Monday, November 4, 2013

Catching Iguanas...in the Swimming Pool

Two Sundays ago Amy and I took the boys swimming. After about an hour in the water, we took a break and were lounging poolside while Liam stalked iguanas through the surrounding undergrowth. He has wanted to catch a green iguana since we moved here, and he was hot on the trail of a juvenile when the iguana ran under my chair, across the deck and jumped RIGHT INTO THE POOL. It swam just about the entire length of the pool completely underwater. There were a couple of other families in the pool at the time, and one of the dads helped chase it to the shallow end, then he stepped on its tail to keep it from getting away. I explained how it got in the pool in the first place, and how much Liam would love to hold it. He said, "OK, then you need to reach down, and grab it firmly--but not too firmly--on its neck, just below its head, and don't let go or it will bite you and take off some skin." I took a deep breath (mostly to take in air, but yes, I was a bit nervous) dove down and grabbed the iguana. Liam was so anxious he practically pulled it out of my hands!

Liam, so happy to be holding a wild green iguana! Lochlan was pretty stoked about the whole thing too, but did not want to hold the lizard
Unfortunately we did not have our camera, but the fellow who helped us capture the iguana generously took some photos with his iPhone. He explained that he grew up along one of the big rivers in Honduras, and they used to catch green iguanas in the rivers and eat them. It also turns out that he had been our waiter at El Divino when we ate there a few weeks ago! He said I should stop by the restaurant and give him my email address so he could send the pictures. I asked his name, and he said "Marlon Brando." I waited a couple beats, said "Seriously...?" and he said emphatically "YES!" He sent the pictures today.

1 comment:

  1. What an AMAZING story!!! What ADVENTURES you will have to treasure for many years to come... so happy for you guys!! <3!!

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