I love when the house is full of people. As we are located in what I often think is the most marvelous place on the globe, hospitality is sort of a given. How could I not want to share this place and all its glory with friends and family???
I really enjoy cooking for everyone and the clean up is so often shared I have no complaints. Serious cleaning is not necessary, and laundry can be done, hung on lines and dry in a morning.
What's not to like? Well, I suppose the only sticky point I can find is that everyone who comes here is on vacation. And it would seem that for some reason when they come here, they want to go on vacation--- WITH US! Only we're not on vacation. We LIVE here!
For instance, a shopping expedition in town to buy gifts for friends or shop for clothes, is an individual experience, I think. Not least because I HATE shopping and telling the shopkeepers that "yes, I DO live here on the island and have for 9 years and blah, blah-blahdy, blah, blah." During the tourist season, even I can't get a great bargain! So, honestly? They're your friends/etc and you know what they'd like far better than I would.
On the matter of a day at the beach? Wonderful! We'll drop you off and let you experience it -on your own. Trust me you will enjoy it ever so much better without me along. I can't lay in the sun for hours -or even longer than 20 minutes!- without getting bored to tears and too hot to be comfortable. (why you may ask did I move to this climate??? I often question my sanity in the summer heat, on that one too...)
As for a romantic evening on your own? I would recommend one. You'll love it! Renting a car can be expensive, but not too bad if you just rent it for a couple of days out of the length of your entire visit. That way you can go off and do a little adventure to remember for when you are home in whatever winter climate you may find yourself! [We'd lend you our car, but it's our only mode of transport. We gave up the lifestyle that included a second car long ago.]
T. is really amazing. Over the years he has evolved into the chief tour guide (sans accurate running commentary) of the island for all our guests. He loves to drive all the little back roads, down to the little lost beaches and through narrow villages. He's familiar with all the secret parking places in town. And mostly he love to take people around with him to show them "his " island.
I used to go along and give little snippets of history and background on this or that place, but after the first couple of years, T. really liked to do that part as well. Usually tho, he remembers a lot of things about some places but often he just makes things up as he goes. I think it's creative- not true of course, but certainly interesting.
This means that it's much better for me to stay home as when I hint at correcting the stories, there is much sighing and eye rolling, and yes, even sometimes the odd bark of frustration with my "nit-picky-ness".
Then too, I admit, we have a small car. When out touring with friends, I spend much of the time in the back seat which is not my favorite place to sit in the car. I don't mind on the way to dinner, or a destination we're all agreed on, but every day for sightseeing - nope. Been there, done that. I am better humored having spent the day at home alone.
Being retired doesn't mean you're on vacation all the time. Usually T wakes up at 5 to have some quiet time to himself and water the garden and take the dog for a hike in the hills before it gets too warm. He sort of paces himself for the day. He's not shy about telling people he needs a little quiet hour in the afternoon while he dozes in front of World Sport on CNN. And he's totally charming with all our guests.
I used to be Ms super-Hospitality, but I have passed the crown over. I love to have a house full of guests, but T actually loves "going on vacation" with them!
