You know that warm fuzzy feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when your dive instructor tells you it’s time to take off your mask, especially when you know there’s a four foot barracuda circling the group… Scuba Diving is intense, some would say (and by that I mean Shayna sitting next to me) horrifying, but ultimately it is the feeling of experiencing a whole new underwater world.
We arrived here on the island of Roatan, Honduras on Wednesday. The private jet was a new experience for some of the group members, and by private jet we mean a twenty-seater plane with no terminal. Being from New York, I (Shayna) was effervescent with joy as I got to walk up the stairs for the first time to a plane; whereas Jasmine felt like she was at a much warmer version of the airport in the small city of Kenai, Alaska. From the first five minutes on island, we were already missing the Spanish, although we are finding a new language barrier with the native language ‘Island’ spoken here.
Our accomodations are incredible and one with nature as we can walk just a few feet out of our rooms into the bay ( that is “infested” with crocs… just kidding!). Scuba is challenging and filled most of our days with dives, inspirational videos (“Go places, Meet people, Do things” I quote you not), and confined exercises. So far the group, as a whole, has seen turtles, eels, “rainbow” fish, fish, more fish, string rays, and oh yeah, the curious barracuda who needed a nibble of Adam’s pretty pinky shiny snorkel, they weren’t kidding when the guides (Tony and Rino) said not to swim with shiny objects. No worries… we were actually very fortunate to see such a rare fish up close (and personal!)
We had lots of group bonding time with late night games of Ninja, in addition to the game played underwater of course… because true ninjas can be in harmony with their bouyancy! We have lots of studying to do for the big scuba exam eeeep! (but the only one choosing to read the entire book twice for the exam, which you can take as many times as needed and only requires a 75 % score to pass, would be none other than Shayna :)). We are living each day, hour, and second to the fullest as we are in the here and now every waking moment enjoying our last few days in Central America with each other.
Rewind….picture that obnoxious VCR sound from back in the day…San Jose, Costa Rica: Nostalgia for Jasmine and Shayna, who were both there, miracuously, two years ago at the same time. I (Shayna) was able to visit the orphanage that I had worked at, as well as cruise along memory lane in La Sabana Norte.. after taking public transportation interacting with the locals. I also found a huge mango and veggie burgers and almost cried in bliss as the supermarket employee helped me to checkout. We stayed at Costa Rica Backpackers and had the pleasure of meeting Katrina’s twim, i.e. her older sister Allie who was so warm and amicable to our entire group… she was practically family!! ( well, for Shayna at least…)
I (Jasmine) enjoyed the hostel lifestyle meeting new travelers, especially in the kitchen (from Spain, Italy, and Germany all in the one helping) I had no problem with conbining my pasta sauce with the daily spaghetti consumer from Italy! The last night in San Jose, Sarah, Rebecca, and me (Jasmine) pulled on Sarah’s hair for hours, the profanity coming out of her mouth was really what kept us going all night, and we have a head count of 41 gorgeous, ratty dreads …they look AWESOME!!
Before we sign off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!!!!! I ( Shayna) didn’t forget you, I just haven’t had a chance to call, but love you so much and hope you had an incredible day!
Also…. HAPPY CHANUKAH to all and have a soon to be MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
See ya’ later man as you would say island style (Mary has been the only one that completely understand t
he “English” spoken here)
P.S. Shayna is still chanting about Jasalicious in the deep blue sea who swims so fast and swims so free and Jasmine is still rolling her eyes but not annoyed because she has the pleasant thought of tree crayons bubbling about within her noggin!!!
PEACE!
