de lynn in paradise

Had to try and send this quick list i wrote days ago while I have the chance as another storm is coming in, the streets are flooding and the power keeps going out but... of all things to stop and make you think...today I saw a man die and his last words were...'the snorkeling is great here' then back under the water he went...
He was large and elderly but was enjoying his Cruise and time with family through these tropical parts and just had a heart attack while under water snorkeling. The whole island and all of us in proximity and those that did CPR are all reeling but comforted by his last words and the good time he was having. But it has reminded us all of friends and family that are far away so I wanted to send my love and remind you all that you are missed, and you should take that vacation you have been thinking about NOW! Note to self= no defibrillators or oxygen on dive boats down here...or probably anywhere near by...
More on diving and life lessons later but here are some previous random thoughts...
?<# Don't be surprised if your barefoot Island Doctor looks like a mix between Jimmy Buffet and Weird Al and offers no apology for your 7hour wait but informs you of all the island gossip and inbreeding that he blames for all the mental illness on the island, tells you that Island woman are the downfall of every good man...all while puffing on a cigarette. I think he lost his shaker of salt. A question in the local pub on 'quiz night' is 'how many countries can the Island Dr. still practice in?' the answer was two, i fell off my chair laughing. I felt most like Harpo Marx while 'acting out' that I am an experienced horseback rider...can't you picture me playing 'charades' all around the stable riding an invisible pony? Telling someone you don't speak Spanish will not stop the 3 hours of explanations about all the trees, plants, fruits, animals, insects in sight, so act appreciative. You can put 5 people on one motorcycle, babies hang off to the side. Coca Cola is the only true Super Power. A dorm room may only cost 5 dollars but your pizza is still $12 and a smoothie is $5= bring more money. Two types of divers/ those that pee in their wetsuits and those that admit to peeing in their wetsuits. Guess which one I am? I have now included this information during introductions. Can't get a good cup of coffee/ only Nescafe on the whole island of Utila / Central America what? Fruit and vegetables are hard if not impossible to find / Tropical Island what? Sometimes I pretend, unsuccessfully, not to speak English to avoid the frustration of 4hours of stories in Island accents that are too think to understand / English what? Avoid hearing all nightmare dive stories until after you swim with the sharks, dolphins and whales...phew...just made that one. Water Taxis are just cooler...well, because, they are Water Taxis. Speedos are alive and well just in case you were wondering. Just because you have paid for a private boat charter around the Island doesn't mean your captain wont stop to talk to all the pretty girls, visit friends, make a dozen phone calls and drink a dozen beers. Pretending to think I look around 25yrs old, does not make us better friends. Sometimes it's good to make friends with the local 'tough guy, but sometimes it's scarey to be friends with the local 'tough guy'/ he killed the shark that tried to attack him, cut him open and got his regulator back. I now have a 'diver's tan' which looks like I am wearing a 'white suit' at all times... No one gets their money back because it's called a 'fishing trip' not a 'catching trip'... An elderly man in a speedo, with his mullet in corn rows, is just...well, I don't know what that is... My favorite custom/ when you ask for your bill they ask you how many beers you have had (you are asking me? but i am the one who has been drinking...) or how many nights did you stay at the Hotel, I am not sure, I was the one asleep. Washing and drying your own clothes in 95% humidity is just funny... I am repeatedly asked how I was talked into eating termites, but I guess I keep forgetting to mention that my jungle guide's name was Darwin...it was an obvious choice. It's hard to leave a small tropical Island...literally, it's hard to leave...help... love to all, delynn speaking little Spanish since 1967