What makes up sand? In the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico it is mostly crushed limestone mixed with coral, shell fragments, and minerals of various kinds. The limestone gives the sand its bright white appearance.
Walking through the sand is an experience – soft nature wrapping around your toes as you take each step. If it is mid-day, the sand is hot and baking like your stove top and you must run willy-nilly across the surface or have your feet burnt red from its hot surface.
I have a deep and lasting relationship with sand. When I am not with it, I wish I were; craving it as someone would an old friend. When I am with it, I lay and luxuriate in its warm grasp.
Sand has only one unfortunate negative. Without a doubt it insists on creeping into every crevice of your body. The most irritating crevices shall go nameless here on this blog, you can use your imagination.
I am sure you will agree with me when I say it is uncomfortable to be hit by a wave, knocked down, dragged ten feet through the waves only to find out when you stand up, panting and exhausted from the experience, that your bathing suit is heavy with your dear old friend – sand.
Many use sand as a very valuable natural resource. It is used as an ingredient for industrial applications like “sand-blasting” and cement making. In Mexico, particularly in the upper Yucatan Peninsula near Cancun, it is a valuable tourist attractant. Recent hurricanes have created reflective energy along the coast which causes turbulence that pulls sands out in the currents and there has been some beach erosion because of this.
When I visited Cancun, I met with the Director of Tourism, C. Felix Enrique Zarate Nunez, to discuss the regional efforts for greening and sustainability. He and I discussed soil erosion efforts as well. After many scientific studies have been done, there is now a significant project laid out for prevention of soil erosion through the Cancun region.
Remember to enter these three contests which are going on only as long as the 14 day Gardening Nude 2009 Mexican Eco-Blogging Green Adventure - - link through below and follow the blog to win BIG -
“WIN A $100 Gift Certificate from Boston Proper” Contest!!!
“WIN A $50 Gift Certificate from H20x2.com” Contest!!!
TWITTER CONTEST –
“WIN A $299 Olympus Tough-6000 Waterproof Camera Contest!!!”
Shawna Coronado says Get Healthy! Get Green! Get Community! www.thecasualgardener.com, The Green Blog - www.gardeningnude.com, or The Garden Blog - http://thecasualgardener.blogspot.com
A great way to get sand off of ya (if you are dry) is with baby powder/talcom powder, try it!
Posted by: Tom Reid | March 28, 2009 at 11:31 AM
You didn't mention one of sands most important functions: as material for building sand castles. ;~)
Posted by: TC | March 27, 2009 at 09:28 PM