I am a fan of Rumi, the 13th century Persian poet, and I am pondering his words on gratitude right now, sitting across from my large living room window, observing the way the sun has created something of a haze on the not so distant mountains. The sun is about to set on a two-week holiday that has been filled with memorable moments. Somewhere in his 60-some years Rumi was quoted as proclaiming, "Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life." The more days that dawn, the deeper I draw into feelings of gratitude...for a privileged life I have been granted, for the people I am fortunate enough to call my friends and family, and for abundant fresh food, mainly avocados and sweet potatoes, that I am daily devouring.
My most recent excursion was to las Galapagos. I have been quite intrigued with tortugas on past scuba dives, but it turns out that sea lions can really steal your heart. It's also possible to eat one's weight in seafood...and still want more ceviche. And one indeed can survive the nasty tentacles of a Galapagan jellyfish without going into anaphylactic shock...
It's only been a week since my return, but let's reminisce a bit together...
The Galaps Gang: Furio, Mama and Papa Baci, Adam, Les, Jan and Jackie Saumweber, yours truly, and Deb and Bruce Reuter (photo credit: Bruce Reuter) |
Needless to say, we ate well between Furio's cooking, dining out to consume copious amounts of octopus, shrimp, lobster, tuna and calamari, and Dad's two-a-day ice cream shop stops (no joke, no exaggeration; we share this love of chocolate and still I am thoroughly impressed by the sheer quantity he consumes while still keeping a pretty dang svelte form).
When we weren't noshing on the chocolate bars I brought, or slurping agua right from the coconut, we did enjoy a number of other activities on Santa Cruz, our home island, North Seymour and Isabela...
...like scubadiving! It had been about 7 years since my last dive, so Jacks helped me review some important basics before Dad, Les, she and I dove into the chilly Pacific ocean, sporting 7 millimeter wetsuits rather than the usual 3 millimeter suits we don when diving in Mexico. (And let me tell ya, "fits like a glove" has never rung so true before, and I'd be okay if it never did again.) What fascinated me most about the trip was the wildlife and sea animals and their comfort and seemingly equal fascination with humans. Take the sea lions for example:
So we swam along, happy as clams.
BBC.)
Well, anyway, I went through the ridiculous process of putting that wetsuit back on, where the crew and other divers were entertained as Quike and company picked me up and bounced me into "the glove." It was a wise decision because on that final dive we came across a seahorse, the most mythical of all sea creatures. Happy sigh as we enjoyed another million dollar moment.
The following are two million dollar photos that Bruce and Deb have passed to me for your viewing pleasure. Through these you might glimpse the splendor of the Galapagos.
This is a Frigatebird. His red pouch puffs up during mating season. |
Frigatebird offspring -- I would just like a zoo of Galapagos animals in my house. Stat. |
Good morning, Sunshine. |
Besitos from the mama. |
I suppose the scaly land iguana can stay outside...but he'll have a fantastic view of the stars. |
Yo, are you lookin' at me? Are YOU lookin' at ME?! |
Snackin'. |
The infamous blue-footed booby. |
The Standoff. Something about who was going to get first dibs on our seafood dinner. |
As I'm stretching and getting so sleepy, I must leave you with two final photos.
Stunning sunsets... |
turn into starlit nights. |
Sharing all of these moments, views and dinners with my parents, the Reuters and the Saumwebers made for the most lovely of holidays.
Missing you all immensely in the midst of it, as always. Hugs from Ecuador.
Jame