Your shores are but a distant dream
Each memory like a grain of sand
I cannot wash clean of your beaches
every light reminds me of your sun
I flip the switch searching out the horizon
I no longer sway with each gust
The wind cannnot penetrate these walls
Being back in BK has been a bit of a shock to my system. I've never considered myself one to laze about much, but yet I find myself yearning for a hammock. The hand crafted threads cradling me as I sway gently in the warm breeze. The sounds of bob marley cooling my spirits as I drift away in a sea of content. The only hustle is from the scurrying of the crabs as they make their way back to land while the moon reminds us of what has passed and what is to come.
My mind is not a blank slate, no, it is free to frollick in its own maze. Kicking up long forgetten memories of days past and adventures that have yet to come to fruition. There is so much to discover and yet I could be content wasting my days right here.
A foreign smells enters my nose like the most pungent of smelling salts. Bob Marley is silenced, the beat replaced by a constant rumble. My toes no longer feel the air whistling through them. My eyelids feel the light of the sun beating against them, pulsing as the clouds and sun play peek-a-boo.
I open my eyes to my distorted image reflected off chrome. My head is perched on the shoulder of the person next to me; Next stop Canal street.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Vida Estreña
Each day we have a chance to do something great. Some days we choose to live that potential on the couch. Other days we choose to fill serving, not for ourselves but, for the betterment of our common man.
I have experienced many such days in this Island off the coast of Honduras. I have seen the faces of children who hold the possibilities of the world before them. Who knows which of them could make an imprint on this world or even a single soul. Right now they are just kids hitching a ride to get to school.
My eyes needed a checkup as things were out of focus. I needed a new prescription and have been working my way back to 20/20 the last 1/2 a year. What I have opened my eyes to through this last week isn't revolutionary though my words make it seem so.
This is the sort of things that poets and songwriters live for. This is the reunion with a friend you never knew you had. This is the chance to see the world through the eyes of a kid; where pools compete with turquoise blue oceans and bedtimes are still hurdles to overcome by any means. This is taking the chance and living this one day like none before or after matter. Most of all it is: doing when you don't have to, doing when you don't want to, or sometimes not doing at all.
***
Today was something out of a movie or a dream. It seems that the writers were determined to write twist and turns to keep things interesting. Every good movie needs a chase scene so the hero can show his cool under pressure. A good movie needs complex characters on the ropes with nothing to lose. Every good movie has a love story at its center to make the audience care. Most of all it needs to feel complete while leaving some things to mystery.
Life has a strange way of working things out; Humans have a strange way of complicating life.
I have experienced many such days in this Island off the coast of Honduras. I have seen the faces of children who hold the possibilities of the world before them. Who knows which of them could make an imprint on this world or even a single soul. Right now they are just kids hitching a ride to get to school.
My eyes needed a checkup as things were out of focus. I needed a new prescription and have been working my way back to 20/20 the last 1/2 a year. What I have opened my eyes to through this last week isn't revolutionary though my words make it seem so.
This is the sort of things that poets and songwriters live for. This is the reunion with a friend you never knew you had. This is the chance to see the world through the eyes of a kid; where pools compete with turquoise blue oceans and bedtimes are still hurdles to overcome by any means. This is taking the chance and living this one day like none before or after matter. Most of all it is: doing when you don't have to, doing when you don't want to, or sometimes not doing at all.
***
Today was something out of a movie or a dream. It seems that the writers were determined to write twist and turns to keep things interesting. Every good movie needs a chase scene so the hero can show his cool under pressure. A good movie needs complex characters on the ropes with nothing to lose. Every good movie has a love story at its center to make the audience care. Most of all it needs to feel complete while leaving some things to mystery.
Life has a strange way of working things out; Humans have a strange way of complicating life.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Dynamo in an adventure with the kayak
My early teen years I went to camp and always looked forward to the "white water" rafting. I felt like a kid again, trying to explore the limits today. The house is on a beachfront , however, the deepest water I have encountered is about 3 feet. There is a reef that protects the land from most of the extremes the sea has to offer. For some reason the stormy weather felt like the perfect time to make advances to the reef.
I observed the waves before as they crashed along the reef line. The rain had swollen the bay enough when combined with the high wind gave rise to some waves on this side. I paddled out on 3 seperate occassions to try my hand at riding waves. I had varying levels of success; my kayak turned over twice.
My third time out I sought to explore yet another part of the bay. I went east from the pier and started paddling. While I was out there the waves became a bit rougher, but nothing I couldn't handle. I was fixated on the huge waves crashing on the reef; I found the rocking from the waves was relaxing.
I looked back to land and realized that i wasnt where I expected to be. My daydream like state and the stronger currents brought me out farther than I wanted to be. I dont believe I was ever in danger, but, I came close to it. When I got to land I saw the group talking to a local. She had become worried about my course and wanted to be sure I knew what i was doing. Just last week someone was sucked out to sea and needed to be rescued.
I observed the waves before as they crashed along the reef line. The rain had swollen the bay enough when combined with the high wind gave rise to some waves on this side. I paddled out on 3 seperate occassions to try my hand at riding waves. I had varying levels of success; my kayak turned over twice.
My third time out I sought to explore yet another part of the bay. I went east from the pier and started paddling. While I was out there the waves became a bit rougher, but nothing I couldn't handle. I was fixated on the huge waves crashing on the reef; I found the rocking from the waves was relaxing.
I looked back to land and realized that i wasnt where I expected to be. My daydream like state and the stronger currents brought me out farther than I wanted to be. I dont believe I was ever in danger, but, I came close to it. When I got to land I saw the group talking to a local. She had become worried about my course and wanted to be sure I knew what i was doing. Just last week someone was sucked out to sea and needed to be rescued.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Honduras: Day 4
Storming Weather
I dreamt of pancakes that night.The lobster forecast fortold by the fisherman was on point. It rained all night and the wind was still whipping up something awful. I was ready decked out in full rain gear, swim trunks and wind breaker.
I leaned on the wind, it held me up, it felt like I was soaring. My mind free of the 9 to 5. Puffed up by the wind I felt larger than life. My worries being swept away as each breath of the earth passed through me. Soaking wet from head to toe as the rain washed over me. Scrubbed clean by the wind and baptised by the rain, I am.
The sun finally poked through, the wind died down, the rain let up. I walked down the pier back to the house ready to face the day. I made breakfast for the troops : scrambled eggs with ham, ham-cheddar omlete with bacon on the side.
I threw my swim gear on and hopped into the kayak determined to ride a wave. The stormy weather had kicked the sea into another gear. I attacked the waves did my leg was asleep and my arms were like noodles.
I joined the rest of the party at the mangroves that blocked access to the rest of the beach. In my previous adenture with the waves I saw a path through the mangroves; I decided to scout out the uncharted territories.
The route was eerie, like something straight out of a hollywood movie. The path through the mangroves was windy, dank and dark. There wasn't anything particularly special about it , but, it was real cool.
I dreamt of pancakes that night.The lobster forecast fortold by the fisherman was on point. It rained all night and the wind was still whipping up something awful. I was ready decked out in full rain gear, swim trunks and wind breaker.
I leaned on the wind, it held me up, it felt like I was soaring. My mind free of the 9 to 5. Puffed up by the wind I felt larger than life. My worries being swept away as each breath of the earth passed through me. Soaking wet from head to toe as the rain washed over me. Scrubbed clean by the wind and baptised by the rain, I am.
The sun finally poked through, the wind died down, the rain let up. I walked down the pier back to the house ready to face the day. I made breakfast for the troops : scrambled eggs with ham, ham-cheddar omlete with bacon on the side.
I threw my swim gear on and hopped into the kayak determined to ride a wave. The stormy weather had kicked the sea into another gear. I attacked the waves did my leg was asleep and my arms were like noodles.
I joined the rest of the party at the mangroves that blocked access to the rest of the beach. In my previous adenture with the waves I saw a path through the mangroves; I decided to scout out the uncharted territories.
The route was eerie, like something straight out of a hollywood movie. The path through the mangroves was windy, dank and dark. There wasn't anything particularly special about it , but, it was real cool.
Honduras: Day 3
Perdidos
The sky was clear and the sun came in a flash, just as it had left the day before. The first order of business was food shopping. The order before that was to find the super market; Easier said than done. There is only one main road on the island but we missed the supermarket on several passes. "Un consultir por favor" was the order of the day as we asked for directions to the mythical market.
It was just as hectic as I imagined it would be with people from 3 different households. Four thousand limpera and a full shopping cart later we were back to the house. This particular trip required big guns so I ran back for the golf cart. I knew how to go forward but not reverse. I required help to figure out how to change gears. Once I got moving it felt just like my prius.
The security guard informed us that a fisherman would be coming in about an hour. That was 11am. Everyone failed to consider CPT. It was after 1 when we headed out to find some local produce and fish. We were roped in by the "only one road" mantra, it took us 3 hours to find the way.
We were richly rewarded once we arrived. At night we dined like kings: roasted red snapper, brazillian rice, fried plantains.
The sky was clear and the sun came in a flash, just as it had left the day before. The first order of business was food shopping. The order before that was to find the super market; Easier said than done. There is only one main road on the island but we missed the supermarket on several passes. "Un consultir por favor" was the order of the day as we asked for directions to the mythical market.
It was just as hectic as I imagined it would be with people from 3 different households. Four thousand limpera and a full shopping cart later we were back to the house. This particular trip required big guns so I ran back for the golf cart. I knew how to go forward but not reverse. I required help to figure out how to change gears. Once I got moving it felt just like my prius.
The security guard informed us that a fisherman would be coming in about an hour. That was 11am. Everyone failed to consider CPT. It was after 1 when we headed out to find some local produce and fish. We were roped in by the "only one road" mantra, it took us 3 hours to find the way.
We were richly rewarded once we arrived. At night we dined like kings: roasted red snapper, brazillian rice, fried plantains.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Honduras: Day 2
Exodus
The 2nd day kinda folds back to the 1st as I woke at shady Hotel Ceiba
Feeling quite cold; a sensation I had hoped I left under a foot of
snow in Brooklyn. Dunkin donuts was the first stop on the gringo
agenda. This was the low point of the day. It was like animals in the
zoo as locals passed by looking at us through the glass.
Before leaving the mainland it was time to head to a nearby
supermarket for some essentials. The most amazing part was the fresh
produce at super low prices. Honduran currency is about 18 or 20 to 1
US dollar, a 30 lempira pineapple is a godsend. Grocery shopping was done
with just enough time to hurriedly check-out and hop into a cab.
The cab took a circuitous route to the Ferry that was supposed to only
be 3 blocks or so away from the Hotel. The proximity of the docks to
the hotel was highly exaggerated. There was plenty of time to
purchase tickets and go through security. Two curious events occurred
with security. I was the only one during my time there who was
frisked. The booze was confiscated to deter any breakouts of boat
parties.
The ferry ride to roatan may soon be cooped by a theme park to replace
the death drop or superman: the ride. As the boat pulled from dock a
crew member handed out barf bags. I thought this was just a souvenir
of sorts till the boat really got moving, the reckless speed and
undulating waves made for one heck of a ride.
The downside to the ride was the marauding Texas grandmas who sat a
row away. The beef jerky-like tanned, tramp stamped, shit-talking duo
almost accomplished what the exhausting ride could not. Their
conversation ranged from make-up advice to the last biopsy. I was
really over with them when they went zoo exhibit on a tiny kid.
Perhaps it would be their reaction to any kid, which still doesn't
make it right.
Near the port of Roatan were two shipwrecks. I haven’t investigated
into the oddities as yes. The working theory is that they are there to
promote the growth of coral.
The ride to the house was windy and fairly treacherous at the un-policed
80k speeds around blind turns. This was only topped by the near
vertical drop down the dirt road to the garage which was still .5
miles from the house down an un-driveable boardwalk and dirt road.
Lunch was at a resort with multi-race babies at the preferred topic of
conversation. After lunch I kayaked and used the flinstone paddle-boat
machine for about 3 hours. The sun dropped closer to the horizon and
flashed green before it disappeared for good.
--
http://humandynamo.blogspot.com/
The 2nd day kinda folds back to the 1st as I woke at shady Hotel Ceiba
Feeling quite cold; a sensation I had hoped I left under a foot of
snow in Brooklyn. Dunkin donuts was the first stop on the gringo
agenda. This was the low point of the day. It was like animals in the
zoo as locals passed by looking at us through the glass.
Before leaving the mainland it was time to head to a nearby
supermarket for some essentials. The most amazing part was the fresh
produce at super low prices. Honduran currency is about 18 or 20 to 1
US dollar, a 30 lempira pineapple is a godsend. Grocery shopping was done
with just enough time to hurriedly check-out and hop into a cab.
The cab took a circuitous route to the Ferry that was supposed to only
be 3 blocks or so away from the Hotel. The proximity of the docks to
the hotel was highly exaggerated. There was plenty of time to
purchase tickets and go through security. Two curious events occurred
with security. I was the only one during my time there who was
frisked. The booze was confiscated to deter any breakouts of boat
parties.
The ferry ride to roatan may soon be cooped by a theme park to replace
the death drop or superman: the ride. As the boat pulled from dock a
crew member handed out barf bags. I thought this was just a souvenir
of sorts till the boat really got moving, the reckless speed and
undulating waves made for one heck of a ride.
The downside to the ride was the marauding Texas grandmas who sat a
row away. The beef jerky-like tanned, tramp stamped, shit-talking duo
almost accomplished what the exhausting ride could not. Their
conversation ranged from make-up advice to the last biopsy. I was
really over with them when they went zoo exhibit on a tiny kid.
Perhaps it would be their reaction to any kid, which still doesn't
make it right.
Near the port of Roatan were two shipwrecks. I haven’t investigated
into the oddities as yes. The working theory is that they are there to
promote the growth of coral.
The ride to the house was windy and fairly treacherous at the un-policed
80k speeds around blind turns. This was only topped by the near
vertical drop down the dirt road to the garage which was still .5
miles from the house down an un-driveable boardwalk and dirt road.
Lunch was at a resort with multi-race babies at the preferred topic of
conversation. After lunch I kayaked and used the flinstone paddle-boat
machine for about 3 hours. The sun dropped closer to the horizon and
flashed green before it disappeared for good.
--
http://humandynamo.blogspot.com/
Monday, February 15, 2010
Dispatch From Honduras: Day 1
This feels just like it used to when I worked in jersey and lived in
BK. The crack of dawn in another cold month as if the rest were just
dress rehearsals. The 4am alarm is like old hat and the calls from the
warm covers are barely distinguishable muffle by my luggage. This time
is different because Ia am off to a beautiful land and people; a long
way from the stripmalls and boredom of Parsippany.
Everything goes as planned and I find myself at lee's a half hour
early.Our merry band was soon off to Newark Airport where we dined on
the finest overpriced chain food. The second act came in the form of a
continental breakfast of egg and cheese and fruit. I was in and out of
consciousness for the entire flight.
A cab picked us up at the airport and we began our trek. We stopped off at a local joint, there was no menu, they just brought out food:
1. A spicy soup with jicama
2. some rice and beans
3. fried chicken
4. Thin strips of steak
5. Bread fruit
The ride from San Pedro was one big game of chicken on one lane roads
carrying two-way traffic. It was like the morning or afternoon drive
through any busy metropolis with road work, insane pedestrians and
crazier drivers.
Ceida a port city north of San Pedro was the destination for the
night. Hotel Ceidà, a 5 story hotel, which made motel 6 look like a
resort living was where I laid my head down for the night. The TV came
fully loaded with cable. I got to see Nate the Great win his 3rd
straight dunk contest.
Content with the only honor bestowed on a Knick these days I drifted
off to bed. A few hours later a foreign feeling came over me, there
was a chill in the air. I woke to the great delight of still having
most of my organs, to the reality of a 50 deg night, I wept a little
as I was forced to cover-up with a blanket.
--
http://humandynamo.blogspot.com/
BK. The crack of dawn in another cold month as if the rest were just
dress rehearsals. The 4am alarm is like old hat and the calls from the
warm covers are barely distinguishable muffle by my luggage. This time
is different because Ia am off to a beautiful land and people; a long
way from the stripmalls and boredom of Parsippany.
Everything goes as planned and I find myself at lee's a half hour
early.Our merry band was soon off to Newark Airport where we dined on
the finest overpriced chain food. The second act came in the form of a
continental breakfast of egg and cheese and fruit. I was in and out of
consciousness for the entire flight.
A cab picked us up at the airport and we began our trek. We stopped off at a local joint, there was no menu, they just brought out food:
1. A spicy soup with jicama
2. some rice and beans
3. fried chicken
4. Thin strips of steak
5. Bread fruit
The ride from San Pedro was one big game of chicken on one lane roads
carrying two-way traffic. It was like the morning or afternoon drive
through any busy metropolis with road work, insane pedestrians and
crazier drivers.
Ceida a port city north of San Pedro was the destination for the
night. Hotel Ceidà, a 5 story hotel, which made motel 6 look like a
resort living was where I laid my head down for the night. The TV came
fully loaded with cable. I got to see Nate the Great win his 3rd
straight dunk contest.
Content with the only honor bestowed on a Knick these days I drifted
off to bed. A few hours later a foreign feeling came over me, there
was a chill in the air. I woke to the great delight of still having
most of my organs, to the reality of a 50 deg night, I wept a little
as I was forced to cover-up with a blanket.
--
http://humandynamo.blogspot.com/
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