Genovesa Island
I wake up with the dropping of the anchor chain; it is the early morning of Thursday. I know we are in Genovesa! I just need to close my eyes again, and the impressive cliffs of this island will come to mind. I know I could see them through my cabin window, but I prefer to dream them first. I know that the rocks are crowded with life. I can imagine the tropicbirds and the boobies flying along, with frigates circling higher, looking just like black dots on the clear blue background of the sky. I know it is the end of May, and because of that, the island will be painted in red: the red of the gular pouches of great frigate birds courting, and the red of the red-footed booby feet. I can visualize it all, I can feel the sweetness of the place without even looking through the window. I have been here before.
But then, I walk to the outside decks, and open my eyes again, and all the beauty I dreamed about is nothing compared to the colors and reality of this enchanted place. My memories and imagination cannot compete with truth, with certainty, with Genovesa alive.
However, I am trying to transmit the place to you all, through these words and through this picture. I know that many of you are dreaming about Galapagos. I know that the 5th grade class at Devonshire Elementary in Skokie, IL, and its teacher Jerry Michel, are traveling with their minds to this archipelago in the world. Share with us Genovesa! And I hope that one day you too wake up with the anchor chain, open your eyes and see the cliffs of this delightful place.
I wake up with the dropping of the anchor chain; it is the early morning of Thursday. I know we are in Genovesa! I just need to close my eyes again, and the impressive cliffs of this island will come to mind. I know I could see them through my cabin window, but I prefer to dream them first. I know that the rocks are crowded with life. I can imagine the tropicbirds and the boobies flying along, with frigates circling higher, looking just like black dots on the clear blue background of the sky. I know it is the end of May, and because of that, the island will be painted in red: the red of the gular pouches of great frigate birds courting, and the red of the red-footed booby feet. I can visualize it all, I can feel the sweetness of the place without even looking through the window. I have been here before.
But then, I walk to the outside decks, and open my eyes again, and all the beauty I dreamed about is nothing compared to the colors and reality of this enchanted place. My memories and imagination cannot compete with truth, with certainty, with Genovesa alive.
However, I am trying to transmit the place to you all, through these words and through this picture. I know that many of you are dreaming about Galapagos. I know that the 5th grade class at Devonshire Elementary in Skokie, IL, and its teacher Jerry Michel, are traveling with their minds to this archipelago in the world. Share with us Genovesa! And I hope that one day you too wake up with the anchor chain, open your eyes and see the cliffs of this delightful place.
