Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 2010:

Up early. The boys do breakfast (traditionally). Judy and I do a little laundry and put chicken and rice in the crock pot for dinner. We watch some funny bird on the palapa do some sort of slow tai chi exercise in the sun – head down – left wing out – leg up – right wing out – head down – both wings out … pretty interesting and funny!

The weather looks decent, so we decide to take the Hokey Pokey to Independence to take a look around and for Gerald and I to get our passports stamped to extend our visas and pay taxes. We got to the Hokey Pokey at about 12:45 pm but the next boat didn’t leave till 2:30. That wouldn’t give us much time since the last boat leaves Independence at 5:00 pm, so we decide to forgo the ferry today and start out tomorrow earlier so we will have time to look around. Plus, we’ll be able to go get breakfast at DeTatch before hand to get some of those Jacks! (yum!).

Since we are out, we take a walk up the Sidewalk to show the boys where Sweet Dreams (the Swiss bakery) is so they can go pick up bread the next time.  We keep walking and decide to have lunch at Cozy Corner again.  It’s such a beautiful place to stop and rest.   While there, we see Dan and MaryJo, they are a couple from Canada that Sharene was showing around Sunset Pointe this morning, so we talk with them and invite them to our table.  We have a great conversation and learn they have been to San Pedro town on Ambergris Caye, so we get more information from them for our upcoming trip.  They are looking for an inexpensive place to stay and have looked at a few places. We invite them to come down to see the sunsets at the point…since it’s a clear shot!

We’ve seen a lot of people come down here on the cheap.  They stay in these smaller cabins for about $50 a night, some for $100 a week.  There aren’t kitchens in them, but they have a bed, bath and hot and cold water – most have air.  Although lately, you don’t need air conditioning, because it’s been cool weather.

We thought we would stop by Tuti Fruiti for a gelato, but it’s closed on Wednesdays! BUMMERS!  Judy and I have wanted to get some for 2 days! Now we have to wait another one!  Grrrr…we are definitely going tomorrow!

We head to the store to pick up some coconut rum and bread (what a diet). While the boys were in the store, we see Kenney, Kevin and his two sisters.  Kenney rides his bike to school.  Unfortunately it got ran over and his handlebars are all bent up. I don’t know how he can steer it, but he does. Kevin and his two sisters get an Ideal (frozen fruit juice) from the store and I feel bad that Kenney doesn’t have one – so I give him a schilling (half a quarter or 12.5 cents) to get himself one too. He is a good kid and would never ask for money – he is hesitant to take it but I’m persistent (can you imagine!)  He is all smiles when he gets the Ideal. Nothing better than putting a smile on a kids face! Especially here.

We’re still waiting for Bob and Gerald to come out of the store, when a guy comes up and asks us if we could give him a ride to Ronnie’s

Pizza Place

with his case of beer. (if it’s not the kids, it’s the adults looking to hitchhike!)  But we say ok – he looks about 65+ and is carrying a case of bottled beer – he could use a ride!  We actually end up taking him to his boat, but it’s on the way to the condo anyway. 5 adults and a case of beer on a golf cart. Probably pushing the limits of the cart! But we made it. He is an American (said he used to be a surgeon, but has firefighter symbol tattoos) but lives in Guatemala. He needs to leave every 3 months, so he comes here. I ask him why Guatemala and he said because it’s cheap! Ok!

We come back to the condo and play cards and rest. Then we go watch the sunset. It’s a pretty nice one, but there are no clouds – so there’s not much reflection.

We eat dinner, the chicken and rice we cooked. It wasn’t too bad! We play cards again – Bob always wins, but then again, he is keeping score too!

It’s getting late. Patty and Jane went to Belize City to pick up their sister Linda. They left early this morning, and haven’t made it home yet. We’re a little worried, but they are strong independent women, and I’m sure they will be ok. We keep checking down the road to see if their vehicle is here yet.  Sharene said they called and got a late start, so it will be later when they get in.

We call it a night!