Volcano

I'm on a boat with Michael and Rachael. They have been on a research cruise. Scuba diving in wild places. I don't get to go scuba diving. But I get to go explore islands with them. We arrive on a small island nation and are greeted by an official. We have to pay to be here. We don't have any money. He asks us how we will pay and I tell him we can get money from an atm. He takes us into the capital building. We hand him our cards and he asks how much money we each want. There is confusion around cards and money. We ask the name of the island. At first he seems to be calling this place Oceanology, but then I realize the name is Aunqueology: the study of although.

We recieve money in Italian Lires and now we are ready to go explore. The guide leads us up a hill. He asks me why I am here. First I give him an answer that doesn't make sense. The work I do can't be studied here. Then I say that I was once Micheal's PhD adviser and that I am here to visit. Michael looks very proud and the man is happy.

We come to the top of a volcano. I am surprised. I thought the island was flat. It is lush and green and overgrown. There are numerous small ponds filled with sediment and overgrown. Perfect for Michael's research. I congratulate him.

I woke up this morning repeating the word Aunque, Aunqueology in my mind.