It felt like it was straight out of a movie.......fucking ridiculous, really!
I spent this past weekend at Bureh Beach. I've been to alot of beaches all over the world and I have to say that this is definitely in my Top 5. It was straight out of a post card......fucking ridiculous, really........
Micheal and I rode out to Bureh Town where we were welcomed by a local fisherman. We make our way down the hill and walk through the village. Like some magical village fisherman, he extends his arm and points out between the trees and goes, "Welcome to Bureh Beach." My mouth drops open out of disbelief......are you fucking kidding me?!?! It's gorgeous here!!! I felt like Alice when she peeked through that tiny door and saw the queen's beautiful garden in Wonderland........I had to get in!
I step into this unspoiled beach paradise surrounded by lush green African bush. The warm waters of the Atlantic wave through soft powdery sand and crash against large black granite rocks. Off into the distance, I see I some of my Peace Corps buddies walking towards my direction. Excited for the reunion, we run up and group hug. They lead us to the one and only beach shack run by the villagers. For Le30,000 (~$6), you can pitch a tent on the sand, Le15,000 for me b/c I shared my tent. Or, just sleep out in the public beach area for FREE. The fact that my Bug Hut tent didn't have a rainfly, the $3 was worth pitching my tent under a thatch hut and have Prince Williams (the manager) keep an eye on our gear. The money goes towards the villagers and the upkeep of the beach, money well spent.
We spent most of the weekend frolicking in the ocean, lounging on the sand, or napping on the hammocks in the palava huts. I almost forgot what "relaxed" felt like but, I definitely remembered again. I must've gone skinny dipping like half a dozen times in one day........so liberating to not just give a fuck and splash around the ocean in your birthday suit. To be able to just wear my bikini all day or not wear anything at all was just a great break from my "Christian Missionary" wardrobe and to not have to worry about people staring at my tattoos and asking if it is a stamp.
We dined on oysters and fish, fresh out of the ocean. Am I food-gasming here in Salone??? I am! Most of our meals though, consisted of the food we packed or the cheap, but good, fry-fry that the lady was selling in the village. Peace Corps has put me back on college budget status again, so splurging on one fine meal will have to do.
The evening was just too beautiful. We all stripped down and headed into the ocean under the night sky covered with stars. Stars that I never see because of light pollution but here in Africa, this is what my night-sky looks like, unspoiled. The water was warm & welcoming; and for the first time, I experienced phosphorescence. As we moved through the ocean, our bodies gave off this light, or phosphorescence, like a soft green light emanating from our skin. It was just too beautiful........the whole experience.
I slept well through the night with the sounds of crashing waves. Beat that, "Sleep Sounds" iPhone App!!! The real thing is so much better, lol!
All good things must come to an end, I unfortunately had to be a responsible adult and leave the next day to meet the SS1 girls arriving on Monday. These are moments where I hate working at one of the most functional schools in the country, haha.
I wanted to soak-in Bureh Beach one last time before I left so I walked along the other side of the beach that was even more secluded. It was just me on this long strip of sand and a fisherman making a boat far off on one end. I sat on a rock and inhaled the ocean air as the waves wet my feet beckoning me to come back in and to not go home. I fight the urge knowing that I'll be back soon.
Gat Damned Fucking Beautiful.........
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