Greetings fellow travelers on this journey we call life. Here’s a quick update on mine.

Last night I did my usual beer-drinking ritual. I once again began my imbibing at Marick’s place. I did so, in part at least, because I’d received a rather cryptic message from Marick regarding her landlord’s refusal to extend her lease. Wanted some clarity on whether that meant closing down at the end of the month or not. Not as it turns out. She has until the end of October to find a new location. Now, the current venue is tiny, seating only three or four customers semi-comfortably. Most nights I’ve been there she has two or three guests. That’s probably enough to support the low rent for her small space. Unfortunately, the larger spaces she has been looking at are significantly more expensive. There is some question as to whether the limited expat market could generate sufficient clientele to pay the rent. Most bars in town are really struggling without the normal tourist influx. Hard to say when the powers that be will wise up and open the country once again. Meanwhile, small business owners like Marick will be in a pickle.

Anyway, I had a few beers and bought the waitresses a pizza from the shop next door. And of course, some lady drinks to wash it down. Then I moved on to Cheap Charlies for more liquidy goodness. I don’t go there much these days but was greeted like a long-lost friend by one of my favorites there.

Naturally, I rewarded her with some lady drinks and a nice tip when I departed. And depart I did because hunger beckoned and The Pub had a weekend special on steak tacos.

I also had a pleasant chat with my waitress while I was waiting for my order.

Oh well, another time perhaps. This morning, I decided to do breakfast out on Baloy Beach. It had been a while since I’ve ventured out that way, so I dropped into my old favorite, Treasure Island. Friendly greeting from the owner who is also practically my next-door neighbor (there is a vacant house between us) here in Alta Vista. Alas, his kitchen didn’t open until 8:00 and I wasn’t in the mood to wait. Walked up the beach to Blue Rock and sat down at an empty table. Waitress came by and dropped a menu in front of me then walked off without a word. I made my choice and waited for her to return to take my order. And waited. I looked around and didn’t see her. Finally, I just said “fuck it”, got up, and walked out. Didn’t see her as I departed either. Weird. So, I wound up at Harley’s and had some Swedish pancakes for breakfast.

Two of the gals who provide “massage” service contacted me about emergencies they are currently experiencing. One needs money for her electric bill or her power will be shut off today. The other wanted milk money for her daughter. I agreed to give them each a 1000 peso advance on future wages. One of them arrived within a few minutes of my returning home from breakfast. The other came about an hour later with her kids in tow. That’s a pretty good hike for the little ones from her place. Anyway, if I never see either again I’ll consider the money as a charitable donation. I expect they’ll be back though. They know a sucker when they see one.

And now it is time to shower up and prepare for today’s Hash adventure.

What a life I’m living, eh?

This made me chuckle: