As the CEO of Microsoft, I think you should be aware of how your support staff deal with clients and how frustrating it is to try to recover an account because of a typo. As a writer/editor/on-line English teacher my world has come to a halt when my account was suspended.
Tuesday 17 July 2018 started as a good day. Then I tried to renew my Office subscription — it had expired while I was in the process of settling in Ecuador – and everything turned to confusion.
After five days of unreturned phone calls, unanswered emails, and rejected account recovery forms I figured out the problem. My email is jh@j-hanson.com and somehow I managed to get a typo so that it read jh@Wj-hanson.com. So the correspondence from Microsoft went to that non-existent address.
Since there is an option to fix the address I am obviously not the first – nor likely the last – to make that mistake. However, after too many attempts to count, the Microsoft “system” still wouldn’t accept the correction. Could you please have your technical people fix that problem?
When I tried to get a call-back I was told my phone number didn’t exist. Live chat was a waste of time.
The problem is that your front- line people can not do anything except babble the same jargon. I received a series of messages to a gmail account – in Spanish – telling me that my application didn’t meet the “requirements” – whatever they may be.
One thing is that the credit union where I deal in Canada changed Mastercard companies in May, 2018. No, I do not have the old account number.
Instead of going around and around in circles, why doesn’t Microsoft establish what they will accept as legitimate? How about a copy of my passport? A scan of my social security number? My maternal grandmother’s maiden name? These are tangible pieces of evidence – rather than the idiotic questions like “How much was your last Skype purchase?” Really, as though I would remember the exact amount and the precise date as it is an automatic deduction.
I am writing to you with the hope that I can have my Microsoft account restored. Otherwise, Microsoft will litter my gmail-inbox with more messages – in Spanish –saying that I can’t prove I am the owner of this account.
The case number is 143-359-1726, My telephone number is 593-999-69-08-77 and my email address is jh@j-hanson.com.
I am in Ecuador with family and friends wondering why I haven’t called. Frustrating and totally unnecessary if Microsoft put a second level of “real” identification in place that could be dealt with in person, rather than another form letter. Some human interaction would go a long way to solving technical issues.
Adventures and More in Loja: What is the Next Chapter?
Notice Loja in the middle of the southern part of the country.
While it is not for everyone, I really enjoying landing in a place I have never visited, don’t know anyone, and have no idea what will happen. Hey, I survived moving to Watrous when I was 14, so all relocations since then have been relatively easy.
And the “Here I am, bring on the adventures,” is a theory that served me well when I arrived in Loja, a small city in the south of Ecuador.
Describing Loja
Perched 2,060 m up in the Andes, the city was founded in 1571 by the Spaniards who wanted a base to explore the Amazon. When I visited the Puerta de la Ciudad, I gasped softly. How the hell did they manage to do it?
There is also a gallery with revolving exhibits at the Puerta.
The city itself is really a big small town.
The traffic is reasonable. And there are very few motorcycles, which is a refreshing change from Medellin where they swarm like hornets and take aim at anyone foolish enough to try to cross the street in front of them. And bike lanes. I might buy one to get around, although almost everything I want is within walking distance.
Loja is also home to the two oldest professional universities in the country, as well as a new polytechnic.
This city is also the cultural capital of Ecuador with even more music, art, and poetry than Quito, the capital.
Finding an apartment
On my way to get the zipper on my boot fixed I noticed a “for rent” sign for a student apartment. Hey, I quality as I am studying Spanish.
Bags ready to unpack.
I indicated interest and met the owner the next day. Don Hector wanted $210USD per month – which included utilities. No contract, no deposit, no agents. It was rented on a hand-shake. So refreshing and a welcome break from overwhelming bureaucracy.
The area of Lourdes where I live is an historical area with café, shops, bars, and restaurants. It is also pedestrian-only.
Across the street from the apartment.
And please note that I had to do it all the initial work in Spanish. There are only a couple of dozen native English speakers scattered around in the city – none of whom I have met – so Spanish is essential. Bumbling that mine may be, I can make myself understood most of the time.
Moving in
Buying a bed at Mercado Majorista proved to be a bit of a challenge. Most beds come with garishly caved wooden headboards that are enough to give one nightmares.
Finding a mattress with a matching base? What a quaint idea. I finally settled on a mattress. I will get a base built from pallets if Andrew Collins sends me the plans he used to make one for himself and the Nurse in Phnom Penh.
The mattress waiting for a base.Who else do you know who buys a blanket to match her coat?
I also found some cotton sheets. A long way from the 400-thread Egyptian ones I used to enjoy in Surry Hills, but times and places have changed and I adapt accordingly.
Darwin – born and bred in Loja, but who live in London for 12 years and speaks impeccable English – helped me with shopping and delivering the goods in the back of his truck. Without him, it may have taken me almost forever to buy a gas stove and have the attachments – from another store – hooked up for the propane bottle.
Being a minimalist, I enjoy my “camping” lifestyle. Darwin suggested that I buy a sofa to brighten up the living room. Why? I would never use it as my office chair and bed occupy all my available time.
My desk/dining table/food prep-area, and make-up table.Bella — the ornament my great-grandmother gave me about 60 years ago.
The neighbours view me as a bit of a curiosity. Fair enough as there aren’t any other foreigners on the block. My apartment is on the ground floor. As people walk by I look out the window, wave, and say “hola.”
Angelo Agusto – the 12-year old son the of shoemaker next door—is a touch “special” and his hobby is peeking in the front window to see if I will wave. Yo, smiling and flapping my hand in the air doesn’t take much.
Living in Loja
When I rented the apartment, I visited it three times and it was quiet. Then I moved in and all hell broke loose. The place goes from tomb-quiet to a zoo of televisions, radios, and screaming kids in about 30 seconds flat. Then it will go silent again.
Hey, this is South America and there is no way I am going to win that battle, so between earplugs and headphones I’m coping. Sort of.
Looking for work
What is happening with the world economy? The Canadian dollar now costs $1.33 for one USD. And the USD is the currency of Ecuador, as it doesn’t print its own money. Translated, that means “expensive.”
So, I’m looking for on-line work that pays in USD. Teaching English to Chinese students has become the new waitress job. People foolishly assume it doesn’t require any skills as long as you are a native speaker.
No, no, no. And to make it worse the Chinglish materials that are supplied are unedited by a native speaker and littered with mistakes. Consequently, the plethora of English schools that have mushroomed in the Middle Kingdom are constantly advertising for teachers. Many are dodgy.
At this point I can still afford to be picky and look for jobs teaching business English, writing, and editing for another week or so. The thought of hello-my-name-is lessons with a 4-year old is like running fingernails down a blackboard. But we do what we have to do if we have to do it.
Planning the next chapter
As usual, I don’t really have a “plan” as such. But things will happen as they always do. The vague idea is that I will get a 90-day extension on my tourist visa. Then I can slip across the border to Peru for a couple of weeks in December until it is 2019.
Once the new year arrives I can stay in Ecuador for another 180 days. Ah, the contradictions of a woman who has three passports and no long-term country.
Photos from life in Loja
Lourdes historical streetDarwin on a cold day.
Laundry facilities
Drying area
High local fashion PJ-s that I wear over my cotton clothes. I might look like stuffed panda, but I am warm.Bathroom the size of a USB
Door to the building
An artisan making bracelets.So good to see kids just playing without a phone or a tablet.
Another shot of the gate to the city.
Puerta de la Ciudad built in 1571.
The market a block and a half away.
Restaurant at the market for truly local food.
Checking the Ecuador Experience Links
Country report – https://internationalliving.com/countries/ecuador/loja-ecuador/
