Still in Bahia del Sol

Yesterday Suzi and I were whining to one another about circumstances beyond our control. Today I received this email, along with the above photos of Mandy departing Bahia del Sol, crossing the infamous bar.
- Kris

I have a much better perspective this morning ( and even last night after meditating and glancing across the glassy estuary up to the volcano and puffy clouds). I am a very lucky person in the middle of an awesome trip, learning a hell of a lot about myself......again. I do need some time to myself and I'm hoping that David will make the trip into San Salvador to pick up the generator and check out the marine store with another boater-surfer. Daniel is going to ship to us a new battery charger for the generator and a new antenna, and, since we will be waiting for that stuff, I hope we will at least do a little surf trip up to Libertad and "the rock" on Tuesday with two other couples who are surfers. We met a young surfer who teaches up there, and it would be great to see him again. I will find the time to read Shantaram this week and begin to pay attention to learning the language once again. The staff here are so helpful, and I have been very lazy, not remembering the palabras they have taught to me. I am going to visit Jan's school tomorrow and help her teach English while the kids teach me Spanish.

In spite of the chlorine, I have been exercising in the pool each day and so far it has not bothered me much. We went out in the ponga this morning to help guide a vivacious young couple, Michael and Jody on their 46' Gulfstar, Savannah, get back out the bar and head south. There was some surf, but between sets the seas were glassy after the rain this morning. All is well and it was fun being out there. Rejuleo, the guide is wonderful.

Last thoughts [about] saying good-bye to Mandy one more time. This time it wasn't quite as difficult because I do believe we will find them again in Costa Rica. Virginia left me with a beautiful poem which has uplifted my spirits and has reminded me of why I am on this journey. I am sending it with this email. Thank you, Virginia. May the weather gods be good to you until we see you again. I am sending some pictures of Mandy leaving; she tossed and turned but with Rejuleo's guidance, once again, made it out safe and sound.

Wild Geese
by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep seas, the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese high in the clear blue air
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting,
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.