So we live a few blocks from the beach. It's very cool. Well, the other day I decided I was going to walk to the beach with the boys. It was actually my first time doing this. With the ages of my kids I don't actually get to the beach too much, it's just kind of hard. But on this day I decided to just do it. So I loaded Jude and Koa up in the double stroller and headed off with Kai and Ezzy walking. I was really happy with myself for doing this and thrilled when we got to the beach and I realized how easy it is. I disregarded the bums sleeping beneath the trees. I even overlooked the glass in the sand and just held Koa instead of putting him down. I just enjoyed the breeze and the moment of being there with the boys. They asked if they could go play in a river that flows into the beach. "Sure!" I said. We headed over and they began to splash and play. Pretty soon I noticed a strange sewage smell. Then a nice man stopped to tell me concernedly that this water, "No es para ninos. Es contaminado. Es agua de caca." Yes, contaminated water. Poop Water. Not for children. I turned around and saw the sign, "Agua Contaminado." Translation: Contaminated Water. Then I noticed the piles of trash surrounding the river bank, including a hypodermic needle. Yes, I loaded my kids back up, headed home and scrubbed them down. It's a little disheartening. And it's sad. It's sad that this beautiful, natural resource is treated this way. Such is the life in Jaco.
So I've been avoiding the beach in Jaco, but the next town over, Herradura, has still held out hope for me. It's beautiful and seems cleaner. We went last weekend with the kids. Scott was in the water with the boys and I was on the sand with Koa. Next thing I know Scott is running over and getting everyone out of the water. There was human poop floating in the water. Sorry, I know that's gross. But just imagine my husband and children were swimming in there with that. I'm not surprised that Jude is now saying his ear hurts and I can see discharge coming out - a definite ear infection. His third one in the last 3 months. And Ezra is burning up with a fever. Probably has one too.
Sigh.
It's just sad. I don't know what else to say.
