The Monterey Aquarium
19 Apr 2013
When Eric and I were in Monterey last week, I hot footed it over to the aquarium. I had never been before because it is pricey, and the last time I was in town, my brother and I were in full-on hostel mode. Truthfully, I still wavered a little bit about the price. But I spent several hours there and most definitely had $35 worth of fun! The beauties above are from the iconic jellyfish exhibit. I was truly astonished to see so many different kinds of them. I didn’t even know they existed!
I saw all kinds of iridescent fish, in schools and swimming solo, and watched eels and sharks glide by, but honestly I think my favorite part was seeing the deep-sea plants and anemones. They reminded me so much of the wonderful world of the Magic Schoolbus (children of the 80s, represent!), and I know that when I read the under-the-sea edition of that series, I shook my head in disbelief. But here it all was, right before my eyes!
Did you know that this is what live sand dollars look like? Covered with purple fuzz and happily camped on the ocean floor.
I texted Eric a picture of this gorgeous, yet slightly surly-looking fish. I loved it.
Look at this gorgeous eel!
The best part was that this shrimpy-looking guy was trying to climb into this eel’s mouth! Perhaps it was a joke, but the eel did not seem to like it. (UPDATE: This is a cleaner shrimp, which cleans the parasites from the mouths of eels and other fish. So cool! Thanks for the tip, Jim!)
Also: penguins!
And more seahorses than you could shake a stick at! My favorite part of the whole experience was probably that they also have these touch pools where you can reach right out and feel a starfish or an anemone. Or a bat ray! I am sure these were designed for eight-year-olds, but I rolled my sleeve up and went shoulder-high into the freezing water. Half of my shirt ended up soaking wet, but I did not care in the slightest!
I am not ashamed to admit that I spent a good chunk of my time at the aquarium wandering around with tears in my eyes. I just did not expect to be so moved, but seeing this much beauty in one place filled me with gratitude and wonder. I really felt very close to God, staring at awe into all these brightly lit tanks and seeing things I had never even known existed. This seahorse totally pushed me over the edge. He is the orchid of the sea! You have to look so closely to see his eyes and his body. As I stood there, overwhelmed by the gorgeousness of this creature, I wondered if, on some level he might feel the same way about us. And then I realized that we really are all this seahorse, unique and incredible in ways that we can’t even imagine, ways that we can’t possibly see ourselves. Whatever you believe, believe that you are beautiful. Because you are.
Apr 19, 2013 @ 07:32:55
I can see why you went around crying; just the first picture was so beautiful I teared up myself. What a wonderful time you had there, surrounded by these lovely creatures!
Apr 19, 2013 @ 15:52:49
Oh, so many of them! It was really mind-blowing. If I lived close enough, I’d totally buy a membership! It’s such a beautiful and wonderfully-run place.
Apr 19, 2013 @ 08:00:07
For me, the natural world is a constant source of wonder, as well as a revelation that we are part of something bigger that we don’t fully understand. Making that connection adds even more beauty to what you saw. Thanks for sharing your reflections.
When I saw the little guy in the eel’s mouth, I thought “cleaner shrimp”. That lead me here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleaner_shrimp
Apr 19, 2013 @ 15:54:39
Ah, so cool! I think cleaner shrimp were probably also something I saw in the Magic Schoolbus that I didn’t really think existed–thanks for finding it for me! You have such an open heart to the beauty of nature–it’s one of my favorite things about you. I wish you could have been there to see everything with me!
Apr 19, 2013 @ 13:16:43
I also love to go to aquariums. I enjoy watching how they slowly glide through the water. It is so peaceful and relaxing, I am willing to watch for long periods of time. That last seahorse is amazing; it looks like it got tangled up in a plant which eventually grew into a part of its body.
Apr 19, 2013 @ 15:55:22
It’s true–even sharks can be calming to watch! The range of what they have really blew me away–next time we are in the area, we should go!
Apr 19, 2013 @ 15:07:32
Whatever you believe, believe that you are beautiful. Because you are.
Ah, Cameron. You get me every time. I’m going to train my brain to think like you–seeing all the beauty, within and without. . . .
Apr 19, 2013 @ 15:55:49
Oh, thank you so much! I think you’re light years ahead of me, though! 🙂
Apr 22, 2013 @ 07:40:38
Sorry to have missed you last weekend. I can’t believe you didn’t want to spend all of your Saturday in 370 Dwinelle! K says you guys had a nice time, though. 🙂
Apr 22, 2013 @ 21:24:01
A comment from Boy C?! I have arrived! 🙂 Sorry to miss you too, and sorry you were cooped up in 370 all day (ah, the memories!) Hope it was a fun conference!