Simply Portland...Utterly Devine

[*vi*]

NEW DAY…A REVISIT TO A FAVORITE HIDEAWAY

After breakfast I finished tidying up my luggage contents then checked my funds only to discover I need to change more money. I made a mental note to stop at a cambio when I go into town.

I decided to change clothes. Took off the ugly, yellow baggy shorts and the t-shirt that said “Yo, wassup!” on it then put on a petty white & floral cotton sundress. I love this dress decorated nicely with big, colorful hibiscus flowers against a white background. But I felt the look was incomplete without the blue flower barrette I forgot to bring. It would have looked nice behind my ear surrounded by the cluster of curls. I searched to see if maybe I packed something similar like a hairclip or a bright color band.

Nothing.

The dress is pretty so it doesn’t matter I don’t have other accessories to go along with it. It’s pretty enough as is. Then why do I feel a little disappointed???

I look at myself in the mirror and sway my hips from side to side. Good, it doesn’t cling. That’s all that matters right now. I look fine. No I should change.

The phone rings.

It’s my driver calling to say he’s waiting outside. Wow, it’s almost noon already??? Checked the clock and it’s actually 12:10. No time to change and why was I fretting about my outfit all that time anyway??? No one knows it’s incomplete but me.

[Schuttzie]

We woman always fret but I'm sure you looked beautiful...just walk out and own it

[*vi*]

We will find SOMETHING even if we know all is well!! You are so right Schuttzie...lol

[*vi*]

Downstairs, pass the reception desk, a goodbye to Duane and out into the blinding sunlight. Darn…sunglasses!! Looked in my bag and there they were. The black ones with the big saucer-size lens. They will do.



The stops in town this afternoon first the cambio to exchange more money and to buy more credit now the auto parts store to look at car headlights. Driver said it’s getting harder to see the road at night so he’s purchasing brighter bulbs. I thought I hope it IS the bulbs need changing and not his eyesight going bad.

I wander through the store while he takes care of business.

I felt I was being watched.

Went over by the tires close to the window. I like the smell of new tires. Could see a young woman outside selling bags of mangos. She had some big ones, three to a bag and I had to have them. I turn to see a little person peeking around a display of motor oil and other cans of fluids. I smile, but he doesn’t. I go closer but he runs to his father.

I leave the air conditioned store to go out into the heat to buy the mangos. She only has two bags left and tried to talk me into buying them both. The price of 100J per bag was excellent but I didn’t want 6 mangos. I gave her 200J for the one bag. She was happy with that decision.

Go back into the cool store and the little peeker is watching me as I enter with my bag of fruit. He moved close to his dad’s side as I approached.

“Is it okay to give him a mango?”
“Yes mon…is alright.”

“Do you like mangos??”
“Yes” he answered followed by a nod.
“This is for you.”

He took the mango with his left hand, but uses the palm of his right to press against my dress. He lifts the hem up to his nose and smells one of the blue flowers. He didn’t let go right away but lifted the hem for another smell.

“He thinks your dress is beautiful.”
“Thank you.”

The men got a kick out of him smelling my dress. I appreciated the way his innocent actions let me know the flower barrette wasn’t even needed.

[*vi*]

Rolled up to the gas pump…2,000 please. Quick in and out of the grocery store for…what else? Red Stripe.

Then on the road heading east.

[sammyb]

AWWW the innocence of a child.........

Can't wait to see where WE are going next........

[*vi*]

almost there...

[*vi*]

AWWW the innocence of a child.........

Can't wait to see where WE are going next........

[SPARKLE1010]

*Vi*, knowing you I'm sure you were just fine in your dress, but what a sweet likkle boy to confirm that for you. . I luv the way you always ask permission prior to handing out goodies to the likkle ones. Such a mommy! Your pictures are making me "home" sick.

[*vi*]

Thanks Sparkle, I hate I left those flowers at home. I searched high and low for those crazy things and they matched a couple of dresses I had with me. He was cute and YES he made my day.

I never liked it when people would offer the boys candy without checking with me first. I mean what if they were diabetic or have allergies to sugars or dyes. That’s why I make it a practice to ask the adult if it’s okay to give something to a child. Plus I get to meet more people that way.