February 20, 2012 Luperon

Monday February 20, 2012

Now this is the way I like to start the day, a day with a plan to do only what I want to do.  I actually set my alarm this morning so I would not be late for Yoga classes in town.  Those of you who know me, also know I don’t do the “E” word (exercise) but this was actually fun!  I started a pot of coffee but here, it needs to perk in a little pot like a camping pot.  Didn’t have time to have any if I wanted to be there on time so I just turned it off.  Fred, darn his sweet soul, would not take me into the marina.  He told me I had to learn to do it myself which left me no choice.  It was pretty easy as long as I creeped along at about 2 MPH.  Any faster than that took too much  thinking.  Boats don’t steer like cars.  I was great until I got to the marina.  I rehearsed the destination approach so I would look like I knew what I was doing.  Then behind me I heard a loud whistle, looked back thinking it had to have been a young attractive hunk of man getting my attention.  Nope...Handy Andy motioning for me to let him through.  I knew the big boat rule but I yelled, “You have to wait, I am new at this!”  As any gentleman would do for an old lady like me, he plowed through and hit my bow sending me spinning in circles.  “Whew” I thought now I can blame my poor approach on him.  Worked for me.  They helped tie the dink up to the dock and I proudly strutted up the hill for Yoga class.  “Yep, piece of cake”.    By the time I got back Fred was already sorting things out on Casa Mare’.  We hadn’t really done a thing since we got here and it certainly needed attention!  So, today is make a path on the boat day.  Tonight we are going to Wendy’s for movie and popcorn...free.  This place is different than the states on social life.  You do what you want to do.  There are activities but if one choose not to do them, it’s okay!  I have found more people to get involved with from the locals than the cruisers.  I love it!  It’s getting down and dirty and learning their way of life which is quite interestong by the way.  There’s an attitude in the air of acceptance, friends and family all being one, all willing to help and respect each other.  It’s a kind community.

This afternoon Fred and I went into town and did a little shopping and ate at Steve’s. Turns out they remembered Jim, Linda and Jennifer.  He said “Yes, Jim liked cigars”.  I gave him their web site and he was reading Kaylasopus.com as we were leaving.  These grocery stores won’t let you spend money if you wanted to.  They don’t have much, you just eat what they have, period.  I can’t tell you how many stores we went to find butter.  Never found it by my friend Evelyn said she would find out tomorrow for me.  I was also looking for chocolate.  Now can you believe they didn’t understand “chocolate”?  I thought that was a universal word, haha!  We are still trying to figure out the money here.  We pretty much know everyone on the main street in by face.  They sit around and play dominos, cards, cook corn on the cob, sit on their front stoops or race their motor bikes up and down the street.  I saw the cutest thing today and could not resist the picture.  A little boy had a bucket of water and a paintbrush.  He was “cleaning the wall” in front of his house, painting it with a wet brush and was having the time of his life!  Mercy it was cute!  So, when kids are board, give them a bucket of water and a paint brush!  Who would have thunk it?  We had to buy a few locks for our boat and dink.  They say don’t leave anything unlocked, and if you do, shame on you.  Guess we are too trusting but we decided to get a few anyway.  On the way back to the dink we stopped at Wendy’s and saw a movie, free, and had a bag of popcorn and a coke.  We forgot out flashlight (a no-no) but made it back to the boat okay.  I am looking forward to tomorrow, the market is tomorrow and we need some fruit and veggies.  We have been holding off on that.  Evelyn is meeting us at the government dock and we are going with her.  It’s been a long day for us.  Here, when the sun comes up, that’s when you get up.  When the sun sets, it’s time for bed.  We are an hour ahead of NC and Florida, so our days are long.  I like that.