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Patience Mackarness's avatar

I really enjoyed this, especially the fascinating (from a safe distance) wildlife. Have a great writing interlude!

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you, Patience!

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Sherry V. Chidwick's avatar

Ah, I was laughing by the end--at your expense, unfortunately. 💜 As a fellow nomad, older than I imagine, trying to balance writing with stubborn insistence on doing and seeing it all, I get it. All of it. But having been stung by one of those pretty blue Portuguese Man-o-War jellies, I can safely say you made the right choice in the end. Here's to your word count! 🍷

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thanks, Sherry! Fortunately, we were laughing at ourselves, too. It's funny when humans think they can change reality just with their will. (And I'll be extra careful with avoiding the Portuguese Man-o-Wars next time!)

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Sherry V. Chidwick's avatar

I was walking along a beach in Papua New Guinea when I saw the little blue bodies littering the beach, much like you described. I remember the feeling of picking my way through the danger zone--fascinated by the beauty and the danger, all rolled into one delicate package. One of those long, nearly invisible tails still managed to find my bare foot and immediately latched on. I made the mistake of trying to shake it free by kicking my leg out repeatedly. Nope. I only succeeded in flinging it in rapidly decreasing circles so it had no choice but to wrap around my foot, ankle, and calf. That little blue soldier stung me again and again. Good times. 😂

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

OMG! Well, tenacity is certainly your thing Claire! But you survived! And lots to write about. Colombia should be a dream after your Galapagos adventures.

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Claire Polders's avatar

Colombia is a dream! They have pink bananas! I already love it here. And my Spanish is coming along nicely.

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Beth Kephart's avatar

The horse flies alone would have done me in!

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Claire Polders's avatar

I just couldn't bear to give up the beach and wasn't sure my discomforts there were greater than my joys.

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