¡Hablame!

If you’ve been wondering why I didn’t update over the weekend…

It’s this guy.  I don’t even know his name, but he’s one of the most recognizable figures in Mexico.  He’s the dad in a commercial for Ladatel (Telmex’ Long Distance Calling Plan) who just yacks away with his kids calling from the U.S.

Ladatel 100 is only 230 pesos a month for 100 minutes to the United States (about twenty cents a minute).  I always thought it was kinda high.  Then, I got my SBC bill.  For 91 minutes to Mexico, I was charged

FOUR HUNDRED TWELVE DOLLARS AND THIRTY-SEVEN CENTS!

I didn’t post over the weekend, for a simple reason… no phone service, no internet, no habla ninguina…

SBC, somehow, forgot to mention until the last time they cut off my service (over Christmas, the rats) that for five bucks a month, I could call Mexico at ten cents a minute.  “Uhhh… sorry about that”.  At that time, they told me there was no way to discount the calls that SHOULD have been discounted. 

Oh yes there is… swear at the automated operator until you get a human… then switch to your nice guy voice, but mention… oh… VONAGE a few times.  

So, I’m back, with only a twelve dollar and something long distance charge, and now only scrambling to get the rent, the car insurance the electric bill…