Luminescence.

   

      We slipped easily through the calm waters to the other side of the bay. It was pitch black, on this moonless night but I didn’t feel at all uncomfortable. As we kayaked into the little cove the fish became startled, I watched fascinated as the luminescence lit a path behind the fish when they swam away from our boats. I could see the outline of each fish as they swam, they were all small, nothing over a foot. The luminescence in this cove is amazingly bright, I've never seen anything so magical. I reached over the side of my boat and stroked the water, the droplets lit up in my hand. A handful of diamonds, it was breathtaking.

       The boys jumped into the water and were splashing each other like crazy, brilliant bursts of light followed their every movement. I didn't hesitate to join them, the water was cool and refreshing. As I moved the luminescence encased me in a glittery glow, I loved the way I felt as I swam in the water. So very alive, I took deep breaths of air and listened to the laughter around me.

       Dave brought out a bunch of super soakers and we spent hours spraying each other with beads of light. The streams of water reminded me of roman candles.  It was an enchanting, mystical world. Fireflies hovered on the embankment, drawn by the sparkling lights we created. The boys were loud and wild, but I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun. In so many ways they are rambunctious and crazy but there’s also this amazing loyalty and love between them. I treasure these moments, I know they will be with me for a lifetime.

Jump Up!

    Musicians and vendors set up in the streets to sell their wares, there were steel drum players  on every corner and people in colorful costumes dancing in the streets to the calypso music. I wandered by them, taking everything in. The girls were beautiful, dressed in bright colorful dresses. One girl danced up to me and threw several beaded necklaces around my neck. She laughed as she pulled me into her dance, I tried to follow along, but she was too fast for me. I laughed and threw up my hands as I wandered over to where a vendor was cooking some kind of meat on a cabob. It smelled wonderful.

    I bought one, and stood to the side while I ate it. I love listening to the musical voices of the local people mixed in with the metallic sound of the steel drums. It sounds like a living song. A small parade of people wearing shiny masks danced by. They threw candy and more beads to the crowd as everyone cheered and yelled for more. After about a half hour I had twenty strands of beads around my neck.

     As it grew later the streets became more and more tightly crammed with people and it got harder to get around.  Normally the crowds would have bothered me, but I was too distracted by the Mocko Jumbies. I’d read earlier that the meaning comes from Moko, an African god, and Jumbi, which is a West Indian term for good spirits or ghosts, so they are "Good Gods" or "Good Spirits." They danced in the streets on high stilts and wore colorful costumes with masks. Their presence was said to be a blessing, to mock evil spirits and scare them away. I was fascinated by how well they could dance on their high stilts to the lively Calypso of the steel pan drums. As they danced they touched people’s hands and posed for pictures. One of them danced over to me and I held my hand up, but then froze. He was wearing a mask, but I knew those eyes. He winked at me, but before I could say anything he danced away.

The Catapillar

 

    This caterpillar doesn't even look real.... it looks like some thing out of "Alice in Wonderland!" I lightly poked it  and it reared up and attacked the stick!! This thing is seriously scary and mean!!