Jail, Naked Divers and Trunk Fish Oh My

While there isn't much "new" to report tonight (well, there is always new stuff, just nothing earth shattering), I thought it would be a good chance to just post some pictures and maybe even a video or two.

All is well down here in the south, just doing my thing. I only missed three questions on my DM exam so I've got that going for me (for reference, see here). There really isn't too much more until I am a certified Divemaster. I have to map a dive site and do some coral surveys and that is really about it. I will also be helping on a rescue course this week, although that might have gotten pushed back a day or two because one of the students ended up in jail last night. I didn't even know this island had a jail, much less police! Apparently he got super drunk (big surprise on this island) and started a verbal altercation with Web, a salty, slightly insane crack head that walks around town sounding like the Marlboro man as he says interesting and slightly offensive things. He also makes some mean hot sauce, although I am always a bit hesitant to try it because I am afraid of what is in it. Cocaine? Possibly. Meth? Likely. Made according to international health and food safety regulations? Extremely doubtful. Anywho, the man has some sway on the island (I think he is the resident coke dealer) and so he was able to get poor Derek thrown in jail. I can't imagine that the Utila jail is very pleasant so I truly feel for the guy. Since Derek was still very intoxicated this morning when he came to tell Sarah all of this, it is likely that he will wake up tomorrow unable to function, hence we will need to move the class back. No problemo for me though, I'll just do some more diving! I hit 75 dives today and it doesn't seem like it will be any issue to hit the big 1-0-0 before I leave. And you know what 100 means? It means a naked dive! That is tradition at least, you dive naked for your 100th dive. I'd much rather do that here than back home!

Funny story about that actually. I meant to include this tidbit on my first post from the island but so much was going on that it must have slipped my mind! On my very first dive here we were swimming along and I happened to glance down the reef and out to sea and what did my eyes find? A girl taking her swim suit off. Followed by another one. At first I didn't understand what was happening because I was a decent distance away but I quickly got the picture. Literally. It is an awkward moment when you realize someone is undressing near you. Suddenly the coral in front of you becomes very, very interesting. The perfect line that I crafted during the dive (yes, I often "write" parts of my blog while diving) is as follows: you know you are in the right place when the coral and the fish and the world that surrounds you is more interesting than the girls diving naked nearby. I stand by that.

I dove CJ's Dropoff again today and it was absolutely incredible. Again. It can't hold a candle to the last dive but I blame that mostly on the fact that my deep diving buddy is gone (Simon) and I am left with people who are actually reasonable and sensible. Damn them. Damn them all. We were also on a boat with several instructors and since I am technically only certified to dive to 100 feet, well let's just say it would look bad for me to be joining the deep specialty course at 140 feet.

Can you spot the pea sized baby trunk fish? I spent a good 5 minutes and 800 psi trying to capture this little guy.

The best part of this dive is the fact that there are these channels in the reef that start slopping down and eventually dump you out into nothingness over the wall. I absolutely love getting all of the air out of my BCD and plummeting downwards, feeling like I am skydiving. I actually spread my arms out as if I were jumping. Such a cool feeling. Kind of like this actually. Unfortunately today I had to pull up at 115 feet or so, but there was plenty to see. I took some photos that I will share below, I am getting better! I am especially proud of the photo of the drum fish that I took. Not because it is a great photo (it isn't) but because I absolutely love these fish and we saw two today. They are fairly fearless and so it was cool to hover and snap away without the fish darting away.

A mid-aged Drum Fish!

I also finally got the cable for my other camera so here is a super special picture that you have all been waiting for.

Isn't that cool? The picture doesn't even come close to doing it justice. I also have a video but I decided that I am going to save that for when I get home. I've got to have something to showoff when I get back!

Other than that, things are moving along. Life is still great and I am loving everything. Any day that doesn't start off great is always perfect by the time the boat pushes off from the dock. Seeing peoples faces at the UDC, carrying tanks and setting up my gear, it all just gets me in the groove and makes me feel at peace. I can't help but have a big old smile plastered on my face after only a few moments at UDC.

Hard not to smile when passing this on the way to some epic diving!

I hope everyone is enjoying fall and the changing of the colors. That is something I will always miss from home, no matter how beautiful and warm the water is. Less than a month until Zag season, I hope everyone is getting ready! This years squad is going to be crazy good, or at least they have the potential to be. St Mary's better enjoy the conference title while they still have it, because I think it is time we took it back.

Anyways, I digress. Clearly I still miss something from back home. Basketball isn't too big down here as you might imagine!

Hope all is well. Be safe, be happy!

Until next time,
Content and Satisfied Gringo signing off