Hmmmmm....

Well dear readers...I know I have been remiss. It's hard for me to drum up a topic sometimes. I've talked about the blue skies, the birds, the beach, Lucky, the locals, the gossipy gringos, the multitude of catholic holidays and festivities, Carnival, Semana Santa ( which is coming in 3 weeks or so..) when the vacationers flood Santa Clara....I've discussed all of these things with you. I've tried to share the challenges of accomplishing things that, at home, are as simple as a phone call or two like getting internet, car insurance ( which i have to renew next week...took me two people who spoke spanish to call last years agent, get an address- which i'll take a cab to because it's too difficult for me to find in 95 degree heat, no air conditioning and crazy drivers), hurricane insurance and paying the electric bill ( its like playing the lottery trying to find out when the office in Dzidzantun is open). Its all an incredible adventure and every day is different. Like today, i picked up a couple of guys in Cansahcab with four crates and a hand truck. and gave them a ride to santa clara. They had to stop in Dzidzantun with me while i picked up my laundry and bought a phone card. I bought them cokes and in exchange, at the end of the ride they gave me 4 ears of corn and two fresh mangos. Just like the beach is different every time i go on it. some days its covered with beautiful shells, some days stinky seaweed. At times its completely devoid of anything other then pristine sand. Low waves, the glasslike surface when its calm and the heat hangs on you like a warm, wet sweater...
Whats missing from this grand adventure are my friends and family. The ability to create and share a common experience. Now, luckily, I have had my true blue people visit me. As a result, they know what im talking about and can visualize the orange municipal building in Dzidzantun, the little tienda where i buy my fruits and vegies, the hotel i stay at, the english libray where the meeting is held, the road to Merida, the topes ( speed bumps) that are ever present through all the villages, the tricycles, the little village ladies in their embroidered dresses. All the things that make up my day to day life. But the little mundane things like what I'm having for dinner or where I found a new place to buy a chicken breast go unspoken, unshared. The " oh my gosh! look at that flower that opened up!" only gets voiced to Lucky, who i must say wags his tail and is very interested in my obvious excitement. Am I sad about this? I wouldn't say sad...melancholy. I don't miss the cold, the grey, the wet,the high cost of everything. I enjoy living a simple, basic, toasty, existence. I guess everything comes with a price.
As the sun sets in a blaze of orange, the pelicans fly down the coastline like a ribbon in the wind, the palm leaves rustle, a fishing boat motors its way in for the night and the grackles call to each other, there is no one to turn to and say " pretty cool isn't it?" with a satisfied smile. So everybody- close your eyes and picture it..feel the warm wind, smell the salt, check out that orange globe as it flares and turns purple........pretty cool isn't it?