Baleanario

A man with slicked back black hair, in an army fatigue shirt, solid green army pants, and knee-high galoshes strides across the soggy grass to meet me.

I ask if he is militar and surprised, he stops,  glances down at his outfit, and then looks up to say “no” with a smile.

I ask about parking for the night. He brings me to one of the structures with an attached palapa that appears to be a restaurant and house. A womon is leaning behind a counter and an adolescent boy is perched on a tall stool in front of her.

We talk and she says the price is $150 pesos. I tell them no way, muchas caro – very expensive. I explain again I only need to park and a bathroom – no electricity, no water, no shower (I know, Bridget, would want a shower).

She confirms I am sola, and explains that this is a Baleanario with a river and palapas and other things I don’t understand. I tell her most of the time people let me park for free or charge me 25 or 50 pesos.

The three of them speak rapidly to each other. It is Saturday and I am the only business they seem to have.  They reaffirm the charge is $150 pesos, and I point out that it is raining, although it is now only misting.

The man tells me it will not be raining tomorrow. Disbelief floods my face I am sure and I inform them that tomorrow is not important, that I will leave early in the morning.

The womon tells me I can park for 25 pesos up the hill about 20k – I assume at the ecoturisco places. I tell her okay but I am not happy about driving back through the rain 4k on the rutted, stone and dirt road and then an additional 20k – but I will do it.

As I turn to go, my greeter says to me $80 pesos is okay. I look at the womon questioning and she nods her head.

I count up all the empanadas, tacos, tamales I won’t be eating now that Bridget has left, and I think about driving up the hill in the mist to rain – and returning tomorrow, probably an 8 liter diesel round trip which is close to $80 pesos.

(I have been running on diesel since yesterday. I have not wanted to take the time in the last 2 days that Bridget is here to find more veggie oil.

And I am concerned about the increased chance of water being in the oil if this rain is normal for this area, which I believe is a given considering the abundance of verdant foliage, rushing rivers, and plentiful lakes.

I tell them okay, I do not want to drive in this weather that is so pleasant to walk around in but not so great to drive in.

I park my truck, check out the beautiful, clean modern toilets, and then explore the lovely grounds. I feel very fortunate to be here, although I am missing Bridget. She would love it here too.