Where have I been?

Good question. Have been busy with the cafe, spear fishing, some travel to San Juan, and gearing up for the tourist season. Well.......it's HERE. Headed into the Valley to get some things and it seems like every tourist decided to come this week. Great for business, but not sure I can handle the traffic jams. I mean, it took me over 7 minutes to get into the Valley today. SEVEN minutes!! Damn snowbirds. :) Lot's of lilly whte bodies on the beach. Hope they use sunscreen. Also seems like a lot of younger people this year. Are they the only ones with money?

Christmas is just a couple days away, but there isn't much Christmas feel in the air. Don't know if it's the overall economy or just living here on the island. Not even a Santa sighting yet.

Ran out of water for the very last time. Decided to break down and buy from the government. So come on down and shower to your hearts content.

Speaking of coming down, J&D are on their way here this coming Monday. I truly believe that nobody enjoys themselves more then they do when they come to visit. And their joy is infectious. Even have gone on an alcohol sabbatical to clean out my liver before we down a few rum punches. I will be sure to take a picture of them with their shit eating grins on their face. It's a grin that stays there from the time I pick them up to the time they leave. Can't wait for you guys to get here.

Happy holidays to all.

Things could be worse

There is actually a hint of fall in the air. Woke up this morning and a cool breeze greeted me when I let Merlzy out. Certainly not like fall in the states, but fall just the same. It does heat up during the day, but today was spent out at Prickly Pear with a group of people and their kids. Something about a half hour boat ride to a deserted island to eat, drink, read, and nap that is good for the soul. It's like going on a vacation without really going anywhere. And yet I am still back in time to take a break from the sun for a couple hours before checking out what gobblins and ghouls might be about tonight. Boo!! Happy Halloween!

I'm Baaaaacccckkkkk

Both literally and figuratively. Literally meaning just back from St. Barts on the weekend. What a lovely, quaint, cute, french island. Everything that Anguilla isn't in terms of people (mostly white, French), and attitude, (mostly friendly and down to earth). Of course, more snorkeling, frolicking and generally just acting like a crumb. :) Okay, now to the figuratively part. Those that know me, know I had been in a funk for about 8 months. Cafe opening, relationship stuff, shitty economy, general malaise I guess. Well, the trip to the states helped me immensely. Thank you to all that helped me through the hard times. It must show in my face and attitude because so many people have commented on how different I look. (Younger?) One even asked if I had had a face lift. OMG!! So I got back at her and suggested maybe she had had a boob job!! Touche'. Seriously, the dark cloud that has been me is gone and I am my old self. Smiling, laughing, and living life again.

On the celebrity front, Chris Webber was in with his fiance the other day. What a great guy. Does a lot of great community service. Stud basketball player in the NBA but maybe best known for calling the infamous timeout. Of which there were none left. Shit, I hate when that happens.

Off to the states for mi madre's bday. I'd tell how old but she'd absolutely KILL me if I did. Let's just say 29 and leave it at that. So anybody reading this (hmmm. IS anybody reading this?), if you see her, give her a happy bday hug, kiss, or email. I love you, Ma.

Footprints in the sand

What an incredible weekend.

The deserted island is back. Went to Mead's Bay on Saturday. The beach is about a mile long from one end to the other. Not a single person on it. Merlzy and I walked to the end, turned around and saw our footprints all the way back. We were the only ones on the beach. Kind of felt like Tom Hanks in Castaway. Started to try to figure out how I would eat etc. Hmmm. When I got back to the end of the bay, I picked up my snorkel and fins and went out to see what I could see, sea, see. Absolutely the clearest I have ever seen it here. I missed my spear gun though. I saw a lot of local fish that could have made a nice supper. I told them to go hide cuz I was comin' back for 'em. So next week, dinner is on me!!

Headed off to SXM with my best friend on Sunday to see what island life is like over there. Sundays are wonderful there too. No traffic, people chillin' on the beach. A couple margy's, a couple beers, frolicking in the H2O, smiles, laughter, and sparkles in everyone's eyes. Really enjoyed it. So different from AXA. Need a change of pace from the usual Sunday haunts. Then it was back to AXA for pizza and a movie to end the weekend. Oops, forgot the movie. That's okay, found something better to do anyway. Now I can't wait for next weekend again.

AXA is sooooo quiet now. It's actually the way I remember it from 15 years ago. Love it. Now I just need to figure out a way to make a living besides coffee. Any ideas are appreciated. First good one gets a free panini.

Hey, check out this site. Great ideas and the writing is wonderful.

http://betterwithbutter.com/

Back on the Rock

Gee it's good to be back home.......sort of!! It's HOT! And I miss the great time I had throughout the month of August. Chicago was a blast. Seeing my Ma and getting some much needed home cooking does things for the soul. Spent a night with J&D. They were gracious enough to know I had been on the road for awhile and was craving some island food. Ja Grill was just the ticket. Everything was incredible and that restaurant could make it here in Anguilla. The rum punches were as good as I can get here and two was more then enough. Had a great time and looking forward to those guys visiting in December.

Also was able to play some golf while I was there. I still stink!!

And the end of the trip included a road trip to Cleveland to check out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ABSOLUTELY GREAT!! There is so much to see and listen to. I highly recommend it to anyone that is a fan of any type of music. The one glaring deficiency was the lack of reggae music. There was a small item on Bob Marley, but it just seems like there should have been more.

So now the cafe opens again Tuesday with an entire new concept. The food will all be the same, but we've come up with a way to keep things fresher. Stay tuned for how that goes. Better yet.....COME VISIT!!

Mile High

The US leg of the tour continues. Geez, I feel like a rock star. Seeing my bro' and family was a much needed salve. I think for all of us. Good to see everyone getting better and dealing with life's punches. Real, true friends are there when crisis arise and they are coming out of the woodwork now. We are all figuring out who those friends are.

Lot's of hiking, talking, and most of all laughing. Hugs around. NC came up and we turned it up a notch. Dinner and pub crawling just like old times. Now, however, I am soothing a sore shoulder from playing "frolf". Yep frisbee golf. Great game. Has the same camaraderie as regular golf. As usual, I kicked NC's butt so some things never change. However, my bro' and El, took NC and I to the cleaners on Sunday on the course and my ego will never be the same. We want a rematch!!

Off to the windy city so see more family and friends. Wish this trip would never end. Someone, somewhere, hit the lottery and send money!! As the headline says, "the road goes on forever and the party never ends"

Fond Memories

Today is the last day in my house of over 20 years. Have decided to sell the place. No real reason to keep it anymore. Not too smart of me huh? Why didn't I think of this a couple years ago when it was worth a hell of a lot more then now.

What a lot of memories. This place was originally bought as a fixer upper. Who knew that over 20 years later, I would still be in it. Thanksgiving parties, NYE parties, tequila shots, the deck, ahhhh, the deck, walking the dogs in the neighborhood, roof blowing off....twice, family, friends, sleeping outside on the deck, the new front yard complete with waterfall, sunsets, moonrise, city lights, storms, Mando and Mandito, xmas with the Mexicans, romantic times, sad times. I appreciate every one of you that has been through the doors of this house. Your spirit lives on in this house and has made it home for me. God I'm gonna miss this place. But it's on to new adventures!!!

Tucson has been wonderful. To see all old friends has been a real salve for this island boy. I have friends in Anguilla, but nothing compares to friends of over 20 years. It's not true that you can't go back home. You certainly can.

Next stop, Denver!! Family, hugs, tears, laughter. Can not wait!!

Island Fever

Well, the small island finally got to me. Happens to everyone eventually. I just HAD to get off!!! So off I went. Spent an incredible day and night in SXM to start the trip. One of those nights that you never forget. Or I won't at least. Meeting a best friend to start the "Neal Reunites with Friends and Family" tour was the way to go and put me in the right frame of mind for the rest of the journey. Was still recovering from that when I found myself in SF. Sans luggage. Both physically and metaphorically. Nothing like being in SF in shorts and a tee shirt. Brrr. Hooked up with friends for golf, food and most importantly, plenty of laughs. Also spent some time with Deanna, Tim and the kids. I feel 20 years younger after seeing those guys. Proud as a peacock at how wonderful that family is.

Seeing old friends and family has a way of getting us all back to our roots. Off to Tucson Looking forward to more laughs, stories, and fun. However, I really did leave my heart in SF and have decided that if I ever get island fever permanently, that SF might be the cure.

Treasure Hunt

The dog days of summer are here. Since closing the cafe, I have lolled around a lot and caught up some reading, cleaned out the cafe, done some plumbing work around the house, and still have lots of yard work, painting and general cleanup to do. Also developed a bad case of RAIDS. (Rapidly Accelerating Income Deficiency Syndrome)

On the bright side, I volunteered to help out a bunch of University of Southampton students that are looking for old shipwrecks and artifacts. It's really cool but generally just a day of snorkeling. Basically one person goes down to about 10 feet of water in scuba gear and an underwater metal detector. I stay directly above him with a GPS tracker held above my head to keep water from getting into it. When he/she finds something, I mark it on the GPS, then we move on. At the end of the day, the head girl downloads all the information which shows exactly where we swam and where we found metal. We went out with the Department of Fisheries on Friday. Upon coming back to the boat, the D of F guys had lugged in about 9 large conch. We ate one raw on the boat and then headed to Prickly Pear to make ceviche. Ahh, conch ceviche and cold beer on a semi-deserted island. Felt a little like Gilligan. Never wanted to leave. Of course the girl running the show kept trying to tell me that this was not a normal day of work for them but since it was Friday they were all taking a break. Good to know it's a worldwide phenomena to only work half days on Friday.

Hoping they call again. Great people to be with and lot's of fun for a good cause.

Zzzzzzzz.

Someone wake me up when business picks up. Yep, the economy has finally hit here. Or I should say lack of economy. Even though I don't rely on the tourists that much, most of my guests do in some form. So the people that were coming in 3x a week are down to maybe once a week. The island is absolutely dead. No cars on the road, not many at the beaches, just quiet and peaceful. It would be absolutely lovely if so many people weren't in such dire straights. But I'm not telling anyone anything we all don't know already. The world as we know it has changed. Will it ever be back to what it was? Is this simpler life a better life in the long run? Do we really need gas guzzling cars, 5000 square foot houses, yachts? Give me a beach and a cold cerveza and I'm fine. Of course a couple bucks in my pocket wouldn't be bad.

Although my original intent was to close in August, I have revised that plan and am going to take an extended vacation starting July 4th until September 1st. Looks like a lot of work around the house is in store for me.

Star Struck?

So I'm sitting here wondering when the next customer is going to make an appearance and a really nice lady, her husband, and son come in, order a bunch of food to go. I'm making the food and they are sitting outside waiting. Make some small talk etc. Don't think anything of it. So later in the day I am updating all the credit card slips and one of them is from "Annie Potts". Hmmm. Name sounds familiar but where? Google, baby, google. Sure enough. "Ghostbusters", "Designing Women", and others are her credits. Ahh well, guess neither she nor her TV producer husband thought I had the "look". Shit. Maybe my ship has come in and just sailed right out again. Hope she comes back now just so I can see what they thought of the food!

Big Head

Okay, okay. I gotta admit. My head has swelled to the size of a balloon! The following website is the most hit website on Anguilla. Had no clue what was going on when this girl came in.

http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/anguilla-travel-tips-veya-cafe.html


Boy, I'm going to be walking on cloud nine for quite some time.

Summer

I think it is officially here. Spear fishing has returned to my little world. I called Lans and begged him to go. It turns out his boat had been out of the water for quite some time getting repaired and I gave him just the impetus he needed to get it wet again. We went out and it felt so good to have the wind in my receeding hairline, water spraying all over me, crystal clear water and sky to match. I always know when I'm really happy cuz I start singing to myself. Typically, it's "What a Wonderful World". You know, the kind of day when all your cares go away and you realize that life is worth living and it really is a wonderful world.






Cafe continues to run smoothly although much quieter. However, there is nowhere else on the island I would rather be then in this idylic garden setting. So peaceful and serene. Today and tomorrow are holidays here in Anguilla. Being my first year, I had no idea what to expect on these days so I opened. Silly me. Have already made the decision to take tomorrow off and watch the boat races. Seems like that is everyone is doing, although, watching a boat race from the shore is alittle like watching paint dry. You watch them go out and then 3-4 hours later, you watch them come back in. Ahhh, but now is when the fun begins. Lot's of beer, laughter, loud music, and general bs-ing about how my boat would have won if....blah, blah, blad. All in good fun though and the good thing is there is always another boat race soon come. Then, it all starts up again. My boat is "Light and Peace". Mainly cuz I like the name but also cuz it's from my end of the island.

Bday party!!

It's been quite awhile since updating the blog. My life has become boring :)

Everything in Anguilla has settled down, including the tourist industry. Not affecting me as much as some, but definitely feeling the effects of the downturn. The trickle down theory at work.

Sunday was an incredible day out at Prickly Pear Island. A bunch of us went out there on the "banana boat." A big yellow boat that took us on about a 45 minute leisurely boat ride from Sandy Ground. There were a couple bdays to celebrate and we did it in style. Chicken, ribs, fish, fries, cole slaw, beer, rum punches, beer, rum punches, beer, water, sun, snorkeling, sleeping, beer, rum punches, napping, shelling, beer, (hiccup). All in all, one of the most enjoyable and relaxing days possible.














Can't wait for some new visitors (or old ones) to come again so we can all go out there again. What did I do to deserve the life I live? I have no idea, but I"m gonna keep doing it!!

Tranquility again.

It's been quite awhile since the last posting and I can't tell you how many people have asked, called, wondered, etc how J&C are doing. They are actually doing GREAT! A little worse for wear, but happy to be back at work and doing what they love.

Nothing new to report. Another newby to the island came to visit last week and like everyone else, left kicking and screaming. She will have fond memories of the island while she is back basking in the 15 degree weather.

Saturdays continue to be a really fun, low key day here at the cafe, with soft music and great vibe. To sit and hear the water in the pond, watch the ever present hummingbirds, and marvel at the dragonflys frolicking is mesmerizing.

Gary is coming to visit and none too soon. Always look forward to friends and family visiting and he will be no exception. There are many rum punches in my future.

Sad, hurt, angry.

Hard to put into words my feelings. Not sure if this is the time and/or place. I am truly saddened today. I sort of "lost" some of my best friends this past week. As some of you may or may not be aware, there have been numerous senseless robberies on the island of restaurants after hours. In many cases, no money was even taken since these restaurants do mostly credit card sales. The entire restaurant community has been more vigilant and looking after each other. Well, Monday night it hit close to home. My partners were viciously attacked and beaten. No words were spoken. If the robbers would have asked, they would have gladly given them money or anything they wanted. But they didn't. Jerry sustained some serious head wounds with a sharp instrument, and Carrie was beaten with a rock. The restaurant will be closed until Monday. I closed the cafe for two days as well to tend to them and their business. I also had to clean up what was obviously a terrorizing time for them. It is something I will remember forever. For those of you who know them, you know that there was nobody that loved this island more then them. Nobody had more joy for life then Carrie. They are gradually trying to get their life back together but it will take a lot of time. Today, when I saw Carrie I told her I can't wait to see the sparkle in her eyes again.

The good that has come out of it is the community has pulled together like never before. The police WILL find these guys!! There have been so many well wishers and people that are concerned that it has renewed my faith and spirit in the good in people. Please send a prayer out to them, hug someone tightly and make sure you tell someone you love them. Life is too fragile.

I love you all.

New Era

Tuesday-Where are all the people? Nobody here at the cafe. Why? Duh. Everyone and I mean everyone was glued to the TV, radio, or internet to hear, see, the inauguration. I had it on live through the speakers here. What a wonderful feeling to see, feel, hear, the beginning of a new era. What a daunting task Obama takes over, but he seems to be making shrewd decisions already and I think the world waits to see what will happen. And the guy has to have some stamina. A day of inauguration, parades, parties, and can you imagine coming home to the White House for the first time, crawling in bed, and staring at the ceiling and thinking, "I'm president of the United States" Wow. Do you think he got laid?

Settling in

Things have definitely settled down around here. J&D left, a lot of the tourists are gone, and the island is going back to the expats and locals again. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable at the Cafe and actually getting out of here every once in awhile at 5 PM and able to catch a sunset with Merle on the beach. Small world though. Guy came in yesterday that lives in my home town and just bought a house in Deanna's hometown. Right behind him waiting for takeout is a girl from the town right next door to where I grew up. It was great to reminisce about old time in the hood.

Looking forward to Sunday as usual, although this Sunday, weather permitting, I'm heading out to go sailing. Haven't done it since being a kid, but they say it's like riding a bicycle. Just hoping my head doesn't get hit too many times.

Steady Al heading down next week, so I better stock up on beer. After that, have some other visitors coming in February. Looking forward to seeing everyone. Always fun to have guests.

Punched

Made it through the xmas and NY madness. Every day I am seeing more and more tourists coming into the cafe. Seems that word has gotten out on some of the forums. I have heard from several, that the panini are the best they have ever eaten. Of course, the real reward was yesterday when a guy came in ordered a rum punch and then proceeded to announce that it was the best rum punch on the island! What a nice compliment. Here's the problem. I can't remember how the hell I made it. A little rum, a little of this, a little of that. Who the hell knows. However, to put my head back where it belongs, Jada and Dave had one later in the day and pronounced it the third best on the island! Nothing like friends to bring you back to earth.

Took a much needed rest on January 1st. Limed the entire day away at Smokey's and Cove Bay. Merlzy had a ball since there was a huge party going on down the beach and she had her fill of as many rib bones as she could handle. It was her birthday afterall, so she enjoyed immensely.

Really going to miss J&D. They had a blast and both have said it is the best vacation they have ever been on. All I know, is Dave had this shit eating grin on his face from the minute I picked him up at the airport 'til the moment he left kicking, screaming, and crying like a baby. 2 more on the list that will definitely be back. I love you, J, and can't wait til you get back.