The View from the Third Seat at the Back of the Short Bus

We circumvented the island of Curacao today, and here is my favorite view.   Much friendlier than the forests of fierce cacti and much brighter than the sad shacks along the way.  Outside of Willemstad the poverty is pronounced and the little towns are strangely deserted.  The furthest point west is a renowned dive spot and a few slowly-moving souls were there, but other than that, nothing but acres of tangled bush.  No real trees in this hotter-than-hot climate.  Oh, and some busy goats and a few iguanas.   We bounced along the typical Caribbean roads, sometimes paved, sometimes not.  The diesel engine roared when it needed to.   At the back of the bus I caught air over a few potholes but it was totally worth it to see Ben's delighted smile.

At the end of the long and dusty road was the brand new mall, just on the outskirts of Willemstad.  Air conditioned and clean and bright, it was just what we needed (i.e., they sold cold beer).   We strolled around the stores and stopped for a nosh of local faire - mostly vegetables, some kind of stew.  'Twas good.

However.

Twenty minutes later I was relieved to catch sight of the washroom sign.  It was pretty far down a long and winding hall but of graceful décor, where one felt very welcome even if the washroom attendant, a large and very black lady, did not return my imbecilic smile.  As we all know it's an important, almost sacred place, and I was reverently counting my blessings while comfortably seated when.... out of nowhere... a GIANT BROOM came under the door my cubicle.  Into MY space.   While I was.... er... meditating.   I really didn't know what to do.  Does one offer helpfully to pick up one's feet?  That presented a logistical problem so I just sat there, trying ever so hard to be quiet, while the broom danced in, around, behind and gently over my toes before it sailed onto the next cubicle.  I could only be grateful that it wasn't a big wet mop.  Caribbean hospitality is truly unparalleled. 

We are off to the beach shortly, to rinse off this morning's bug spray.   The current bug score - Me - 0.   Mossies - 26 direct hits, one on my right temple which is threatening to grow into a horn.  Stay tuned.