The Beach

We had a wonderful time at the beach. We were mostly at Cuastecomate--a calm little cove. We drove the 2 1/2 curvy hours in Edgar´s dad´s truck. It was better than taking the bus, but was rather uncomfortable--especially for me. I held both boys on my lap. Incredibly enough, we all managed to fall asleep (except Edgar) twice.


The view was lovely on the drive, but Lili and I had a hard time enjoying--be both felt so sick.

We left so early that we got to the beach at 9:00 am on Thursday. We had the beach to ourselves most of that day. There were more people on Friday and Saturday. When Edgar´s relatives came (they own a restaurant right on the beach) we ordered wonderful seafood from them--shrimp and fish and octopus. After eating, I felt so sleepy. I stretched out on a lawn chair and the lovely ocean breeze lulled me to sleep. Marcos had a long nap in a hammock.


After I woke up, I went swimming with the kids. Edgar didn´t get in the water until Friday.

We rented a bungalow from Edgar´s relatives. It was new and nice and had hot water coming out automatically from the sinks and shower. Amazing.

The view from our bedroom there.
Across the street.
We did everything we could think of to do at the beach. Lili collected seashells.
We dug about in the sand.
We sipped coconuts and then ate the meat from inside.

By about 12:00 on Saturday we were tired of sand and salt and being beach bums. It was lovely for a few days, but I don´t think I´m really a beach person. We piled back into the truck and headed for El Grullo.

The kids and I all fell asleep, but then woke up when Edgar stopped to get gas. We went inside to buy water and ice cream and go to the bathroom. (The bathrooms were free and they had toilet paper!) The problem was that right before the entrance to the women´s bathroom, were horrible trashy magazines at my children´s eye level. I covered up their eyes. When I bought the ice cream, I told the woman I had a complaint about the magazines by the bathroom. I told her they were inappropriate for children and that they were right where my children could see them on the way to the bathroom. She was very unconcerned. I repeated that they are inappropriate for children and adults. I don´t think she cared.
Yesterday we went to church again. (Edgar´s aunt told me I look very "weird" in this skirt.) As the dear sisters were hugging and kissing me good-bye, I felt so grateful for them. They´re this country´s answer to the trashy magazines, horror movies on the bus, and Vegas-style dancers to honor women. They are beautiful and modest and they know who they are.

I am late for a dinner engagement. So long.