With sparkling volcanic sand surrounding you as the warm waves lick at your feet, it’s easy to let go of all your formal inhibitions and deeper thoughts. You allow yourself to live in a moment where you’re not reflecting, you’re not looking back, and you’re not looking forward either. All that matters is the simplicity of the fleeting moment of bursting laughter that erupts from faces flashing the brightest smiles in the brightest weather. In moments such as these, on the beach and enjoying yourself in it’s open space, you begin to really savor the importance of allocating a set time to simply have fun.
We woke up this morning and headed straight to the beach. From there, we hopped on a boat into the mangroves. We were in an amazing tour where we take this boat through the mangroves, the lush green vegetation surrounding the boat as we smoothly skimmed across this river and got off at a small pier within the mangroves. We made our way ashore, and began a short walk from there to the second beach. This trail was like something from a children’s book, the plants exotic, with a foreign beauty that made you feel like you were in another world. It was from this trail that we spotted the second beach. This beach was a huge, wide, and open private beach with the water sparkling in a brilliant shade of blue. The sand was burning under our feet, and with the sharp feeling on our feet we couldn’t help but sprint to the water to relieve ourselves from the burn of the dry sand. The waves were cool at first, a refreshing contrast to the heat, and in a moment after the water was warm and soothing. We spent a long time almost jousting these waves, and playing frisbee.
From the second beach we took the boat back to the beach we began at, and boarded the bus to travel to a third beach! At this beach, we were led into the second floor of a huge beach restaurant. From here the view was amazing and the food was just as well! After enjoying a hearty meal topped with creme brûlée desserts, we headed down to the beach to explore and relax. We spent hours here, all of us exploring different parts of the beach and enjoying what appealed to us the most.
It’s no doubt that I can lose track of the countless moments and events of which I had fun during this trip, though it was only today that I truly remembered the raw feeling of a careless moment. Whether it be toppling backwards in the water as the whitewash breaks your fall, gathering your strength to burst into a sprint and dive under a wave, or that second you hold your breath to take a picture, careless moments that allow your mind to go blank can do so much for you.
That’s what reminds me of the question of the day: Do you think having fun is part of success? My answer: definitely. See, to have your mind to run in it’s laps and to strengthen itself, you must allow it to sit out and breathe in between. And me and my group did just that today. For some, that breather was a relaxing time with ambient music and a game of cards, for others it may have been jolting sprints into the waves to catch their breath right after. Everyone gravitated towards what makes them the most relaxed, and in turn, the most happy. I enjoyed swimming in the water and taking breaks to take pictures and walk along the shore.
We loved this day, and you could sense it in an almost newfound mood that radiated from us. There was no sense of a duty we could be apprehensive about, no sense of a pressed time to get a task done, or no sense of restraint the way one may feel during a stressful period in school or any type of work. Just a raw, wholesome feeling of a relaxed fun that we really needed. After this day, we are refreshed for the rest of the trip. Coming up are Community Action Project Days and Education Days among the days in which we need our minds clear and relaxed to absorb these new experiences, thoughts, and feelings. I’m looking forward to the rest of the trip!
The beach looked so nice, wish I could be there with you. I am so jealous, you know how much I love the beach Nick. Hope everyone had a great relaxing day. I love cream brûlée too:(((
Mom
Wow Farida… you are an eloquent writer! I got the most beautiful picture in my mind’s eye from your articulate description of the day. And, I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I will anyway… your description of the trail walk between the two beached made me so jealous! It sounded amazing and I wish I could have that experience too! I’ll have to push Xavier to go back there someday and take me. 🙂
I’m so happy for all the wonderful lessons that you are all learning about others and yourselves. And I know all of the family and friends back home love getting to experience all of this vicariously thru your eyes with these posts. Thank you!
( Xav, I’m sure Dad is very jealous about the creme brulee… 🙂 )
What a wonderful depiction for a relaxing, fun day. I’m happy that you guys had a day off to collect your experience from past days and to energize for the ones ahead.
— Ashraf (Dad)
Wow how relaxing you guys look in the beach are yes pass by to say hi and I love you Natalie
Que bueno que se divirtieron y se estén pasándola bien la playa es muy bonita y el agua agradable ,,,i miss you Natalie❤️
Hi Madre(natalie)
Way to go mi madre chula !! It looks like you are having a great time. I know it is a wonderful and valuable educational experience for you and your group. I look forward to hearing your stories when you get back. Enjoy every moment!
Quiero que sepas que estoy muy orgulloso de ti mi niña chula te extraño mucho
#mi nana#mis ojos chulos #mi honey boo-boo# mi niña inteligente te amos buenas noches
Hola a todos,(sorry for duplicate)
It’s so great to see all of you having such an amazing time.
Farida, one word for you “wow” I was right there with all of you. I was already trying to turn the page to keep reading. Great job.
On behalf of all the parents, huge hug to all of you, we miss you but, excited for you.
An extra big hug for you “mi dulce”
P.s keep my baby safe everyone.
Wow the photos are great :)! Super happy for you, have a great time. Mammy
Im pretty sure you guys had lots of fun.!!! Iveth just wanted to let you know how proud I am to be your MOTHER..could not ask for more is just a great, great privilege to have such a wonderful daughters. All these time you’re being away I realized i never told you enough how much I LOVE YOU…and how much you mean to me. Your my first born, my first daughter, MY FIRST EVERYTHING TE KIERO MUCHO..SEE YOU SOON.!
Hey guys hope you are all having fun. Xavier im sorry to tell you I’ve found someone else, you left and I couldn’t help myself
Moses I regret not going because cuddles in another country? I think yes
And bae 😀 stay cute hopefully talk to you soon tootles
Hey Bub,
so happy to see you having a good time at the beach 🙂
also we are so happy that you are able to experience this, and see and appreciate the blessing that you have at home and to be able to experience it with your cousins. Love you all.
Mom, Reyna and Edie
The ocean must be really warm!! I”m glad to see you had a fun day at the beach.
BTW, all the blogs are so well written. I look forward to reading these blogs not only to read up on the recap of the day’s activities but also the blogs are a reflection of the diverse and unique personalities of each of the students. I’m truly proud of each of you!
I agree with everyone here, that was a great blog Farida and I too wish I got to spend this great day playing Frisbee with your group. It is really neat to see that your group is so cohesive and to feel the love from all the families through their comments.