May 11,

This is gonna be a foodie blog, mostly as we had two laid back days!

Yesterday, we started our day with Muesli and yogurt. I continue to have the wood apple flavored yogurt – as I really enjoy it's earthiness with the Muesli. Then we caught up on some You tube favorites of ours. Jeff received a message that my new phone is on it's way – slated to arrive the 20th!! So we watched some You tube on start up for the phone. Jeff researched a lot, and for my needs the Pixel 7a looks to be the best for me. It has outstanding photos – this being the main thing I use my smart phone for. I still find it ironic that I use a phone more for camera activity as opposed to, well a phone. It  is a sign of “ancientness”, I know!!

Anyway, I went out to find us late lunch. (Jeff is still going shoeless for healing to his foot, which looks much better.) The first option/place was a cafe we discovered yesterday. It is literally a couple of buildings away – 'two doors down.' so to speak. The first place is a preschool that was letting out as I stepped out to our small street. It was suddenly very busy due to school being out and the kiddos being picked up! When I finally able to get to the cafe, I realized it is closed. I heard someone, and tried to ask them about opening hours. We were not communicating well, but did get enough that it is closed. So I left and went back to confer with Jeff. Now, I went in the opposite direction, our closest way to the beach. We had seen this cafe, The Pumpkin Cafe, our first night – advertising Mahi-mahi. It is not on the beach, but the place looked good. When I arrived it was open, and a couple was there eating! Yeah!! I looked at the menu and fresh morning caught fish was listed.  I asked and she had Mahi-mahi, and she would do it as take away! I ordered a Grilled Mahi-Mahi with veggie fried rice; and a “I Land Salad”, which was cubed papaya with dates, raisins, and tomatoes on a light bed of shredded lettuce, topped with peanuts.

While I was waiting for the lady to make my order, I interacted with the late twenty(?) something people, who were not a couple. They both spoke English well and had very American-type accents. He was from Netherlands (I was guessing Northern Europe, but couldn't quite place it), has been traveling for a year, but will be returning there to find work, as he's out of money now. He used to work for an American based company. She, on the other hand, is German, which I could not detect at all. Her accent is hardly noticeable. She said her family spent a lot of time in America. She is just on vacation and will return in two days after being here two weeks. They are both well traveled, and they both recommend Philippines from their separate experiences. They were fascinated with our story and living adventure. It was nice to meet them and talk to young ones setting their own ventures. Anyway, my food was ready. I paid and upon leaving wished the two there both well. They were finished eating and were going back out surfing – which they recommended for Jeff to try here, as the ocean is sand bottomed and shallow enough for beginners, with good surf and great teachers.

When I returned with the food, Jeff and I ate heartily. We ate it all. It was very good, actually excellent. The fish was large chunks and had a lightly sweet, sour sauce. As we were eating, I told him all about the company I met and conversation I had. We both feel blessed on so many levels. Also we will definitely be going back to The Pumpkin Cafe! Just not sure of the place's hours as the lady did not understand my question of opening hours/days. So will have to wing it.

After our fantastic late lunch, we just hung out. Having a light supper as a thunderstorm unfolded. It unloaded a good amount of rain, and our power went out, lasting pretty much the duration of the storm. No sunset action tonight! We went to bed around 2130.

Today, we started with our Muesli and yogurts again. (This will be our go to when we can get it and have a frig.) After breakfast Jeff found out my phone is in Colombo, Sri Lanka!!!  Now it has to clear customs and make it's way here to me in Dikwella. 🤞!   We watched some more You tube. I did also notice a blooming water lily in the yard here. They have a still fountain with this small lily plant. The blossom is purple. On closer inspection I noticed tadpoles swimming in it as well. It just brings out the gardener in me – I want to plant something. Instead I cleaned a little.

For lunch, I went back out again today for take away. (BTW, Jeff's foot is soo much better, but he still just wants the scab process to complete more – I agree.) Anyway, we chose a very local place near by. It's called Dahami Restaurant. When I arrived, I wasn't sure if it was the right place, due to the fact the sign's did not have any English. But Google maps showed I was there. So I ventured in. I was just looked at. I asked, “Takeaway, okay?” and one of them nodded understanding and handed me a simple one page menu, having a rice and curries section, a kottu section and a third section, of drinks. I tried to order two kottu's, but he shook head no, “Only rice and curries.”  So I ordered one chicken and one veggie curries. They assembled. First, because it was take away, they place a butcher type paper on a plate, then put a very heavy saran wrap-type film. Now the food plate layer of red rice, then on top in quarter sections: a nice-spiced dahl; a carrot and a green vegetable (that we don't recognize – look similar to a green bell pepper but has a legume feel and taste of a squash) sauteed mix; a dark seasoned greens; and on the veggie a stir fry curry of red onion, chillies, and some eggplant(?), on the chicken plate was couple of pieces of spicy chicken chunks on small bit of chicken curry stir fry instead. I also had them put in two fried chicken drumsticks. I scurried home to share my acquired bounty. Both the dishes were very good and filling, as in we have enough food for our supper as well! This place is so local and has very local prices – our meal today was 1850 rupees (just over six bucks only)!   In comparison, yesterday's lunch was 4600 rupees ( Just over $15).

Now we just… well Jeff had a rest and I did some steps around our place and just general cleaning. One of our neighbors must have seen me. Anyway, she brought us four mangoes from their tree. That is just down right hospitality! Unexpected and very very neighborly! With that great gift we changed our supper idea instead we had PB & J's and a fresh mango!! After eating, we watched so more You tube and then bed by 2200. Hope to see most of you tomorrow!