Day One Addendum Cozumel

A guard directed us to a parking spot, and immediately had a young man with a small tractor and wagon gather us and our bags on board to drive us the short distance to the house. Almost immediately I felt the warmth of the language and certainly of the sun. Despite the lack of sleep, we were energized and excited.
Deb had gotten to the house at almost the same time, so she was there to welcome us. She is such a wiry being full of energy and kindness. You "catch" it from her when in her presence. We are so blessed to know her. She showed us to our room, huge - with a view out to the ocean - and then showed us around the house. She rattled off plans for various days and activities, and our heads were whirling. We took a little time to unpack and slow down and then Deb's sister and her friend arrived.
Deb explained some of the details of life on the island - the one outstanding being that when using the facilities at many if not most of the locations on Coz, one is required to deposit the paper (certainly fits with my blog title!) into a trash receptacle, not the toilet. And then flush as often as is required. That, I admit, threw me for a second....but, well, when in Rome....as they say.
For about 20 minutes I kept reminding myself of the movie Sex in the City....don't get close to the water (!) don't eat things, don't have drinks with ice, wash things, but don't use the water....well, anyone who knows me, that whole confusing and cumbersome kind of thing just has no way to compute....I can't concentrate on matters like that for long. so I threw myself onto the kindness of whatever and enjoyed it all.
As evening descended, we all reported to the side of the pool, Nickie and I into the pool, Lar fully relaxed in a lounge chair and Deb delivered a pitcher of drinks. From chilly NJ and work, in about 24 hours to a warm pool with a delicious drink....ahem....I had arrived.
After relaxing and chatting non-stop - and remember Lar (DH) was the only man with 4 women, we were ready for dinner.
Deb had the perfect restaurant in mind, El Moro. We all piled into her car and off we went. To be honest, driving up to the restaurant I had a tinge of nerves...it is literally down an alley I would think twice about being in at noon, let alone about 9 PM! I had a bit to learn.


When we walked into the little restaurant, the owner rushed to us, hugged Deb and greeted her most profusely. We were stunned, but she chuckled and said, "who knows if he really remembers me or if he is just being nice." We came to believe he actually had remembered her!
Our meal was wonderful. The food was so good, and we each ordered something different and passed our plates...everyone got to try everything. And it was all delicious.

We could tell Deb was up to something as the meal wound down, and she had a few words with the owner. He brought us each a drink, and then the real show began.
He wheeled over a small table with an assortment of bottles, gravy boats, glasses, dishes, etc. The lights in the restaurant were lowered until the room was quite darkened. And then he began to tell the story of lovers of an era lost in time and as he did so, he put on this amazing presentation, melting sugar on the rims of glasses, heating the metal gravy boats, pouring blazing alcohol from boat down to boat, cascading flame, mixing, swirling, lighting the night, all the while telling the tale. Finally the drinks were ready in their glasses, a dip of ice cream added and we each partook of these delectable dessert beverages. It was magic. We were in another time and place. And we were so united in the sharing, with each other and with the other people in the restaurant.

The ride home filled the night with laughter, and I don't know how Larry held up with the 4 of us women, but he seemed to be right in his element. What an evening!