February 1, 2014

I absolutely love movies. If I had to identify one thing I miss the most about the states (other than family and friends), it would be going to the theater. Especially during holiday season when all the best films are released just in time to qualify for a myriad of award's competitions.

There is a movie theater in La Paz that shows films in English. It's just they are a select few and not always what I want to see. It is also a bit of a trek. The theater lies on the outskirts of town and costs a pretty penny to get there. Needless to say, Jay and I haven't seen a movie in a theater in a long time.

However, just before leaving Channel Islands Marina Jay did install a 27" monitor in our salon. Up until then we had been watching them on our computers. It's so much better on a big screen. Sometimes, we even have movie night and invite our friends over for dinner, popcorn and a movie. It makes for a nice evening.

I tend to prefer drama. Films that have a good script with quality actors that provoke thought. Sometimes I go for sheer entertainment. And of course, I'm a hopeless romantic, so I succumb to the romantic comedies. Then there are Woody Allen films. I used to think there were two kinds of people in this world; those who were Woody Allen fans and those who were not. I blew that theory. I have found some of his films hilarious and others just make me uncomfortable. In a creepy sort of way.

The latest Woody Allen film that we have seen is "To Rome With Love." Very funny. I would recommend it. In fact, we have been watching a lot of comedies lately. Our crew mate, Don, brought "Captain Ron" with him. Evidently this is a must see for anyone going cruising. Don and Jay made sure I was properly indoctrinated into the boating culture by watching this film. (Both of them had already seen it countless times.) It was fun and silly and made me laugh at this crazy lifestyle we have chosen.

Most recently, we bought the DVD, "There's Something About Mary." Last summer when we were in Martha's Vineyard, I was in the kitchen cooking dinner and Jay was on the couch switching through the television channels looking for something to watch. Suddenly I heard him bellow with laughter. He had come across a scene in the middle of "There's Something About Mary" that certainly struck his funny bone. We made a note to purchase this film to have while on voyage.

Mary is perfectly cast with a young Cameron Diaz. Her character is intelligent in that she is a doctor. But with everything else in life, she approaches it with a beautiful naivete. She has a childlike quality in her innocence and joy. She sees only the good in people. (Most times to her comedic detriment.) All fall in love with her. Everyone wants to be around her because Mary's enthusiasm and love for life is contagious. Her aura permeates the souls of all that surround her.

This is how I feel about dusk.

Okay, I know it's a bit of a stretch, to compare a character in a movie with a particular time of day, but stay with me.

Yesterday we took our friends, Kevin and Debbie of sv/Peppermint Patty (who just recently arrived from Ensenada) into town to show them around. It was late morning when we started on our journey into town. The shuttle was full so we decided on taking a cab rather than wait another two hours for the free shuttle. He dropped us off in town center at the bank.

Banking finished, we began hoofing it. We stopped at the Italian Cafe for Espresso, then on to Club Cruceros where we dropped off our mail. (The way we get mail out of Mexico in a timely manner is to drop it off at the club with US postage and the next person leaving Mexico for the states or Canada picks it up and mails it up there. We are told that if we use the Mexican mail system, items can take up to six weeks to get to their destination. Or never get to their destination. Best to wait for the next Club Cruceros "burro.")

At the club we ran into our friends from sv/Meridian and sat chatting for awhile. From there we walked to three different marine stores, one auto parts store, a plastics store, and Mercado Bravo. Next we found our way back to the church and ultimately to the malecon and finally, over to Tailhunter's for lunch. We probably walked five miles in the heat of the day and the first beer went down faster than a glass of water. We were hot and tired and hungry.

It was after three when we got back to the boat. Kevin and Debbie headed off to Peppermint Patty for a bit of a respite. Jay decided to get out of the sun and lie down for a nap. I chose to put on my swim suit and head for the beach club.

Still steaming from the sun, the pool was a bit cold. Not startling, more like refreshing. I got out and took a seat with a view of the pool overlooking the sea. It faces west and is a perfect set-up for the sunset. I waited and watched as the sun slowly went down over the horizon.

But it wasn't only the stunning visual that was capturing my attention. It was the subtle changes in the air as the sunlight got softer and danced in and out of the clouds. A dry breeze picked up, blowing gently through the palm trees, and with it brought a cooling touch to my skin. It was a welcome relief. The chemical reactions happening to my psyche were not unlike those that take place when someone is around Mary.

I immediately fell in love with the world and nature. I was content to be exactly where I was, not ever wanting to leave this state of euphoria. At that moment, all was right. Does the experience of "being" create endorphins? Maybe. Maybe not. All I know was that I felt joy, pure joy, permeating my soul.

There's something about twilight.