Bruce and Jane - September 8-13, 2000
Thanks go to Denny for his visitors list, and to Dave and Katie for their MSN group. Because of them we got to know ahead of time some of the fantastic people we'd be meeting at Hedo during our time there.
The entire trip, I don't think we ever heard a complaint or negative word from "Poor Steve" and Jeanne, who had fun and enjoyed everything despite Jeanne's broken foot. We never saw Heidi and John when they weren't smiling and having a great, fun time (you guys deserved those first class seats!). Daryl (Doc) and Annelise were so smart, funny, energetic and nice to be around. And Pete, we were really glad we got to know you. We consider ourselves very lucky to have shared Hedo with all of you.
It's hard to sort out the days, but here are some of the memories we have:
Nude Twister: It was a terrible sight to see as the last female contestant was eliminated, leaving two guys intertwined by the side of the pool, struggling to place their limbs in the little colored spots on the twister mat as the game continued. The crowd of spectators in the pool grew irritable, booing and screaming, "no, no, no!" Some of the more squemish could not bear to watch. Later, at dinner that night, Daryl described the scene. "Did you see their positions" he said, slapping two fingers rythemically against his forehead, "it was awful -- thwop, thwop, thwop, thwop..."
Moonies: When the sun sets at Hedo, the night air becomes filled with sounds. No, not the sounds coming from the hot tub... these are more like chirping or peeping noises emanating from the trees which line the walkways. We looked for the source, but you can't see anything in the trees. Different people had told us different things - birds, frogs, lizards, insects. Annelise even gave us her theory that it's canned, electronic noise turned on every night at dusk to provide atmosphere. Finally, at Pastafari's the waiter said the noise is from Moonies - little insects that come out at night, climb the trees, and peep at the moon. But who really knows for sure?
Other Hedo Mysteries: What was with that mousetrap guy at the PJ party? What happened to Donna and that guy from Italy? How did they find a room air conditioner that sounds just like a Carribean hurricane?.
Alice's Restaurant: There's a scene in Arlo Guthrie's old movie, Alice's Restaurant, where Arlo reports to the draft board and they learn he has a criminal record. He is escorted to a room full of mean and surly convicts and father rapists. "What did you do?" one particularly tough character asks. "Littering" replies Arlo, as the convicts snicker and start to look even meaner, before Arlo quickly adds, "and disorderly conduct." With that, everything is suddenly ok and he's accepted as one of the guys. This came to mind on Monday afternoon, when during a storm, we retreated to our room for awhile, then came back to the hot tub. "Where have you been?" someone in the tub asked. "Napping" we replied, as the hot tub group began to sort of snicker and look at us with something akin to pity. "We had sex too," I added, and the pitiful looks quickly turned to approving nods and smiles, and we were accepted once again as part of the group.
Sunday Night on the Platform: It really was all Heidi's fault! :)
Tony from Argentina: We never understood a word he said, but you've got to like a guy who is always smiling. Of course, some might say he had a really big reason for that smile.
Nude Volleyball: Jane decided we needed to collect Hedo bucks this trip, in light of the fact that on our first trip we were totally oblivious to the concept. So we participated in some stuff like nude volleyball, sandcastle building and I don't know what else. And nude volleyball was sort of fun, even though it got surprisingly intense there for awhile. Pete and Daryl, hang in there dudes, there's always next year!
Wet T-Shirt Contest: I don't care what the judges said, the real winner was... Rick (as in Rick and Susie). Most guys just got to watch, but somehow he got to lick a variety of substances off of three different female contestants.
Hard to Beat Moments: Just laying out by the beach with Heidi and John, Steve and Jeanne, and Daryl and Annelise; talking with Gus the Hedo beach guy; floating on rafts in the calm bay water; getting to know Steve and Terry, Kathy and Gary, Rick and Susie, Ron, Pete, Benita, and so many other nice people; listening to Benita, Jacinda and ChokoBunny sing at Veronica's; Rasta Ralphie running the nude limbo; playing pirates on the Hobies with Pete, Daryl and Annelise; omelets for breakfast, grilled cheese and fries for lunch, mudslides all the time; the grotto when its raining; just talking in the pool; Tom, clean-shaven at last; the hot tub at night.
Well, there's much more, but that's it for this report. We had a great time.