Well, we are home safe and sound. At the beach the other day, I saw a Japanese tourist walking ON THE BEACH in high heels! It made me stop and consider how different cultures view propriety of dress in certain situations. Alongside the tourist in heels, there were "locals" wearing flip flops and tiny swim suits. Maybe how people dress is a matter of "body confidence." I certainly do not feel "qualified" to wear a bikini to the beach, yet there were many people on the beach doing just that -- and not giving a hang what anybody thought about it. Our culture seems to judge people based on their attire and their fitness and I just hope I can help Melina not be consumed by false standards of beauty. She doesn't seem to be as self-conscious as I am yet and maybe with some encouragement from friends and family she will continue to believe she is beautiful, inside and out. It was a wonderful trip -- full of the sun and sand for which Melina had asked. We even made up stories about the seabirds and who they reminded us of back home. When you see her, ask Melina to tell you all about it!