Post 10 (11/13/25)  AND HERE'S WHAT MY THURSDAY LOOKED LIKE

Knowing I need it so badly, and feeling quite committed at present, I dragged myself to the gym for a workout, which lasted a sufficient 45 minutes. I went to my usual Bistro for a berry smoothie, which was delicious and light enough about which to feel very good and healthy. I've had the same waiter every time there, and he is always nice, plus getting more appreciative of my business as I become more and more of a regular. I had to leave when it got to be 11:30 as my massage appointment was coming up. I got my teeth washed up and it was time to dart down in the elevator. Walked up at noon on-the-dot and my massage therapist Hamsa was duly impressed. We scurried right into the treatment room where he offered me a choice of three scented oils. I picked the lavender, of course, as it is a favorite relaxing botanical (I grow it all around my hot tub). I let him go with as much pressure as he deemed necessary, and only balked once when what he was doing to my calfs was going to make me scream! haha At the time, it all felt reasonably good and potentially fairly therapeutic, but in effect quite generic in style. (*Typing this the next day, I can say that it was indeed a good massage, as I feel quite good today!)

The treatment left me COVERED in oil, so I took a long, hot shower and felt much better to not be so slathered, although by now my "room shorts" that I wore down there and back were in a bit different condition. Oh well, I plan to do laundry on Saturday. Once I was de-greased, I popped down to the pool where they were having a "Bear Party" and got myself a drink to take it all in. Here's what I saw:

I took my Malibu and soda (my new drink - yes I drink now, as it helps me sleep better!) up to my room, did yesterday's blog entry, and awaited my visit from little Raymond the Belgian fella. We had a nice time together, bless him. He's feeling quite attached to me at this point, and is begging me to come to Belgium for a visit. He asked what he could do to thank me for all our time together, and I said the only thing in the world I wanted from him was to let me take him to dinner, but he just won't do it, as he is committed to his nightly dinner with the Belgian couple at his hotel. It all gives me such mixed feelings between "playing the field" and having a partner. Bill has been gone exactly two months as of today, so of course I will take my time and find the right direction in my life without rushing nor forcing things, especially with a European guy. For now, it's a trip, an adventure, and I am having so many different types of experiences, both with guys and on my own. So I remain open and will respond accordingly to what the Universe throws in my path...

Almost immediately after he left, I went to dinner. I knew the nearby fancy fish place would be popular, so thought I'd go early before it filled up. And I was correct, and lucky I did so. I got in right away no problem, but watched people pour in, mostly with reservations, some walk-ins, and witnessed some without reservations get turned away. Ramón, back in Madrid, had recommended that I have plain fish with white rice since I had been feeling bad for a couple days. So I followed his recommendation and got the fresh filet of sole. It was absolutely perfect and so delicious, as were the veggies, which look like our frozen veg combo at home, but are actually freshly cut and delicious!

I know I should have declined to even see the dessert menu, because when I saw house made fig ice cream (called helado higo here) on it, I simply could not resist. It reminded me of my favorite gelato shop in Florence, Italy, at which I discovered fig gelato. This wasn't as good, but that didn't stop me from finishing it (darn sugar addiction)!

After dinner I went on a long walk down the main road and back, singing along with my one Airpod in the whole way. A British guy commented, "Now there's a happy guy" as he passed. Everyone else I passed was speaking German. Since I was walking south of Yumbo, and I live to the north, of course I made a pass through there, as a matter of transit and of course to take a peek around. I walked down the stairs that lead to Na'Und (which I looked up this morning to learn means "So What?" haha), and at 8:30 or so it was empty. I walked by Hummel Hummel, at which Raymond had told me he planned to start his evening, and it was fairly well attended, but no sign of him. Just after I got back to my hotel I got a text from him saying he was heading out. I told him I just passed through there, and wished him a nice evening. I made the blog entry for the music videos, but didn't yet publish it, as I still had one more video to edit and wanted to include them all. I got cleaned up and was in bed asleep at 10pm! 🛌💤🕙