the circus, uh, the rodeo

A few weekends ago, we went to the rodeo. We thought it was the circus, but it really was the rodeo. Let me explain...Larry and I went downisland one Saturday to pick up a visiting dentist at the Roatan airport. We planned to return by late afternoon, and because the plane was an early flight, we got up extra early (4:30/5:00 a.m.) to leave at 8:30 a.m. The plane was scheduled to arrive at 10:30, but when we arrived at the airport, the plane was late and the ETA was now 11:00 a.m. We visitied with folks we know on Roatan and at 11:00, we were told the plane would be there at noon. We visited some more, did a Sudoku, drank a soda, and the plane did not arrive at noon. It would be 2:00 p.m. before our dentist would be here. Having expressed several oohs and ahhs, thinking we were jumping through the hoops of a circus ring, we decided to take an intermission and get some lunch. When we returned at 1:30, the whole show was becoming rather anti-climatic. Alas, we were yet in for a true shot "out of the cannon" at the announcement that the plane would definitely arrive at 4:00 p.m. Finally, our suspense was satisfied and our dentist arrived!
But wait,...the real contest began as we tried to "rope" his luggage from the conveyor belt! To no avail, the luggage was not with us and now it was 5:00 p.m. Even with a fast van we could not "round the barrels" (the curves on the road) in time to reach our boat docked an hour away before nightfall. We considered this to be the calf roping event since our hands and feet were tied to the island of Roatan for the night. You see, we cannot travel on the water after dark unless it is an emergency.
Wearing the same salt-soaked clothes we wore from the morning ride down gave us the appearance of clowns which are at circuses and rodeos. Not to mention what our hair looked like, windswept and salt-coated. No shampoo, no toothbrush, noclean...anyway, we had a marvelous time worshipping at rChurch the next morning. A successful round up of luggage at the airport after church, a quick lunch led us on to our boat. Our driver was waiting decked out in a yellow poncho. Larry and I smiled secretly, the unspoken message that the ride home would offer a water adventure unparalleled at any amusement park. And we were right. As our driver carefully manuevered the crests of the waves and then paused in the troughs before speeding ahead. Occasionally a wave would catch us unaware and a great spray of salt water drenched our faces and bodies like someone throwing a bucket of water on us. The ride demanded that we hold onto the seat like a cowboy on a bucking bronco. No cap remained on a head and glasses were questionable. Up and down, back and forth, over and over. We squealed as our own seats left the bench of the boat and we toppled onto each other. Ah, there's nothing like an island rodeo! You never know what will happen next, but you can be sure it will be a real kick in the pants!!!