Well, I am sure that most, if not all of you, are sick of the daily (maybe very other daily) health releases, but at least this one is quite positive. Yesterday we were invited to join the “Dancing Couple” and some of their friends for a trip up the Rio Cuale River to the new place, El Rio BBQ, that is owned by the former owner of Época, a restaurant/bar that we have frequented the last 4 years. Kurt Sinner, the owner and a Portlander, lost his lease at the end of last season and, after a bit of time off , has opened this new place about 4 or 5 miles up river. It seems a bit of a risk as it is certainly not on the beaten path. But upon arriving there, it may be a piece a paradise, pleasantly removed from the noise and bustle of downtown PV.
It was a beautiful day. The weather this January has been some of the best, with the temperatures in the low 80s everyday and no hint of rain. We met Ray and Mary Anne and there friends at Vista del Sol. This is the condominium unit that Época was housed in. Kurt had arranged for a shuttle to take about 10 of us to his place for an afternoon of swimming (if you didn’t have sore back), food, drink, and music. Upon arrival, I think everyone agreed, it was paradise. Kurt has done a first class job of creating a very special ambiance. There is a dining area, smoked ribs and fish are the specialties. He has built a large and beautiful Palapa and then has created his own beach that runs right down to the Rio Cuale River. It is perfect for sunbathing and for cooling off in the bright, brisk-running stream. We had a it of lunch with Mary Anne and Ray
and commenced to enjoy a beautiful afternoon.
For me, it really was the first real outing. Up to this point it has been largely the walk up and down the hill, and cabs that whisked us to the door of a restaurant. This was going to be a full day out and about. Granted, there would always be a place to sit and there was no extended time on my feet, but it was going to be about a 6 hour day with no place to lie down on a heating pad. By and large, it went well. The last hour or so I was tired, but never any sharp pain.
Shortly after arriving, we were surprised and thrilled to find former UP business professor, Neal Higgins and his wife Judy. Without either of us knowing it, we had come to El Rio on the same day. Ironically, while waiting for the shuttle at Vista del Sol, where Neal and Judy are staying, I had wandered down to the beach to see if they were in their accustomed spots on the beach. Come to find out, they were up river and we had a nice chance to visit with them.
At 3, the music commenced under the palapa. Our Scots friend, Bobby and a brilliant guitar player, Roberto, played a non-stop two hours.
and as the beer flowed and the music intensified, there was lots of dancing, some worthy of note and a great deal embarrassing.
But a great time was had by all. By the end of the afternoon, I think most all agreed that El Rio was going to become a regular Friday event.
We caught the shuttle back into town, had a drink up at Neal and Judy’s place and foolishly caught a cab to La Fuente for a quick meal. I say foolishly, because shortly after sitting down and ordering, we realized that we were not only not very hungry, but we were exhausted. After eating about a third of the calamari, we boxed it to go and climbed up the hill, slowly. A quick nightcap, an ibuprofen and we were out. However, it was a good day and I felt confident that better days would lie ahead.
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