We ran into this little guy and believe you me he was crabby! Ha! :)
Listen, walking in the sand is far harder than walking on sidewalks or the treadmill. I think I was more tired from this morning's walk than the mini-marathon. Ok, that's not entirely true. Still, we were worn out after logging over 5 miles.
The clouds were still not going away so we decided to have a lazy day. We read, took naps and just relaxed. I know. I'm surprised, too.
That lasted a record 3.5 hours before I was ready for something to do.
Jackson and I took the rental car (a sweet Toyota Belta) out to explore the island. At this point I was still navigating from our tattered and taped map while Jackson drove (recklessly). We were looking for a local fried chicken joint called "Sweet T's" that Jackson read about on TripAdvisor.com. The reviews raved about the food and warned about the neighborhood. Both were spot-on. To say that this nondescript shack wasn't in a normal tourist neighborhood would be an understatement. Still, nothing stands between Jackson and fried chicken. He got out of the car to go order and left me with no keys and my window down. It was raining in on me, but I refused to exit the vehicle. I kept sliding my wallet further and further beneath my seat. (I'd already left my wedding ring in the condo's bathroom per advice offered online as well.) Jackson ordered with the lingo we'd been instructed to use, "$20 worth of chicken, please." This is an unusually large order so he had to confirm it a few times and present payment before they believed him. Some local ladies (called "belongers") offered him a mamone. This is a fruit that, from the car looked like a really large green grape, is grown locally. I about cried out when he took food from a stranger (didn't we all learn in kindergarten not to do that?!), but kept quiet. He just stood there chewing and chewing with the ladies laughing at him speaking in another language we couldn't identify. He is still unable to explain the taste of this fruit and knows now not to take food from strangers. Better to learn this lesson late than never? Anyway, after 4-5 long minutes our food was ready. $20 got us FOUR large take-out containers of fried chicken. I've shared the prices here on the island so that's really something. There weren't places to eat at the "restaurant" (darn!) so we planned to take it all home for dinner. It was still early so we drove around with fried chicken in the backseat for another adventure.
Have I ever mentioned that I'm really bad with directions? I am. I rarely know which way is north, south, east or west. (Side note: Am I the only one who learned the compass through a silly saying in elementary school? I used my saying the other day, Never Eat Slimy Worms, and no one else had learned this helpful tool. That or they all forgot. Either way I was shocked. I never draw or think of a compass without that saying.) Jackson wanted to see one part of the island and I got us to the opposite side to a deserted national park. Don't think of a national park like we have in the U.S., instead think of a dirt road leading to seemingly nowhere. Yep. That was neat. After sticking out like sore thumbs (again!) while driving through some neighborhoods not meant for tourists we found the main road again. Hooray! Then Jackson tried to stop at the local's grocery store and I had to put my foot down. I was tired of being places that we weren't exactly expected to be in and wanted to get back near our resort area. He begrudgingly obliged. Men. Ugh.
We stopped at the "gourmet" (read expensive but safe) grocery store and I ran in to grab a few things. Jackson guarded the chicken. I'm not kidding. Cars get broken into a lot here and we didn't want to lose our dinner! I got a good chuckle when I asked if they had Diet Coke and the employee replied, "we cannot keep that in stock. You people love Diet Coke!!" I laughed at the "you people" and told him that certain members of my family loved while I preferred water. I got 4 items for $14- what a deal- and headed out to meet Jackson. I opened the door and he screamed like a girl thinking I was carjacking him. Hilarious. Then I told him I kind if was because I wanted to drive home.
A moment of panic as I realized I was about to embark on yet another adventure. Or so I thought. You guys, I'm an excellent driver. I honestly was just so happy to be back in control of things that being on the opposite side didn't even bother me. We both agreed that I was much better equipped as the driver and Jackson as the navigator. That's our normal travel routine. Shame on us for thinking a change in driver position changed that!
We got home (minus any life threatening driving maneuvers) and finally got to try the chicken. It was really good! We got a ton of it, too. We fed all five of us with only three of the four boxes. Yes, this means Jackson has leftovers. I know he is just so bummed about that. ;)
After dinner Jackson finally convinced Grace to go play volleyball on the beach with him. She came back much more tired than he did. I don't know if that indicates that her serves were more direct than his or not. ;) We all spent the evening telling stories and just hanging out. Jackson and I attempted to go to the hot tub, but it was a cold tub so we swung in the hammocks instead. It was a lovely alternative and a nice relaxing way to end a lazy day!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment:
Always enjoy reading about your adventures! (Really? No miniature golf????)
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