July 2 – St. Lucia

Rain Forest Green!

A Rain Forest Humming Bird

So many varieties of everything!

 Two Sticks

Our ariel tram above it all!

Amazing pine

         Hiking poles symbolically transmit images of strength, health, the great outdoors and vigor; canes – disability, poor health, and limited mobility. Alternating I am accorded different reactions – sympathy, respect if caning; smiles, envy if poling. “Two sticks,” are superior anywhere, anytime, no frowns, stares or a quarter given. Add shakes, to the head of the line. 

Rainforest

         Lush, green, mountainsides hidden beneath a canopy of vines, trees, and plants; we go to the top. An hour through, up, and over this dense jungle-like forest, serenaded by birds singing and the rush of the wind, serenity enveloping the six of us in a open cage-like pod. Pictures will not capture but memories will.     

        

Rich and Poor

         Distributed in different proportions about the planet are the rich and the poor. Differences in the Caribbean remain huge; poverty reigns within this beautiful blue sea. School children on dusty playgrounds beside crumbling buildings are surrounded by barbwire, they return home to tin roofs and dirt floors while the rich sail in the postcard bay.

Excursions

         Avoiding poverty, deteriorating infrastructures, and unsafe sanitary conditions, southern Caribbean cruise line excursions rout passengers to safe harbors and to sites distant from infected areas. Or, they purchase, take over businesses, and rout profits to their distant corporation. Improvements to the destination ports remain minimal; how long can you bite the hand that feeds you?

Specialty Restaurant

         Memories abound from cruising with our children and grandchildren, the highlight a specialty dinner from and shared by them. The food was exquisite, the service immaculate; when asked if I was pleased, I told the waiter, “It was an orgasmic experience.” Tonight we dined in a specialty restaurant; excellent dining, but we miss the kids.