Friday Saturday February 17-18, 2012
We tied to the Mooring ball hoisted the quarantine flag and PaCo told us the he would bring customs to our boat. In the meantime, we tried to put things back together. The boat leaked again but not as much as it did the last time, of coarse the seas were not as rough either. I wanted to shower so bad but I thought I better wait until the customs guy got here first. 30 minutes turned into Almost 1 1/2 hour so we decided to go on land and do it ourselves. We were tired from the trip and wanted to get this done so we could sleep. We went to Enge & Rocky’s boat and they followed us in. Wow, there is a lot to do to check in here. I am not sure what the order was to get checked in here but everyone wanted money. First we went to this little trailer to customs where we met “Israel” Great guy and he was the only one who spoke English except Paco so far. Israel stamped our passport, had us fill out some papers and sent us next door, which was in the same trailer but had another entrance outside. I think he was immigration and again, more papers and money. Then he sent us to the other end of the trailer to a lady who I am not sure what she was after but Fred gave her some boat papers and paid her. Then they sent to a storage locker where the office for agriculture was and we paid them too. Then Israel told us we needed to see the Harbor Master and he would come inspect our boat. So off we went, back to the dinghy dock with another guy who turned out to be a secret service guy. Poco took them to s/v Lady Hawk (Deb and Dan) first. They had just come into the harbor. Then “Island Girl” and last, ours. They went through the boat, looking through a few drawers and asking a few questions like did we have any weapons and firearms etc. I wanted to be down below to see where they checked just in case I decided to smuggle anything back to the states, I would know not to put it where they checked, Haha...not really...but they had me stay in the cockpit. Paco has a friend who came along, gives tours or something and will get you anything we needed. Guess he was legit because the harbor master and secret service were there also. His friend politely said, “If you would like to give the harbor master and the secret service man a ‘gift’ you may do so. They would appreciate that. Had they come in the first half hour we were waiting for them, I may have given them something but by the time we got through all the fees on land, we were out of money so I had to tell them we had to go to the ATM, I was sorry. I thought ‘gift’ meant money. “Island Girl” gave them a bottle of wine and “Lady Hawk’ gave them 4 sodas. Guess I could have given them some popcorn, which seems to be the staple here on Casa Mare’ to go with their wine and sodas but I didn't think about that. Someone told me early on that it would be a wise thing to keep a case of Budweiser on the boat for just this reason, that they love to trade for Budweiser's. We don’t drink so that wasn’t an option for us. They welcomed us to Luperon and finally left. I was still thinking Bacon at this point. We left again with Enge and Rocky. We met Debbie and Dan at the dinghy dock. Now we could enter through the yellow lift gate and into the country. This is quite the place. The roads are not paved, but hard enough to walk on. Barely sidewalks, colorful enough with pastel houses and clothes hanging on barbed wire along the streets. It smelled a bit and I wondered if the water running down the edges of the streets was their septic system. I was careful not to step in that water. Goats wandered through town like cats and dogs. I saw one enter a home but was chased out. People would be on the street corners roasting corn over charcoal cans to sell while their small children were napping next to them on a blanket. Transportation was really interesting. There were a few cars, mostly motor bikes and all in competition to see whose were the loudest racing by us with no sense of traffic order on the streets. Took me a little while to see just what side of the street was legal here. The right side outnumbered the left side so my conclusion was they drive like us. Old pick up trucks filled with produce were slowly cruising the streets, hoping for a buyer here and there. Then there were trucks with 5 foot speakers facing the back tailgate, blaring something that was certainly important enough to break the sound barrier and won over the motor bikes for being the loudest. No run ran and hid so I knew this was not an emergency evacuation going on. I have no idea what they were screaming about over the loud speakers. Of course we would have the occasional car that was souped up and the radio was blaring with music, rap or whatever. We finally came to this place called Steve’s and decided this is the place to eat. I am not sure what it was, a little bit of everything. Tables for free internet or food and drink. A table in the back was haphazardly displaying a stalk of plantains, tomatoes, potatoes, a few mangos and some lettuce which we were warned not to eat unless you first purchase Imodium or you will certainly be confined to your boat for a few days. No lettuce for me! I am tired of pumping that head all the time! They also did wash for you there, had a pool on the patio out back and even had a shower with a shower curtain for privacy from anyone who happened to be relaxing back there. They sold cigars and other stuff there. Beers were 24 oz and came in a bamboo mug to hold the bottle and they did give you a glass in which to pour it. I think it was 1.50 per beer. I had a coke instead. Food, yes, they even had food and as promised to myself, I had eggs, bacon, a pork chop, tortilla chips topped with cheese, rice, salsa and mango, all nicely prepared to look like a huge work of art being served to me. I hesitated to mess it up for about 1/2 second and dug in! Yummie!
Later we met “Steve” the owner and found out that his wife was our server. She will steal you heart she is so sweet and personable. Steve gave us some advice, exchanged some money for us, told us everything was fresh there and he is the cook. He is American I think. If not he certainly spoke great English. I was too tired to ask. He said he also sells meat there, fresh. Bacon, pork, steaks, chicken hamburger etc. He said he didn’t buy his meat from around there but pointed and said in town. I thought this was town. Guess not. Quickly processing all his advice and what he offered, I took it as a warning not to buy meat in this part of town, buy through him. If anyone has hang-ups on poor hard living standards, this is not the place for you. I have lived in Africa, Turkey etc and I am still living so it didn’t bother me. Suzie McQ...it would you! Hahaha! I say, when in Luperon, live like the Luperon’s do! It’s all part of the adventure. After we ate it was about 2:00 I think and I thought if I went back to the boat and slept, I would never sleep tonight so I told Fred we were all going to take a walk, (trying to keep him up too). We bought some internet to get it on the boat instead of having to go into town all the time. It’s cheap here, 500 pesos for a week. 1400 for a month. We decided to test it out for a week first. We checked out a few stores found a few bakeries and an ATM. Even though they take us dollars here, it’s easier to give them pesos instead of doing the math. Besides, you can dicker prices if you want, on large things like work on your boat etc. Fred was bushed and getting irritated. I knew it was time to go so we all headed to the dinghy dock. Enge and Rocky invited us to their boat for a drink (soda) but I knew Fred was going to collapse if I didn’t get him back soon. I know we were asleep by 6:00 in the evening. Slept through the night and didn’t wake up until 9:00 am. We needed it...all 15 hours of sleep! Enge and Rocky just stopped by to see how we were doing and said their friends were coming in from Puerto Rico this afternoon. They are excited about that! If anyone out there wants to have some fun, grab yourself a ticket for Luperon and we will put you to work! We will be here for a month, doing stuff on the boat. I love this place and can’t wait to explore the island. The time is different here, we are an hour ahead of US. The weather is different also. I am in shorts, t-shirt and barefoot! Life is good. God is better!
I heard Fred tell someone on Skype this morning that we were going to spend the day cleaning the boat. It’s 3:30 and he is sleeping. YEP! Sleeping. He must require more sleep than I do. 15 hours was plenty for me. We haven’t cleaned yet. I remember a few days ago Fred pointed out a sign on the side of the road “Maid for hire” with a phone number. “Hummm” I said, “we should write that number down in case I decide to retire from cleaning the boat”. Fred looked at me so funny. I am sure he wished he never pointed out that sign. I wish I had that number right now. I think he is in hiding. I want to go into town. We need bread and I want some fruit. I bet if I told him I was going to take the dink into town, he would get up.
We went to the Puerto Blanco Marina and had dinner. Cheap cheap. It’s better to eat out than to buy groceries and cook. The owner, Lenin, remembered Jim, Linda and Jennifer also. He said, “I remember Opus!” He gave me a gift, a set of Dominos. I was flattered and gave him a hug. He said, Opus was here but that was a few years ago. He seemed impressed we were brother and sister. Makes me wonder what Jim did to leave such an impression. I had garlic chicken, a big ole bowl of beans and a huge dish of rice. Fred had to help me finish it. He had Mahi Mahi. Tomorrow they are having a BBQ and he invited us. We are going. It’s only 250 pesos per person, shrimp, fish, pork and the fixins. They also have a swap meet on Sundays. Tonight we are called our families on Skype. It was great to talk to my parents. I need a new microphone for mine so I plan to look for one this week. Then I can make calls too from my computer, which reminds me, of those who have tried to call me and I decline the call, it’s not that I didn’t want to answer, it’s that I couldn’t. Fred called a few of his friends, Tutt didn’t answer, Craig and Fred finally connected and he finally got Rod. It’s been a good day catching up!
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