BINGO! Ethan inbound, Mother's Day, Sharon vs Weevils, Testify!
Last Wednesday, we decided to go to BINGO at Nauti Crab - Josh at Hurricane's had mentioned that it was a lot of fun, plus the progressive jackpot was up to $2,300! I had to Google what a "progressive jackpot" was in Bingo, I've never played for "real" money before. We made our reservations and are glad we did - it was a packed house! We were seated next to a retired couple who have lived here since 1989 (at least part-time) and another couple visiting for the first time, looking at property. You can learn so much about this island by talking to people - don't be afraid to strike up a conversation!*
*Be cognizant if you are getting short answers - 99% of us are helpful, but there's a grump in every town - cut your losses when you find one!
The bingo boards each have a colored-in number, and if your colored number is the first colored number called in a game, you win a free shot if you're the first to yell "SHOT!". Wouldn't you know it, game 1, first number called, was G-60, my colored number, and I didn't waste a millisecond! I earned a free coconut rum shot, but sadly, that was the extent of our winning that night. Someone did hit the progressive in game 5 or 6, to the tune of $2,800+BZ!
My "big win" for the night
The first six games are only $2BZ to play, then game 7 is $5BZ, and game 8 is $10BZ. It's a really fun night to break up the week!
I booked appointments for both Nathan and me at San Pedro Urgent Care, the private medical facility in Caribeville. Nathan was overdue for a physical, and I finally completed my labwork ordered by Dr. Bradley, my dermatologist in Belize City. We still have high-deductible Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance from Nathan's employer in the US, but it is not accepted here. We have not purchased international health insurance. To put into perspective how awful US healthcare costs are, Nathan's tab for an office visit with the General Practitioner, full bloodwork panel, and urinalysis with NO insurance was identical to what his out-of-pocket would have been in the States. I had all of his charges plus two thyroid panels and stool test, and my tab was $200US LESS than what my out-of-pocket would have been! I used the BCBS care estimator to figure this data out when I started to wonder what the pricing differences might be. Even better, we were seen on time (I was called back a few minutes early!) and the facility is modern, clean, and on par with one you would find in the US.
Now I have to figure out where to go for mammograms and pap smears in Belize City - I have found a few options and am weighing them out, as in both cases, reviews are mixed. I'm going to book for the same day as my return visit to Dr. Bradley, which I am supposed to do this month.
Friday, I had errands in town and found the Elote stand on Back Street open! It keeps the most sporadic of hours - I tend to see them there when I'm on my way to an appointment and can't stop. Fortunately, I had time to kill this day and was able to place an order! $5BZ for this delicousness. I love corn on the cob - it's pretty pricy here - and Nathan doesn't like corn at all. So this is a Sharon-only treat.
I wisely asked for an extra napkin, and most certainly needed it!
Ethan, our older son, and his girlfriend Lilly have booked flights down! She came with us on vacation in 2022, when we first stayed in a rental home in our current neighborhood, so she knows the drill. We are elated to have them and can't wait to see them on August 1!
Sunday for Mother's Day, Mesa Bistro had a special brunch event with bottomless mimosas for $40BZ, and the flutist Lena Bravo playing from 11-2. I invited two of our neighbor couples from the previous week's Neighborhood Happy Hour, and they were both game! We met at our house and walked over, as parking is sparse...pretty much everywhere. Mesa Bistro has new owners, and they will be offering more of a Tex-Mex menu, including dinner, soon.
The skies broke mid-way through our brunch, but the party didn't stop! Lena also sings and plays the piano - well! Her music was a perfect ambiance setter for the day.
Coconut French Toast - I added bacon because, well, bacon.
After the food and mimosas, naps were in order!
It took nine months, but I have been "blessed" with flour weevils. It's not uncommon to see them in/on/around the flour bags in stores here, and it's something I distinctly remember from childhood: we would always sift flour before using it to collect the weevils. Forty-some years later, it is something forgotten, having been spoiled by non-humid weather and airtight storage containers. (These little buggers like humidity, and dislike airtight containers. I bought a storage container set at Dibary Home here, but the airtightness is....suspect.)
On Tuesdays, I make sourdough discard crackers, my poor-lady's island version of Cheez-Its, since my sourdough loaf skills are still being developed. A few weevils have made an appearance, thankfully, it's in my almost-empty regular flour, not the $19BZ/bag of bread flour. Extra protein...? I removed all of them I could. The internet is strongly divided on whether or not I should toss out the remaining flour.
Another MASSIVE stressor in our lives concluded today: We had our final settlement hearing regarding a Canadian Real Estate agent here in Belize who stole our land stamp money back in 2018 - the judge didn't award everything we asked for, but we were awarded the amount stolen plus interest, and partial attorney's fees. HALLELUJAH! Our lawyer prepped me that I might have to testify today - thankfully, it was not required. Now the super-tricky part starts - trying to get blood from that turnip. Rumors are that he doesn't have bank accounts in Belize any longer (seized - he has committed this offense many times over!), but he most certainly has a few golf carts and a sizeable home. I expect a fight at every turn, but interest will continue to accumulate, and the ruling has been made! Whew!