We are enjoying a very quiet Christmas. Yesterday, Christmas Eve was our big busy and eventful day. It started out with a nice sail on the boat. I needed to be back no later than #:00 p.m. to do my part of the cooking for our shared dinner with the landlady and her family. My contributions were to be dressing, sweet potatoes, gravy, mashed potatoes to go with the turkey that she was baking and whatever else she decided to make. It was the first time I ever attempted to make dressing in the slow cooker. (It turned out to be successful enough although not my best.)
Anyway, it was a perfect day and we sailed down to Caye Chapel and back in water that was brilliant turquoise. As we were coming back in to tie up we commented on what a special day it had been. That's when all hell broke loose. We came in a bit too fast and when Les grabbed for the post to tie up the dinghie caught on something on the back and swung us into the post and caught his arm. Almost broke it but he managed to move fast enough that he got away Unfortunately, leaving a chunk of arm behind. I grabbed the first aid kit and we managed to staunch the flow and get tied up. He took me ashore so I could cook but when we got there I did not follow instructions ("Sit still until I can help you out.") and decided to hop out on my own. Halfway through that maneuver I discovered that my "hop" is no longer functional and did some kind of wild split that pulled some muscle in my back. By the time I got up to the house to start my share of cooking I was shaking so hard I could hardly get up the stairs. Lester went back to the boat to close it all up and (drum roll) that was when the finale occurred. He was pulling the motor up in the lock position when the motor mount broke and the motor fell off in the water. What a day!
So now he is drying out and cleaning up the motor and waiting to see how much damage was done. But the dinner was good We are about to partake of leftovers today. Expect better news next posting
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Exactly one month since we arrived back in Belize. Yesterday we had to go over to San Pedro and renew our visas. As usual we were ready to come back to Caye Caulker as soon as we finished at the Immigration office and stopped off at Captain Shark's for boat parts and supplies. It is so busy over there, a complete different world from laid back Caye Caulker. This suits us well!
We finally have the sailboat moored out back and Les is doing a few more repairs before we start sailing. As those of you who have been or are involved with boats will know, a lot of boating is getting ready to use the boat! We are still in the getting ready phase. But gaining on the actual doing it phase!
Other pastimes here include Thursday afternoon jam sessions at the sports bar on the beach which we finally attended this last week. We enjoyed it very much . From that get down and party atmosphere we went down the street to the outdoor basketball court to attend the elementary school Christmas program that turned out to be every bit as lively with music blasting (loud music is popular here and apparently necessary for any public function.) and young people dancing to the Jingel House Rock. Then there was a nativity play and an emphasis on the religious aspect of Christmas which we no longer seem to acknowledge back in the US. Tuesday is Taco and margarita night at the Dive Shop Bar next door. That's tonight. We're going! Our adopted son, Fredrick, is bringing my kayak from a friends stotage for me today so I expect to be exploring coves out back in the morning.
We have a new neighbor, Sam, a New England retiree who has taken the house in front of us for three months. Hr has taken on the project of cleaning the soccer field out front early each motning and has an appointment to talk to the village council about organizing some clean up events in the future. I plan to go with him as this is a cause dear to my heart as well.
We are planning Christmas dinner with the landlady and family. (She has the oven) So I have ordered a turkey and am gathering other ingredients for a traditional holiday dinner.
All is well except for a few aches and pains, a slight hearing loss, diminished eyesight, shortness of breath when experiencing even minor exertion, a tendancy to bruise at the least bump, memory lapses, an inability to get up unaided from a seated position on the ground or sand, and a general bedraggled and bewildered appearance that could be taken as symptoms of aging, except that, of course, we all know better!
More later. . .
We finally have the sailboat moored out back and Les is doing a few more repairs before we start sailing. As those of you who have been or are involved with boats will know, a lot of boating is getting ready to use the boat! We are still in the getting ready phase. But gaining on the actual doing it phase!
Other pastimes here include Thursday afternoon jam sessions at the sports bar on the beach which we finally attended this last week. We enjoyed it very much . From that get down and party atmosphere we went down the street to the outdoor basketball court to attend the elementary school Christmas program that turned out to be every bit as lively with music blasting (loud music is popular here and apparently necessary for any public function.) and young people dancing to the Jingel House Rock. Then there was a nativity play and an emphasis on the religious aspect of Christmas which we no longer seem to acknowledge back in the US. Tuesday is Taco and margarita night at the Dive Shop Bar next door. That's tonight. We're going! Our adopted son, Fredrick, is bringing my kayak from a friends stotage for me today so I expect to be exploring coves out back in the morning.
We have a new neighbor, Sam, a New England retiree who has taken the house in front of us for three months. Hr has taken on the project of cleaning the soccer field out front early each motning and has an appointment to talk to the village council about organizing some clean up events in the future. I plan to go with him as this is a cause dear to my heart as well.
We are planning Christmas dinner with the landlady and family. (She has the oven) So I have ordered a turkey and am gathering other ingredients for a traditional holiday dinner.
All is well except for a few aches and pains, a slight hearing loss, diminished eyesight, shortness of breath when experiencing even minor exertion, a tendancy to bruise at the least bump, memory lapses, an inability to get up unaided from a seated position on the ground or sand, and a general bedraggled and bewildered appearance that could be taken as symptoms of aging, except that, of course, we all know better!
More later. . .
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
A Report from Captain Lester and First Mate Diana
It's official! Lester is a bonafide Belizean Boat Captain with a 3 year certificate to back it up. The boat is 99% registered and licensed. All that remains is a trip to the Port Authority in Belize City to pick up the papers.
And this is how it all went down (remember when that was such a frequently used phrase on TV. Now, of course, it is all about talking points!) Anyway, Lester gathered up required safety equipment and transported all out to the marina and into the boat. He made a nice gangplank to allow the inspector easy access and armed with the required papers, gathered over the past two years, we were first in line on the first day the inspectors were at the village council office. As it turned out they were not particularly interested in seeing the boat and were content to take his word about required items being aboard. They did give him the written Captain's test, which he passed with flying colors, but opted not to have him demonstrate his sailing skills. It all came down to making contributions to the inspectors upcoming personal Christmas funds. (Our landlord had suggested that might speed things along.) Our friend, Richard, showed up and after a similar contribution to said fund, was granted a license as well, based on the inspection of his boat. Pretty nifty, considering his boat is still down in Guatemala as he hasn't even brought it up here this year yet.
We are enjoying some early morning bicycle rides out to the marina and also to my property. I am strengthening leg muscles that have enjoyed significant and noticeable lack of use lately, developing calluses on behind areas that make painful contact with the bicycle seat, and practicing deep breathing, all at the same time. With all this physical activity I will either come home robust and healthy or slumped over in a wheelchair.
But we won't come home skinny. There is a woman from Oregon who spends her winters here and is a gourmet cook, She prepares and sells these gourmet lunches, delivering them by bicycle each day. We enjoy them with a lunchtime rum and coke (diet rum and coke! Ha!) Besides her great food I have put out a few tasty dinners as well. Grilled lobster, Vegetable and shrimp curry. and eggplant parmisan, just to mention a few. Served with wine, of course (diet wine, that is!
Ah yes, life is good!
And this is how it all went down (remember when that was such a frequently used phrase on TV. Now, of course, it is all about talking points!) Anyway, Lester gathered up required safety equipment and transported all out to the marina and into the boat. He made a nice gangplank to allow the inspector easy access and armed with the required papers, gathered over the past two years, we were first in line on the first day the inspectors were at the village council office. As it turned out they were not particularly interested in seeing the boat and were content to take his word about required items being aboard. They did give him the written Captain's test, which he passed with flying colors, but opted not to have him demonstrate his sailing skills. It all came down to making contributions to the inspectors upcoming personal Christmas funds. (Our landlord had suggested that might speed things along.) Our friend, Richard, showed up and after a similar contribution to said fund, was granted a license as well, based on the inspection of his boat. Pretty nifty, considering his boat is still down in Guatemala as he hasn't even brought it up here this year yet.
We are enjoying some early morning bicycle rides out to the marina and also to my property. I am strengthening leg muscles that have enjoyed significant and noticeable lack of use lately, developing calluses on behind areas that make painful contact with the bicycle seat, and practicing deep breathing, all at the same time. With all this physical activity I will either come home robust and healthy or slumped over in a wheelchair.
But we won't come home skinny. There is a woman from Oregon who spends her winters here and is a gourmet cook, She prepares and sells these gourmet lunches, delivering them by bicycle each day. We enjoy them with a lunchtime rum and coke (diet rum and coke! Ha!) Besides her great food I have put out a few tasty dinners as well. Grilled lobster, Vegetable and shrimp curry. and eggplant parmisan, just to mention a few. Served with wine, of course (diet wine, that is!
Ah yes, life is good!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Caye Caulker 2012/13 Season
After only a few days we have slipped easily back into our comfortable Caye Caulker island lifestyle. There are few tourists here now, allowing us to fully enjoy our cast of local characters and friends. Among them are Chocolate, the legendary protector of manatees, bandy legged, trademark white moustache leading the way, we pass him on his early morning dog walking excursion. "Mornin" he calls. Fredrick, our gap toothed 40 something adopted son, delivering cargo to various businesses with his bicycle cart, "Mom! - Dad" he greets us. Maurice, the dredlocked owner/cook of "The Wish Willy" a backyard eatery where the lack of ambiance is more than made up for by the generous helpings of delicious local cuisine. Lucianna, our darling transplanted 95 lb(soaking wet) bundle of Italian energy and the best darn snorkeling guide in Belize. Ras Creek, the owner of a palm frond decorated, brightly colored boat that he uses to transfer tourists to the reef where they may swim with the sting rays. Marie, the "Laundry Mat" lady. Mark, the internet cafe guy. Raena, the meat pie lady, To mention just a few.
Two new acquaintances. A man somewhat worse from over indulgence in local rum crawled up into a boat stored next to our place and remained there for so long without evidence of movement that we asked the local police to check and see if he were still alive. Yep! and happy to stagger off for another go at the bottle. Also a large iguana, one of the group that lives under the house and comes out daily to sunbathe below suddenly bounded up our stairs onto the porch and demanded to be fed. (At least, that was our guess). Apparently a correct one as she allowed Les to hand feed her chunks of banana. This after never being able to get near any of the iguanas before.
I am happy to report that the nu wave cooker that I smuggled into the country on Sunday works like a charm. Our first time use? Broiled lobster tails drenched in garlic butter. (Notice how cleverly I worked in that part about already having lobster for dinner!) Subtle, right? Today eggplant parmesan is bubbling gently in the crock pot. Looking forward to cooking a pot of the local red beans with the "Better Than Bullion" ham flavoring, a seasoning trick passed on to me by neighbor Mary in Panama. Life is good!
Okay, there is one fly in the ointment. No internet in the house. For that reason I am here at the internet cafe pecking away and posting the first report of this new season on Caye Caulker. Wish you were all here!
Oh yes, about the boat. It is trapped in the marina behind several others that came in later. We expect to get it free in a few days. The inspector is expected later this month. We must be ready!
Two new acquaintances. A man somewhat worse from over indulgence in local rum crawled up into a boat stored next to our place and remained there for so long without evidence of movement that we asked the local police to check and see if he were still alive. Yep! and happy to stagger off for another go at the bottle. Also a large iguana, one of the group that lives under the house and comes out daily to sunbathe below suddenly bounded up our stairs onto the porch and demanded to be fed. (At least, that was our guess). Apparently a correct one as she allowed Les to hand feed her chunks of banana. This after never being able to get near any of the iguanas before.
I am happy to report that the nu wave cooker that I smuggled into the country on Sunday works like a charm. Our first time use? Broiled lobster tails drenched in garlic butter. (Notice how cleverly I worked in that part about already having lobster for dinner!) Subtle, right? Today eggplant parmesan is bubbling gently in the crock pot. Looking forward to cooking a pot of the local red beans with the "Better Than Bullion" ham flavoring, a seasoning trick passed on to me by neighbor Mary in Panama. Life is good!
Okay, there is one fly in the ointment. No internet in the house. For that reason I am here at the internet cafe pecking away and posting the first report of this new season on Caye Caulker. Wish you were all here!
Oh yes, about the boat. It is trapped in the marina behind several others that came in later. We expect to get it free in a few days. The inspector is expected later this month. We must be ready!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Final days at Cerro Velero
"Our days dwindle down to a precious few" Yes, our time here is almost over. It is early morning and I have just come back inside from watching and listening to the beginning of another day here in the jungle. The bay was becoming increasingly more visible and there were a couple flickering lights across the way. Probably from two sailboats moored there. A few lingering fireflies twinkled in the bushes below the deck.
The Howler monkeys are out in force this morning, announcing loudly their current locations and proclaiming their rights to forage there for the day. There are various bird calls, ranging from sharp and shrill to soft and melodious. There is the sound of distant thunder (Some mornings the thunder has been anything but distant). Right now a soft rain is falling on the roof. (As opposed to the occasional torrential downpour) A few roosters are crowing, reminders that all is not wild out there.
I have been trying to record these sights and sounds for some future reference. In case we never pass this way again, I hope to be able to close my eyes and return to this place and this time for a few moments.
On a lighter note, after having reported many of the things that have happened while we were here, it might be appropriate in this final Panama blog post to report some of the things that did not happen. For example, I was not stung by a scorpion. I did not trip and fall down the stairs or trail leading up to the house. (Well, I did slip once and sit down unexpectedly but that doesn't count.) And most importantly (for this highly arachnophobic individual) I did not come back from a hike in the woods wearing a big spider on my head.(As the cacao farmer lady reports she often does.)
So that about wraps it up. We'll make one more shopping trip to town tomorrow, pick up our house sitting replacements in town on Friday, get them settled in and instructed on all things Cerro Velero, and then hand over the keys on Sunday.
If all goes well, there will be a picture posted above of a truly amazing sunset that Lester captured a while back. If it's not there, well, it did not all go well!
It's been a great adventure!
The Howler monkeys are out in force this morning, announcing loudly their current locations and proclaiming their rights to forage there for the day. There are various bird calls, ranging from sharp and shrill to soft and melodious. There is the sound of distant thunder (Some mornings the thunder has been anything but distant). Right now a soft rain is falling on the roof. (As opposed to the occasional torrential downpour) A few roosters are crowing, reminders that all is not wild out there.
I have been trying to record these sights and sounds for some future reference. In case we never pass this way again, I hope to be able to close my eyes and return to this place and this time for a few moments.
On a lighter note, after having reported many of the things that have happened while we were here, it might be appropriate in this final Panama blog post to report some of the things that did not happen. For example, I was not stung by a scorpion. I did not trip and fall down the stairs or trail leading up to the house. (Well, I did slip once and sit down unexpectedly but that doesn't count.) And most importantly (for this highly arachnophobic individual) I did not come back from a hike in the woods wearing a big spider on my head.(As the cacao farmer lady reports she often does.)
So that about wraps it up. We'll make one more shopping trip to town tomorrow, pick up our house sitting replacements in town on Friday, get them settled in and instructed on all things Cerro Velero, and then hand over the keys on Sunday.
If all goes well, there will be a picture posted above of a truly amazing sunset that Lester captured a while back. If it's not there, well, it did not all go well!
It's been a great adventure!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Rana Azul today. Beef Stroganof - Absolutely delicious! That Austrian, Joseph, and his wife are good cooks! But the big news is that this morning we saw a sloth in a tree down by our boat dock. Carol spotted it and we watched as it slowly made it's way down a branch. Here the locals refer to them as "slow monkeys". The fast monkeys, howlers, are getting close again. We are hoping they will be in our back yard again tomorrow as Carol and Frank have to leave for California on Tuesday.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
A quick recap of the week. We didn't make it to Rana Azul on Sunday due to the water system going kapoot. But Lester, being Mr. Fixit bought new parts in Bocas on Monday (where we treated ourselves to a nice lunch out at the Buena Vista Restaurant) and had it up and running by late afternoon on Monday. Tuesday was a laundry and game day (and stormy) and Wednesday we went to Red Frog Beach over on Bastimentos island. What a great day. We had the usual storm but it was timed perfectly for arriving just after our hike to the beach where there was a nice little restaurant/bar in which we could while away some time with rum and cokes until the weather cleared. It did. Carol and Frank played in the surf and us old folks cheered them on. We did see a red frog, by the way.
Thursday we went back to the neighbors cacao farm and gardens, but this time with Carol and Frank. Such a beautiful property. It's for sale. But not any where close to our budget.
Yesterday (Friday) we went to Starfish Beach on the other end of Isla Colon from Bocas del Toro. We took our boat into town and left it there. Then we took a mini bus across to Boca del Drago. From there we took a boat with a young captain ( He appeared to be about 12) across to the Bird Islands and then on to Starfish Beach. Soon after we arrived so did the storm. Fortunately there was another beach restaurant/bar where we could wait it out. So we had the best lunches, fish and lobster, rice and cole slaw and deep fried plantain slices. Yummy! I plan to post some pictures from these outings. That is the plan. Let's see what happens.
I do need to talk about the ant episode though. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we were overrun with ants one evening and did some major spraying to try to get rid of them. Well, as it turns out, according to our cacao farm neighbors, those were army ants and what we were supposed to do was just leave and let them take over. The neighbors said they will just go through the house cleaning up any crumbs they find, leaving you with a clean slate. Then they move on! Of course, they could be putting me on. I've had that happen before and passed on incorrect information to others with an air of authority. So, if any of you are ever here, you may want to check out the army ant story before moving out of the house. That would include you, Nancy!
Thursday we went back to the neighbors cacao farm and gardens, but this time with Carol and Frank. Such a beautiful property. It's for sale. But not any where close to our budget.
Yesterday (Friday) we went to Starfish Beach on the other end of Isla Colon from Bocas del Toro. We took our boat into town and left it there. Then we took a mini bus across to Boca del Drago. From there we took a boat with a young captain ( He appeared to be about 12) across to the Bird Islands and then on to Starfish Beach. Soon after we arrived so did the storm. Fortunately there was another beach restaurant/bar where we could wait it out. So we had the best lunches, fish and lobster, rice and cole slaw and deep fried plantain slices. Yummy! I plan to post some pictures from these outings. That is the plan. Let's see what happens.
I do need to talk about the ant episode though. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we were overrun with ants one evening and did some major spraying to try to get rid of them. Well, as it turns out, according to our cacao farm neighbors, those were army ants and what we were supposed to do was just leave and let them take over. The neighbors said they will just go through the house cleaning up any crumbs they find, leaving you with a clean slate. Then they move on! Of course, they could be putting me on. I've had that happen before and passed on incorrect information to others with an air of authority. So, if any of you are ever here, you may want to check out the army ant story before moving out of the house. That would include you, Nancy!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Not long ago we had a troop of howler monkeys right outside our back door. Then we were surrounded by a pod of dolphins one day on the way to town. Late yesterday afternoon, right after dinner we were attacked by a swarm of ants.
It started with a line of ants coming up the post out on the balcony by the table. It was an alarming number of ants and they started traveling along the railings. But Lester grabbed a can of spray and went after them and we thought that was it. Then Carol went in the house and said "There are ants in here too!" and they were everywhere, on the floor, on the walls. We used our second can of spray and Lester went down to the supply room and got something else to put in a sprayer to go after ants. Finally it was under control but not before we all were awash in bug spray. The weird thing is that today we find no evidence of ants. Not even dead ones! Weird!
\Carol and Frank are here! Yesterday we went for a hike and today we are going to Rana Azul.
It started with a line of ants coming up the post out on the balcony by the table. It was an alarming number of ants and they started traveling along the railings. But Lester grabbed a can of spray and went after them and we thought that was it. Then Carol went in the house and said "There are ants in here too!" and they were everywhere, on the floor, on the walls. We used our second can of spray and Lester went down to the supply room and got something else to put in a sprayer to go after ants. Finally it was under control but not before we all were awash in bug spray. The weird thing is that today we find no evidence of ants. Not even dead ones! Weird!
\Carol and Frank are here! Yesterday we went for a hike and today we are going to Rana Azul.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Today was Dolphin Day! And it happened by accident. The accident being that yesterday when we went into Bocas for grocery shopping day, I accidentally left some of the groceries at the Gourmet Store. And, of course, they were the very things I most needed to get ready for our friends who are coming on Friday. The eggs to make a cake, the chicken breast to bake (while baking the cake) and cut up for a stir fry. Also the hamburger and ground pork for our first night dinner of tacos and the lunch meat for our hike on Saturday. Well, you can imagine, I was not a happy camper!
I did call the store where they confirmed that they were aware of my items being left and that they would hold them for me until the next day. This morning it stormed. Not just a little rain but big time storming. So, I thought, well so much for that. We can't go today. But then about noon it cleared up and you would never have guessed that it had ever been otherwise. So we set out for Bocas in Cricket and got about halfway across Dolphin Bay when the dolphins began to surface around us. (We have been across that way many times but this has never happened before.) It was wonderful and so the grocery accident thing turned out to be a blessing in disguise. There they were putting on a great performance for us!What a special day!
I did call the store where they confirmed that they were aware of my items being left and that they would hold them for me until the next day. This morning it stormed. Not just a little rain but big time storming. So, I thought, well so much for that. We can't go today. But then about noon it cleared up and you would never have guessed that it had ever been otherwise. So we set out for Bocas in Cricket and got about halfway across Dolphin Bay when the dolphins began to surface around us. (We have been across that way many times but this has never happened before.) It was wonderful and so the grocery accident thing turned out to be a blessing in disguise. There they were putting on a great performance for us!What a special day!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
An update: Sunday we went to Rana Azul for lunch and to celebrate Father's Day. Well, of course, Lester is not my father but someone had to celebrate with him! Anyway, we only stayed for one drink and lunch and as we were leaving someone asked us about going so soon and my answer was that the first time we came I was sick all afternoon, the second time I was drunk, and now this third time I wanted to leave while I still had some dignity left. But my feeling is I will be most remembered for the times when there was no dignity in the picture. Oh well!
Monday, Lester went out to the sailboat to try to get it going. But the batteries are dead and can not be recharged.Today we went to Bocas with a carefully prepared shopping list (friends Carol and Frank are coming on Friday) and after we got back discovered that all meat and eggs, perishables, etc. were left in store. I called and .yes, they have them and will save them for us. So back to Bocas tomorrow. But that's okay so long as the weather is as nice as it is today. Just beautiful out there. Well, beautiful and hot too.
The man came about repairing the dock this morning. I e-mailed his quote to the owner and am waiting for a reply. Hoping she okays it as the dock is about to collapse in the water and then the repair would be even more. There is not enough money in household fund so will have to pay it and be reimbursed but need an okay first.
Ian Usher, the author, is leaving for three months on Thursday, one month in England with his family and then 2 months in the Yukon with his girlfriend. We met his house sitter who just flew in today. A young guy named Cameron. I saw him in almost every store I went into today. Nice young man! We'll have to have him over before we leave.
Monday, Lester went out to the sailboat to try to get it going. But the batteries are dead and can not be recharged.Today we went to Bocas with a carefully prepared shopping list (friends Carol and Frank are coming on Friday) and after we got back discovered that all meat and eggs, perishables, etc. were left in store. I called and .yes, they have them and will save them for us. So back to Bocas tomorrow. But that's okay so long as the weather is as nice as it is today. Just beautiful out there. Well, beautiful and hot too.
The man came about repairing the dock this morning. I e-mailed his quote to the owner and am waiting for a reply. Hoping she okays it as the dock is about to collapse in the water and then the repair would be even more. There is not enough money in household fund so will have to pay it and be reimbursed but need an okay first.
Ian Usher, the author, is leaving for three months on Thursday, one month in England with his family and then 2 months in the Yukon with his girlfriend. We met his house sitter who just flew in today. A young guy named Cameron. I saw him in almost every store I went into today. Nice young man! We'll have to have him over before we leave.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
What an exciting couple of days! Late yesterday afternoon we heard some strange noises out back and walked around the deck to that side only to find a troop of howler monkeys cavorting about in the trees right there. We grabbed cameras and got some shots and had a very entertaining time watching them jumping from limb to limb and hanging from their tails. They spent today here as well. We thought they left this morning but there they were again tonight. The former house sitters came over and were a bit put out as they were here for 7 months and all that time hoped for a visit like this but it never happened. Just confirmed what we already knew. We're special! Ha!.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Here it is another Sunday. The weeks are going by quickly. We went for our weekly shopping in Bocas on Tuesday and ran into some people we knew who invited us to another potluck on Thursday night. Since there was a full moon we went out across the bay in our little boat and enjoyed the evening. I should mention here that the boat, Cricket, has acquired a nickname that the expats use frequently when referring to her. They call it Tippycanoe. And I guess it isn't quite as substantial as others here but is okay so long as the weather is good. We have repeatedly been advised not to take it out in bad weather though and we think that might be wise.
On Friday we went over to the neighbors, Dave and Linda's place. It is close but we have to take the boat over as there is no trail. Anyway, they are the chocolate growers and there are tours there frequently. People come, not just to see the cacao trees, but also because their gardens are so beautiful! Les took some pictures but they don't begin to show the plants, flowers, pools, etc. They have been there 15 years and so much work has gone into that place! Will try to post a few pictures. But they won't do it justice! We plan to go back when Carol and Frank are here so may get more pictures then.
We planned to go with them on Saturday to a Garden Club meeting but Saturday turned into one of those days when nothing goes as planned. I was sure Linda said to come over at 9:15 but Les was sure it was 8:45. I could not call her to check because the telephone was dead and needed to be charged. So we went down to our boathouse early (because our dock is falling down, can't be picked up here.)but the boat battery was dead. So Les got the kayak in the water and had such a time getting into it and got so wet that, as he said, he might as well have swum over to their dock to tell them we were not going. Then he kayaked out to the sailboat to retrieve the battery cable he had been using with one of the generators (which he had recently repaired and taken out there in the boat to charge batteries out there) and I went back up the hill. By the time I got to the house it had started to pour and we had a regular monsoon that lasted about three hours with Les stuck on the sailboat waiting it out. The rain came down so hard we had a whiteout. Could not see anything! Then, of course, he had to bring the battery up the hill and charge it with this generator up here as he could not get the generator off the boat and bring it back in the kayak. Well, the day just continued in that manner. But today is another day and so far everything is going well. Knock on wood!
On Friday we went over to the neighbors, Dave and Linda's place. It is close but we have to take the boat over as there is no trail. Anyway, they are the chocolate growers and there are tours there frequently. People come, not just to see the cacao trees, but also because their gardens are so beautiful! Les took some pictures but they don't begin to show the plants, flowers, pools, etc. They have been there 15 years and so much work has gone into that place! Will try to post a few pictures. But they won't do it justice! We plan to go back when Carol and Frank are here so may get more pictures then.
We planned to go with them on Saturday to a Garden Club meeting but Saturday turned into one of those days when nothing goes as planned. I was sure Linda said to come over at 9:15 but Les was sure it was 8:45. I could not call her to check because the telephone was dead and needed to be charged. So we went down to our boathouse early (because our dock is falling down, can't be picked up here.)but the boat battery was dead. So Les got the kayak in the water and had such a time getting into it and got so wet that, as he said, he might as well have swum over to their dock to tell them we were not going. Then he kayaked out to the sailboat to retrieve the battery cable he had been using with one of the generators (which he had recently repaired and taken out there in the boat to charge batteries out there) and I went back up the hill. By the time I got to the house it had started to pour and we had a regular monsoon that lasted about three hours with Les stuck on the sailboat waiting it out. The rain came down so hard we had a whiteout. Could not see anything! Then, of course, he had to bring the battery up the hill and charge it with this generator up here as he could not get the generator off the boat and bring it back in the kayak. Well, the day just continued in that manner. But today is another day and so far everything is going well. Knock on wood!
Monday, June 4, 2012
A Quiet Day at Cerro Velero
Today Vicente, the gardener, is chopping away with his machete. He is working near the trail that leads down to the boat. There are stairs and there is a trail. I opt for the trail. Domingo, the fellow from the village who cleans the bottom of the boats is here doing his monthly chore. We are watching some sailboats crossing the bay. Looks like they are heading to neighbors house. Those neighbors, Dave and Linda, are cacao growers and he grows and harvests but also makes chocolate there. Sometimes they have tours. We plan to go over soon.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Yesterday was the absolute best Panama day yet. We went for a hike on a property across the bay and it was just amazing. First I need to tell you about this property. It was owned by a man named Jim Jackson who also was co-owner of Fossil Rim Wildlife Reserve in Texas. It is 100 hectars in size and there are nice, well maintained trails all around through it. It has fields of pineapple, banana trees, cacao (chocolate) and many other fruits that we are trying to identify in a book here at Cerro Velero. There are benches along the way to rest and two different residential areas that, now unoccupied, are still maintained. A shop where they used to make furniture is there and some evidence of possible current work as well.. Everywhere you look are beautiful (and also yet to be identified) flowers and plants. In one area there are giant trees with huge buttresses and thick foliage. Other areas are more open. Now this is not a park. In fact we saw no one else all day and we wandered around there about 4 hours. You can only get there by boat but it is a must see while here.
. Jim Jackson passed away a few years ago but his estate or maybe his former partner is still maintaining the place. He was highly thought of around here as he was trying to develop work for the locals and apparently he was also well known in Texas where he and his partner had a wildlife reserve. We looked him up on the internet and were impressed with the information on his life. Anyway, Carol and Frank will love this when they come and Nancy, you and your husband will really enjoy it too. (The neighbors, Carl and Mary, will show you how to find it.)
Today we went to Bocas ( I'm not ready for Rana Azul again just yet.) But almost everything over there was closed. In fact we tied the boat up to our regular spot on the dock by the hardware store and when we came back the gate to that dock was locked. We had to hire a guy to take us around in his boat to get to ours. So now we are back home just enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon.
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. Jim Jackson passed away a few years ago but his estate or maybe his former partner is still maintaining the place. He was highly thought of around here as he was trying to develop work for the locals and apparently he was also well known in Texas where he and his partner had a wildlife reserve. We looked him up on the internet and were impressed with the information on his life. Anyway, Carol and Frank will love this when they come and Nancy, you and your husband will really enjoy it too. (The neighbors, Carl and Mary, will show you how to find it.)
Today we went to Bocas ( I'm not ready for Rana Azul again just yet.) But almost everything over there was closed. In fact we tied the boat up to our regular spot on the dock by the hardware store and when we came back the gate to that dock was locked. We had to hire a guy to take us around in his boat to get to ours. So now we are back home just enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon.
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Friday, June 1, 2012
Tomorrow will be a week since my last post so guess I had better catch up. First of all we did go to Rana Azul on Sunday and while I did not have to spend my afternoon in the outhouse, I did manage to have one too many rum and cokes and Thank God people were not dancing on the tables because I probably would have joined them. Let's just say that Les had some trouble getting me in and out of the boat for the trip home. More than that I do not care to divulge.
Monday I paid for Sunday. Fortunately, this is only the third such day of misery in my 72 years. There was one 45 years ago in Hermiston, Oregon after going to a western dance. The next one was about 17 or 18 years ago in Mazatlan after an evening at Senor Frog's (where the infamous table dancing occurred.) This will have to have been the last as I couldn't survive another.
We had planned to go shopping on Tuesday but the weather was so threatening we opted to wait until Wednesday. By Wednesday we had little choice as our cupboards were pretty bare. The weather was equally threatening and by the time we made it to Bocas it had begun to make good on that threat. What a downpour. And the lightening was so close there was no delay in flash and sound. They were pretty much simultaneous. Crack/Boom. WE waited a bit before starting home.
I am beginning to get my cooking under control. First of all, I am learning to cook somewhat better on a gas stove. I still find it hard to simmer because all the settings are so high. But if I stand right there and keep removing the pan in order for everything not to burn or stick or scorch it works okay. It is nice to have an oven. We don't have one on Caye Caulker. I baked a cake yesterday and it came out fine. Also I am having the big meal of the day about 2:00 p.m. That way I am not in the kitchen when the sun is beating in that window about 5:00. I try to have something simple ready for evening because I will not have lights to cook or clean up by after 6:30. Still it is more convenient than Caye Caulker because there is a nice double sink and plenty of working space on the counter. I really like that!!
I'm starting to work on finding a few tours so that when Carol and Frank come we'll be able to show them around. Our neighbor did tell us of a great place to hike across the bay and we explored a little in the boat the other afternoon and found it. We may go there tomorrow.
In the meantime we are working with some locals to get the bottom of the sailboat cleaned and the dock repaired. The dock is close to collapsing.
More later!
Monday I paid for Sunday. Fortunately, this is only the third such day of misery in my 72 years. There was one 45 years ago in Hermiston, Oregon after going to a western dance. The next one was about 17 or 18 years ago in Mazatlan after an evening at Senor Frog's (where the infamous table dancing occurred.) This will have to have been the last as I couldn't survive another.
We had planned to go shopping on Tuesday but the weather was so threatening we opted to wait until Wednesday. By Wednesday we had little choice as our cupboards were pretty bare. The weather was equally threatening and by the time we made it to Bocas it had begun to make good on that threat. What a downpour. And the lightening was so close there was no delay in flash and sound. They were pretty much simultaneous. Crack/Boom. WE waited a bit before starting home.
I am beginning to get my cooking under control. First of all, I am learning to cook somewhat better on a gas stove. I still find it hard to simmer because all the settings are so high. But if I stand right there and keep removing the pan in order for everything not to burn or stick or scorch it works okay. It is nice to have an oven. We don't have one on Caye Caulker. I baked a cake yesterday and it came out fine. Also I am having the big meal of the day about 2:00 p.m. That way I am not in the kitchen when the sun is beating in that window about 5:00. I try to have something simple ready for evening because I will not have lights to cook or clean up by after 6:30. Still it is more convenient than Caye Caulker because there is a nice double sink and plenty of working space on the counter. I really like that!!
I'm starting to work on finding a few tours so that when Carol and Frank come we'll be able to show them around. Our neighbor did tell us of a great place to hike across the bay and we explored a little in the boat the other afternoon and found it. We may go there tomorrow.
In the meantime we are working with some locals to get the bottom of the sailboat cleaned and the dock repaired. The dock is close to collapsing.
More later!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
We've had a pretty busy social calendar the last few days. On Wednesday I went to Cynde's house to play Mahjong, which, by the way, is great fun! Then on Thursday we went to the same house for a potluck. I was amazed at some of the dishes people brought. Especially since shopping in town the last two Tuesdays. I was wrong about them having so much in the stores here. They have a lot but for everything I have in mind to fix there are always a couple of ingredients that are not available. So you either substitute or leave something out and the results are pretty iffy, at best. I took my Texas Caviar dip (also known as Saunders Lake dip) and after numerous substitutions it was hardly recognizable as the original. It was okay, but---.
There is an interesting group of people here. A Danish man named Stig and his American wife. Our neighbors, Mary and Carl, are retired college teachers and had been cruising (sailboat travel) for 16 years before settling here 4 years ago. They are from North Carolina. Another couple of cruisers who built a house here are from Colorado. Cynde is from Mt. Shasta area. Her husband passed away about a year and a half ago. She has a beautiful home here that her husband built and it has every convenience you could want. The deck hangs over the water and also serves as a boat house. But she really does not want to stay here alone. A real problem for retirees who create these dream homes and then one of them passes and the other does not know quite what to do next.
There were several newly retired couples there. Younger, maybe late 50's and several had retired from careers spent working overseas. Also a couple visiting here from Boquette (here in the mountains of Panama). They invited us to visit and we may very well do that on out way to Costa Rica in July.
Yesterday we had Mary and Carl over to dinner and I stressed all day trying to work with a stove I don't like and a minimum of pots and pans as well as having to substitute ingredients once again. It turned out okay but I have done better.
Tomorrow we are going to Rana Azul (the little pizza bar in the jungle that is only open on Sunday afternoon and is run by an Austrian couple. I hope this time to be able to visit and not spend my entire afternoon out back in the little house.
Oh yes, and we also met an interesting fellow at the potluck named Ian Usher. A few years back he ran an ad to sell everything he had in Australia on e-bay. It was called ALIFE4SALE. Then his plan was to spend 100 weeks doing 100 things from his wish list of things to do and things to see. He did that and wrote a book that is doing very well.called A Life Sold. I am reading it on my kindle now and he actually did not sell the house on e-bay but had enough publicity and movie offers, etc. he was able to do the 100 things in 100 weeks. He has a home here now.
Today we are just staying home and I am trying to cook a few things ahead. Macaroni salad for one thing. Of course, not with macaroni but with some other strange looking pasta sort of thing. No sweet pickles available but I did find sweet relish so will try that. I will be using real hard boiled eggs!.
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There is an interesting group of people here. A Danish man named Stig and his American wife. Our neighbors, Mary and Carl, are retired college teachers and had been cruising (sailboat travel) for 16 years before settling here 4 years ago. They are from North Carolina. Another couple of cruisers who built a house here are from Colorado. Cynde is from Mt. Shasta area. Her husband passed away about a year and a half ago. She has a beautiful home here that her husband built and it has every convenience you could want. The deck hangs over the water and also serves as a boat house. But she really does not want to stay here alone. A real problem for retirees who create these dream homes and then one of them passes and the other does not know quite what to do next.
There were several newly retired couples there. Younger, maybe late 50's and several had retired from careers spent working overseas. Also a couple visiting here from Boquette (here in the mountains of Panama). They invited us to visit and we may very well do that on out way to Costa Rica in July.
Yesterday we had Mary and Carl over to dinner and I stressed all day trying to work with a stove I don't like and a minimum of pots and pans as well as having to substitute ingredients once again. It turned out okay but I have done better.
Tomorrow we are going to Rana Azul (the little pizza bar in the jungle that is only open on Sunday afternoon and is run by an Austrian couple. I hope this time to be able to visit and not spend my entire afternoon out back in the little house.
Oh yes, and we also met an interesting fellow at the potluck named Ian Usher. A few years back he ran an ad to sell everything he had in Australia on e-bay. It was called ALIFE4SALE. Then his plan was to spend 100 weeks doing 100 things from his wish list of things to do and things to see. He did that and wrote a book that is doing very well.called A Life Sold. I am reading it on my kindle now and he actually did not sell the house on e-bay but had enough publicity and movie offers, etc. he was able to do the 100 things in 100 weeks. He has a home here now.
Today we are just staying home and I am trying to cook a few things ahead. Macaroni salad for one thing. Of course, not with macaroni but with some other strange looking pasta sort of thing. No sweet pickles available but I did find sweet relish so will try that. I will be using real hard boiled eggs!.
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Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Well, a bit more about the place and I guess I'll start with the critters.
The first two are the dogs, Gelli (Magellan) and Indy (Independence). They are quite well behaved and no trouble at all except to check them over for ticks and other jungle things. Gelli has a patch of ringworm I am treating now and I am trying to get rid of Indy's ear mites. Gelli is the more adventurous of the two and lately has been out finding various ripe things to roll in. She often sports a certain interesting fragrance.
Now to the less domesticated critters. As soon as it gets dark the frogs come out. Must be big from the sounds of them. These frogs say "Whoop! Whoop!" Later they stop and there are just the regular cheepings and twitterings. There are lots of fireflies! They are quiet, of cours. And in the early morning the howler monkeys start roaring to establish their territories I guess. Lots of birds here. We have one particular favorite, a tanager with a red back. There are several bird books here (for those of you coming later so no need to bring any.) The bugs are pretty much everywhere. There is a big spider (pet of Jeanne and Steve's who is named "seven legs" for obvious reasons. She hangs from a rafter out front and I always check to make sure where she is each day!!! Yesterday, I carried a loaf of bread over to the neighbors and almost ran into her sister stretched across the path. Had to jump back quick and find a big stick to dislodge her. Will be waving a stick in front of me wherever I go now. For example, I am going to the neighbors today to ride over in her boat to someone's house to play Mahjong! My stick is at the ready!
(More about the extensive social life here later. It's busier than in Live Oak and no one has cars. All done by boat.)
No mosquitoes to speak of. I am told that no-see-ums can be a problem but have not run into them yet. Next to the path to the boat there are some small shiny green frogs that Lester has looked up and identified as poison dart frogs so if you are into kissing frogs these should be avoided.
I am on the look out for bugs in the house as, since it is not finishe, they certainly have plenty of access. With all the knotholes in the lumber (and my increasingly poor eyesight) it is hard to distinguish between natural wood markings and large insects. I find that the best clue is to watch for movement. One bad thing is that there are scorpions here. Lester saw one crawling on the rafters the other day and the neighbors find them frequently. That's even scarier than spiders! More later..
The first two are the dogs, Gelli (Magellan) and Indy (Independence). They are quite well behaved and no trouble at all except to check them over for ticks and other jungle things. Gelli has a patch of ringworm I am treating now and I am trying to get rid of Indy's ear mites. Gelli is the more adventurous of the two and lately has been out finding various ripe things to roll in. She often sports a certain interesting fragrance.
Now to the less domesticated critters. As soon as it gets dark the frogs come out. Must be big from the sounds of them. These frogs say "Whoop! Whoop!" Later they stop and there are just the regular cheepings and twitterings. There are lots of fireflies! They are quiet, of cours. And in the early morning the howler monkeys start roaring to establish their territories I guess. Lots of birds here. We have one particular favorite, a tanager with a red back. There are several bird books here (for those of you coming later so no need to bring any.) The bugs are pretty much everywhere. There is a big spider (pet of Jeanne and Steve's who is named "seven legs" for obvious reasons. She hangs from a rafter out front and I always check to make sure where she is each day!!! Yesterday, I carried a loaf of bread over to the neighbors and almost ran into her sister stretched across the path. Had to jump back quick and find a big stick to dislodge her. Will be waving a stick in front of me wherever I go now. For example, I am going to the neighbors today to ride over in her boat to someone's house to play Mahjong! My stick is at the ready!
(More about the extensive social life here later. It's busier than in Live Oak and no one has cars. All done by boat.)
No mosquitoes to speak of. I am told that no-see-ums can be a problem but have not run into them yet. Next to the path to the boat there are some small shiny green frogs that Lester has looked up and identified as poison dart frogs so if you are into kissing frogs these should be avoided.
I am on the look out for bugs in the house as, since it is not finishe, they certainly have plenty of access. With all the knotholes in the lumber (and my increasingly poor eyesight) it is hard to distinguish between natural wood markings and large insects. I find that the best clue is to watch for movement. One bad thing is that there are scorpions here. Lester saw one crawling on the rafters the other day and the neighbors find them frequently. That's even scarier than spiders! More later..
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Well, I see that even if I use paragraphing the published blog does not. I need to try to find out why but I'm lucky to just get this published at all. Oh, and by the way, all typos are the fault of Panamanian internet. Likewise any misspelled words and poor grammar. Just wanted to get that straight.
Now about the house. It is not quite finished yet. This is due to the owner being ill, of course. But the current house sitters have made many improvements of which the bathroom installed on the main floor and the remodeling of the downstairs outside shower to include privacy walls, etc. are most appreciated. Another improvement is the mesh screen added across the ceiling under the open beams to prevent , or at least cut down on, any insect invasions. That is not to say that all is sealed off as there are a number of open spots but certainly it is an important addition.
The steps and the trail up the hill to the house are challenging. I would suggest future visitors start working on their climbing skills. I am particularly lacking in these skills, as many of you know. It is a bit hot and humid, and there are a few bugs. But aside from these minor negative aspects the over all description of Cerro Velero is that it is a magical place. The view, the birds, the jungle sounds are well worth a few sore leg muscles, a little sweat on the brow, and a bug bite or two. Carol and Frank, when you come for a visit you are going to love it here! (Nancy, when your turn comes to house sit you are going to love it here! And by the way, Nancy, I would answer you comment on the blog if I could figure out how. So if you want to comment again and leave an e-mail address I will get back to you.)
To finish this I will report briefly on our first day alone here. We took Jeanne and Steve into Bocas on Tuesday so they could fly out on another day to New York. (they will be back to house sit for a couple of the neighbors so we will see them again.) After doing our shopping and lugging everything back to the boat (propane tank, case of beer, bags of groceries) we started back to the house which is approximately 20 miles through a maze of small mangrove islands. And I do mean a maze. It took us forever to find our way home(many wrong turns along the way.) We did, however, get back in time to have the worker still here to help get supplies up the hill. Otherwise we might still be camping down on the dock.
So much more to tell you about this place but will save it for next time.
I wrote a blog day before yesterday that disappeared just as I was finishing the last sentence. Just poof! And it was gone. I was`too traumatized to start over until now. Let's hope this time it works.
Let me see, where was I when I was so rudely poofed? Oh yes, I was telling about arriving here in Bocas del Toro on Saturday afternoon about 5:00. We took a cab to our hotel, which turned out to be about a block and a half away from the airport. We could have walked there in the time it took to put the bags in the trunk and wait on another passenger. Oh well, gave us a chance to get acquainted with the driver, Marlon (as in Marlon Brando, he informed us.)
Later, after getting the suitcases in the room, we walked down the main street. Town is about 5 blocks long and 2 blocks wide. I was` amazed at what all was available in the grocery stores. Anything you might want and many things I'd never seen before but want now! The prices were quite reasonable. Much less than in Belize. Panama must have better trade agreements with other countries than Belize. The wine here is very cheap! They almost pay you to carry it out the door. And it is good!
We had dinner on the street and breakfast at the hotel before meeting the current house sitters for the boat ride back to the house. I mention these two meals because one of them resulted in my no longer being able to boast of having an iron stomach while traveling in third world countries.
WE made a detour on the way home to stop at a little outdoor cafe/bar in the jungle. It is only open on Sunday afternoons and is the local watering hole/meeting place for expats in the area. It was a good opportunity to meet many of the people who have retired here. Or it would have been a good opportunity except that I spent most of my afternoon in one of the two stalls of the outhouse out back. I think Lester had a good time. (It was a unique Mother's Day for me.)
The former house sitters are just great! They are from South Africa. Early 40's in age and very adventurous. Among other things they have spent time managing guesthouses in Scotland and The Corn Islands of Nicaragua. At the same time they have an online business selling apps. (Don't ask me what apps are.) Something to do with computer programing I think. Anyway when they told us that I smiled and nodded my head wisely as if I deal with apps every say!
I'm getting worried that this will disappear again so will post and then start over as there is more to tell.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Thursday, May 10.
Today we went on a tour with the daughter of the owner at our guesthouse, Villa Michelle. Her name is Michelle (Imagne that!) Ayway it was a really good day. We went to the Panama Canal and watched a ship come through the Miraflores Locks. It is a pretty tight fit. Only 24 inches on each side of the ship. The ship is pulled through by motorized vehicles on tracks running along each side of the canal. According to the info. they bring in between 7 and 9 million dollars per day. The larger ships may pay between 350 to 400 thousand dollars to travel through the canal.
Then Michelle took us to the Causeway in front of the city for some spectacular views of the city. It is amazing how many high rise skyscrapers there are here. Donald Trump just recently built one and it is shaped like a big D. Then there is one that looks like a giant screw. Many modern and imaginative designs as so many of the buildings are new. And then we went to the old city (actually the second city as the first was destroyed). We walked through it. It reminded me of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. Then a lunch at a Panamanian restaurant. Back to the gusthouse where I had a very pleasant nap on the porch by the pool during the afternoon thunderstorm.
A couple of interesting things. Seniors here (even if you are not Panamanian) get into most everything at half price. Also there is a 25% discount on meals at restaurants. The second thing is about the maid here at the guesthouse. Ivonne (the owner) introduced us to her daughter the first day and then later I asked who the other girl with the long blonde hair was. "That's not a girl."she said. "That is Rolando and he is my maid." Well. let me tell you, after watching Rolando for the past couple of days I have decided that I would like to bring him home with me. He is just great, cleaning, cooking. And he does it all so gracefully and with such style.
The last time I posted here it all ended up in one big blob even though there were paragraphs. Lets see what happens this time. Also, I could not get the pictures posted. May figure that out later.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Panama Adventure begins
Here we are in Panama City at our guesthouse, Villa Michelle which has turned out to a real gem! The owner is so helpful and the house and pool just perfect for us
After the horrible travel we experienced it was wonderful to arrive here last night and find the place so pleasant and relaxing. (A nice glass of wine beside the pool helped lighten our moods as well.)
We started off in Sacramento with no crew to fly the airplane to Houston. Don't know how that happened but we had to wait for a crew to be flown in and did not leave Sac until about 4:30 a.m. Of course, that got us in to Houston far too late to catch our morning flight to Panama City so we were rescheduled for the 3:12 p.m. flight and had 5 hours to twiddle our thumbs there. When we arrived in Panama shortly after 7:00 we found that Lester's suitcase did not arrive with us. He was not alone in this problem so we had a long wait in line for our turn to report our missing luggage. When we finally left the terminal it was difficult to find a taxi driver who was familiar with Villa Michelle. But finally we did and so you can see how nice it was to arrive here and feel so welcome. Apparently most tourists stay at one of the many big high rise hotels but you all know that is not my style.(The good news is that United Airlines just called. Lester's suitcase is here and will be delivered soon.) He's not going to have to share my wardrobe after all!
I'm going to try to post a picture of the pool area here at our guesthouse. Sometimes That works for me and sometimes it does not. We'll see.
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