Island Paradise Day 2

One of the most amazing things about living somewhere remote like this is that there are no roads, no cars, not traffic, no people, no busses, and no taxis. What this means is no noise (except the sound of water lapping against the shore). One of the worst things about living somewhere remote like this is there are no roads, no cars, not traffic, no people, no busses, and no taxis. So when you do something stupid like leave your pillow at the hotel in Utila town, it is a really big deal!

So our second day of paradise began with a long walk along the beach towards town. There is a path of sorts that runs all along the south shore, and it was lovely to see the various coves and other properties built along the way.

Unfortunately there were no pit stops with bathrooms, so today I got to enjoy my first tropical pee in the woods. I felt pretty good about it at the time, but after discovering there are plenty of large snakes on the island, I was thinking that maybe a snake bite on the butt would not be cool. Anyway, it was a lovely walk. What was not pleasant was to see how much garbage – mostly plastic – has been swept ashore.

I am sure you are all aware of the problem of single use plastics and how they are a serious problem in the world’s oceans. There is literally an island of plastic the size of two Texases floating around out there. (It took me longer than I care to admit to decide how to pluralize Texas!) Here on Utila, it is hard to not be aware of the issue. Many restaurants here have banned the use of straws, and they now use stainless steel straws. But, cleaning up the existing mess, and weaning people off their water and pop bottles is a bigger challenge. And while we of the developed world can all do our part and stop buying and using single use plastic, the truth of the matter is, the bottles laying on the beach in Utila are not coming from Grande Prairie, Alberta or Boulder, Colorado. They are washing into the oceans from rivers being polluted inland in developing countries where there are lower levels of education and little to no infrastructure for garbage collection. It is not going to be any easy fix.

And by the way, you certainly are not likely to see the garbage when looking at lots for sale or vacation properties. Often the "reality" is hidden from people. Where we are living there is a man named Mario and his wife and daughter who live behind the property. Each day he goes out in front of our house and cleans up the plastic and burns it.

And while everyone is probably aware of the plastic problem - no one seems to be talking about the shoe problem. Besides the tons (literally) of plastic, there were thousands of shoes on the beach. Shoes of every shape, size and colour! Flip flops, sandals, sneakers, hiking boots, high heels - you name it. At first it grossed me out, but them my sandal broke and I found myself sifting through the piles looking for a size 7 right foot. Thousands of shoes and not a single right foot. Seriously, they were all lefts! Now THAT'S creepy.

After our walk down the beach we came to a lagoon which virtually cuts off the south shore from Utila Town. Fortunately there is a small boat there that can ferry you across for the price of two cold beers - which at that point was well needed because shoe shopping in the sun is thirsty work!

After the ferry ride comes another 20 minute walk into town where I was able to retrieve my pillow and two yoga mats. Come on, you can’t tell me that your tropical island dream does not include standing on the beach in your lulu lemons kissing your ankles! Well, whatever, mine does!

While going to town was quite a journey, it was also a great opportunity to pick up the bag of bananas and pineapple I left on the chair in the grocery store yesterday. And, yes, it was still there. The bananas were black and fermented and covered in fruit flies, but they were still there. So we packed them up in Steph’s knapsack, put the pillow and the matts in a bag, and headed back to the ferry…which naturally has just left…so, two more beers, another hour, and we were back on the right side of the lagoon and walking the miles back down the beach in the heat of the day with banana booze beginning to leak down Stephane's back!

Upon arrival back home, we were greeted by some strange guests: A small brown dog who is pretty sure she lives here

and has been sleeping on the porch by the door for several hours, and an army of ants. Not a few ants. AN ARMY OF ANTS! There were NO ants yesterday, but today, OMG! So before we could start drinking the bananas we had a small war to fight. Stephane won, of course, but not before emptying two cans of some toxic spray into our house, and half a bottle of bleach. It took an hour, but we are now ant free, and back staring out our window at the beautiful view, enjoying some unique banana brandy! Cheers!