We'd planned on trying out a restaurant we'd spied on the far west end of the honeycomb warren resort, but it had closed, early and inexplicably. Eric decided he'd meet us over in the lobby of the adjoining resort, where he'd noticed a piano on a previous expedition. Brian and I would follow soon and we'd catch a cab into town in search of some local cuisine. When we got there, however, Eric was sitting at the bar talking to an attractive woman from England, of the aforementioned feline form. Her name was (and still is) Lynne.
Lynne was great. She was traveling the world by herself. Though her plan hadn't started out that way, when circumstances made it impossible for her at-the-time companion to accompany her she jumped into the brink and went anyway. She'd come to Mexico from Australia. Now here she was in Manzanillo on her way to Pittsburg to visit a sister. And she was loving it. I asked her to describe herself. She took the napkin I'd been taking notes on and wrote the word SUBMISIVE on it. I arched a disbelieving eyebrow at her, to which she responded by offering a mischievous smile and circling the word. I opened my mouth to object but she waved it shut with an imperious pen: not finished. She very carefully drew a line diagonally through the circle, nullifying the word, reversing the meaning, outlawing the alternative. Now I understood. She explained that her philosophy was that if you have an opportunity to do something grand that might never come again you have to take it and to hell with anything that wants to hold you back. The four of us heartily toasted to that sentiment!
I admire people who chase their dreams and convictions. Especially those who are emotionally and psychologically capable of doing so on their own. It takes self reliance, self possession, and some guts to leave what you know for the wide experiences available only to those who throw off the comfort of the familiar in favor of attaining a broader perspective. When you take old Robert Frost's road less traveled you shed preconceived notions, open yourself to an understanding of human nature and natural experience that does indeed make all the difference. And viva la difference!!
Conversation with Lynne overextended our chance to go into town and be likely to find something desirable open. Not that we particularly cared. It's people like Lynne that we look forward to meeting more than anything else as we come into port (well, maybe showers and dry clothes sometimes top the list, but once the necessities are attended too...). The Independent Adventurer accompanied us back to the boat � along with a pair of boating folk who'd wandered into the lobby and chatted us up. Eric produced a spicy pasta in the wok that satisfied everyone. Our neighbors departed, then Lynne after we got vigorous hugs and good luck wishes. Eric walked her back to the resort, then walked back to the boat (rather disconsolately, I'm afraid. Well, there's always tomorrow, mate!)
Brian and I cleaned up the remnants of our midnight repast and we found our beds, then dreams found us.
I was back at the Capitania first thing in the morning. This time it was a quick in and out: Here's the receipt; Thank you, here's your port clearance; Thank you, adios!
The Cook and I went to the marina office to check out when I returned. Ruben tried unsuccessfully to print us a satellite picture of activity in the area � there was none � then gave up on the pinche printer. He did let us scan the forecast for the next few days. Conditions were very favorable for our immediate departure.
Brian had Faith ready to sail, all except removing the docking lines. This took a lot longer than usual, given that almost every hank aboard had been attached between dock and boat. We hadn't been about to lose the ship after surviving the storm!
We powered out of Bahia Manzanillo, bidding a fond adios to Las Hadas and the spirited travelers who have graced its wandering walls.