Who knew?

Today I realized how much I am going to miss this place. Everyday I find something new and so interesting that it tantalizes all my senses. It is the unplanned, not knowing what is going to happen days that are the ones I will remember. Too many times I have laid at night thinking..."wow, what another great day." I haven't felt this at peace and under stressed (if that's is possible) ever. Sometimes I forget that I still have another eight weeks of school left. One of those days happened today. Andy, Kristie, Jon, and I enjoyed possibly one of the best Saturdays recorded. My only plan was to be outside all day, and it wasn't difficult to accomplish. It actually started the night before. I spent the night on my roof, in my hammock, under the stars. I awoke without an alarm clock to the sounds of birds calling one another and roosters telling me that it was market time. First I had to visit Mr.Godfrey for a haircut. This is a one man show in the back of his house. This amazing man of sixty-eight going on twenty has been cutting hair for over forty years. Simply put...the best haircut ever. I sit there listening to what the latest is, we talk about everything and anything. I get the baby powder on the neck and around the ears. We talk some more. He cuts, talks, cuts, talks. Then the razor comes out and I get the trim with the closest of precision. Then some oil (which burns a little), more powder, and then I am off to the market. 8:00 am and it is in full swing. I ride to where the fish is being sold to check the local fare. It smells as if you are suddenly being breathed on by a barracuda. There are snappers, cuda, jewfish, groupers...the works. I watch the men clean my red snapper, pay with a smile, and proceed down the street for some fresh fruit. After making the drop at my house, I head to breakfast with the whole crew and two UMD professors at the Snack Shack. The first item on the menu, Gigantic Breakfast Burrito! How can you pass that up? Needless to say, it lived up to its name. About the size of my forearm, it was filled with delicious eggs, beans, and an array of other veggies. I didn't want to finish it once eating half of it, but I couldn't stop. Too good!! Since it wasn't raining (finally), we took to the water. After spending awhile at the pier, we head down this trail, still unexplored by any of us. As we walk through the bush, along the coast of the Caribbean, we reach a spot where a freshwater river is entering the ocean. There is one tree with a rope swing, and a coast full of rocks and sea glass. Tons of sea glass. We proceed to sample the local beer and enjoy the sun, water, and the swing. So good! That took up the entire day, and finally I have a tan settling in. Barely:(

February 15, 2009
I wrote that on Saturday, and am I glad I waited until the weekend was over to publish this. Sunday we all went to the Snake Cayes. I was a little skeptical at first because it was out of price range (still not a lot though), and, I don't know, how could you top Saturday? Oh but it did...in a different way. Snake Caye is a cluster of little cayes about 18 miles off the coast, straight out from PG. The ride out on the boat gathered much anticipation for all eleven of us. When we finally arrived, the water changed from a dull, pale blue, to a majestic sky blue with a tint of white underneath. It was a stunning view. I would have been happy if we would have just turned around. As I jumped out of the boat, forgetting all that was with me, I hit the water. Actually, that is a lie. I did jump in, only to get to shore because I saw this watchtower that I had to climb. So I first ran up to that to catch a bigger glimpse of my backyard. Then I grabbed my snorkeling gear (thanks Scott and Judy, it is coming in handy!!!) and hit the water. I snorkeled all day! There was a few breaks where I built a thatch covering with Jon to stay out of the sun (sucker girls!!), ate some PB & Banana sandwiches, listen to my music, and explored the depths of the bush. I didn't have to go far inside before I realized where these cayes got their name. There were literally tons of snakes weaving their way through the coconut trees. And on the ground, there were crabs crawling around, big and small. Tons of those too!!

One of the times I was out there, Jon and I swam with this huge fish! It looked like a tuna but I am not so sure that's what it was. It was about the size of me (if you could squeeze me into a gigantic silver shilling. Anyways, when I first saw it, it scared the ___ out of me. I was actually scared because it trailed only a few inches behind us. Once we got used to it, we turned around to face out fear. Turns out, it was the most friendliest fish. We swam around with it for awhile until it had enough of us and swam away.

That day, we saw so much sea life, I can't even ebgin to make a list of it all! Starfish, sea urchins, a massive array of colourful fish..the list goes on. It was again, another amazing day, and a great way to cap a weekend off! Monday was a drag, and I don't know if it was because of the sun or because I miss that already. Friday can't come any sooner!!

To all of my family and friends, thanks again for the support and I miss all of you! I wish you could see, eat, live this experience with me. It has been an eye-opener in too many ways. Thank you again.

p.s. my camera broke (big time bummer!), but I will start trying to put up what I have piece by piece. I am getting everyone elses so don't worry. This is one from the day we went swimming in the cave. This is the entrance.