T"was the Night Before Christmas

T'was The Night Before Christmas

December 24, 2011

We have been on our journey for five days.  As luck would have it Michael is fully acclimated and I am still settling in.  For me every night presents a new challenge.  While I am sleeping quite well I never feel fully rested, but that might be because little annoyances wake me up.  One night it was severe chills, another diarrhea, and last night a sore throat and a cough.  Today I realize I have probably acquired a bug that has been circulating the town.  With so few residents to infect, I probably seemed like an easy target.  Actually, when I was first introduced to Chandy, (Page’s boyfriend) he was just recovering from the “Gripe,” an old fashioned label for the flu.  The poor guy was so sick he had to be hospitalized, put on IV fluids and given antibiotics.  Our hotel host told me that he was sick with a similar bug a couple of weeks ago.  Strangely enough, I feel quite well during the daytime in spite of whatever illness I have acquired. 

Our daily routine begins with a nice breakfast by the pool surrounded by lush green plants and colorful flowers.  There are green parrots and other birds offering beautiful musical calls.  Intermittently, Geckos chime in and occasionally howling monkeys can be heard.  After reading the LA Times, downloaded daily on Michael’s Kindle, and catching up on e-mails, and news from home, we head to the beach.  In the brutal sun we are being careful to use sunscreen, and limit exposure of our pale aging skin.  The sea has been quite rough lately with a south swell brewing.  Surfers are looking forward to the possibility of good waves this weekend.  Due to my near demise, I keep to the shallow water and never go out past where I can stand.  Even then a rogue wave can surprise you and do a smack and grab of sunglasses I have found!

In the heat of the afternoon sometimes we have a daily siesta and then it is off to meet Page for dinner or evening activities that her friends so graciously invite us to attend.  We are making the rounds of the few good restaurants this little town has to offer.  Chandy has a very good Italian restaurant where delicious pizza is the star attraction, and every Thursday night a wonderful guitarist provides musical entertainment.  Page introduced me to a dish that has thin slices of Ahi tuna and avocado bathed in a combination of lime and garlic, served with crispy garlic focaccia bread.   In this laid back resort fresh fish is the star attraction, and we have sampled several wonderful selections.  While the price for food is very similar to the states, the servings are often generous and end up providing us another meal for lunch.  Tonight we will go to Harbor Reef for a Christmas Eve buffet.  Tomorrow, Page is having a Christmas dinner party for several friends where lobster fajitas will be featured.  I have offered to make a fresh coconut and mango cake.

Page has “adopted” a little barefooted neighbor boy who is approximately four years old named Minor.  Many of Page’s neighbors are quite poor and live in substandard housing.  When Minor was asked what he wanted most for Christmas he answered, “Santa Claus isn’t coming here; “he” is of another world.”  Page has told him that she thinks Santa Claus will come to her house and leave something for him.  Tomorrow we will see his cute little face as he opens some wrapped gifts of new shoes, trucks and tractors that “Ms. Claus” has purchased for him.  There are so many children here who have nothing to play with.  It is very difficult for me not to go purchase something for them as well.  With good reason, Page is afraid to bring attention to her ability to provide when the needs are endless, and it is difficult to know where to draw the line. 

Minor is just one of several siblings born to his mother from multiple suitors.   They are all running around with ragged clothes and most are shoeless.  I am told that their mother is likely too overwhelmed with her own problems to give them the kind of attention we value.  Much of the time, when Minor is with Page, his mother expresses little interest or concern that he is missing from the house.   Page has said that she will make it clear that Santa has provided his gifts to avoid creating any expectations of further handouts.  However, with every day not much different than the next in Minor’s world, it will be fun to spoil him a bit tomorrow.  Children-- isn’t that what Christmas is really all about?