It also rains in paradise

Growing up along the crash of the waves, sunburn kisses my skin from my shoulders to my hands. Sunspots sprayed across my cheeks and nose. The heat and humidity hugs me, even at night. This life isn’t for everyone; I don’t even know if it was for me. But I’m glad this is where my life happened.

In places like this, it feels like heaven and hell clashed together to make this corner of the world.

A town small enough where houses and businesses are passed down from generation to generation. Where you work with and talk to the same people you went to elementary school with. Everyone knows everyone.

A town big enough to attract tourism from within and outside of our country. Where they treat our laws and our people as if they’re above them, disrespecting our culture and our home.

Hard-working people are expected to lay out a welcome mat for every occasion, just for a few extra coins. And when you don’t comply with their will, you’re no longer useful to them.

This place is a home. To them, it’s just a destination.

This is paradise to so many people, but not all of them stick around when it rains.

-M.F.