al canalito!

The canal is about a block from the casa (though there are no sidewalks to measure blocks, only small and uneven mud roads). The canal is about five feet wide and four feet deep. It's a simple, man-made structure built to collect rain water and aid in flood prevention. Except I don't think that it actually prevents floods, because most every time it rains, places flood. The cement sides are coated with a thin world of algea. The water, once it is disturbed, is home to swarms of green plant life, fungi, more algea, minnows for catching, seaweed for throwing, mud for slipping. The dam in the stretch of canal near our casa is efficient in smelling bad and collecting various trash items, fallen mangos and general detritus. Some sections of the canal are overgrown with lilly pads and if you peak under them you can see the bigger minnows, about the size of your index finger. If you are a bit dorky (and scientific!) and like biology, the experience can be a little magical.

When we are hot (really hot), and when Mama Yadira gives the OK, this is where we play (yea! hi-fives all around brotherman!). When we are dry of water, this is where we bathe (and play at the same time). The water is warm, but slightly cooler than the air. The algea makes for a nice entry; you sit on the edge, legs dangling in the water, shift your weight and slide down (giddy from the feeling of slime). The algea also covers the bottom of the canal, which makes gentle wrestling hilarious. I won't lie, I've been taken out by Mexicans one third my size. They know I'm unexperienced.

And then the mud. There is always mud awaiting your pruned feet when you hoist your torso and slide up the side to get out. There is always mud available for throwing, which means there is always mud available to be thrown at you. Infinite ammunition. Then you can jump into the water again to rinse your face (for purposes of vision), get out and throw some more. It becomes a vicious cycle of lather, rinse, repeat.

The cycle is amplified if there are boys with you.