random thoughts – Day 1,657 – (Monday) – food and entertainment

The day began early and with a bang. Literally. Before daylight there was a downpour, and a loud thunderclap that seemed to be directly over the hotel. It was soon followed by another one, equally loud. The rain lasted for about an hour, maybe more. I wasn’t really timing it as I went back to sleep. When it calmed down, several of us met for breakfast. Everyone else in the resort had the same idea and the line was long. 

Breakfast from the buffet.

We headed over to the sister resort next door, where the line was also long. The buffet offerings were plentiful, with stations offering foods for all tastes. There was yogurt, fruit, baked beans and toast, black beans and meats for breakfast tacos, eggs with the familiar meats, breads with salmon and trimmings, waffles, French toast, all sorts of muffins and pastries. I opted for a slice of rye bread with cream cheese and salmon, scrambled eggs, fruit, and a pastry thing. And of course, coffee. Vacation breakfast is significantly larger than the workday breakfast of a granola bar, if anything at all.

After breakfast, the rain stopped, the skies cleared and we hit one of the pools. From the pool, we went to the beach. Lunch was at the buffet located at the beach. Rafts were bought and floating took place. Life was good.

Beet salad and apple martini.

We tore ourselves from the beach to clean up for our dinner reservation. We thought we were booked at the Italian restaurant, but it turned out to be the Argentinian place. No worries, there were ravioli and gnocchi on the menu. It was amusing when the Aperol Spritzes my friend and I ordered were delivered as apple martinis instead, but it was ok. It wasn’t as good as Aperol Spritz, and now I know not to order it on purpose.

As we left the restaurant, lightning flashed in the distance, but the sky overhead was clear with a sliver of a moon visible.

After dinner we caught “The International Show” on the stage in the lobby. The production opened with a number with lots of scantily clad dancers doing some modern piece I couldn’t comprehend or even describe, but then the show sorted itself out in line with the title theme. 

One of the Argentinian dance numbers.

There were dances representing various countries including China, Japan, Spain, India, Cuba, France, The U.S, Argentina, and more. The Argentinian numbers were probably the most exciting, with lots of foot stomping and complicated looking steps, drumming, and the most exciting layer -- the boleadoras, a ball on a rope that is spun and slammed on the floor while doing footwork. It was really cool, and I couldn't help wondering how many blackened eyes and blows to the head might occur while learning the technique, especially on the complicated criss-cross maneuvers. When the entire dance company appeared on stage for their final bow, it was surprising to see what a small company they were. With the pace of the show and the many numbers presented, it seemed like a much larger company than the dozen or so dancers.

The distant storm seen earlier made a grand entrance during the dance show, delivering a powerful downpour. Thunder could be heard in pauses of the music, but the storm had moved through by the show’s finale. Mostly. Lightning was flashing during the walk to the rooms, and an hour later, the thunder was active again.

The first full day of resort life had it all – dramatic weather, beautiful weather, beach and pool time, a variety of great food, and professional entertainment. I could get used to this.