Life in Nassau

After our snorkeling adventure I was eager to freshen up, but as we were walking back we saw three women dressed in these black and gold greatly decorated costumes, almost resembling a bird as feathers were attached to their backs. Then we heard the music that led us away from our path and brought us into a parade. The street was flooded with colors, music and the people of the island, all celebrating the new year. As we shifted through the crowded audience and found a seat on the bleachers, were were able to catch the ending part of the parade, where the theme was celebrating American culture. Floats of gigantic size models of Prescient Obama, President Lincoln, Hilary Clinton and other revered figures shadowed over the crowd and moved down the street. Those not guiding the floats wore elaborate costumes that stretched past their own height. The live music of the parade took over the atmosphere as almost everyone was dancing or singing along. Everything and everyone felt united. The energy was intense, and it was energy that was created at 2 in the morning when the parade started and was still continuing strong. After the parade we wanted a deeper exploration of the island and sought to go on a tour. To schedule a tour we approached a group of local men all dressed in business attire ready to engage in a business meeting outside of the office. The first man we approached told us to wait a few minutes while he solicited to other customers to come on the tour. As we waited, we heard a deep voice coming from behind us saying " You want to know something?". As we turned around we saw a tall,slender man with dark skin dressed in a suit and tie sitting on the wall behind us. As our eyes locked onto hi as he gazed up at the cruise ships in front of us and he began to tell us some unfamiliar facts. He informed us about the process of bringing the ships into the harbor. He told us that the captain of each ship would bring the ship as close to the port as he could then he would let ago of the wheel and allow the island locals to then navigate the ship. When he saw that he had our attention he introduced himself and continued on indulging us in facts about Nassau. As he spoke to us, he gestured with his hand but kept his eyes moving from us to the crowds walking by, always ready to solicit a new customer. When he would notice a large group coming towards him he would quickly excuse himself to kindly approach the crowd. He would also greet them with the most welcoming attitude, repeating greetings such as " Hello, how are you , happy new year." I watched hopefully as he approached families, couples, groups of women and men, with charm and determination but after each approach he was always given the same answer, " no." Some said they had already seen the island before, others were just interested in the beaches. After about 30 minutes of waiting he was unable to get any more customers for our tour, but he was able to taxi us to Atlantis. Atlantis was a short trip, as we walked around the resort. When we returned to Nassau we walked around, went to the straw market where 100s of different souvenirs could be found. Walking around down town I was amazed by the creative crafts such as designs of conch shells and recycled soda that were crafted into miniature airplanes, cars and trucks. Also as assortment of colorful paintings. Nassau is definitely an island where your craft is your profession. I encourage anyone who visits the island to take a tour. You were learn and see things that you wouldn't see on your own. Support the island people who are so passionate about their home

Metamorphus

Metamorphosis- The eyes of a child gazes at the world in amazement. Not fully understanding their surrounds but taking in everything that is observed. The eyes of an adult does not gaze but watches, observes, analyzes and sometimes looks over. When we grow older our brains learn to critically think, a crucial skill nonetheless, but it is as if our brains were told that you can't believe in both logic and magic. I was reminded of this youthful amazement when a parent brought in some caterpillars to our class. When we presented the caterpillars and talked about the process with the children, and had them share their ideas, they were so excited about it that caterpillars and butterflies became the center of the world. I would often check on the caterpillars to see how the were doing. To see if they had started webbing so that we can move them to their nest. I looked at them merely as an observer not as an admirer. They were hairy and weird looking to me. After a few days I caught myself. I was treating these creatures, who in their first state weren't the most attractive things , like a daily task. I've talked about the process, spent most of my day reading books about these creatures but never stopped to really think how this process is truly unique, amazing and really unexplainable. How one creature can start off in one form and completely change it's genetic makeup. As we grow older and the responsibilities pile on everything because a job, or a task to complete. And half the time the most enjoyment we get is from consuming the contents of a bottle or from escaping on a vacation to a foreign place. Us adults need to remember to pause and realize the beauty, the wonder and the mystery around us and appreciate it. While our brain holds countless information, mostly of all the things we need to take care, it also holds our memories. I want my memories to be of something beautiful, remember the smell of a flower,or the smiles of my friends and families. Things will always need to get done, and eventually we will get them done, but if we don't appreciate the little things I feel like we are all caterpillars stuck in our cocoons. Stuck inside of chrysalis of routine, tasks, and order. Never letting ourselves become as beautiful as we can be, never turning into that butterfly and soaring through life. The irony of this story is that when we got the caterpillars we accidentally almost killed them. We put the container that they were inside in a glass jar that sealed tight. We thought an extra layer around their original jar would keep them safe in case one of our children decided to pick up the jar, or if it got knocked over. Didn't take into account that by locking the jar we were cutting off their oxygen flow. Luckily we reopened the jar just in time, right before the passed out forever. Taking this experience a step further, if you don't see the beauty and the wonder in a caterpillar turning into a butterfly take the time to find the beauty and wonder in your life. Whether its someone always remembering your birthday, receiving or giving a handmade gift. Look through the eyes of a child and see if you are amazed.