Paradise

Sun Going Down

Another perfect day in paradise, but warmer and sunnier and a wonderful day for a boatride and a fruitless attempt at fishing. Eric's grandfather, Gil, and his wife Mary invited us out on their small but powerful motorboat, and Eric, Maya and I along with my father, joined them. I love being on the water; every year my birthday gift is sailing for the day. I cannot imagine a place I would rather be on my birthday but on a sailing vessel. Every other time out on a boat is a bonus.

The' Tortuga'

Boating with Gil and Mary

I am unsettled by the incredible wealth I see all around me. Perhaps I am sensitive to it because of the months in Ecuador, where despite living very simply and often at barely a subsistence level, we are so much better off than most, with so many choices and possibilities. In the United States, people have so much, in comparison to the average Eucadorian. I am not so aware of our limitations when I am in Ecuador, but visiting southern Florida forces me to be more cognizant of our place in the world.

Osprey

Seagulls

Sandcastles
Pink Palace Down the Beach

Spending time in Ecuador has changed the way I look at the world around me. I am more observant, I pay more attention to the flora and fauna. Here, there are ospreys along the highway, perched on lightposts; there are herons and pelicans and roadrunners on the beach, cormorants on posts in the water. I am astonished at how much wildlife l see, and how much more is visible to me with each subsequent visit. I am curious about Florida and would like to explore the Everglades and the surrounding areas. Tara and I took a sunset stroll along the beach where the seagulls and pelicans dominated. We watched the sun go down in a bright fiery display and caught up on girltalk. Today is the calm before the storm. Monica arrives tomorrow with her husband and two children after a week of sailing in the Carribbean, and we have parties and celebrations planned over the next few days, which I am looking forward to.

Sunset