The big 50!

It's not so big if you have past it; the half Century mark in your life, and it's not something to look forward to as you near it. It's the pshycological point of your life when one speculates about immortality or is it just another birthday?


Not wanting to probe the big questions of life we all gathered at Blake's Sports Bar at six pm to help the Birthday Boy -  aka Charles Samis - celebrate the big one (for him not the rest of us - we're long past that point!). The Sports Bar is a very successful eating/drinking establishment set in the middle of a hotel area and on the main bus route into the Town. With a capacity for about fifty seaters, fifteen people at the bar and still more outside on the sidewalk patio it is usually filled at most times - a popular place. The quality of the food and the price of drinks; 20 pesos for a Dos XX and 60 pesos for a large glass of wine does it for me. The others in the party: Doreen, the love of my life, Charles the birthday boy and the love of his life; Manon and another couple we had just met in the elevator two hours previously, were in it for the food.

Seated at a hurriedly prepared table (of two pushed together) the waiter told us the bigger tables were already reserved, making the owner of the Bar, a happy and envied man - sold out tables are hard to come by this tourist season. Ordering drinks, a bucket of beer (four bottles in an icefilled pail) costs 70 pesos a 15% discount for buying in bulk, and a vino blanco for Doreen. Jake, the new friend and a farmer from Vermont in his real life drank beer and his wife Pauline was sipping soda water. Swapping family history and other such small talk made the time pass enjoyably while we waited for the meal. Passing on the 'sopas and starters' we were straight into the entree. Chicken CordonBleus, were the orders of the day for some, the others had Sea Bass on a rice patty with veggies (broccoli and carrots) on the side. All served to perfection and suitably aided by the flow of beer.

Time to celebrate and let Charles open his card - Manon had organised a card filled with signatures and best wishes from his siblings, even those not there last night - an impressive achievement. The surprise in the card was a number of "Cash for Life" lottery tickets. Good luck Charles.

Of course the event had to end, but on a happy note - the final bill came out less than expected - no more than $25 dollars a piece. What could be better than this for Charles, good times, good memories and a ride home on a rickety bus!