incomprehension and says, “I tried”.
Also, this: Port Mansfield, down south of Corpus Christi on the Texas coast, is known among fishermen and cruisers as “Port Manana”. You can imagine why. 😉
Fingers crossed for Tuesday 🙂 Did he realise that was only a couple of days away?
I am not a betting man if I were I would want good odds.
I liked seeing a man up in the purlings, reminds me of the days when I was surefooted building powerstations but ‘manana’.
Is it something about the Spanish language? It seems that wherever Spanish is spoken the word ‘mañana’ is interpreted as a licence to procrastinate!
Hmmmm I bet he may show up as maybe be feels bad! Keep us posted! 🙂 got to love the laid back attitude!
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