Mornings in Yelapa 5

Yesterday was the annual Valentine Day's celebration in Yelapa, including the windup, I think, of the croquet tournament at Jerrod's place, Los Naranjos, and the costume ball last night at -- this year -- the Oasis upriver (traditionally it's been held at the Hotel Lagunita on the beach). The ball is a ball. Virtually everyone in the gringo colony participates (we've obstained so far), coming out in really crazy, inspired costumes. There's a contest, in which contestants prance before the judges to hoots and hollers from the onlookers, and prizes of up to 25,000 pesos (US$250) are awarded to the winners. Top win last night went to a group of gay, nearly naked young men, dressed spectacularly in masked helmets, feathers and boas (they looked like tropical birds) and calling themselves ^Fag Team Wrestlers,^who engaged in a mock wrestling match as the delighted crowd nearly raised the palapa roof off with their cheers.

There was disco dancing afterwards that had April and me on the floor for a wild number or two; then we pulled out our flashlights and headed back through the darkened village to our apartment up in the jungle. Got home about 11 p.m. The party went on, I think, until after midnight.

The night before we'd attended the birthday party of one of the old hands down here that, for crazy dancing, rivaled the Valentine's Day shindig and Wednesday and Saturday night disco at the Yacht Club. Truly wild, man. These Yelapinos indeed know how to party -- most of whom are aging Baby Boomers, some ex-flower children, all still capable of wiggling their asses.

So the good life continues here. This morning was, oh God, the start of another beautiful day in paradise.