It has become abundantly clear to me that I have seriously downplayed the extraordinariness of this place. This place is incredible. Maybe I do it because I just can't believe my life is so cool, or maybe I do it because I cannot describe the yumminess of this place, and it is easy to describe the adversities. Maybe I just think that the great is obvious. There is nothing like looking at the the sun rising over The Caribbean Ocean every single morning when we wake up, hearing it crash against the shore when we drift off to sleep. The real wonder of this place is that we wanted to be here, so we came here.
God Bless the Mango. Anyone who has ever had more than one beer with me knows that I don't pretend to know much about God, but when I taste mangos straight off the tree, I know that there is a God, and I know she knows what she is doing. Then I see shit like the Pineapple, and dragon fruit, and I know she has a bit of humor too. Everything gets blurry again with platypuses and unibrows. Next time someone is looking for a blessing from "God" for one reason or another, do them a favor, launch a fresh off the tree mango at them, there's a gift from god.
The once a month Farmers Market at Yacht Haven Grande was great, it had tons of beautiful mangos, vegetables, and beekeepers! I bought two different kinds of honey from a lady whose spoken word sounded like a lullaby, she was so beautiful and gentle, and I adored her. I ran into my friend Mary that had told me all there is to know about preparing for a big storm here, never let your gas tank get below half, have plenty of water, dried fruits, canned goods, and coconut water at all times. I met her over a month and a half ago, and she recognized me immediately, and said how glad she was to see me again because she had forgotten to tell me something, and it had her worried to death. "Honey, you need to keep cash on hand, when everything shuts down, you'll need it, thank the Lord I ran into you". That's how the people are here, if they aren't busy hating you, they are really busy loving you. No in between.
Brisket Tacos? Yes, Yes, Yes, and sure, I'll take two more. Thank you Hull Bay Taco night. Not only is it the best seat in town for the sunset, they feed you like they are your Momma...
If I had a suggestion to the people who were renting villas to people from the states, whether for a year, or a week, it would be this, don't forget that this place is not "normal". This week a sweet couple from Ohio rented the Villa next door for a week for their 25th anniversary. Day ONE on island was almost the last day of their marriage. Why? Because they were so misinformed about the "ways" here that they were literally in culture shock. The wife was in tears, the husband was pissed at the wife, the management agency prepared them for nothing. They had not even left them a cold water in the refrigerator. I took them to COST U LESS this morning, they got their grips on how to get around, but I will say this, if ANYONE wants to come down here and start a hospitality business with me managing rentals, we would make a mint. It's sad and they are seriously not doing this island justice. Need. Business. Minds. BADLY.
There is our first "tropical depression" coming, I don't exactly know what that means, but it is a bunch of wind and rain, maybe. To be seen.
3 months on an island. WoW.
