The pink lake was marvelous; palm trees stood towering over powdered sugar beaches that were painted with orange, yellow and red flowers. The view caused her mind to slip away along with the spineless fog. Her breathing slowed down when the morning sun finally crept over the crater, causing a soft orange hue to mix with the pastel pink, to create the color of a salmon's back. The only sound was the lapping of the pink water and the crackling sound of the sand, along with a couple of unintentional coconuts splashing in the water. This water only appears once a year and not everyone has a chance to catch it. The pink color stays strong for the 10 hours of light, but fades with the sun. Cricket stood on the top of the preserved volcano where the pink lake took place inside the crater. The coincidental jagged edges causing the perfect circle to wrinkle. It was beautiful and magical, she thought as she caught the moment with her camera.
“You swim. You meet God. You get blessing. You leave.” That is what the villagers told her every time she began the treacherous hike up the steep mountain. Cricket completed the trek a total of three times, but never swam. It took a total of ten hours, round-trip, and a good pair of hiking shoes. She had the time and the shoes, but has not gathered the courage to swim.
She moved to Sri Lanka when she was a pale, brown-eyed girl. She now blends in with the indigenous people. She knows the language like a mother recognizes her child’s cry. She can draw a detailed map. She tanned six shades darker and carries herself like a local. She can eat the street food with ease and drink the water as if it were clean. She took the culture in as if it was her own and happily let go of the American culture. The only thing left to do was swim in the mysterious pink water. It was something spiritual, but not like anything she ever encountered. She stared down at her shaking hands as she thought of all the reasons she chose to be blessed; she had none. She felt called to do this and couldn’t wait any longer.
She only needed to jump.