salty, sandy, and cool wind. hot sun. oily sunscreen. white powder under feet. blue-greens. green-blues. coconut laden palms bowing in the evening tide. rocks. boats. driftwood. small people squealing in delight with the crashing of each wave. pages turning. creeping afternoon shade. low rolling oceanic roar. cotton white clouds. “you are okay? you want to drink something?” sun bleached blue lounge chair cushions. lobster red neighbors. brown waves of seaweed. palm fronds crackling in the breeze. booming techno base of 11am water aerobics. periodic sharing of literary insights/noteable quotations. ‘crepes time!’ falling asleep to the hum of the air conditioner ever so slightly muffling the disco tunes. “jambo!” whistles blowing. fresh, bright colorful array of kikoys. swim caution level flags changing from green to yellow. the somali’s camel lumbering up and down the beach looking for rider fares. sun sinking behind the roofs at dusk. the clinking of buffet plates. the laughter of friends. the quiet of nothing more to say. the anticipation of departure and return to life and responsibility. the kayak tipping when “lean!” is lost in the breeze. snorkeling along in pools of fish the likes of which I have only ever seen in Nemo. drinks with flowers of the tropics stuck in them. the slap of a card well played. alarm-less mornings. swimsuits slightly damp from yesterday’s fun. salt cleansing wonder of a hot shower. date nights and late nights. shorts. pants. jewelry. initial awkwardness of hanging out with close friends wearing what seems like next to nothing all day since everyday life involves showing not even one’s knees. beach shopping. dusting the sand out of the sheets before sleep. the snap of the sunscreen lid. the crust of salt/sand in the corners of your eyes. the beach.