Living in a rainforest...
When I decided to move to my island, I did a lot of research, so some things I already knew and understood. I would be surrounded by water on every side, hence it’s called an island. There would be beaches with sand and some with rock, again, it’s an island. I expected boats, and a more casual attire, even though I am still learning what exactly that means and what is appropriate in different situations; formal can be formal, and then again, flip flops work there too. Well, in my vast knowledge based on research I knew the Northside of the island is cooler, gets more rain, and has a more prevalent breeze, especially during the winter winds. That sounded lovely, so that is where I wanted to be, and where I ended up landing.
Toward the top of the highest mountain (almost 1500’ above sea level), who knew that I would live in the same elevation as my home in Kansas City? I also didn’t realize I would be living in the jungle, rainforest to be exact. How much of a rainforest you ask? 100% rainforest! It has rained at some point every day for the last two months. Granted most of the time it is before most folks wake up and lasts but only a few minutes. Other times, it has been typhoon like winds and blowing gusts of rain so hard that my Jeep gets covered in banana tree leaves and coconut palms. What I find joyful is that yes it has rained a lot, but at the same time the sun is out just as much. It’s a bright rain every day. I have always known that I could never live in the Northwest of the US or Europe due to the potential for prolonged gloomy weather. Yes, I have been known to suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) during winter, spring, and when I can’t see the sun for 4 plus days at a time. Don’t worry, I am not one that would take myself out due to the never ending gloomy, dark, sad days; no, I’m a giver, I would take others out because of it. So, here with all the rain I was really thinking it would end badly for all those around me. But actually it hasn’t at all! Yes, it’s wet for a minute, then it is dry because the sun is up at the same time. Nutty!
The rainforest also adds great value to Marcy’s Deep Thoughts. All the rain helps the trees, flowers, and vines grow like wildfire. I have never experienced anything like it before, duh I lived in Kansas. The forest is so alive and green right now that vines grow. When I say vines, I mean VINES! These are thick hearty appendages that dangle from the sky. Honestly, I have never looked up long enough to see exactly which trees they originate from, so thinking the sky makes them works for me. Because they hang down so low, in some cases all the way to the ground, and they are so hearty (approx. 1/4” – ½” thick), they cause me to consistently have three thoughts on a rotating basis, EVERY time I come or go from my apartment. 1) Tarzan should be swinging by me any moment know….wait, do I hear his call? 2) I feel like I’m driving through a car wash, but my car is not getting cleaner and they might actually be removing paint from my roof (thank goodness I haven’t taken the roof panels off, I might lose an eye), and 3) there should be monkeys here! Why don’t we have any monkeys? We have vines for them to play on, there should be monkeys! Now I’m off for another island adventure, and yes the anticipation of one of Marcy’s Deep Thoughts. Which one will it be, Tarzan, Car Wash, or Monkeys? Oh the excitement of anticipation!
