Resolutions

January 1, 2013

The electricity went out this morning, all computers are down, water pump doesn’t work, can’t even open the garage door or light the stove so we packed up and went to the beach divided into three cars. The misty rain fell, the wind picked up and we landed at a friend’s beach bar near the southern tip of the island. The skewer thin wife and shy but cheerful Italian hubby bar owners were very helpful moving us from the table directly on the beach to under the eave of the restaurant. Much more attentive than our prior experiences at beachside bars. Had to pay $10 per car to park and the shocking resulting bill was $782 for the endless dishes of fried foods and multiple drinks. It is rare anyone leaves a tip, nearly unheard of actually. In the old days, friends would leave a joint if the service was over-the-top! Times have changed and we just leave a huge mess.

An afternoon of scarfing leftovers from last night’s dinner and plates of dessert then wii games on the television in the efficient living room.

An old empregada who has worked for several friends of mine came home to dress for a party last night and found a snake wrapped around her verandah post. It promptly slithered down to strike her directly in the forehead. Her son was with her and called the paramedics who sent a helicopter to pick her up and take her for emergency treatment. She is doing fine now but was frightened and shaky in her recovery.

On her list of New Years resolutions for Iemaja she told me she is wishing for a big strong boyfriend to protect her from large venomous snakes! Her son asked for his mother to recover and be able to make enough money to move closer to a civilized neighborhood where they don’t have to call a helicopter for assistance.