“Hope to hell we get this over with soon!”
8. An Old Mexican’s Crystal
Afternoon, July 5, Acapulco
As Acapulco’s harbor came into view, Sam went into the navigation room to watch the navigation officer and her crew maneuver the ship beside the others anchored near the docks. It was a busy day. Many of the other ships were under repair as a result of the previous night’s storm.
Sam still didn’t understand how the Nonnah had escaped the violent winds. Again, the hair on his arms stood up. He’d had enough of mystery. He was anxious to disembark and relax in the open-air markets of Acapulco where he planned to buy something for his boys. It would be a welcomed treat to clear his mind of business.
Cargo was offloaded, and Admiral Garland’s sealed package was stowed in the vault. Parts arrived for the Nonnah ’s engine, received by the anxious Robert John. Sam disembarked by 1400 hours and headed toward the streets lined with shops. He went in search of small gifts and a change of pace. Walking leisurely in the hot afternoon sun, Sam found the town almost deserted with the business people taking their traditional siesta during the hottest part of the day.
Shops were closed except for a few tourist markets and cafés near the docks. Colorful Mexican blankets draped over supports, and huge sombreros lazily waved with the passing of a breeze. He heard only an occasional murmur from the few people sitting along the sidewalks. Men and children here and there leaned against a wall or dozed in the shade of their small tourist stands. They were oblivious to the flies buzzing around and unconcerned with strangers passing by.
Sam found an open tourist shop packed full of inconsequential items — every sort of memorabilia was either piled on shelves or hung from rafters. Although the items appeared trivial and cheap, they were what he was looking for. In a reed basket, he found a collection of key rings. Two were just what he knew Simon and Nathan would enjoy. One key ring medallion was embossed with a three mast sailing ship, much like the type of ship Nathan loved to watch in the sailing races. The other medallion was embossed with a replica of the car their mother had driven — the Indigo. Simon loved that car and dearly wanted ownership once he was of age.
Sam had the gifts wrapped, wrote the admiral’s address on the package, and paid for the postage. He was satisfied, but reluctant to return to the ship. The Mexican sidewalks invited him to stroll further away from the docks. He didn’t resist. After several blocks, he found a small outdoor café where he ordered a cold, refreshing drink of spicy tea and sat down at a table in the shade of a tree.
It was almost 1600 hours, and people were beginning to emerge from the back of the shops. Children started scurrying about. Still, an almost dreamy calmness persisted. There was no rush, no expectation, and no worry of what the next moment would bring.
The shopkeepers, parents, and children simply accepted each moment and were in no hurry to anticipate or prepare for the next. The atmosphere was a continual state of grace. Sam listened and drank his tea. In the quiet afternoon heat, for just a moment, he thought he heard the sound of bells in the distance. Serenity drew him into a place he’d seldom been. It was soothing, tempting him to stay too long. Yet his watch told him it was time to return to duty.
He was about to leave when he noticed an elderly Mexican man slowly making his way down the sidewalk. The man appeared frail, gingerly taking small steps, aided by his weathered, wooden cane. His long gray hair was tied in braids that hung loosely in front of his shoulders. He made his way to the café and asked the waiter for an herbal tea.
The man surveyed the empty tables. He spotted Sam and shuffled his way over.
“May I sit with you, sir?” asked the elderly gent.
Sam was perplexed by the man’s request, but stood up and offered a chair. “Your
8. An Old Mexican’s Crystal
Afternoon, July 5, Acapulco
As Acapulco’s harbor came into view, Sam went into the navigation room to watch the navigation officer and her crew maneuver the ship beside the others anchored near the docks. It was a busy day. Many of the other ships were under repair as a result of the previous night’s storm.
Sam still didn’t understand how the Nonnah had escaped the violent winds. Again, the hair on his arms stood up. He’d had enough of mystery. He was anxious to disembark and relax in the open-air markets of Acapulco where he planned to buy something for his boys. It would be a welcomed treat to clear his mind of business.
Cargo was offloaded, and Admiral Garland’s sealed package was stowed in the vault. Parts arrived for the Nonnah ’s engine, received by the anxious Robert John. Sam disembarked by 1400 hours and headed toward the streets lined with shops. He went in search of small gifts and a change of pace. Walking leisurely in the hot afternoon sun, Sam found the town almost deserted with the business people taking their traditional siesta during the hottest part of the day.
Shops were closed except for a few tourist markets and cafés near the docks. Colorful Mexican blankets draped over supports, and huge sombreros lazily waved with the passing of a breeze. He heard only an occasional murmur from the few people sitting along the sidewalks. Men and children here and there leaned against a wall or dozed in the shade of their small tourist stands. They were oblivious to the flies buzzing around and unconcerned with strangers passing by.
Sam found an open tourist shop packed full of inconsequential items — every sort of memorabilia was either piled on shelves or hung from rafters. Although the items appeared trivial and cheap, they were what he was looking for. In a reed basket, he found a collection of key rings. Two were just what he knew Simon and Nathan would enjoy. One key ring medallion was embossed with a three mast sailing ship, much like the type of ship Nathan loved to watch in the sailing races. The other medallion was embossed with a replica of the car their mother had driven — the Indigo. Simon loved that car and dearly wanted ownership once he was of age.
Sam had the gifts wrapped, wrote the admiral’s address on the package, and paid for the postage. He was satisfied, but reluctant to return to the ship. The Mexican sidewalks invited him to stroll further away from the docks. He didn’t resist. After several blocks, he found a small outdoor café where he ordered a cold, refreshing drink of spicy tea and sat down at a table in the shade of a tree.
It was almost 1600 hours, and people were beginning to emerge from the back of the shops. Children started scurrying about. Still, an almost dreamy calmness persisted. There was no rush, no expectation, and no worry of what the next moment would bring.
The shopkeepers, parents, and children simply accepted each moment and were in no hurry to anticipate or prepare for the next. The atmosphere was a continual state of grace. Sam listened and drank his tea. In the quiet afternoon heat, for just a moment, he thought he heard the sound of bells in the distance. Serenity drew him into a place he’d seldom been. It was soothing, tempting him to stay too long. Yet his watch told him it was time to return to duty.
He was about to leave when he noticed an elderly Mexican man slowly making his way down the sidewalk. The man appeared frail, gingerly taking small steps, aided by his weathered, wooden cane. His long gray hair was tied in braids that hung loosely in front of his shoulders. He made his way to the café and asked the waiter for an herbal tea.
The man surveyed the empty tables. He spotted Sam and shuffled his way over.
“May I sit with you, sir?” asked the elderly gent.
Sam was perplexed by the man’s request, but stood up and offered a chair. “Your
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