Where I do yoga...

Where I do yoga Monday mornings. The sound of the birds singing and the waves rolling and the feel of the gentle breeze is good for the soul. Ahhhh relaaaaaax....  Right after we started yoga this morning a sail boat went by and I wanted to stop and take a picture but I didn't want to break the zen mode. Our instructor is a white lady named Trudi.  She's probably about 60 and has gray dread locks all the way down to her ankles.  She's pretty amazing at helping guide your mind to a peaceful place.

 

Sitting by the dock of the bay...

Megan fishing with her summer school class down in Portsmouth

 And me under PBH dock- Taken by my friend, Brad Urias

Snorkeling Club- Douglas Bay

I've been here for TWO WEEKS! wow. trippy. It actually feels like I've been here longer. I love it.  This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life.  I love the contrast between the fresh lush green everywhere and the old rustic houses and boats.  The ocean is so calm and blue.  The sand is black... at least at the beach I usually go to.  All the beaches have different sand.  
 
Pictured below is our weekly Snorkeling Club outing.  My first outing with the group.  Today we went to Douglas bay.  It's littered in a bit, but there is so much life out there!  I got to know a lot about snorkeling and the sea life there.  Elizabeth Schriver kind of showed me the ropes.

 Vase sponges-top view

 This little blue fish with the glowing spots and yellow tail is called a Jewel Fish.  I loved seeing these! It sparkles a lot more in person.

I

 This photo doesn't seem that interesting until you take a closer look.  See the ray burrowed in the sand?  He's facing left and his tail goes off to the right.

 Here's another ray that's much more visible.

 These little stripey guys are called Sergeant Majors.

 A porous sponge exposed

 A little underwater Treasure Island...

The Gang - Kristen, Jessica, Adam, Grant (Adam's friend that was visiting), Shannon, Katerina, Liz, and Brad.  All but Adam and Grant are student spouses.

Get Closer

i know, i know!  i'm so sorry i haven't posted more about Dominica!  I've been on the island 9½ days but i feel like I've been here for a month. or more.  The kids are in their summer camp, I've made a lot of bread and new friends.  I've built black sand castles, taken a million taxis, been devoured by mosquitoes, and seen a ton of crabs- they live in holes all over just like groundhogs or prairie dogs.  We've got some huge ones living in the lot next to our house so whenever I come out at night to do laundry I see their beady eyes staring at me as they shuffle back in their holes. The ocean is so close that after only a week the novelty has worn off. The Caribbean sea is so calm. The waves gently lap on the shore- there is no way you'd be able to surf on it.  At least not where I've been.  It's the perfect temperature- a tiny bit cool when you get in, but you get used to it after 30 seconds. Tomorrow I go snorkeling )


I promise i'll post more pictures and a play by play of the end of my trip, but i saw a video just nowthat i wanted to share.  I like it so here you go.

Celebrating US Independence in Dominica

Soooo July fourth is a much different day in Dominica.  In fact, all the normal holidays are.  It's just a day like any other day and the only way you know it's a holiday is if you keep track of your calendar.  Today we got together with the student families in our branch and had a swimming party.  No fireworks, nothing patriotic or heart warming, just swimming.  At least we got to try out the waterproofness of our camera and kind of learn what works and what doesnt.  Boys who wont stand still, for instance, can not get a clear picture underwater. ;)

Matthew and Aaron doing their usual acrobatics in the pool

look at those cute teeth

 whoa I look weird.

They love seeing the bubbles on the pictures

Squirmies

I think somebody lost their shoes.

Nope, he's not dead.

Time to go home!  Gnight all!  And enjoy some fireworks for me!