THE ISLAND OF AMAPALA PART 2 - A story of survival, sun burns, fresh fish, lemonade, and being the luckiest gringas in all of Honduras.

Sunday – A day for Adventure

When I last left you, my friends and I had surrendered to the night, and nestled ourselves (5 strong) into two twin beds.

Upon recommendation, we took a small buggy car, meant for 3 passengers, to a great beach by the name of Playa Negra. There, we were greeted by about ten children under the age of eleven. Whether they were siblings or friends, these little ones were children of the water, beach babies, having been practically raised in the ocean.

(PC: Christina H.)

Perhaps growing up I rode my bike around the neighborhood with Molly, rollerbladed with Jenna to 7eleven, or played video games with Holly. However, these niños, no doubt, spent their childhood frolicking in the waves. Their daily attire was composes of bathing suits, and rather than shoes, they ran around on their sand-encrusted toes. While the older kids would swim out into deep waters with us, the littlest ones flirted with the idea of learning to swim, jumping around in shallow waters.

On the beach was a small restaurant with an open porch. Music was played loudly, so even when swimming far out into the ocean, one could still enjoy the music. They played salsa, reggaeton, and American pop culture. I believe our favorite was the Latin version of "We Are the World," perfectly entitled "Somos el Mundo," complete with a break down bridge by Wisin y Yandel and Pitbull. *What what* A small family also called this restaurant home, with a small living area in the back. Composed of a mother, father, and two daughters, we quickly felt welcome and at home, resting in hammocks and playing with the little ones. We made figures in the sand, and played games in the water. Kate let one little girl get into her makeup. That became an art project within itself. J

Locals sat around in chairs drinking beers. After about an hour on the beach, local teenage boys showed up and hung around. Word must have gotten out that gringas were around.

We continued to play in the water with the little ones. At one point I slept in a hammock for at least an hour. I have found nothing on earth compares the quality of nap provided by a swinging hammock. J

We heard word that the mother of this residence was a phenomenal cook. She offered to make us a fish dinner for about 70 lempira (approximately $3.50), so as we swam and took pictures with my waterproof disposable camera (which I had bought during my trip to Jamaica), the mother cooked our dinner.

We ate like kings. SO AMAZING. SO AMAZING. Each of us were given a plate like this: our own fish, rice, fried plantains, and or course tortillas. Emily taught me how to really clean off the bones. My new best friend, Angie, sat with me, and Kate’s new little best friend, Angie’s sister, sat with us as well. They were the daughters of the house. Their mother brought each of them out half a fish. They knew how to clean that fish as well - eyes and all.

What a life those little girls must have. Living richly off of nothing. The beach and the fish making up their summer’s day.

After dinner we called a little buggy car to pick us up and take us back to the dock. We believed our last boat would be leaving soon….

(TO BE CONTINUED)