Beyond the Reef

If you're familiar with the song title, you may be wondering why something so emotional for my penultimate blog entry, but emotional is how we're feeling, so it fits.

This past week, we went to Henderson, Nevada, and found the "forever house" we'll be living in for the foreseeable future. At our age, we're all too aware that nothing lasts forever, so we seize the day -- or in this case -- the house. Please e-mail me at janetasay1@aol.com if you would like to have the address.  I have to rebuild that Christmas card list.

I gave serious consideration to starting another blog for our next adventure, Return to Henderson, but I have learned that blogs are a lot of work, and while I'm very, very happy that I did this one, it has kept me from the complete revision of my book that I'd planned to do while here. For those of you who have been faithful readers: Thank you!  I hope I've written enough interesting things to make the reading time worthwhile.

We returned from Nevada on Wednesday evening and taught our last English class on Thursday evening. Don had two teenaged boys to teach, and I had eight adults. We had a lot of fun! At the end of class, each of the three men shook my hand and thanked me for the class.  Each of the five women gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and told me how much they loved and appreciated me. I was fighting back tears for the whole evening. Later, in the car, Don agreed that it was an emotional experience, way more than we'd anticipated.

It is time for us to go home to Nevada, but we will miss our home in Mexico and hope to return whenever possible to feel the spirit of our beautiful friends here.

Yesterday, we went across and took care of some business, and then we returned to attend a fiesta in Rosarito.  The fiesta was to run from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and we were there for only an hour or so, so I'm not sure we got a lot of it, but it was fun. Then we went to dinner at a fairly fancy place -- El Nido steak house. To be completely honest, the steak was too done for me, but it was a really good meal: chips and salsa, beans, tossed salad, homemade tortillas, a T-Bone steak, and two pieces of grilled talapia, plus a soda and a mineral water. With tip, the bill was just under $50.

Here are some photos for your enjoyment:

Textile items in a shop in downtown Rosarito. Blurring just ads to the effect.

This lady has an interesting presence. I'm sorry her eyes were closed when I took the photo.

There was some sort of karaoke contest (we happened in as it was underway). This man was singing to the lady.

We didn't have ice cream, but I love the sign, and they were doing a great business.

I think this guy was participating in the karaoke contest. He was very good, anyway.

Love the flags and banners everywhere!

How's this for texture on the outer structure of the restaurant?

We decided to have a celebratory meal here.

Texture continues on the inside of the restaurant.

Yum!

Rosarito Sunset: The perfect ending to a perfect day!

See you one more time before this blog concludes. Hasta soon!