On the grounds in front of the hostel where I now reside, sits a large wooden swing, commodious enough for four slender derrieres or a trio of somewhat more ample ones. It hangs suspended between two cypress trees, which provide significant shade during the day and considerable coolness in the evening hours. I have taken to manning this contrivance during the day for leisurely reading and in the evening for cool, comfortable contemplation.

It is there over the past week that I have sat reflecting on my new world. It was over these long, hot, humid days and nights I sat observing my new milieu. On one such evening, I watched songbirds hurry across the sky above the open area on which the hostel sits. These normally fill the air with their twittering but this particular even their song seemed considerably more importunate as they attempted to traverse the treeless expanse and gain the contiguous trees.

As darkness descended, stars began to appear in the firmament, sparkling pinpoints against the approaching blackness. One by one, stars winked on in the deepening royal blue of the encroaching eventide. Constellations conjoined and planets proclaimed their presence. The chirping songbirds continued their aural assault against the impending gloom. Not to be outdone, the local avian contingent - the peacocks of earlier stories - evinced their protestations against the rapid denouement of the day.

As opposed to this, I sat enjoying the coolness of the night air and the appearance of the spectacular stars. For me, sitting on this swing and delighting in the miracle of the heavens, gave me wonderment beyond expression. As I watched Mars ascend, I noticed Ursa Minor - the Little Dipper - rise concomitantly. The wonder of the heavens continues to amaze even as I envisage other marvels about me.

This evening as I write the skies clouded over and rain threatened. The sun hung low and perched on my swing, I watched it steadily sink beneath the overhanging clouds. The line of trees on the western horizon grew increasingly afire with the violet and vermillion of sunset. As night fell, the threatening cloud cover erupted with brilliant flashes followed somewhat belatedly by the low rumble of distant thunder. Hard on the heels of the lightning, the clouds opened and the rain began to fall heavily in a downpour with the frenetic urgency of a thunderstorm; I hurriedly retreated to my quarters.

Over the course of the week past, I struck out on a trek about the area that included a local park. This park, recently opened, contains a boardwalk built to accommodate amblers who might enjoy exploration of the surrounding “swamp forest.” This boardwalk meanders about the encompassing maritime forest and affords an up-close scrutiny of the marshy environment. As this was a pre-summer excursion, insects infested the walkway less than I believe will be the case in the upcoming summer months. During the hot and humid days of high summer, I expect such a walk will be quite inhospitable.

For the time being, however, I exult in such discoveries. I imagine there are similar finds throughout this heavily wooded area and I intend to locate them tout de suite. Relegated as my conveyance is to a pedestrian mode, it will be incumbent on me to get out there and ascertain their whereabouts. I suspect the internet can be helpful in this regard, as well, useful as a source of local maps and information. My intent is to explore this region as thoroughly as possible and I expect accounts of those forays will make their way onto these pages in impending days.