saltwatersteve.com/travel

Ok, I didn’t actually throw away the key, but I did lose it in the ocean. Oops.
Here’s the story: Steve was not feeling well and needed to rest, so I decided to go for a run and possible swim in the ocean since we are now on the Atlantic Coast in Fortaleza. I locked Steve in the room (this is one of those doors that you have to use the key to lock it whether you are inside or out). The run was great though I got a lot of strange looks like why would someone actually run, nevermind that it is in the heat of the day. Towards the end of my run I decided to get closer to the ocean and check out the waves. I wasn’t going to go in since I was a bit paranoid about leaving my stuff on the beach. What would I do if someone took off with my shoes? Oh well, the ocean was calling and my legs were burning! I clipped the carabiner with key to a double knot in my swim shorts and headed out. The water was so nice! I actually made it past the very large and scary break to where I could swim.
I was about to head in to shore and reached down to check on the key. Not there. I panicked. Big waves were coming. I paddled back to shore. I tried searching while dodging waves at the same time and was unsuccessful. I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t know how I was going to get Steve out of the room. It was 12:30, and I told Steve I would be back at 1. I had to hope that the front desk had a spare key, but the day before the front desk was closed until at least 1:30. I sprinted back.
Luckily, the front desk man was there when I got back. He speaks a little English, and I hardly speak any Portugese. Through a confusing conversation he understood that I lost the key in the ocean and Steve was locked upstairs. His eyes got wide, and then his face fell. He did not have a spare. He called the key guy, no answer. Since there is only one front desk guy, he cannot leave, so he gave me directions and a note in Portugese and sent me to see the Key Man.
The Key Man was not in. At first, people told me that he was out to lunch. Then we figured out that he was actually at home and wouldn’t be back until Tuesday! On my way back, I noticed there was construction going on across the street. I asked Front Desk Guy to write me another note asking to borrow a screwdriver (which Front Desk Guy) to take the door apart. Just as I was getting the screwdriver, I hear Front Desk Guy yell, “I found another key!” Thank goodness!!