Hitting Our Stride

So Thursday on our vacation was one of those days…bittersweet in a way. On Tuesday it seemed like we had all the time in the world. We had figured out our activity level for the day; what time was perfect to be sitting on a beach under a palapa reading our books and sipping cervezas; what time was good for going to bed, making love, eating….we’d got it down. Wednesday went so fast due to our day trip and then WHAM it was Thursday. Only 2 days left!

Thursday we spent in our routine – sleep in but not too late, walk up 5^th Avenue, eat something delicious, sit on the beach, read our books, eat a fabulous dinner and then go out for the evening. We switched hotels on Thursday…which was a welcome relief in some ways. We didn’t quite know what to expect but we knew it would be quieter regardless. We moved from the Costa del Mar to The Alejari. The Alejari was also on the beach, just down from the Costa. And this was key – it was QUIET. Our room was so charming. We had an upstairs room (it was unique in the fact that the upstairs rooms were all by themselves…we had no neighbors up there!) with a balcony overlooking a beautiful courtyard filled with hibiscus & palms. It was awesome. We had a huge king sized bed, a brand new air conditioner, a lovely pair of swans/towels welcoming us and a FRIDGE! (sadly there was no water pressure in the shower but this was the only downside). We were thrilled. Cold water, cold beer, quiet nights, total privacy!! A couple of happy campers for sure!!

I don’t remember too many details from that day – I just know that we enjoyed soaking up the sun (or the shade), swimming in the ocean, relaxing and just being. The Boy did a load of laundry. We went to a Laundromat that was saw down the street and started washing clothes when we realized it was the kind of place where they do the laundry for you. So he checked on that a few times as I lazily laid in the sun. He also walked down to check out some other areas while I continued to lay lazily in the sun. J I like that!!

That night was our night to ‘go out.’ Since we knew we could leave at any time and return to a QUIET hotel room we were pumped. We started the evening at the El Pirata…as usual…sipping cervezas and watching the water change color and the sky turn to orange and peach and gold as the sun set. Then we went to find something to eat. This took entirely too long but eventually we found a place. I forget the name but it was awesome. Upstairs under a HUGE and beautiful palapa roof – we didn’t even care that we were stuck back in a corner. Felipe was our waiter and he was so cool. We asked him where we could find a particular style of glass and he was more than willing to write down directions to a glass factory just north of town – he even offered to take us there himself! (which we declined). He also made the best margaritas I’ve ever had in my life. After getting the bill we found out why they were so good…ahem…but ah well…The Boy had fajitas and I had….chicken fingers and fries. I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. I just wanted something plain! Well, the margaritas did their trick. Woah…I think we were both loaded by time we left the place. Felipe was kind enough to explain this special recipe and even write it down for us. He made the margaritas right at our table which was kinda fun. There was also an awesome musical group there – not the usual mariachi but something a little mellower…3 guys and a little boy – a couple guitars, a harp and maracas…it was great.

After that we headed over to El Pirata & The Blue Parrot – we had beers in our backpack from OXXO and stealthily enjoyed those (well, the Boy did…) as well. We danced and drank and had a great time. WE talked to one of the waiters from El Pirata for a long time – Ricardo from Oxaxca (Wuh-hawk-ka) which was cool. We enjoyed showing the locals pictures of us skiing in the frigid northland. They can’t imagine why we live here. I wonder that myself sometimes…..