Steve and Sydney Stardate: 2.25

Last Friday we couldn’t dive because the ocean had an upset stomach. Instead, we went with our friends, Susan and Joe, to Cancun, where we thought they would enjoy some malling. We walked it, end to end. The only member of the group who saw something she couldn’t live without was Sydney. She found a darling* top that ‘called out to me,‘ as she says. We had a nice lunch, Sydney and I split a salad, our first in many weeks. It was worth the wait. We’ve been warned to stay away from lettuce, although not sure why. It was great to taste dressing, again. We went and saw the movie Vantage Point in the Cineopolis. Don’t waste your money or time; it was substandard beginning to end. Dennis Quaid tried way too hard and Forrest Whitaker didn’t try hard enough. On the way back to the ferry we stopped at a tile, sink, etc., distributor and found some incredibly beautiful sinks for $90. These are glazed Mexican style, very vibrant colors. While this is a steal, the problemo is getting them (x2) shipped to Boise. I’m going to see what DHL and FedEx can do. Joe and Susan returned to Boise yesterday, we hope they enjoyed the week as much as us. Thanks you guys for the beautiful silver candlesticks which will look so nice in the condo at Elkhorn! The wine is still flowing! They came bearing 8 bottles! They are both wonderful divers and the cause of our addictions to the sport!Today, Sydney’s cousin, Debbie and her husband, Peter, arrive. They hail from deepest darkest Vermont and we know they can use a good dose of sand and sun. This will be good medicine for them.Winter has been tough on everyone this year; we’re holding out that when we come home in a month, it has moved on. We lament the need to wear pants, shoes, socks, coats upon our return. Down here I wear one garment: shorts. Blue, maroon, or green. Take your pick! Sydney wears two: top/bottom. I have encouraged her to go ala’ European, no doing. She does that when we play Tarzan & Jane on the beach at night. Oops, sorry, over sharing.We thought about getting out Dive Master Certifications while we were here, realizing we had ample time for the course. They recommend a minimum of two weeks, but prefer at least a month. It would cost $500 each, plus the materials ($150) and a re-up on our CPR qualifications ($100). We decided to forego it this trip and shoot for next time. Speaking for me, the thought of studying every evening somehow just doesn’t have much appeal. At 1:00pm everyday my brain goes on break until the next day!Week before last, Sydney and I heard the most wonderful music while having a late breakfast in town. A little investigation, i.e., pawing through the CD cases next to the stereo, revealed it was Fernando Lima, Pasion’ Album. We had not heard of him, or the woman who does most of the vocals. This is an incredible arrangement if you want some nice bold Spanish music for a quiet evening. Of course, it’s all I listen to now. I bought it from Itunes, downloaded to my laptop. Technology is great! Saturday we had two very relaxing dives on the reef. I spent the dives helping a condo acquaintance, Jerry, with his dives, as he last dove years ago. He did fine; the reef was perfect for him to meet Mr. Ocean, again. Sydney saw a nurse shark, but was too far away to garner attention. Of course, we all thought, “Sure, Sydney, sure!” about her shark. But, we all said, “Wow,” “Really,” “Cool,” to legitimatize her find. Diving, hunting, fishing, it’s all the same: 50% real, 50% imagined! Anyhow, they were nice dives. Sydney and I did find a large grouper hiding in a coral cave; he had to go 100 lbs! He had the protruding lower jaw that made him look like a grandpa. Nobody messes with him! I think groupers might be my favorite fish, well, maybe moray eels, too! While on that dive I thought of a word that best describes the ocean; “teeming.” The ocean is teeming with life. God, I hope we don’t ruin that, too.‘Nough said, looks like another good day, how can’t it be? Think we’ll go down to the ferry dock and watch Americans come off all stressed and angry! Thanks for reading; I enjoy talking with all of you. Until next time, Nannu-Nannu! Adios, Esteben.*Notice my use of adjectives? Totally learned from weeks of female influence