18/11/6

Linda’s home. We have started to feel like this is our home. Raz and I have been here a year, as of the 16^th. Yesterday afternoon we had a party to celebrate Linda’s return, and my anniversary. About twenty people showed up. Ticos preach the benefits of their basic rice and beans diet, but when they get a chance to eat hamburgers, potato salad, tuna salad, and hot dogs, they sure dig in. It was certainly a lot of fun. Around 6pm, Linda started to talk people into going to the Bar Huevo for karaoke. I had heard something special was going on, but wasn’t sure what it was. Something about girls in bikinis. Nine of us, in total walked over, and for the first time in my experience there was a $2. cover. I paid for everyone, since it was our idea, and there were a few more already in, so the 12 of us sat at one big table. Being old, I have lost my taste for loud music, and at least half of it was regaton. This is like Spanish rap, and I really don’t like that, but we had fun. A little drinking, and a little dancing, actually, Linda danced a lot. The place was crowded, and they had a curtain over the whole road-side wall to prevent spectators who hadn’t paid. About 11, the show we had paid for started.

Strippers have been common in Canada for 30 plus years now, and though I haven’t seen one for 21 years, I still remember what their shows were like. I understand that the shows in San Jose are more risque, but I haven’t seen one of those. We got far more risque shows in Bracebridge than I ever saw in Toronto, so when they announced the first dancer, I didn’t know what to expect. She came out in a bra and g-string, and danced. No more clothing was removed. I looked around at the audience, and everyone was going wild. Even the women that were back from the first row were standing on their chairs to see the show. Many people were taking pictures with their cell phones. Every body loved it. Two girls did two dances each, and their was no nudity. I laughed. I laughed at the girls, I laughed at the audience. Yes, I have a strange sense of humour, but I thought the whole thing was hilarious. In a country with a booming, legal, sex industry, here were these two escapees from a lingerie party dancing in high heels turning on the whole crowd. Punta Morales is definitely removed from the city.

Linda danced a bit more, and we all went home. It was actually a great experience. The whole day was fun. We cleaned the house today, and tomorrow will be back to normal. I’m getting some stone to put right in front of the house, down one side, and at the back. We trimmed a bunch of trees on Friday, and except for weeding the lawn, the stone should pretty well complete our landscaping.

Raz has not returned to normal, yet. He won’t eat dog food, and we have been feeding him people food to try and get his strength back. I will also try a different dog food. I think he is just old. Hopefully, he will get better.