International Dining October 9

 Today is Ben’s Birthday, the gentleman from the Netherlands that Kim befriended in March in Belize. We are going to go to his birthday party this evening… but…..yesterday, we pulled a few more wires and mounted the barometer/clock. We also went swimming at the large swimming pool at the resort next to RAM Marina. We think the 2 couples swimming with us were French, but it is hard to tell, so many languages are spoken here.

At  5:30 last night we followed Erno and Freida who are on a Lagoon 44 “Tara”, (also Dutch, they have been sailing for 4 ½ years) we followed them down the big river a half a mile then up a small river into a mangrove, where Casa Perico is found, a Backpackers Hotel and Restaurant that is built on stilts with long wooden walkways from one area to another, with a central bar. The bar, which is a thatched roof, also had beds with netting on the second floor loft  (rate 16 quetzal’s or $2.00 per night), where mainly German was being spoken.

There was a couple from Corvallis, OR playing cards and eating peanut butter.  The  young man was in the Peace Corps and his friend was doing a teaching exchange. A set of Danish twins who had the longest and most beautiful legs were visiting with 2 guys, who didn’t have a chance, for these gals could have easily been the subjects of a Scandinavian exposé in a Playboy Magazine. Once I found my tongue and returned it to my mouth, Kim and I sat at the bar drinking Victoria (a beer here which is quite good). We are hoping to bring Max to the restaurant when he meets up with us – not only are we sure he will like the food but the atmosphere is great!!! (hopefully the twins will still be there!) In the mix of German, Dutch, Spanish and English we visited with and got to know our new friends.

After a couple of beers and Kim’s local rum and coke light, it was time for dinner. A German/Swiss Smorgasbord prepared by a Mayan women, appeared at 7:15 which was presented on the Bar – Schnitzel (best I ever had), lightly battered eggplant, broiled tomatoes with parmesan cheese, roasted potatoes, and three salads. Two hours later, 7 schnitzels and a tummy full accompanied by a Victoria or two, it was time to struggle into the dinghy for the ride home. With the help of Kim’s headlamp, we made it out of the river and into the pitch black Rio Dulce for the 15-minute ride back to Companion. Kim was almost lost as she tried to step aboard Companion, as one foot found the water instead of the deck, as she laughed, she retreated back to the dinghy for another attempt at a landing.

Life is good as we lowered ourselves into our berth for a good night sleep, knowing that at 4:30, I’d be accompanying Kim to the bano; she just went in the men’s with my protection. 

Dale