Is This Really My Life?

It is almost 11pm, I am sitting at the edge of my bed, about to fall off because my mosquito net is taking over. Reflecting on today I can't help but think that this is my life. I woke up today at 7am. Spent the day on the water deep sea fishing with one of my uncles and his ten year old son for mahi mahi. Sat in awe at the amazing coastline that consists of untouched land, cliffs with such dramatic drops that make you think that there really has to be some higher power that constructed this world because they are breathe taking. You feel consumed by the coast looking up at these cliffs with such powerful waves crashing into them-words can't even describe. The water is bluer than any blue you can imagine. Then there is us on our little wooden boat, cruising along in the open water, miles from the coast. The water is rough. We tilt side to side and the boat jumps over the waves as we try to get further and further from shore, heading towards the birds in the open water. They too are out there to hunt and we use them to guide us towards the fish. We fish using line, but not with fishing poles. The line is wrapped around their hands. When there is a tug, watch out- a fish is on the line and if you are not careful and the fish is very big, you can be pulled off the boat, or worse, have the line slice through your hand.

Today I was taken by my surroundings-by nature. It was so powerful. Surreal. Being out on the water is a whole other world. A world that many people here know very well. A place where some spend more time in than in their own homes-one that I am developing a relationship with. The water, just like any of us, has a mind of its own-it has good days where the water is calm and shares it's treasures with it's visitors. Other days where is breathes heavy and can eat you alive, crashing sporadically with a natural force that is more powerful than two cars colliding. Unlike us, it has no restrictions and doesn't have to play by any rules.

I am learning so much about something that I knew absolutely nothing about. How to sail a boat, fish in different ways, fishing terminology, how to cut and prepare fish, etc. etc... Anything and everything about what is out there in the open water. Might have been easier if I studied Marine Biology, but never too late to learn.

After a day out at sea, my friend's father who is in town and is a fishing expert in the states (works for Santa Monica Seafood Company) came and spoke with my fishermen about sustainable fishing. He goes around the world seeing how other cultures fish, trying to promote sustainable fishing-something I am working on. It was sad to hear stories about fishing communities who have exhausted and cleaned out their waters. A sad reality for too many places around the world, including the United States. Some of his stories were so moving that it brought tears to my eyes thinking that in ten, fifteen years from now my new home could be living in a place completely depleted from what they survive on. We talked about conserving not only the bay and the life in it, but also the livelihood of the community. Will they be able to get the joy of seeing their children take on the family business in the future if they don't change their ways? Will their children even have that opportunity or will they have to move to the capital to find work elsewhere because the fish will be no more? The answer is as clear as the waters-which right now, is pretty crystal clear. If they don't take it upon themselves to change, then they will have nothing left. They must be the example, they must set the foundation and create a code of conduct and not wait until the government decides to put their foot down and step in. If they don't stop killing lobster that are pregnant and fish that are as big as their pinky that have no meat, the water will cease to provide, the reefs will die and as a community we will lose our most precious resource.

My fishermen know the dangers, they understand what is happening. They are already feeling the consequences as the ocean is going through an ecological meltdown. They say it is hard to change what you depend on for survival with no resources for change. This is true, but they must set themselves apart from the others or else it is one deadly cycle. If we (and I say we because as a human race, we are all contributors, we share this responsibility) continue to point fingers and blame others for what is the reality, no one will ever be able to restore the sea's bounty. Just thinking about it gets me upset. Especially when I am out on the water and I think that my children might never have the opportunity to see anything like this. We will be left with ghost habitats, reef-less waters, and poisoned seas. Hopefully, we will be able to determine the worth of our waters before the well is dry.

Days like these remind me why I am here. There is so much to do. So much to share. So much to learn. The fishermen here have a great deal of knowledge, lack all financial resources for change, but at the end of the day, have the motivation and a passion for fishing that I (positive thinking) feel will spark change. In my opinion, we have accomplished one of the hardest things and that is admitting that there is a problem and obtaining the knowledge to know how to fix the situation. We will work from here. It is a long process, but as I remind them at the end of all our meetings, as long as we stay strong, podemos lograr cualquier cosa (we can accomplish anything).

I guess I should stop here for today. These entries sometimes go on forever. It is hard to stay on topic when I am constantly experiencing new and incredible things. Never would I have thought that I would be making fishing contraptions, learning local lingo for all four types of tuna, scaling and preparing fresh fish [ate a grilled (don't worry, fully grown) red snapper for dinner tonight and yellowfin sashimi yesterday. Life is rough]. But as I am learning, life is just full of unpredictability. Just like the sea, life can change directions unexpectedly.

Inspirational Words To Bring In The New Year

An Inspirational Short Story
I Wanted To Change The World
By Unknown Monk, 1100 A.D.

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.

I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.

When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town.

I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.

Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world."