After nearly three months, I returned home. My first impression of the island was not what I expected. In fact, I felt people were pretty joyous. October has already proved itself a thousand times better than September.
The good part: My plane only had a handful of others. Therefore, I claimed an exit seat and watched Despicable Me 3 in full legroom comfort.
The bad part: As we approached the island I was fixated on the "white caps" I saw in every direction. These waves turned out to be debris miles out at sea. Everywhere. I was in awe at the never ending floating trash.
The good part: Green! Life is sprouting in every direction. Sure it's chaotic, but it's alive and it's happening– quickly. Our TV certainly didn't survive Irma, but this flower did. Do humans actually rule this earth? Debatable.
The bad part: Although the islanders and military are working hard to get everything back to normal, the mountains of trash will be growing for quite awhile. And I'm not exaggerating when I say mountains. They are larger than life... and, well, everywhere.
The good part: The beaches are rebounding. We drove past Mullet Bay, which was the deepest turquoise I'd ever seen it. This may have also been due to its contrast against the lagoon water. (This area used to be blocked by trees, so you couldn't see both at the same time... now it is all open.)
The good part: Nature rules. The sun sets and the landscape stays in a shadow. Few lights twinkle in the hills, but billions more from above. Again, nature shines on where humans cannot. So thank you, Universe, for not going dark on us– even when we take room and board, pay no rent, and do little to upkeep our home. We love you, we just don't always show it.
