Snorkel gods of Chongos Zamoranos

I was hunting about in a coastal Mendocino grocery shop when I spotted this baby. I said hmm, $5.95 for a can in the middle of nowhere, it must be really really special. Hmm, I must put this in my basket.



Chongos has 4 ingredients milk,sugar,cinnamon, rennet although it should be really only 3 - sugar, rubber, and squeak. The clotted bits squeak while you chew; the sugar enough to give one diabetes. I just hung my head in shame for forcing my friends to eat this weird rubbery dairy treat. It could have been heaven in a can, for which I am willing to go through any amount of excitement.



I have this imminent feeling I might eat a fine dessert any minute, but instead I sit down to faithfully report my snorkel adventures to you dear reader. I really wanted warm bread pudding but sadly I've only got the leftover can of squeaky Chongos Zamoranos waiting for me.



So many a reason why one shouldn't dip one's body and toe in the Pacific ocean around here. When one shivers and huddle for warmth on the beaches during the summer, it does not seem advisable to plunk in and enjoy shivering and huddling wet in the water. Plus what could possibly be seen down there in the murky milky waters- probably kelp and more kelp- who hasn't already seen the tangle which washes upon shore. Th last reason had to do with renting a suit as my 3 mil suit won't do; a cold water suit should be at least a respectable 7 mil. I am suspicious of dive suit rentals since everyone pees in their suits. C said I could just wear his 3 mil suit on top of my 3 mil suit; I worried cold water would flush the areas which are loose in the wrong places. Ladies, if you are wearing a man's dive suit, it definitely is loose about the crotch. C had bought me a new hoodie and gloves, and had sweetly put them in a brown paper bag with hearts around my name so I could not not go in the water now.



The sheer visual delight of snorkeling in Russian Gulch made all my worries quite silly. All covered body parts were toasty and snug, visibility was an unexpected 30 feet. I was happily surprised by the underwater seascape of iridescent kelp, eel grass, pink coral forests. I told C and Gavin to go away to their abalone diving while I cruised the reefs alone. I trippily floated along the undulations of the kelp trying to catch their bluish purple iridescence. There is no freedom like buoyancy. And when I finally was forced to beach, it was not the cold but queasiness.



But one and last reason for a cold water dive- nothing tastes better than food eaten after a cold water dive.