I was shocked by how quickly the packing and cleaning came together when that was all I had to focus on! By 6:15, I only had a few things left that would best be done when I was finished with the house and ready to leave it. The truck was packed with everything but a few odds and ends and the only major cleaning left to do was a final pass of the floors with a mop.

I didn’t wash the walls, but otherwise did a deep clean of the entire house, including all the bars on the windows and moving furniture to get behind it. Since the house was spotless when I moved in and I’ve been pretty much keeping on top of the cleaning, there were no scary surprises except the tarantula habitat under the twin bed in the office and the gecko habitat in one of the end tables in the office as well. 🙂

Around 6:30, I put a beer in my purse (ain’t I classy?) and headed to Miguel’s for a final dinner on Isla. As the fates would have it, my nasty former yardmate was there, too. She was finishing up and did an excellent job of ignoring me, and I did the same. 🙂

I ordered my favourites, a shrimp burrito and a chorreada. The burrito is always consistent, the quality of the chorreada varies. I have yet to have one that was as good as the first one, but tonight’s was very good and not salty like one I had a while back that almost turned me off of them. I like the layer of browned cheese and tonight there were chopped tomatoes on top, which I loved. Sides were bare today, though, just sliced cucumbers. The total cost was 57 pesos, and I gave a tip. I won’t find 10-15USD meals cheap next month!

My neighbour to the rear of me was dining with his family and we caught up. I was surprised that his wife and children do not speak much Spanish.

I chatted with Miguel while waiting to pay and I got some insight into the rather laissez-faire laid back Mexican attitude as he said something to me a lot of people have been saying to me this week: “God willing.” I’ll be back in November. “God willing.” I’m driving home. “God willing.” I’ll see you again soon. “God willing.” I also believe in fate, to a point, so this point of view is not entirely strange to me, but I don’t take it to that extreme. God willing if I make an effort, and all that.

Coming home, I realised that I should probably hit the beach one last time. I used to be such an ocean girl, but not anymore. I’m not sad in the least about leaving the ocean for several months and look forward to the vistas of my endless Prairies.

I really do want to try to hit the road early, so I’m going to try to wind down and get to sleep early. I’ve decided for sure to do the libre to Culiacán, so I really can’t dawdle. But I have to 8PM to get to San Carlos in daylight, so even a 7AM departure, while tight, should make that possible. I’ll evaluate my ETA throughout the day and make other plans if it looks like I won’t get there.

Their best item is prominently on display!

The menu is written on every surface of the restaurant.

Here’s yet another one.

Basically, they can make you anything you want. 🙂

This is where the beef is cooked and then it’s carried half way across the restaurant with tongs. Never fails to make me smile.

ATVs are a very popular mode of transportation on Isla. People bring them over on the pangas!

Lots of pretty flowers in bloom this week.

Looking toward the interior part of Isla where I live.

I dined within view of a mango tree.

Mexican condiments: salt, lime, hot sauce, and guacamole (a very thin avocado-based sauce).

So pretty and goes on everything.

Dinner!

I think these guys understand cameras. They were playing and as soon as I pulled out my Pentax, they posed for me. I was allowed to take two pictures, then they were off!

Final Isla sunset.