Yesterday was a very good day for Culebra. The fast track permit issue has been resolved in Culebra's favor! The short version seems to be pretty short. The mayor met with representatives over a breakfast and then went for a drive around to the various projects so that they could see what was really being protested here. Of course there was much more than this going on behind the outward scenes, as is always the case. Whisper buzz buzz. It's a big pie, there's plenty of credit for everyone.

A group of the usual suspects had met up at the multi use building and, after a bit of Culebra confusion, realized we needed to be at the bridge. We caught up with their group in the nick of time, posters, banners and chants rushed into place. As the SUV came toward us, we pretty much did that bigger-than-the-sum-of-its-parts gestalt thing and peacefully surrounded the vehicle. The mayor, who was driving, stopped and got out of the car and started talking. In Spanish of course, but even I could tell this was going to be good news. Basically (and this only lasted a few minutes with bare details so...we'll know more today I'm sure), nothing is going to change as to the permits laws or ACDEC and we stand even more protected - in theory - because of the limb the mayor climbed out on when he took this stand.

Taken a bit aback, with no need for doing anything but shaking hands, getting a bit of feelings out to a couple of the very open representatives, expressing thanks amid some cheers, we all went on to what we were doing or what we were going to do. For me that meant re-opening the cart and getting an icy cervasa, both of which I rarely do (don't laugh, I don't even like beer but it was hot and it seemed like the thing to do...luckily the first few sips were it, and a friend came by and enjoyed the rest of it while we chatted - oh, and true, I don't usually re-open in the afternoon). It was over so quickly, and so positively, it didn't quite seem real...

As I was heading home in the dinghy my emergency phone rang with an emergency houseboat call for ice. I could do that! Home, store, return to the water, which turned out to be a perfect temperature for swimming. Topped off by an outrageous sunset as the moon rose...what better way to end the month?

Today I start working at Susie's in the afternoons, playing with food, so I can't say how the blogging will go while I adjust to working whole days at a time. The shock might be massive. Stay tuned for the rest of June.

music by Carla Sciaky