Chapter 1
It’s only Jan.22 and we’re not leaving for our trip to Bucerias until Feb.7 but that hasn’t stopped me from day dreaming about sunny skies, warm weather, and soft zephyrs. Granted, it’s been a relatively mild winter (-8 was the coldest daytime temp) but grey skies and short days are reason enough to make an escape to a tropical paradise.
It doesn’t take much to distract me from reality these days. The color orange (or as I call it, light red, maybe green, or that weird brownish yellow) , the smell of fresh cilantro, colorful handmade bowls, or a floppy sombrero used as a rain hat while sitting in the hot tub eating a mega plate of nachos and clutching a magnum of Don Julio. Ah, the simple life.
Today’s distraction was caused by an early lunch date at the Lion’s Head Pub with our good friends RJ, Margot and Bernie, and 2 new accomplices Cynthia and Steve, all of whom are annual travelers to Zihuatanejo, a few hours south of PV. Carol and I have been there several times and at RJ’s recommendation we stayed at one of their favourite haunts, the Caracol on our Feb. trip in 2016.
This group will be bolstered by 9 others by early March including the effervescent Leah who is the responsible lead in the RJ/Leah duo and without a doubt the easier-on-the-eyes choice of the two. Not that RJ is a doppelganger for Richard Nixon or even Richard Simmons but despite a valiant effort to disguise himself with patches of white facial hair and wearing his hair like an upside down boot brush to distract from his gaunt cheeks and wobbly chin you just have to surmise that he had just won the lottery on the day that he met Leah. To be more precise if RJ and I were both attending a gala of up and coming supermodels I would be the more likely to be slapped with a paternity suit nine months hence and he likely would be scrambling to make bail.
I’m not trying to be mean to my friend. In fact today’s meet up was a celebration of sorts as RJ is dealing with the lingering effects of a dire medical situation that began in the fall. With a large supporting cast he has powered his way back to the wry smiling chap who is more than willing to buy his share of rounds at the bar while spinning yarns of his past sporting prowess. And maybe this year out at Kootenay Lake I’ll be able to outthrow him with a mini football and zing a frisbee so it lands right in front of him in the water and run away before he can pick it up, but then maybe he will still be king of the hill in all of those regards. You’re looking good buddy.
Yes, these are the type of folk that you find yourself surrounded by down on the western shores of Mexico. I’m already conjuring up reasons to book our next trip to the Caracol in 2019 so Carol and I can join in on the fun.
Blue Delivery 