After having read the article about the keeper of the keys (In which they diss the Brown Pelican) I listened to many suggestions about what other people thought might be "The Keeper." Today I gave the subject much sub conscious thought while doing many other things such as reading, math, tanning…and because I have heard of the many magnificent ideas that others have come up with where after I was like "oh I can see that!" was robbed of many great ideas. I want to be an individual after all. So now I share my idea, hoping that no one else has thought of this.
The Puffer fish that swims the Sea of Cortez is curious and courageous. With big redish eyes that remind me of a bull’s eyes it scans and guards its territory. One thing I admire most about this crazy creature is his ability, without even trying, to invoke a sense of cautiousness, because carelessness around this monster can sometimes mean death. Because of it genetics, the birds watch out, the people watch out, the turtles watch out. Most everything does not want to meddle with this spiny fish. It is not much liked, and therefore it is perfect to watch The Keys.
My first experience with The Puffer fish I froze more than I was already freezing in the cold water. He was challenging me with his slow, forward moving way, coming closer and closer. There was no fear in his eyes, only defiance. After my initial shock I swam quickly over to a rock that was tall enough for me to stand out of the water and squealed with my other friends as this fish swam around and around our rock, watching our every move. After, I was definitely more cautious, and soon out of the water completely. The Puffer fish is my Keeper of the Key.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Homestays
In Bahia we spent three of our nights in homestays. When I first heard that we were going to be doing this I did not think it was a good idea. I felt that it would be hard for the students to do homestays if they where not so long, because they would not build big relationships with their families. But soon the day came and I was very excited. We were dropped off at our host families right before the big meal of the day. Something smart because that way you have something to do when you get there. Shelby was very nervous. My mom showed us to our room, and then we went into my host sister’s room and chatted with her. I did most of the talking out of Shelby and I. My host sister’s name is Nereyda, which in an indigenous language means mermaid. I really like this name. My host mom’s name is Angelica like my best friend at home, and she was the sweetest lady ever. Like many kids in Bahia, once they reach high school they move to Encenada because the schools in Bahia are not the greatest. My host sister was moving at around the same time that we would leaving, and because it was Nereyda’s first time to Encenada, Angelica was going with her. She had just quit her job and was very worried about us liking her food because she was not used to cooking. No need to worry though, everything was great! On the second and third nights we all played loteria which is basically bingo together as a family. It was so fun. During the day we would usually meat the other kids at the basketball court and play some fun games of very loose version of basketball. I miss these afternoons when the sun would set as we played together, and cast a hazy golden light on all of our faces making them look especially warm and happy. I became good friends with some of the local kids. I miss them too. All in all I am happy about the homestays, and was sad to leave them. After homestays I became closer to Antonio’s daughter, and tried to go over to her house as often as I could. We would sit and talk for hours. She is my age and there was a lot to share with her about my home, and my family and friends. We talked about boys, and fashion, and other things that 14 year old girls talk about, and it was nice to have a break from the rest of the group, and talk to someone without being interrupted or having to do any work. I am so happy that I go this chance and I miss them all dearly!
Fishing!
The day we went to our host stays, we first went fishing. Normally, fishing is long and boring; and excuse for some people to sit around and drink beer all day. Not deep-sea fishing! We left our palapas in the pangas and as soon as we reached our fishing spot, our guide dropped a line. No more than half a minute after the wait hit the bottom, was he already reeling in a fish! These fish are also bigger than any I have ever seen being caught in rivers and lakes. Soon we all had a turn with the fishing pole, and all of us got to catch fish. On one such time, Anthony was reeling in a fish when not too far off we saw a sea lion stick its head out of the water. Our guide told him to reel faster; or else the sea lion would come and steal one of his fish. It was too late; his pole started too bend down to the water, and try as he might, he could not reel in any more of the line. After the struggle Anthony reeled in the rest of the line, and instead of two fishes, he only had one. It made for a very good story at least.
The wild life in this bay is amazing! The whole time we were fishing Brown Pelicans swam around our boat waiting for the chance where we would look the other way for them to snag a bite to eat. Before we started fishing we saw the islands that belonged to the birds; all of the different kinds perched high up on the rocks. Blue Footed Boobies, Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Ospreys, Gulls, Terns, and so many more! And then after we went fishing we passed by groups Sea Lions basking on sunny rocks. As I was sitting in the front of the boat, we spotted dolphins that swam beside our boats.
I love sitting on the front of the boat! I get the feeling I am skimming over the water like a bird, or that I’m all alone, because I do not look behind me at the rest of the boat, and all I can hear in the wind in my ears. After we had spent an afternoon looking for shells and lying in the white sand of an island where we ate lunch, we got back on the pangas and started heading back to the mainland. The ocean with its many personalities had changed ferociously with the wind, and our boat was now going over high rollers. Rising and falling like a roller coaster. I was not prepared for this and was having a hard time staying put on my spot at the front of the boat. I tried to turn around and flew up into the air, my hands clinging to the side of the boat! It was so scary but so fun. I knew that I had to make it back to the seats because it was too dangerous, but there was so much chaos! Everybody’s stuff was flying everywhere and all the people in the seats were bouncing around and screeching loudly. I slid my way back down to the seats of the boat in much pain and laughter because I kept flying up and then landing hard on my butt. Finally I was able to seat myself in a better seat. That was the funniest boat ride I have ever had! Unfortunately we were not able to get any photos because everyone had to hang on.
The wild life in this bay is amazing! The whole time we were fishing Brown Pelicans swam around our boat waiting for the chance where we would look the other way for them to snag a bite to eat. Before we started fishing we saw the islands that belonged to the birds; all of the different kinds perched high up on the rocks. Blue Footed Boobies, Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Ospreys, Gulls, Terns, and so many more! And then after we went fishing we passed by groups Sea Lions basking on sunny rocks. As I was sitting in the front of the boat, we spotted dolphins that swam beside our boats.
I love sitting on the front of the boat! I get the feeling I am skimming over the water like a bird, or that I’m all alone, because I do not look behind me at the rest of the boat, and all I can hear in the wind in my ears. After we had spent an afternoon looking for shells and lying in the white sand of an island where we ate lunch, we got back on the pangas and started heading back to the mainland. The ocean with its many personalities had changed ferociously with the wind, and our boat was now going over high rollers. Rising and falling like a roller coaster. I was not prepared for this and was having a hard time staying put on my spot at the front of the boat. I tried to turn around and flew up into the air, my hands clinging to the side of the boat! It was so scary but so fun. I knew that I had to make it back to the seats because it was too dangerous, but there was so much chaos! Everybody’s stuff was flying everywhere and all the people in the seats were bouncing around and screeching loudly. I slid my way back down to the seats of the boat in much pain and laughter because I kept flying up and then landing hard on my butt. Finally I was able to seat myself in a better seat. That was the funniest boat ride I have ever had! Unfortunately we were not able to get any photos because everyone had to hang on.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Climbing Mike's Peak
I have finally reached the top! 3,200 and something feet later! My water is now almost empty and I am in so much need of energy that even the nasty peanut butter tortilla that I have dragged to the top sounds tasty! I feel a sense of calm accomplishment. The view is so amazing from here. I can see as far as the silhouette of mainland Mexico over the dark blue Sea of Cortez, and over the entire bay; the maze of islands, the small town at my mountains feet, the birds that now fly below me, everything-even some clouds! It’s so pretty. As always, once I have done something big and drank plenty of water at it, nature comes calling. After I leave my mark I sit and expound all of my thoughts from the last four and half-hours of hard work. It was all worth it. Now I dread leaving this beautiful place but the sun begins to set as Edith, Erik, Bryan, Sarah, Angel and Antonio start to climb the mountain the other way. I say this because it was just as hard to climb down as it was up. With loose, crumbly rock, and three hundred-foot drops on either side of the narrow ridge we were walking on, cautiousness was crucial. 3 hours later we climb in the back of a truck and find a grocery store that sells ice cream. I am exhausted and back at camp I am out of it. I know I will sleep well tonight, but I am happy to say that climbing Mike’s Peak in Bahia de los Angeles was one of the hardest things I have accomplished.
Well thinking back on the hike I have concluded that sometimes it is better to go into something not knowing everything about it. All the adults told us was that we were going on a hike, and if I had known much more about it, like how long it was, I would have not done it. The only reason I was able to keep going was because I kept thinking the next hump on the ridge was the top, but in never was until the last one… duh! I also realized on the way back, it is interesting how short you imagine the beginning of the hike to be, because when you started you had so much more energy than on the way back. That was my day on Mike’s Peak.
Well thinking back on the hike I have concluded that sometimes it is better to go into something not knowing everything about it. All the adults told us was that we were going on a hike, and if I had known much more about it, like how long it was, I would have not done it. The only reason I was able to keep going was because I kept thinking the next hump on the ridge was the top, but in never was until the last one… duh! I also realized on the way back, it is interesting how short you imagine the beginning of the hike to be, because when you started you had so much more energy than on the way back. That was my day on Mike’s Peak.
Laguna San Igancio
Hi everybody!
We have just finished our three-day whale-watching excursion in Laguna San Ignacio. After a two-hour bumpy road we arrived at Kuyima Eco-whale watching where we were warmly welcomed. We set up camp and then went into the dining room for a delicious meal of scallops; a first for me! The next morning we awoke bright and early, in high spirits after a much warmer night than the ones we had in the Catavinia boulder fields. At 9:00 am we left in small boats called pangas through the big lagoon to see the Grey whales. The boat ride was fun, and as soon as we reached the designated area, we saw the spray of a whale. For many this was a first, but not for me! Still very exciting. Soon it seemed as if whales were popping up everywhere! We even got to see babies as young as one week old, just like my baby cousin Gina. After three hours of this we went back to our camp on the beach and relaxed until dinner. (That is, some of us relaxed. The rest of us had to do make up work for school.) After a delicious meal of fish, our group gathered and discussed some readings and then we were off to bed.
The next morning we rose again bright and early with the sun for another day of whale watching. Again we rode out on the pangas and in to the lagoon and spotted more whales. It was a little more chilly this day, and overcast as well, but the whales did not care about that! On my boat we played hide and seek with a mama whale and her calf. Whales have a maneuver that is named "spy hopping" where they will stick their head out of the water as if looking to see whet is above the surface. Every time the baby whale would try to "spy hop" we would try to guess where it would come up next. After some time of this the baby whale almost came close enough to our boat to touch, but no dice. The other boat was in luck though, and they got to touch the whale. We went back to camp once more, and "relaxed" for another 5 hours. Soon it was time for our delicious dinner.
We have just finished our three-day whale-watching excursion in Laguna San Ignacio. After a two-hour bumpy road we arrived at Kuyima Eco-whale watching where we were warmly welcomed. We set up camp and then went into the dining room for a delicious meal of scallops; a first for me! The next morning we awoke bright and early, in high spirits after a much warmer night than the ones we had in the Catavinia boulder fields. At 9:00 am we left in small boats called pangas through the big lagoon to see the Grey whales. The boat ride was fun, and as soon as we reached the designated area, we saw the spray of a whale. For many this was a first, but not for me! Still very exciting. Soon it seemed as if whales were popping up everywhere! We even got to see babies as young as one week old, just like my baby cousin Gina. After three hours of this we went back to our camp on the beach and relaxed until dinner. (That is, some of us relaxed. The rest of us had to do make up work for school.) After a delicious meal of fish, our group gathered and discussed some readings and then we were off to bed.
The next morning we rose again bright and early with the sun for another day of whale watching. Again we rode out on the pangas and in to the lagoon and spotted more whales. It was a little more chilly this day, and overcast as well, but the whales did not care about that! On my boat we played hide and seek with a mama whale and her calf. Whales have a maneuver that is named "spy hopping" where they will stick their head out of the water as if looking to see whet is above the surface. Every time the baby whale would try to "spy hop" we would try to guess where it would come up next. After some time of this the baby whale almost came close enough to our boat to touch, but no dice. The other boat was in luck though, and they got to touch the whale. We went back to camp once more, and "relaxed" for another 5 hours. Soon it was time for our delicious dinner.
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