RETURNING TO REALITY

During Friday evening's dinner, the temperature had dropped considerably and the ocean waves were crashing against the shore with such force that sprays hit the heavy, clear plastic blinds lowered to protect outdoor dining decks. We decided to forego the fresh air atmosphere for indoor comfort. Our waiter from one of the previous night's dinners had told us they were not serving conch salad that evening ... come back Friday. We didn't think anymore about it ... Friday, we found out why. Our tall, dark efficient server from a previous dinner was now specialty salad-maker for the weekend. In Bahama and surrounding environs, you get "conched" to death ... kind of like French fries in the U.S. However, we decided to share a large conch salad ... most delicious combination we had tasted during our stay. He even came from the kitchen to ask how we liked it ... gave him that ol' Facebook salute ... a thumbs-up "like" !!

Saturday had been designated as "do it yourself" day. The three girls wanted to lounge by the pool or sun on the pier ... the boys and I wanted to go back into Nassau and see historic sites pointed out in the brochures. We had planned an early breakfast, then off to the city ... Port Charlotte, a beautiful cathedral, Queen Anne's steps (to nowhere, we'd been told).
It wasn't meant to be ...

Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, I made the first of many trips to my little outdoor bathroom. Personally, since I was the only one to get sick, I think it was my tempura shrimp. At the time, I began peeling the
coating off. The shrmp didn't taste firm and fresh; but there was no noticable taint. Suffice it to say, I was not feeling well enough to make a
day trip to Nassau. Paul and Larry insisted I take their room because of proximity of the facilities. I agreed and the rest of the day was spent in bed, chills alternating with fever.

The boys decided not to go sight-seeing without me. They spent the day in the sun, checking on me every few hours. At lunchtime (ugh), they brought hot noodle soup and tea. They also brought news that they were going to the casino. I bid them farewell and turned on the TV for audible company. I couldn't concentrate on the plot of programs, so I changed channels to a basketball game. Thus, MY evening versus theirs!!

The crew came back sooner than I expected. They were going to eat at
the lodge; wanted to know if I wanted to join them. (No, thanks!) Vivian won approximately $163; everyone else was in the loss column. They didn't go to Atlantis because it was farther away ... decided to stay in Nassau ... said the casino there was older, very smokey and that was the main reason they left sooner. I "won", however. The group purchased a nice "Nassau, Bahama" teeshirt, a bag of coconut coffee and guava jelly,
all for ME!! So thoughtful...

We were to leave Sunday at 1:25 pm. We met for breakfast (I had a pancake and green tea) and talked about our Bahama trip coming to an end. All of us embarked on a stroll along the shore of the ocean. Walking
barefoot, we followed a narrow cobblestone passageway behind a picnic hut, down sandy steps to the water. The white sand was packed tightly. Lots of seaweed had washed up with the tide; but the day was beautiful and we took many pictures of the scenery ... and of us.

Still time for more fun in the sun! We went to that wooden pier in front of our hut and soaked up the rays of the hot sun. Paul had said he wanted to jump off that pier before we left ... I thought perhaps it was wishful thinking. Two teenage boys tried it out ... they swam back to shore and made the jump again. Larry decided it was time for his jump ... a run, a
jump over the rope at the end of the pier ... success. Gabby, who is eighteen and had been here when she was nine or ten, wanted to try the leap but was scared. Larry coaxed her into going in with him ... she did!
Now, Paul's turn. He strolled out to the edge of the pier; and without a moment's hesitation, jumped in, holding himself "straight as an arrow".
They all said the water was cold and the swim back took alot of energy. I
remember days back in Indiana when we used to go to the stone quarries to swim. I was so very tempted to give it a try; but the sensibility of old age does set in. (Paul would call it "being a chicken"!) We decided to warm up in the hot tub; but, alas, it had ceased being "hot" yesterday ... went to our respective abodes to pack and head out.

The airport was only ten minutes away and we arrived a little early. We wandered around tasting samples of rum cake and jellies. Paul bought a tiny jar of the hottest pepper jelly ... just a smidge leaves a sting ... awesome!!

When Gabby came back from buying a coke, she said the Miami Heat and Bulls were playing and that the Heat had won. I was devastated. When she told me the score, I said it was too low for a final score. Thank goodness I was right ... Bulls won by one point, redeeming themselves from the loss we witnessed our first night here ... which, coincidentally, was by one point.

Our little plane landed at Miami airport; we retrieved our car and drove
home. Conservation was completely dominated by "dogs" ... how they were; how they were missed; how dogs missed them, etc., etc. Phone calls to dog caretakers; more conservation about dogs. I suppose all animal owners know exactly how they felt!

Bahama breezes are behind us now. (Except for the same-name restaurant! Right, Jonferes?) It was a delightful addition to this Florida visit ... will relish the memories even more if it is still cold in the Chicago area. However, Spring can't be too far away. There's all that talk amongst the grandkids and their parents about school vacation time. (Poor Wade!
He's out of that category now; but twins' kindergarten days are nearer than you think!)

Back in Miami ... bloggings will continue, but perhaps not so lengthy ... Hillarity is due here in a couple of weeks ... should make interesting tidbits for blogger perusal ... read on, frozen ones!

Marma