Here’s a quick recap of my last few days:
- I received clearance from the doctor and got back in the water Monday. Today I had another break through surf day. I can consistently pop up and surf the white wash on my monster green table. I feel really comfortable getting up and walking around on the board. I think I am ready to tackle the big waves or move to a smaller board; but not both at the same time.
- Last night I spent about 30 minutes trying to find a loud and rather obnoxious cricket in my room. Every time I got close, he would stop making his freakishly loud noises. I finally narrowed his location down to in or around my backpack. I had left the zipper open and was certain the noise was coming from inside. I emptied it and shook everything out but found nothing. The sound never came back so I figured that my commotion had finally chased the cricket away. I began to repack my travel pants and other warm clothing I will never need in 90 degree weather when a giant cricket ran out and stopped right next to my tennis shoe. Sucker. I wish I could say that I am so nice as to have escorted him out of the room, but I’m not. The cricket will no longer be a problem.
- In the months before I left I would run into various members of the San Diego Fire Department all over town. Mostly it was because 3 different departments do their grocery shopping at the Albertsons by my house, and Firefighters do a lot of grocery shopping. But I also saw them when driving, walking, at Starbucks, the bank, everywhere. I joked that I was being stalked, and it’s now official. My neighbors are members of the San Diego Fire Department. I am once again reminded of what a small world it is.
- The 24 security staff working at my hostel/hotel are some of the nicest and most respectful guys I have met. This is important because it’s not always the case. At my last place, the security guard followed me to my room one night and posted himself temporarily on my semi-private patio. It was dark and I am certain he was hoping I would leave the curtain open while I changed, but I was too smart to fall for that old trick.
- Most third world countries have no safety laws and walking in public spaces can often be very dangerous. I have seen sidewalks with giant holes in the middle, sidewalks that end much like a plank over a deep crevice, and all sorts of other crazy stuff. Here the sidewalk has a 6-inch wide, 6-inch deep channel in it, I am guessing for some kind of weird drainage system. After walking over it every day for nearly 3 weeks, today I planted my left foot right in it and fell on my butt. Thankfully, no one was there to witness the fall and my ego did not suffer any damage. My ankle suffered minimal damage.
