Bonne and Clyde

As we were walking, we stopped to chat with these three old men sitting in their rocking chairs on the street sipping on whiskey. These were nice, classy old men dressed well. From this blog, it’s evident that I love the older men in this cute, adoring way.  It was so nice to see his smile brighten when he spoke with them. He also loved older Spanish men with their cute mannerisms and reminiscing of the future. They were speaking Spanish like Speedy Gonzalez (all I got was the war and how their friend died). Of course, he accused me of not knowing Spanish because he was translating for me. Along with the men calling us “a cute couple.” I was just laughing it off and swimming in embarrassment between the Spanish and the boyfriend comment.

We left and kept walking and he said he was on his way to his hotel and I was on the way back to mine. He said, “I think we should make a stop first. I want you to see this place.”

We stop into the Hotel Granada and we are walking around. He is showing me the history and I absolutely fall in love with this hotel.  It just looked so simple on the outside, but the inside felt like being in the pyramids. We circle around the back and I see this beautiful, blue pool surrounded by palm trees. It’s gorgeous. We are standing outside and he tells me this is his special place. He comes there to relax and just feel peace.  He spoke with sincerity and spirituality-it was inspiring-not romantic.

“So do you want to go swimming?” Him  

I looked around and it felt like there was not a soul at this hotel.   It felt like we were the only ones there and this was our…moment……..to swim!

He says, “So you want to or what or Are you one of those girls who can’t get her hair wet?"

The moment he said that I looked at him and shook my head. I took off my shoes, pulled my hair back, and jumped right in with my black tank top and water proof capri pants (a good outfit for swimming-Pris always fashion prepared). He jumped in and we just talked about all the suffering in the world and how the change comes from one person at a time(That was literally our discussion between two people working for the pure benefit of others). He is so passionate about his work with water treatment as he should be. That is one of the best things you can do with the world. 

The half moon was shining bright and the palm trees surrounded us. I like to lay there and just stare right at my higher power’s beauty. 

After a half an hour of bliss, we are interrupted by a security guard. He asks our room number and my friend explains that he comes here all the time during the day, but no one was here to pay for this visit.  This was partially true as he did know the owner through work, but this security guard didn’t care. He was calling the police. That’s right- the tourist police!

We didn’t think he was going to do it so we sat in the pool and there came the tourist police-angry and very serious. This is a serious offense to use the pool at night without permission. We were both using our charm with the security guards apologizing for this awful behavior. This guy sure knew how to talk to people just like me. We asked about what’s going on in the tourist world and they said they didn’t have much today. They are loosening up a bit and they escort us to the front desk to pay our fine of $20 each.  Of course, he pays for this one as I was just an innocent bystander-not really.

“I didn’t want to swim officer, he made me do it.”

Someone’s arm practically got taken off with a machete and they are haggling two tourists about swimming in hotel pool.  We even asked them if they knew about it and the stuttered, “Umm no.” We made friends with them because that is what real people do. They make a mistake, they apologize, and seek forgiveness through laughter and humility.  

That ended the night for us to as he walked me to a restaurant to eat. Um I originally came out that night to eat my last meal and look where it lead.  We planned to meet up in Chicago for a coffee or dinner or a swim….;) 

Finished by a fantastic dinner made with love by this beautiful spirit. Fish with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies and flan.

 

Argentina No Goal

And there was yet another Argentinian. Again, to remind, my bet was that I would move to Argentina if they won the World Cup.  This did not happen, but these Argentinian guys were coming to my direction. It was interesting because it was a slight flirtation, interest, and then “Goodbye....” 
And again the same exact thing happens. I had seen this Argentinian hanging around with his group.(Another guy that was smothered by his group and couldn’t break free).  I observed him while he was speaking about some matters. It sounded like he worked for some great organization, which I would have loved to discuss with him.  There was pretty much no time to approach him as I was out all day and he was with his group.  By the time he noticed, me I was leaving. One day I was on my way out and he was on his way in-no real communication, but "the look."

My last day, I am in and out the kitchen cooking some food with the staff (Guests are not suppose to be in the kitchen, but we wanted to share some food together). Walking in and out of the kitchen, he is staring as I chase around the bunny. When I am in the kitchen, he comes in to throw out his water bottle and comments on how everything smells good. “You look like a good cook..”

Priscilla: "Thanks."

Argentinian: “Can you cook me something? ”

Priscilla: “Sure why not.”

 

Argentinian: "Have you worked here a long time?"

 

Priscilla: "I don't work here. I was born in the US.

 

Argentinian: He is mortified and says, "Oh I'm so sorry. I just thought that you..you were cooking.. and..."

 

Priscilla: "It's okay I understand."  

While I could pass for a local and I was in the kitchen ,it wasn't so hard to believe. When I walk outside again, he is apologizing again and thinking, "Great way to start things off."

It's raining out and I hate taking the bus in the rain. It' the last bus....of the day... what if I stayed just one more night? I was not ready to leave just yet after him expressing his interest.  He hears me talking to another tourist about possibly taking the bus tomorrow. I am hoping he would say something like, "Stay let's go for coffee," but Nothing-story of my life.

The minutes are passing by 2:20, 2:30.- I really have to go and I am totally stalling. I pick up the bunny and give him a big kiss. I say bye to all the lovely staff and I start to walk out the door with my backpack, small bag, and larger bag on my shoulder. He follows me out and says, "Please let me help you." He opens up the two doors and the gate.  He looks deep into my eyes and says, "Have a safe rest of your trip."  It's raining and I am covering my head with my hand. I smile and jump into a cab and the end.

         Another Argentinian bites the dust

You're giving me such Sweet nothing, Sweet nothing, Sweet nothing- Florence and the Machine

 

 

 

 

El Desayuno

In Spanish, "El Desayuno" means breakfast. I was walking near the church saying hello to my friend who makes the wicker chairs. He asks me where I
I'm going.

I said to him, " I'm going to Desayuno."

He says," No, where are you going?"

This goes back and forth about 5 times until I tell him, the name of the restaurant is "El Desayuno."
I had read about this restaurant amongst the tourist books and had been wanting to go all week. Huevos Rancheros was calling my name- "Priscillllaaaaa." Huevos rancheros is basically eggs with green pepper, onion, tomatoes, and Mexican spices. I would show a picture, but the food never makes it to the camera.

When I went in, a tall, clean cut,  Nicaraguan comes walking towards my table. He has some great shoes, as I have a thing for expensive leather loafers. On top of it all, he smells really good. Besides his exterior surface, I am really just focused on the menu and getting my almost always complicated order right. I order an orange juice. It doesn't come with my queso blanco, but I express my interest in having some with a wink and smile. It magically appeared on my table and I said, "Thank you."

Being greedy, I also wanted some more plantains. Another guy came to my table and I said, "No, I want the cute one." This chubby guy is laughing and then I hear laughing behind me.  He was standing in the corner behind me staring straight at me. 

"Cuenta por favor." "Check please."

Why do the cute guys show up on the last day? It's not a true interest, but the flirting and maybe someone to share a coffee with is not so bad...right?

Aloe Vera to the Rescue

Many people suffer from insect bites and Belize, but only special people receive the real, good stuff. Aloe vera straight from the tree.  When you have your legs change from a leg to a Belizian leg-that means Aloe Vera 911 call. 

Luckily, I had the pleasure of getting the "Belizian legs." I was told this by the Belizian mothers I was working with at camp. This means your legs are dark and you have white scars from the insect bites. You're legs look a Black and white Dalmatian dog all mismatched and scarred up.  It is not a pretty site and besides that the itching is the worst.

Mr. Mojito told me that the fresh Aloe Vera is the ultimate cure. He says that it will cure the scars, the itching, and everything will disappear. Clearly I know he is partially truthful and partially exaggerating.  Regardless, I tell him to please go cut some off the tree. 
(Seriously, how can one not love all these organic remedies? The medicinal plants are incredible!)
Mr. Mojito walks in with this beautiful, fresh piece of Aloe.  I run up to him and immediately say, "Thank you, Thank you." I am just sitting and staring at it like a weirdo and people around who have the same bite problem look envious. 

After I use it in my room over and over, I realize that I still have a lot left and I don't need all of it. 

Being caring Priscilla, I decide to walk over to my next door neighbor and deliver some Aloe vera. My next door neighbor happened to be the cute, Belgium, European guy.  Of course, the leader of the pack opened up the door. 

"Hi, I just stopped by with some fresh aloe vera for.."

I'm peaking my head in the door and I see the Belgium laying down underneath a massive, mosquito net. He looks disoriented and possibly drunk. 

Unfortunately, I get no eye contact, no goodbye-nada!

"Well, um I just wanted to bring this for you guys. You rub it on your legs for the mosquito bites and it's very soothing."

I smile and look over trying to get some attention from the European who is passed out and looks unconscious. 

Tom says, "Wow, thanks Priscilla that was so nice of you to share this with us" "Have a great trip back home and let's keep in touch."

I am peeking my head into the room and "Bam" the door is shut in my face.

Well, clearly he had a crush on me so he was pulling his "keep Priscilla away from European" moves.  It was quite cold and immature, but that's life. 
                          CE LA VIE

Belize Flame

Coming back late from Saint Ignacio, my perfect Monkey Bay kitchen was closed so I thought I would eat something across the way at Amigos. Amigo’s is a restaurant/ bar(the only one in a 15 mile vicinity).You walk through the field to the abandoned looking restaurant in the middle of nowhere. When you go inside, it’s full of personality with all kinds of knick knacks on the walls with all the funny drinking slogans. There is a stop light telling you when can drink and couple drinking games.  It’s a fun atmosphere for people who live in the area.

Every night, my new buddy was working and I would come in and go sit behind the bar chatting with him and pretending to be a bartender. On this particular night, I walked up the side entrance and was greeted by a young man at the door.  He smiled at me and said, “Welcome, please come in.” He lead me inside to the bar and I looked at him very puzzled and said, “Thank you.”  I assumed that he was working there and they played the joke out until Jose finally said that he was his friend.  He works as a tour guide for the caving with his co-worker who was present. 

He sat on the opposite side of the bar and I sat sitting with Jose on the opposite side where we split some food. Every time I look up, his eyes are gazing at me. I look towards him giving him a confused look and I just continue speaking. I keep speaking and he just keeps smiling and I laugh and he smiles. It’s like he is watching my every move and I’m not annoyed (good sign) and I kind of enjoy whatever is happening.  We all join in our conversation together and he begins to ask me all these questions. The first one is not a question though as he shouts across the bar, 

“You’re Indian right.” him 

“Yes, I am.”Pris

“Wow.”him 

“Wow, what? Pris

He gets quiet and says, “Indians are beautiful.”

“Thanks."
He is just totally staring and it would usually be strange annoying, but it´s not.  

The more I look at him, the more I think he is really cute.  He reminds me of my Moroccan boyfriend who was the same age, 28, mixed with Spanish and had the same mannerisms, great body, tall, beautiful smile, and just adored him.

Anyways, it was cute our flirtation and he had me intrigued with his philosophical conversation and his knowledge of India. He said that he is always reading and studying a new theory-definitely someone for me.   He randomly took me outside for a few minutes and went outside to talk with some local.  He told me this local wants to talk to you because he heard you’re an American. I walk outside and I am looking in the front and then I walk to the other side of the green wooden porch. 
Did he just make up that someone was outside? 
How juvenile. 
He says he must of disappeared and he stares right into my eyes.

“What color are your eyes? Green?” Him

I step back from him, “ Hazel.”  PRIS

He steps closer, “Do you like Belize?” Him

I step back “Yes, it’s good.” Pris

“Just good.” “Do Belize men scare you?" Him

“No.” Pris

“Then why do you keep stepping away from me.” Him 

There is little distance between us and our steps finally met.  He takes my hand and kisses it. My heart is skipping a beat faster and I am very interested at this point. This is a lot for me to take in so I distance myself away and start initiating conversation. We get into this interesting conversation about evolving and how our behavior changes overtime (Just like my Moroccan interested in psychology and philosophy). It was almost like a Belizian form of my Moroccan-interesting, but kind of sad. This guy just had this sexy mysterious suave thing going that I enjoyed participating in. 

They had all planned to go out and I planned to go to sleep. I was beyond tired and there was really nothing to celebrate because Costa Rica had lost.  His co-worker is shouting and asking him to come back in and he is just sitting and smiling at me with no care in the world. He asks me to meet him back here tomorrow night. I did not even hesitate for a second and I said, “Yes.” I could not deny the electricity between us and I did not want to leave him….

What happened with Mr. Belize?

My nerves and my fear of getting close got right in the way. I went back and forth about it and then I went to sleep. I ended up not showing up with no call, no message-nothing. This is where a phone comes in handy-office closed to use the Monkey Bay phone. The next day I biked over after work and I told Jose to please apologize to his friend. He didn’t even know there was something going on and he said, “Oh he was waiting for you.” He said that he’s sure it’s fine, but I know it wasn’t-not cool to stand up a guy you actually like. 

Chance Number 2

Going back by Amigos with the group of Europeans, I was wondering around looking and hoping that maybe he would show up. Jose caught on to my interest and told me that he rarely even comes over there so I most likely would not see him.  Sitting and socializing with some new people in there, I randomly meet his cousin.  I told him what happened and he said he would call him for us to try and meet again.  The second date was planned and I was ready to meet him. I made sure I looked extra cute and I went to meet him. There was no time set, but I figured the same time as last time. 
 Of course, I was 15 minutes late and he was not going to wait for me again.  He didn’t wait and I just missed him by 10 minutes.  Jose said, “Priscilla, I know him he really does not wait for people-it’s not his thing.” His thing was to not wait and my thing was to not show up and be late-nice one Priscilla. 

Perhaps it was not meant to be or perhaps I made it that way on my own…..never know.

While I never expected to take interest in a Belizian guy, we can never expect because that is when the unexpected comes......

No Goal for Israel

When sitting in my hostel Pacaya de San Carlos, a few girls came out and were on their phones. They were sitting right next to the hammock and I was on the chair on the other side of them- listening. I was trying to figure out what language they were speaking, as it sounded partially like Arabic, but I knew it wasn't. I sat there puzzled wondering and their guy friends came out- the puzzle piece came walking right towards me.

It was tall, muscular, tan, dark hair, and dark eyes with the scruffy facial hair-just enough to make you look twice. I had been wearing my yellow pajama shirt, pink shorts, and my glasses.








Instead of talking to his friends, he just came walking my direction. He was looking for something at the front desk it appeared and I saw him looking at me from the corner of my eye. 


I smiled and said my friendly "Hello." The puzzle piece wanted to take things a step further.  He asked me my name, where I'm from, blah, blah and I was talking to my friend while in conversation with him.  


He asked if it was my boyfriend and I smiled saying, "Just a friend." 


He said, the famous male response, "good answer."

I didn't ask if he had a girlfriend, but I didn't really care enough to ask.
He said he just came from Belize and he was traveling alone and met fellow Israelis. They were all going out and he would like it if I joined them. 

I kind of sat their frozen looking at myself, "Like this?"



He smiled, "Yeah who cares just come. It will be fun." 



His friends were hurrying towards the door and He stood at the door saying, "This is your last chance to come."  

I said I would think about it, but that really meant No. He then gave me directions on how to get there, which was cute.



As I sat there in my glasses I contemplated going and just having fun. I don't drink or really go out and socialize, even rarely in the states, why not just go? 



My bed was calling so I resisted the temptation to go out with the hot Israeli and I resisted socializing with tourists. 






The next day.....
I came out and of course he was sitting at the table in front of my door. I said hello and he didn't say anything. I thought maybe he didn't hear me. I saw him again on the street and he gave me these big sad puppy dog eyes- the same as when I left my little preschooler. I actually felt bad and did not even know he was that interested, but it was probably just the rejection his ego couldn't handle-Men. 



Again, being pretty close with men on a friendship level, I am a bit oblivious to when someone actually likes me. Although, I do have to admit he was a pretty cute sight to see in the morning-yikes. Those Israelis both men and women are beautiful-per my Bestie Matan=) He would love that statement. 


Unfortunate for him, I have no interest in the superficial flings as it's just not a focus for me. 
I guess the rejection got the best of him where we could not just be cool and civilized friends-hate that=(

Pris loves being friends and cool with everyone!