I have written this blog many times in my head but didn’t have the inclination to actually type the words onto the blog site. I have gone to Rosa Blanca (in my mind) off San Cristobal island to escape from all that is happening around me. I have gone there to sit quietly and listen to the sounds of silence as the quiet waters of the bay tickled my feet and our guide Miguel softly talked to me about his experience with Indians and the teachings of Bhagavad Gita.

Lets start at the beginning. We left San Cristobal in the morning on a boat to snorkel in Pink Blanca which is characterized by scattered small beaches and a main large beach located in the center of the bay teeming with marine life like white tip sharks, rays, and sea turtles. The day was picture perfect. The sun was golden, the water was aquamarine and the temperature seemed ideal. While everyone got in the water to snorkel, I sat on the shore with my feet touching the water. Miguel, our guide for the day, was a soft speaking man who did not seem too interested in watching the snorkeling tourists. He wanted to talk to me. He started by asking where I was coming from. When he heard I was originally from India, he opened up and talked about the Hindu philosophy, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. I was surprised by the depth of his knowledge – this Ecuadorian man who spent many years in USA was quoting Bhagavad Gita? He revealed that he worked closely with some Indian scientists who came to the Galapagos for their research and Miguel was their guide for an extended period of time. Miguel and I talked about the need for silence in a world where everyone is talking, the need for stillness when everyone is on the go. He took the job of a guide in the National parks in the Galapagos because here he found his escape. Yes, he takes the tourists to the sights where most of them want to snorkel and then move on to the next attraction. But Miguel sometimes finds someone like me who just wants to sit and and savor the beauty of all that is around us. I told him I find myself close to my parents when I am amidst nature. I like to think their indestructible energy is now part of everything that is beautiful. Miguel seemed convinced that they are indeed part of the great unknown. Life doesn’t end. As we were talking, our voices quiet in reverence to the quiet around us, broken occasionally by the elated shout of a tourist who saw an exotic marine life, I saw a white tip shark glide close to me. Miguel said since I did not go to see the shark, it came to see me. While conversing with Miguel, I shrieked once when a red crab scrambled over my unsuspecting hand. Other than one shout, I sat their with my new found friend watching sea turtles swim close by, sharks, colorful fish.

Once the tourists finished their snorkeling, we went to the most beautiful beach that I have ever seen in my life. Rosa Blanca’s sand was powdery and white. I have never experienced this feeling of touching such fine sand. I don’t have many pictures of this beach as Ryan’s camera malfunctioned and he wasn’t able to transfer the million photos that I took.

The sea was very rough so the captain of the boat decided to skip one of the beaches and go straight to Kicker Rock so my family and others in the boat could snorkel. When we arrived at the Kicker Rock, the sun’s rays hit the rock in such a way that the Rock seemed resplendent. Although the sea was scary, brave souls jumped into the churning sea to see marine life. I tried to keep my eyes on Sean and Ryan but soon they swam (or pulled, I don’t know) far away from the boat. Miguel said that this group was very competitive and I agreed. They wanted the full adventure and adrenaline. I was content to see the beauty of the sunlight that made the Kicker Rock glow. I sat on the boat rocking gently, feeling incredibly blessed to be present at the moment, witnessing the splendor of nature. There were some blue-footed boobies flying around, we saw some colorful fish swim by and a couple of graceful sea turtles. Sean and Ryan came back overjoyed. Ryan had seemed a little hesitant jumping into a rough sea but he felt good that he overcame his fear and was rewarded by witnessing several fish, shark, rays, gorgeous schools of fish. He even swam with a turtle. According to Miguel, the Kicker Rock looks like a giant sleeping lion, but honestly, I couldn’t see the shape of a lion. I kept thinking of Indiana Jones movies – Harrison Ford bravely going into those rocks to solve a mystery and discover treasure.

After Kicker Rock, we had some cool watermelon and cookies on the boat as we headed back to San Cristobal. When we docked and landed, I shook Miguel’s hand and he took mine in both his hands and said, “It was a pleasure, Madam.” It was.

When my anxiety soars and I feel like I may lose control, I force my mind to go to the island. I focus on the crash of the waves, the bird sounds, my feet in the cool water, the white tip shark slowly gliding by, the mesmerizing grace of the sea turtle, the playful sea lions and the pristine beach of Rosa Blanca. Those memories ground me. I finally wrote them down.