Old and New Adventures

Just a few tidbits that I forgot to mention.

Snorkeling

I wanted to tell you about our snorkeling adventure. Marilyn and Eugene and I decided we’d go out snorkeling one day when Charles was busy. We put on our bathing suits and headed off to town. We stopped at one of the many places that have a sign offering snorkeling. We asked the fellow when could he take us out and he said right now. So our new friend Ronald loaded up his pull cart with a motor, life jackets, gas cans, snorkeling stuff and such and off we went. He pulled the cart to the place where the boats are beached and he put his stuff beside a really nice, large boat. It looked very sea worthy. Then he moved to the boat beside it, which was much smaller. Hmmm! Oh well, I thought, at least we aren’t taking that dinky boat next to it. He then proceeded to unchain the dinky little boat next to it. Sigh!

Ronald got the boat ready and off we went. The ocean was pretty calm for the most part, and it was really interesting watching Ronald steer the boat. We changed direction several times to get to the reef, but we were always heading into the waves. He was really good at what he does. It. was a great time and I could have stayed out there all day.

Restaurant stuff!!

We had dinner at Miss Edith’s a couple of nights ago. Charles had smoked chicken in a Caribbean peanut sauce. I had a Rondon stew. People here call it rundown stew. It was a whole fish with root veggies, stewed in coconut milk, totally unrecognizable root veggies, except for the carrots. Man was it good.

Last night we went to a place called Sambal. We pass it everyday, and it almost never has anybody in it. It always looks quite pretty with chairs painted black and white safari style. It was amazing! I had Pad Thai and Charles had Teriyaki chicken, both done in a Caribbean style. It was really good food; pricey for here, not for Canada, but for Cahuita. Maybe that’s why it’s often empty. Too bad because the food was good and the service was amazing, and I got to eat supper with a cat on my lap. (The restaurant had a cat, which oddly enough matched the chairs. A camouflage-cat… something new every day)

Off on an adventure

Our favorite restaurant of all, however, is Caribbean Roots. I’ve mentioned my friend Zoraida who made us order in Spanish. She’s so sweet. She speaks no Engish at all. I asked her if I could speak to the chef. He speaks English really well, and I was hoping he would show me how to make my favorite dish, cassado con pollo so that I could show my friends back home. Well he wasn’t there and using my pitiful Spanish, my dictionary and waving my arms in what I felt was a totally understandable fashion, I explained this to Zoraida. She told me that she would be happy to show me and invited me to her house in the next village. Now I was panicking because I was afraid to go off to another village by myself and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings and I really didn’t know what to do. So I told her I’d be right back with an interpreter.

I went looking for Ernesto. I found him walking toward the computer center. I told him I needed his help and I turned him back towards town. “What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?” he asked. Now I have to ask, why does everyone who knows me for more than five minutes assume I’ve gotten myself in some kind of trouble? Humph!

I took him back to the restaurant and the three of us came up with a plan. She wanted me to go with her to Limon to buy the ingredients. That kinda scared me. I can’t imagine going that far in a strange country without Charles. Ernesto told her and she said not to worry she’d buy the stuff and I could pay her tomorrow. That’s really wonderful, but today I’m wishing that I had gone to Limon with her last night. Honestly I’m such a chicken!

So….. today…. I’m taking a taxi to Zoraida’s house in Puerto Vargas and she’s going to show me how to make cassado con pollo. Then I am taking a taxi back with Charles’ supper. Oh boy. I can’t wait. Best day ever!