El Arrecife

Today I had my first formal run in with the reef. It was a relatively small day (wavewise) about 3-5 ft. and I got some waves, but I found myself inside the break (basically where I don't want to be) and got slightly ragdolled across the reef. I got a gash on my right side, and a couple cuts on my legs. I was so close to the shore that I decided I just wanted to get out, but realized too late that from where I was to the shore (no more than 10ft.) was littered with thousands of sea urchins. I was able to avoid 99% of them but got a couple spines in one of my toes and in my heel. It sucked but its not so bad. I spent 1.5 relatively painful hrs. at my friend's apartment, who had a first aid kit, rinsing my wounds, pulling out spines, etc. Then I went to the pharmacy , but I was stopped on the way by the police because you cannot walk around topless in Bocas and I only had boardshorts on, but explained that I was cut up and only quickly going to the pharmacy. I bought some hydrogen peroxide, some gauze, and some antibacterial soap. I also talked to my older brother and he recommended soaking my feet in white vinegar which helps to degrade the leftover spines. Then I took a shower and that brings me to now, and you know yea it sucks to get super cut up, but you know I was so terrified of hitting the reef before, that now I'm actually slightly relieved. Oh and they are some sweet battle wounds, haha. Looks like my friend Mike is gonna come down to visit for a week on the 13th and then my family will be coming down on the 22nd to surf some, should be great. Until next time, me voy.