We arrived here in Xcalak one week ago today, and we're still getting used to living by the sea. The weather was very rainy for the first 3 days, and then it turned for the better - with the occasional quick rain storm (very windy!!!). All of us, except for Leo. have difficulty sleeping the night and we can't quite figure out why. It's not too hot or cold, the beds are very comfortable, so maybe the silence! For me, the mosquitoes have a lot to do with it. My feet are covered with bites, and it's driving me CRAZY!!! Especially at night... I try every single cream that we have to sooth the itch, some kind of work better than others. We're going to town tomorrow (Majahual) and I will look for something more efficient. Anyone knows of a natural way to sooth mosquitoe bites? Please let me know!!! I'll try anything - lemon juice, banana peel, butter... really!
We started to practice snorkeling in front of our beach house to get used to the equipment, and the boys and Tim loved it! Tim spotted a lion fish the first time we went in, too soon and too close... these are a real pest but I'm glad that the boys could see one up-close, and that they are aware of them. The following day we practiced some more and we saw a barracuda, again I was glad that they could see small one and that they are now able to identify them. There are many little fish as soon as we get in the water, a lot of little striped yellow and black fish, some little purple ones with a yellow belly and tale, and many sand colour fish. Dylan seemed a bit concerned about going out farther to snorkel since we got here, and he did not want to go for kayak rides. Yesterday I accompanied Tim and Dylan to a small reef near our house and not too far out, for their first real snorkel experience (Leo and I had to Skype with his teacher). They were amazed at the difference in the fish so close to shore, and swam through schools of blue fish and saw many other beautiful ones, all around this small reef garden. They loved it, and Dylan wants to go every single day now!
The birds are also plentiful around here. Many migratory birds like cranes and cormorans, and others which we would like to identify eventually. On is black and twice the size of a robin, with beautiful bright blue wings and a bright yellow bill, and they travel in groups. I saw a yellow parakeet, and as I am getting better aquainted with our camera I will try to capture some good images to better identify them.
The sea shore is covered with conch shells, never saw so many - there are thousands! Unfortunately even in such a remote location, the beach is also littered by all kinds of plastic waste carried by the sea. Sad sight, but eye opening for the boys.
Today will be a busy day, a lot of school work for Leo since I received his evaluation papers for this trimester. I am helping him revise the subject matters every day, and give him the document to complete on Friday morning. I will find a good reward, he works hard and it's not easy for him to do school work here. I also have to prepare for my first classes which will take place tomorrow. I already translated some songs and activities that I do in French - this way I am comfortable with the material instead of learning all new songs. Let's get to work! Hasta luego!
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