I'm leaving Manzanillo in the morning!

Tomorrow I board the HYDRA. I'm very excited.

Today, I went to the market with my new friends Juanita and Aaron. They are truck drivers and are staying at the same hostel. They might even be taking a container from MY ship on their next haul, who knows?!

I have nicknamed them "The Lovebirds". Through a translation at the beach, Aaron explained that the love is so deep it runs through their veins. They are completely smitten with each other. It's lovely to see. When people are so in love with each other, we might think that they want to be alone with each other only, but from the beginning they have wanted to include me and befriend me. I guess that much joy must be shared!

We went to the market, where of course I missed Beate, especially when I saw the fresh fruit and vegetables. 

Aaron posed with some cute signs (he's all about love you know)

We took the #1 bus there and back. Mother Mary protected us on the journey.

We also went out for breakfast. I had chilaquiles with scrambled eggs, on Aaron and Juanita's recommendation.

It was a lovely morning.

Reflections from the beach:

When I arrived at the Hostal Tzalahua four days ago, Sue (the taco lady) warned me not to swim at the nearby beach because it is too dangerous. This was further enforced by a Canadian from Manitoba named Trina who said the riptide was too strong. If you want to swim in the ocean, you are supposed to go down to the tourist beach which I never did go to.

Instead I went to our nearby beach, where I immediately saw the reason for the warning. Huge waves slapped the shore.

I was nevertheless so tempted to go for a swim when I saw those beautiful waves! I didn't, because I have promised many of you to stay safe. I particularly thought of Kevin who worries when I swim out too far. He is protective and there is a point where I think he realizes that he can no longer save me. I thought of how distressing it would be if he knew that I was even contemplating it! My mom knows that I am a strong swimmer, but she also knows these waves very well from visiting Puerto Vallarta, and would also be distressed.

So instead, I sat on a log that seemed ready for me and decided to watch the waves roll in. I started to think about danger and about fear. When I started the year's adventure, my only real fear was polar bears which I didn't encounter. I know that Alice would prefer me to be a little less friendly. She said, "Mom, don't be yourself ok?" Cathy made sure I have an anti-theft passport and money holder that I wear around my neck. I am trying to be diligently aware of the dangers around me. I'm keeping my promise.

It's interesting to me that we all have different fears, which no doubt come out of our own experiences. Some of us fear people, others wildlife, still others, the natural world. The unknown. Do we fear dark emotions coming at us when we are alone? Do we fear loss--of loved ones or material possessions? Aren't those that face those fears, especially the emotional ones, very heroic?

What is it about me that wants to go into those somewhat murderous waves? I can only say that I love them. They are so beautiful and powerful. The ocean is so magnificent. Joining it is like connecting to the powerful forces of Mother Nature.

I decided to walk to the very edge of where the waves crept over the sand--not dangerous. I stood there and let the water go over my feet. It was wonderful. But the tide was starting to come in and the fourth innocent-looking wave leapt up to the top of my thighs! It was Her final warning. I am to stay safe. I promised.

So I went back to my log, chastened and wet and decided that I should stay there long enough to understand myself better and watch the sun go down, which was two hours later. I have watched the sun set each night since from the same log.

While watching the water, I thought about how I have experienced this particular ocean in three places. Vancouver, Peru and now Mexico. What a beautiful thing it is and how lucky I am that I get to think about things on its shores so often this year. I realized that most people are working, taking care of themselves and their families, and don't have this luxury. But as I watched the day come to a close, many local people came for connection with the water and the breeze. A team-building-yoga event started up. Teenage boys were surfing into the dangerous waves (I envied them a little), families walked along the sand, a jogger jogged slowly by, a man tried to sell me coconut. Then The Lovebirds arrived, getting wet by letting the waves creep up over their legs, and we had a woman with her three kids help translate that conservation people were setting baby turtles free. It was too dark to see the turtles by then and the officer had us stand waaaay back, but I felt like I was part of something special. I have been part of something special. Let's take a lesson from the locals. They come to the beach at the end of the work day. Wherever we are in the world we can walk close to Mother Nature and reflect, if only for a few minutes.