It was around 35 degrees in Willemstad today. Despite that, we couldn't resist exploring this amazing city again. A world heritage site, the inner core is closed to traffic and the narrow streets are full of shops, courtyards, cafes and bars. We badly wanted to wander slowly and take in all of its charms but the heat - Mein Gott im Himmel! It was survival time, and that meant darting to an air-conditioned shop for a 10 minute saunter, then back out on the street, then a shuffle off to the next cool spot. Once, I hate to admit, it even involved a McDonald's (but they had a usable bathroom so we should be forgiven). We finally came upon a tiny little restaurant (3 tables?) who proclaimed they served THE BEST MOJITOS - and despite the early hour (a tad before noon) the fellows decided they needed to see if that was true. They did have air conditioning, of a sort, and they also made pretty nice, ice-cold smoothies. So we crowded in there (we were the only patrons, so actually not so crowded) and settled in to try and cool Ben down. There's just something about babies, and as soon as we unpeeled the sticky little fellow from his stroller and hung him out to dry in front of the tiny AC unit, a mama and granny came clucking, smiling, cooing, and making eye contact with this delicate white-blond child, who graced them with one of his toothless grins and a lot of drool. Before too long the cold smoothies appeared but so did a plastic container full of cold water with a few chunks of ice floating within, and the very kind invitation to set the baby down on the bar and just let him play in the water. All mamas know how to cool down a little one and as Ben splashed cautiously the shopkeeper Grootmoeder made sure that we did not neglect the back of his little neck.
Much refreshed and ready to re-enter the baking streets, we gave them our heartfelt thanks. Oh, and those Mojitos? Not so much the BEST. A little rum, a little pineapple, and enough fresh lemon juice to ward off scurvy for another year. Pucker up!
Love the story but boy 35 degrees it hot! Really glad you guys found some ways to cool off once in a while. Ohhh, and Mom, a slight correction, you said "There is just something about babies..." which is true but there is really just something about Ben! Love you guys and glad you are having a blast!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, Dave. He is such an anomaly here, with his bright blue eyes and white-blond hair. People can't help but stop and look at him and then he rewards them with his big, toothless, cup-of-drooling grin. Impossible to resist. We miss you badly and can only imagine the hilarity that we could share if you were here too!
ReplyDelete