Island Busyness ~ Let the Season Begin!

You know how after a holiday all the things you either didn't or couldn't get done loom in your life with a 'must do' on returning? That's not a bad thing, that anchoring into one's own life, the structure needing support to be maintained is an opportunity to really look at what the support is for. Coming home is doing that. I'm seeing that where I thought there might be weaknesses were really the strengths of my connection to Culebra. If that makes sense to anyone, good.

Yesterday we headed to Flamenco, because it's there, it's beautiful and the water was fine. 

There weren't many people around, always nice.
Early is good but it wasn't really that early at all.

The peli's were in their usual winter spot

The tank hadn't moved. Much.

If you like burls, there's some good ones in the parking lot at Flamenco

Yesterday we ran into Molly (not literally, no) and she told us that it was Light Up night. That's the night the Christmas lights and decorations are lit up. The everydayness of seeing so many old friends gets notched up a bit higher, in a calm way not seen at celebrations for the rest of the season. 

I have no idea what these costumes were for but what I really saw were the smiles

I had to assure these people I really wasn't taking their photo
I'll take these again when there isn't anyone around

 Usually I get to see the build of the decorations around town, but this year, that was all done, leaving only the unveiling to go. The decorations are simple this year in a way that reminds me of a few years back when the theme was Old Fashioned Christmas, with scenes of families cooking lechon, the musical instruments used in parrandas a couple actual wooden houses in miniature that were replicas of the way most of the homes looked in the old days. 

This is like modern simple. It's a good look.

Pre light up (those lights are street lights)

All dressed up and somewhere to go

Not yet. It's barely two hours late, so that means anytime now.

Juanito and Dolly, styling.
I don't know the name of the guy in the basket. He seemed cheery.

The children were called up to the stage to do the countdown. I think Mario was the most excited though.

Felicidades!

Lots of children posed at the Nativity scene.
There is never a question about their being a Nativity scene, it just is. 

I wasn't really taking photos of this girl, but I'm glad she's in them.

Santa was in the other corner

All lit up

Keeping it simple

Today is on for more errands and maybe some beach time. The sun is struggling with some clouds (and the sun is winning) and the Christmas winds are blowing the mosquitos away. it's 79 degrees. Oh yeah.

Speaking of Christmas, or whatever holiday you celebrate around this time of year, don't forget to buy local! Even though what you'll see here isn't local to Culebra, it is very local to Puerto Rico and also very good! If you don't know about Suzanne of the Finca, you should. She also sends out area and Southern Florida weather reports on a daily basis, or more if needed. A treasure indeed. You can get in touch with her at 
fincadelseto@gmail.com

Have a simple Saturday. Do something situational.

Happy Birthdays on Culebra

Oh those wacky kids. Keeping up with a 51 year old is an exercise in fun exhaustion, frisky as a puppy and won't go down for naps either. But I managed and along the way ran into my favorite just turned sweet 16 (ok, ok) heart embraced one.

Happy birthday, Helena! with your very proud Papa

During a yard walkabout here, we found the yard full of beauty. But two things in particular stood out.

Breakfast settled, it was time for a beachwalk. The other birthday girl chose Flamenco. So did a whole lot of other people.

We love dribble castles! Thanks, castle creator, whoever you were.

The folks making a commercial were here too. Some of our locals were also in the commercial but we didn't stay around for the actual filming. 

I'm not sure what was going on with this guy but he looked very relaxed while having one arm and a floatation device at the ready for any rogue wave that might come along.

So do we!

Home to relax for awhile and get freshened up for an evening out (about the time I usually am heading home if I am out) at Zaco's Taco's. We met up with some cruisers who knew Tina and Mark from out on the seas and their expectations were high. Zaco's delivered on all counts, from awesome servers, a great bartender and that guy in the kitchen cooking? He should be promoted. Nice work! Empty plates! And thanks for the treat.

Terrible quality but I love this photo!

Cruisers and land person

At Dinghy Dock for a ritual Greg flower

Culebra showed herself well but all good things must blend to an end. Finally it was time for home and bed and sleep and dreams. Good ones. If I behave myself, I might be ready to do this again next year. Happy birthday, Tina, I'm real glad you reached 51! Now go have a beautiful year.

Have a tailor made Thursday. Do something tantalizing.

Culebra Glass & Serendipity Too

The last couple of mornings have started out still, bays and sea glassy calm and beautiful.

Then the wind picks up slightly, ruffling the water, stirring the trees, cooling the air. Still beautiful.

I thought yesterday was going to be a photo bonanza, taking friends around to the different beaches for show and tell, but we seemed to be carrying a rain cloud with us, a picnic cut short by rain, more rain and more heavy rain. Then the sun would shine. Tina did get some good shots anyway.

Tina and Mark at Zoni

I never get out to Punta Soldado - it's good to have visitors!

One of the crew (Mark) bailed out after 3 beaches and 3 rain showers, so Tina and I repaired to Dinghy Dock to assess our next move. That's when Paul asked us if we wanted to go listen to whale songs. Who says no to that? So we didn't. But...I'd left my camera behind. Ooooops! Luckily, Tina had hers, so we switched off using it. No whale sightings. Lots of beauty.

Heading out

Grey hair-o-rama-dama!

Calm seas

Zoooooooooomin'!

The ultra light was out and about

Tina, keeping an eye out

Capt. Whale Whisperer

Unlike the other day, the water was flat and there was little to no breeze. No drogue needed, we just barely drifted once we were in place. The whales sang. Not as loudly as before, but there and beautiful. It was a calm adventure until we saw what looked like a turtle, dragging a styrofoam buoy. Up would come the head, then down. It was rescue time. 

Paul was sure his two guests were going to a) jump in the water and not be able to get back in the dinghy and b) stab his inflatable with the pocket knife we had at the ready in case this was a net situation. That was funny - not to him but, hey we were laughing. It wasn't nearly as funny as when the turtle head turned out to be another, smaller buoy. I'm not sure what was going on, but first, there should be no fish pots out there and second...I didn't cut the line. Thinking back on it later, I should have. In Florida, that's a good way to get your ass shot...I guess my old ways were in high gear.

After that, we headed back in and then home again home again. With such serendipity already in our heart pocket, why push the envelope? Salt and sea works up a hunger and it was time to get back to where a delicious dinner was waiting to be made. That's a different story, but if spaghetti squash, sauteed onions and garlic with churrasco make your mouth water, you'll be ready on Friday.

Just another glorious day in Paradox.

Have a melt in your mouth Monday. Do something magic making.

Lola, Lucy and the beach ~ A Culebra Day

Lola and Lucy requested something chocolatey and raspberry (but I used cherries instead) and I gave them some very chocolatey cherry, very gooey, chewy and, as Lucy added, 'Mooey' brownies. I think they liked them.

Lucy

Lola

Which made me very, very happy. After wiping chocolate crumbs off hands and faces (I flicked the bit off of Lola's nose), we went to the center of the bridge where an iguana was posing, just for them. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for sharing your girls with me!

Somehow, in the Culebra way of things, I was on my way to the Dive shop to give Walter my Kim CD and instead, delivered it to Rebecca and got called into Da Bar by Mike. A call I heeded. He and a long-term winter visitor (who, it turns out, is from Portland, Oregon and who I'll see next fall on his turf when I go to visit my daughter) and I sat chatting over a drink or two, when in walks a sweaty guy I've not seen for awhile...looking entirely more healthy than the last time he hit our shores. Must be love; after meeting his girlfriend, I understood that. While giving me a ride home, we ended up at Flamenco instead (the road just mysteriously went there), where we made a fair dent in the plastic cup supply. We took a good long beach walk in the beautiful late afternoon light. I think it was late afternoon...

There are some interesting things going on at Flamenco these days...I happen to love it (to enlarge photos, just click on them); with cairns at Tamarindo and flotsam art on Flamenco, I think our bohemian slip is showing...

(Thank you, Doug and Kristen, for giving me a wonderful afternoon and for bearing admirably my laughter and tears in such a beautiful place. Love, MJ)
 
I'm waiting on a late entry for Free Range Friday (nudge, nudge Sarah!) that I think you're going to really like! Otherwise, I'll have to send my daughter to the time out chair...

Have a serene Sunday. Let something serendipitous happen!