May 19th, 2012

Today, where to begin...

The morning started out pretty decent: got up at 5:30 and watched the sun rise, had toast and juice while sitting and feeling the ocean breeze blow across my face... super relaxing, so calming... these guys though, sleeping like logs!

Photo by: Jessica McAdams

Things started out great when we went down to Mi Playa beach to run some tests on the salinity and temperature of the tide pools in the various intertidal zones. We found TONS of brittle stars, a nudibranch, turbo snails, a bristle worm, and anemones.

Photo by: Jessica McAdams

Photo by: Jessica McAdams

Then, just as the calm arrives before the storm, my serene and joyous morning swiftly turned to disaster as I witnessed, in slow motion, the descent of my beloved camera from my pocket into the swirling, salty waters below. I raced back to the beach, to where our vans were parked, hoping beyond all hope that I could manage to take apart my camera to try and save it; but the screws would not come undone. As I sat on an old wooden box, trying to force the screws to turn with a pair of tweezers, I cried. For the last 8 years, not a day had gone by that I did not have a camera, and this had been my favorite, my baby, my old reliable for the previous 5. It was as if a piece of me had been cut off. Not having this extension of myself leaves me with a strange and unsettling feeling, and while everyone has been kind enough and offered to let me use their cameras, it just doesn't seem right - it feels dirty.

While I was drying my eyes and preparing my mournful descent back down to the group, Brady came by with a small puppy. He was covered in oil, and I offered him my protein bar and he snarfed it down. Glenn gave him some water, and I stayed behind a bit to play before continuing back to the group. As I headed down the beach, I became aware of the puppy crashing into my shins as he tried to follow me through the sand. Suddenly I felt the need to save him, just as I have been notorious for doing with every stray and injured animal I've come across since I was 3. I named him Paco and he followed me all the way down to the tide pools, and even sat through the lecture.

Photo by: Janeane Mancha

It broke my heart to have to leave him there, but it broke Mackenzie's even more because she burst into tears over it. So into the big orange bucket he went and back to CEDO with us, where Glenn and I gave him a bath, and Mackenzie pulled fleas off while I held him. I think we were meant to find him because it just so happened that Felipe, a veterinarian, was on site. Mackenzie also works with animals in Pacos' state on a day to day basis, so if we can get him back, has the resources available to make sure he gets healthy and to a good home, unlike here where he will most likely end up back where he was to die. Thanks to Felipes help and Mackenzies determination to save Paco, he is doing much better already.

Around 2, we went out to go kayaking in the estuaries. Normally these are where the fresh water streams and rivers meet the ocean, but as there has been damming all along those, it has become a negative estuary, meaning there is little to no fresh water present, and there is a high salinity content. Glenn joked about going for the Olympic kayaking team with me, for the ride out we were so far ahead of the rest of the group that we had the opportunity more than a few times to just sit and drift in the middle of the big blue wet stuff. The water was clear and perfect for an afternoon swim, and I absolutely LOVED kayaking. I can tell you this: the only thing my arms are going to be sore from tomorrow is the light sunburn I got from being outside for 3 hours straight. Afterwards we had fresh ceviche and coke from the oyster farmers shack/restaurant. Delicioso!

We headed out to dinner at a local hole in the wall sort of restaurant and it was the best meal I have had here in Mexico so far (aside from Glenn's delicious french toast of course). On the way back, our van (consisting of Liz, Glenn, Xanna, Janeane, Yeltsy and myself) stopped by a supermarket to get some rice to attempt to save my camera. I had a minor heart attack when my change purse wasn't in my bag, and I thank God that it was still out on the ground by the van with everything in it when we left.

Needless to say it has been a very long, and very emotional day for everyone. Tomorrow is a new adventure!