New Years Day with truly beautiful people

Ron with his 'son'
Tommy
Luisa
Annie's cousin and I am sorry but could not catch her new-to-me Spanish name. She was head chef. Her husband managed to escape the camera all evening.
Jenna
Monique and Iphraim dancing
Christ
Annie
It was quiet on the island, not suprisingly, as the majority of the people were partying well after I left at 2:00 a.m. (that was early).

In the afternoon Tommy came and asked if I wanted to eat dinner with them. I graciously accepted. I wasn't expecting others, so just went up as I was. Made my way up to their home, carrying my camera and a bottle wine. There ended up being eleven of us.

My neighbour Jenna had spent the better part of the day trying to breathe some life back into Ron and wasn't quite sure if he could make for dinner (he did).

Annie had her cousin and husband over from the big island.

A fellow named Iphraim who does some work for Annie was there.

Two sisters from New York, Monique and Christ, attended. They were renting a hotel in San Juan and only came to Culebra for day trip and ended up renting at Annie's for two nights instead of going back to San Juan.

Luisa, a friend of Annie's originally from Panama also attended.

We were definitely a strange assortment, however, it was by far the most delightful New Year's day I have ever had. We were dressed informally, to say the least. No, not informally, it wasn't even up to casual, but take your pick among sleepwear, beach attire, or loungers. But, there was such a good feeling among all of us that it was hard to believe we were all almost strangers. Hugs and wishes of Happy New Year were said so sincerely and the hugs were real, not just those things that pass for hugs at many affairs.

An interesting twist came about. A couple from Mexico who couldn't decide whether to rent Annie's last unit or not earlier in the day came back and wanted to, but it was gone to a couple from Holland. As everything on the island was full or way too expensive, after much chattering in Spanish it was decided that Luisa would rent her house to them for three nights and sleep at Annie's. The Mexicans were happy and Luisa made a few dollars.

Breaking bread with this group on the first day of the new year surely must be a good omen of things to come. Dinner was turkey,stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, homemade spiced applesauce, cranberry sauce, and sweet potato and marshmallow casserole. The aromas were divine, the food delicious, the company splendid.