a brief escape
the locals told tales about a hidden beach. not marked on any map. reachable only by foot. so i followed the path. dense forest and damp air. branches clawing at my skin.
then the trees opened up. sunlight hit the water. crystal clear blue. a couple of european guys out there, naked, except for their laughter, foreskin attached, splashing each other in the water.
for a second, i thought about turning back. rejoin the sounds of the city, my comfort zone. then i didn't. i dropped my shorts, felt the heat on my skin, and walked straight into the blue. it was nothing but water, light, and the sounds of strangers pretending that paradise was ours alone.