Danger Will Robinson

I, again, headed to the pool today and did some serious snoozing...right thru happy hour from 12 to 2.  Ah well, I'm sure my liver could use the break.  When I woke up, there were two couples by the poolside.  One couple I had met on Sunday.  They really are a lot of fun and we have great conversation. We got into another conversation and the gentlemen tells me that an American Couple got robbed on the Stone Stairway last night.  What? I was on that stairway!  It was apparently at about 10:30 last night...about an hour and a half after I traversed it.  The couple are not staying at our resort, so I didn't get details, and we know that's where the devil is.

He worried about me taking the stairs, but I told him that I take the stairs loaded for bear, i.e. I carry a tactical knife with me and I know how to use it.  That doesn't mean I go looking for trouble, it just means that if trouble finds me, I've got an edge. I will try to avoid taking the stairs late at night.  I thanked him for letting me know and I headed back to my room to shower, etc.

I dress in a skirt and top and clip my knife to my waist...blade in, so no one can see it.  I head down to the Malecon and visit Arturo, and my conservative couple are there.  We talk about our dinner plans.  They're headed to Coconuts, which is a really beautiful place.  I'm headed to a place called La Papa Loca (The Crazy Potato).  I hear they have these potatoes to die for, stuffed with all kinds of wonderful goodness and cheap!  I get directions from Arturo and another couple of guys and off I head.

The evening is cooler and the streets are teaming with the locals.  I'm headed off the beaten path to a more non-touristy area.  This place is on the other side of the Mercado Centro Municipal, i.e. the two block long series of indoor stores, shops, restaurants, etc. I walk at a decent clip, swerving my head side-to-side trying to locate the place.

I actually do find it and the place is PACKED with locals and tourists.  Seems the word has gotten out about this place.  I look at a menu that is entirely in Spanish.  Fortunately, I can make my way around it  pretty well.  I order the Papas Mas Crazy....a stuff potato filled with Chorizo, Queso, ham, sour cream, chopped up hotdogs, etc.  Before they bring it out, they provide me with chips, salsa, sliced limes, sliced radishes and grilled onions.  I think you use them when you have more of a taco and add them to it.  I snacked on the radishes and ate one of the grilled onions.  It was really good.

Then they brought out this monstrosity.  OMG, this thing is a serious treat.  I dip my fork in and try to get a bit that has a little bit of everything on it.  I put it in my mouth and I taste the creamiest potato I've ever had!  The chorizo is good...not too spicy or hot, but compliments the creaminess of the potato. The ham, cheese, hotdogs, etc is a good balance salty and zippiness without overpowering the whole dish.  Wow...I gotta make these for my niece for "Make your own baked potato" night.  I wonder what she'll think of them.

This place is popular.  People are lining up for a table, and I got in just in time.  Not that I mind sharing my table.  This cute little boy came up and he's just staring at me..I think he's gonna try and roll me for the table, but my Momma didn't raise no whimps!  I can totally take a 6 year old down if I have to!!

I enjoy every delicious bite of my potato and my belly is ROUND!!! Cost of the potato?  $70 Pesos.  Yep, that was one cheap, filling meal.  I get up, pay my bill and head out to walk off some of this bloated belly I'm carrying around with me.  Couples are walking around me, holding hands, smooching in dark corners.  Some of these kids look way to young to be canoodling, but now that I'm older...everyone looks young to me.  There are still girls in their school uniforms, I think they're headed home. I cross the busy streets and finally get to familiar surroundings...the cobblestone walking streets.

I tool around there for a bit, and head back to Arturo to let him know I found the place and how good I thought it was.  I also catch a taxi home.  No need biting something off that I don't need to.  Besides, with this round belly, I may not be as fast as I think I am.  Good night Peeps.  Until tomorrow.