island

i've always wanted to spend some time on a tiny beautiful island with white sand, palm trees, and calm clear blue water all around. i've thought to myself, "that's all i'd really need." and in some ways, i found that to be true when we docked at tiny sibuan island in the sulu sea. it was picturesque to say the least and i wanted to build a hut and stay - at least for a week.

after checking in with the military men stationed there (an odd sight), and learning that i was to ask before i snapped any pictures of their machine guns, our captain, nicknamed "lips," pulled up to shore and we splashed into the water as we climbed out. we were greeted by smiling curious children whom i later learned ran a modest, but profitable, coconut business. i later saw tiny brown arms and legs wrapped around incredibly tall skinny trees as children skillfully climbed into the fronds. i stared for quite a while and watched as coconuts dropped to the ground in the waist-high grass below. i loved it. i felt shy at first like an intruder and wondered if we were a nuisance. it was a very small island after all and people actually lived there. i wouldn't want people walking feet from my house every day and trying to look inside or asking to take my picture. i wonder if it gets old for them or if they like having the world come to them out in the middle of the sea. the latter seemed more true to me. they were much kinder than i think i would be in their situation.

it was one of the most primitive places i have been. they had shelter, but they did not have what i would call houses. they seemed to barely notice the rain that i felt the need to take cover from. they were comfortable in the water and on the water. the kids swam without supervision and took boats out on their own. some even lived on their boats. in a material sense, they lived very simply. and it was appealing in an idealistic kind of way. very little stuff to crowd your life or distract you from people and relationships. yet is also seemed like every sound and action could be seen and heard by your neighbors. i wondered if they all got along or if they drove each other crazy. i wondered where they went to the bathroom, and if they were happy with their circumstances. i wondered if living there was as lovely as it seemed to be.