Having vacationed in the Caribbean, my heart still pounds to the rhythm of the sea. I shopped at the little open air markets where natives sold handcrafts and trinkets. I bought several necklaces which made me happy. We snorkeled along a barrier reef and saw the most amazing colorful tropical fish in shades of cobalt blue and yellow. Bill pointed to a giant sting ray, then we drifted off in different directions. I floated atop the surface of the sea, gazing into the crystal clear depths. I spied a white conch shell the size of a large couch cushion. I thought it was a big boulder thirty feet down, but when it extended a claw out and began to drag itself along the bottom, I believe I inhaled saltwater as I yelled for Bill to come see. Alas, he was too far away and heading back to a hammock.
Usually people bring home souvenirs and photos from vacation. My treasure this trip was an intangible souvenir, that giant conch leaving a trail on the bottom of the sea and an image ingrained in my mind. If only I had a photo to prove it; nobody believes me!