On Wednesday evenings, there’s usually a bring your own food communal dinner down by the pool. Wednesday, February 5th, was the night before Anita’s birthday. Our friends Russell and Julie bought a birthday cake for Anita, which she shared with everyone after we all sang happy birthday to her. The next night we went to the Canoa Suites for her actual birthday dinner.
Russell and Julie were leaving for Crucita further down the coast on Monday so we had a farewell party for them by the pool on Saturday night. One of the ladies brought her electric piano down and played background music for happy hour. Then after dinner, Russell played some of his original songs. We were falling out of our chairs laughing. For some good entertainment, check out a few Russell Sawler YouTube videos from music festivals in Atlantic Canada.
Anita B, the artist formerly known as Mrs. Boles, continues to go to Moya’s house in Briceno for the “sip and paint” lesson every Thursday afternoon. She prefers to be discreet with her wine by keeping her bottle in a paper bag. She finished her first water colour painting this week.
Friday evening, we were waiting for the bus to go to the Canoa Oasis, a private home on the beach with 2 rental suites and a beautiful garden and pavilion, for the annual Valentine Dinner benefit for Los Algorrobos School. Our friend Walter drove up. There were already 5 people in the cab of his truck but he offered us a ride in the back so away we went. It wasn’t a limousine but we got there.
The party venue was very beautiful anyway but more so with all the Valentine’s decorations. There were about 60 people there for dinner. We enjoyed champagne and appetizers while we watched the sunset then had filet mignon prepared by “Chef Dan”, an American professional chef who has relocated to Canoa. Another of the local expats acted as a deejay and took all requests. After a dessert of pineapple upside down cake, we danced for a couple of hours. We had lots of fun and were still home before 10 pm.
Next weekend will be Carnaval. We’ll shop on Tuesday or Wednesday before the store shelves get emptied and then most of the time after that we’ll be close to home. There will be lots of people and lots of partying in Canoa.
