Get Your Motor Runnin'

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"May your joy be as deep as the ocean, your sorrow as light as its foam". ~

Buenas Dias all from the sunny shores of Playa.

Nothing like waking to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. It was perfect to leave our windows open all night which was SO soothing. I opened my eyes and saw a sliver of tangerine gleaming through the curtains. What a fabulous sight. I quietly got up and peaked out the window and the sun was rising about 6:30 am. Then well I hopped back into bed for another few zzzzzz's.

Our king bed is so comfy; feels like a brand new pillow-top mattress and fluffy pillows. This is a beautifully decorated condo, and every amenity you can think of we have. Big screen TV, DVD/CD, iPod player etc. Our balcony is so beautiful with wicker furniture with lovely pillows to sit and enjoy a wonderful view of both beach & ocean etc.

Our first day here despite the challenges (Al got back and had no issue retrieving the suitcase) and boy was he ready for a cold beer. So we headed up to Mac's Milk (which is called OXO here) and he went to open the cooler and it was locked. YEP, it occurred to us, it's Domingo (Sunday) and no alcohol can be purchased on the holy day after 1PM in most places). Awww poor Al as if he didn't have a rough enough go of it. However, you can buy beer, wine, anything at a bar or restaurant so we just headed to a fun spot to sip a cold drink. (I did see today that one of the liquor stores is open till 5PM so good to note). PS if you got this, and didn't get the one from yesterday just hit previous entry.

Afterwards we dined at a beautiful Italian restaurant in the "little Italy" part of Playa which is quite upscale with one after another upscale spots to dine. They brought us fresh baked bread, followed by a fresh & tasty Greek salad which was very good, and the crispy pepper salmon topped with red pepper & bean sprouts with mashed potatoes was divine. The girls had wood oven pizza which was one of the best we've had here. We knew some of the staff which made for good chats and conversation and a nice welcome back greeting!

I surprised mom by renting a mobility scooter to get around Playa. What a little lightweight machine this is for her to tour around on. I tell you, they thought of everything when they designed this. For those that know, Playa is a walking town, built by streets ("Calles" and pronounced "kay-yay") and Avenues. So 5th Avenue runs parralel to the ocean and the streets go east/west making it easy to find where you're going. There's so much to see and do, I felt mom could join me on my walking adventures and trail me in her scooter. (see pic att). I know other clients of ours who have rented them and said it changed their whole vacation for the better. I want to put a big Canadian flag on her scooter; and a note that says "Watch out, Joanie's in town"! (Let's just say the first day presented a few challenges as she got familiar with the scooter. I will say luckily no fingers or toes were lost in the process (yet) hahaha. And the title, "Get Your Motor Running" is from the song by Steppenwolf, (Born to Be Wild!) as I think of mom on her scooter!

So we zipped all over town, & I showed mom a new mall that opened last summer that has palm trees and waterfalls in it. So unique and must have cost a zillion pesos to build. There's stores like American Eagle, Columbia, Oakley, Victoria's Secret, Body Shop, Forever 21, Starbucks and a really cool liquor store with an in-house deli etc. It's a sight to behold. As Ava says, "They don't make malls like that back at home".

After the tour, I took Ma to my favorite spa for a pedicure. Ahhh, divine. (OK don't hate us...mom deserves it, me, nah not so much 😊 It was the most amazing pedicure with the massage chairs (WOW) and the foot treatment & foot massage they give is above & beyond. After our pedicures we thought, what the heck, let's get one more treatment since the prices are so good and the staff is so professional. So I had a deep cleaning facial (it too was amazing), and the accompanying neck and shoulder rub was yabba dabba doo! And mom had THE best massage of her life. If you know mom, you know she's always cold even in the heat, and the massage therapist put heated blankets on her and well mom was in H-E-A-V-E-N! The staff are SO warm & do they ever know their stuff. My skin felt so soft thereafter and I felt radiant & glowing (one must blow one's own horn occasionally)! There's a reason this spa has earned its kudos & we will be back.

On our way back to the condo we picked up a family meal of BBQ chicken (I've mentioned this place before) with seasoned baby potatoes, rice, tortillas, macaroni salad, salsa, roasted peppers and a pop. The chicken is so darn tender it falls right off the bone. It's the best take-out chicken we've ever had bar none, all enjoyed from our balcony while we sipped a cold one. All for around $12CAD. It's been a wonderful day seeing mom boot around the area is so much fun & this has given me so much pleasure to have arranged for her. As she says, it has opened a up a new world to her.

Al had a dive early this morning with his buddy Dave's company, and he had a new guide today, a guy named Tim from Calgary. He's getting certified as an instructor, so he and Al had a good chat about Calgary etc. I expect Al will pursue attaining his instructor diving license.

While it's good to be here, we recently saw the passing of two beautiful woman who had been part of the tapestry of both Al & my life. Al's aunt Mary passed away peacefully weeks just before Christmas. Al has such fond memories of her and his childhood out west. She will be very much missed by her siblings (including Al's dad Ray) and her son Tom, but hopefully they can bask in the memories of their time together knowing she's at peace.

And less than 2 weeks ago, mom's best friend (Barb) of almost 60 years & a second mom to us Foran kids growing up, passed away after a brief illness that when diagnosed was quite a shock for both her and her family and friends.

I think it's very true that we sometimes take for granted all the wonderful people who touch our lives because they've just always been there. People who have known you before you were born (smile) & can recite stories about you as a youngen'. While you grow up and move into adulthood, they continue to stand guard as solid as the tall trees that surround you, and flowing onward like a never ending river. They are reliable as the sunrise and the sunset and when they leave, a little part of you is forever changed.

Barb and I stayed in contact, a phone call, a Christmas card, and she joined us for mom's birthday milestone last year. And god bless her she even called to check on me in early December because she was so worried about my eye. I was always happy to be an audience to her wisdom and wit.

So I'm sure mom & I will find some quiet time to reminisce about the wonderful times that were spent with Barb. I plan on looking for a sea shell that is unique, resilient, elegant and carved out by time to bring home & put in a sunny spot to remind me of the beauty of her life, and what depth she added to mine.

In memory of the wonderful Barb Steele & Mary James, I leave you with a quote from the prolific A. A. Milne author of Winnie the Pooh.

"Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would, I'd never leave". ~

We will never forget you...

Logging out from another glorious day in our home away from home...

Sal with Kool and the gang 😊

PS a few pics attached

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Comments

[Blaine]

Waking Joan Foran
Sal, beautifully said. Tell your Mom she reminds me of one of my favorite characters from the movie Waking Ned Divine. If you've seen it, you will know who I'm talking about. If not, well you may want to. Safe travels, love you all.