Looking out the bus window is like watching a documentary. You see lots of landscape and snippets of the daily life. Here are a few: freshly washed green everywhere; balsa trees with thick, smooth mossy green trucks & canopy of leaves on top; rolling hillsides pastured by cows who are herded by cowboys; scores of isolated bamboo or board houses with rusted tin roofs on stilts with hammocks strung under them and lines and lines of clothing drying all around them; children playing in mud puddles that often surround these houses; scores of small towns with tiny stores made of rough cement or homemade red bricks covered with tin roofs; all in slow motion and peaceful. My favorite site was right beside me on the bus...the face of a 13 day old infant in her mother's arms. He little whimpers, content expression after nursing and then as she slept deeply on the over crowded bus as the worn tasseled curtains flapped above her. I wondered what her life would be like. I reflected back on all the precious infants I have cradled...my children & grandchildren...and I could almost feel the wind of time blast by me!
Mompiche
We are awed by the beauty of this bay and the quiet village of Mompiche. It has everything that gorgeous beach resort have...except high rise hotel, large gift shops, lots of tourist and diet coke. Our hotel is mostly bamboo and thatched roof with a large veranda and a panoramic view of the bay where frigates and pelicans swoop...for $30. Several young surfers have found this place and we watch as them as they ride the waves. One of the couples...Dan and Michele...we met in Canoa followed us here so we have shared laughs, stories and meals...one where they had ordered grilled chicken before we arrived and found out there was pizza...so we shared both meals. The pizza was cooked in a portable oven on the beach and topped with fresh peaches and pineapple ... the costliest meal so far $22! For breakfast we all got crepes with rich bananas and a thick caramel topping.l We also have sucked down more delicious juices. Today Rog was encouraged to smell a variety of fruit before it was put in the blender. He found another great tasting juice, araza. Mostly we dine on fish and shrimp served with rice and deep fried fresh cut potatoes. Not losing any weight! Our long beach walks hopefully help me from gaining weight!!
