Our journey, Chapter 16: I choose door number one. No, three! Two!!
Any of you remember “Let’s Make a Deal”? As we are packing to leave tomorrow for another jaunt into the waters of the Caribbean…well, the Gulf of Mexico is probably more accurate - or is it the Gulf of America, I can’t help but think of Monty Hall asking contestants which door they wanted. I used to shake my head at their indecisiveness. That was before we started this journey.
Since we began dreaming about our life together long before we were married, Natalie has made it abundantly clear to me that we will never live in Florida, the land of my birth. So, what do you think she announced to me the other day? Right. Florida is now in the mix. Perhaps it was the “mildness” of last year’s hurricane season in the Sunshine State. Or, maybe she figures my hair color is now appropriate for the state with the largest percentage of retiree residents. Of course, it could be her fixation with Mickey Mouse. (I’d be jealous of that rodent if he weren’t two-dimensional.) I suppose it could simply be she’s being practical, but whatever the case, she has done a 180 on me that will likely increase the complexity of our search. Meh.
For the last several weeks, Natalie has insisted we watch HGTV almost every night. I hesitate to admit what began as a reluctant acquiescence on my part to accommodate my wife has turned into a comfortable ritual for me, too. David Bromstad must have the best job on the planet. He’s very personable, but this dude gets paid to drink coffee, eat and show people homes that local realtors identify for him. What a gig!
It was during one of our HGTV nights that I saw what people could buy in Mexico for a fraction of what a similar property would cost in the States. I swear the cost per square foot on the water is less than a box of crackers in much of the Caribbean. Who knew?
Having previously said there was no way under the sun I would move to Mexico, I had an out of body experience as I listened to myself asking Natalie if we should look at Mexico. Talk about indecisiveness! I’m not sure she responded verbally, but I do know the look she gave me meant she was imagining me in one of the goofy costumes would-be contestants wore to attract Monty’s attention.
Our sailing this week does go to Mexico, but I’ve already been told we’ll be staying aboard. The only other stop it makes is Grand Cayman, which we love, but haven’t been to for perhaps thirty years. We’re looking forward to what we might find there.
Right now, you may be wondering why in the world we chose this trip, since most of it is at sea. Chris Botti! If you have never heard Chris Botti play the trumpet, do yourself a favor and listen to one of his albums. I promise you’ll be hooked. Before COVID, we went to see him in NYC for I think eight years in a row at Christmas where he played in a small venue called the Blue Note. He always had remarkable talent with him there, and he has an amazing line-up with him on this cruise, including David Foster! So, incredible music, the warm Gulf of Whatever air and a chance to again visit Grand Cayman.
I’m certainly not blowing my own horn, but what’s not to like about this journey? I can’t decide.
More to come.