Flores

Arriving in Flores in the late afternoon, it seemed as if we had stumbled upon paradise. A room with electricity full time, a lake spread out before us, lots of little restaurants with tables on the patios, people strolling up and down the “boardwalk,” people even swimming off of the dock, and a rooftop deck with hammocks and tables and chairs on which to hang out and feel the breeze. The weather was lovely with the humidity cooling off as the sun set over the water. Birds were going crazy squacking and flying back and forth between the rooftops and a tree right next to our room. I had a dinner of nachos at one of the lake-side restaurants and used their internet before we settled into bed for the night. A little bit uneasily, as the mattresses were definitely marked by bedbugs. (I am an expert in these matters.)

The next morning, I felt like being lazy again and spent some time reading in the hammock on the roof before Jody pulled me away to make arrangements. It was overcast and slightly misty and I really didn't want to do anything other than sit and stare at the water. Feeling exhausted, I followed her around the tiny town until I was overwhelmed by making decisions and returned to the hammock to read and photograph the sunset for the rest of the afternoon and evening. The clouds are really incredible. I had two hours to myself for the first time on the trip and the loud birds kept me company. My mom hired a boat by herself and floated around the lake until it was past dark.

It is at this point in the trip that eating and making arrangements has become a real chore. How often at home do you sit down for a full three meals a day? Spending so much time thinking about ordering and waiting and then focusing on eating gets really tiring. I know this sounds like a real White Whine, (aka First World Problems), but it's true. In cultures that still have large family meals, you only sit down to one or two together. All I want is a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich that I pay for first and then eat mindlessly while walking or sitting on my bed.

I was still feeling really down so I made a phone call which I usually never do while traveling because it feels like cheating. I started crying as soon as I finished dialing but they were happy tears and I felt much better afterwards.

Tonight is the last night of Chanukah! My mom has extra candles because we skipped a night or two in the middle, so after the first set of candles goes out, she lights them again.

I fall asleep instantly and have vivid dreams. I am blaming it on the malaria pills.