06.28.03
Relaxing on the beach
Saturday June 28, 2003 – Santa Marta
Today the vacation officially kicked into high gear. The morning was devoted to lying around on a hammock under a banana leaf hut right next to the beach. There is hardly anyone on this end of the beach so I had a soundtrack of ocean waves and children playing as I read my book. Beach sellers come by regularly offering soda, popsicles and cocadas[1]. One can lie around reading, jump in the ocean, come back out for some more lying around, nap, lie around some more… it is really quite wonderful. The day was devoted to slothful relaxation, tropical breezes and swimming in warm ocean water. Carmen made my all time favorite drink, guanabana juice, and cooked coconut rice, patacones[2], papa sudada[3], fish caught that morning by her brother for the fish eaters and broiled steak for me[4].
1 = A delicious candy made from caramelized milk and coconut. Cocadas come in dozens of flavors and variations.
2 = Fried plantain bananas.
3 = Delicious boiled potatoes.
4 = I am allergic to all seafood so when others eat fish I either eat meat or content myself with side dishes.