Its easy to see why so many people want to give up the "struggle" of modern city life and just head down to islands like Utila and live a relaxed life. I can also see why so many people want to be dive instructors down here... Its so easy to do (Like REALLY easy!... which is why it can be dangerous if you are not paying attention!). Its just like being a cub-scout and collecting badges!...
PADI has this wonderful little progression curve of skills and qualifications. There is always something new to learn, and with each step you get a little certificate (and probably a gold star if your good :) )
There are different options for people who like to be in charge and to instruct, or people who like gadgets, or people who like to do "dangerous" stuff, ... or people who want to rescue others etc... pretty much everything is catered for.... Its quite the well thought-out marketing set-up :))... No wonder there is an alternate acronym for PADI (Put Another Dollar In) :)
That said though, it is quite fun. The down side of course is that so many people want to try to do it for a living, that they become virtual slave labour for the dive shops... And thus the "professionalism" of the dive shops can be rather variable!
Utila its self is quite the definitive party town for the kids. The down side though is that there is a fantastic abundance of sand-flies (midgies, no-see-ums... call them what you will) as well as mosquitos. The little ones are really small (I reckon you could get about five of them on a pin-head!) but they are voracious... You have only a couple of seconds after they land before you are feeling it; And their bite leaves a 6-7mm red itchy patch on your skin for days afterward. Its really quite amazing given their size... Their mouth must be absolutely minute!!
But, there is a fix for them.... You cover your self in baby oil and they either cant land on you cos they get stuck, or they cant hold on to get a bite, or it gums up their tiny mouths... Whatever it is, the oil is effective :)
Not so for the mosquitoes though: They are vicious too and willing and able to bight you through your clothing (thats not common in my experience!)
So, Ive had enough of being food for the bugs for a little while and Im back on the mainland. If the rain eases up (its back again today) Ill ride on tomorrow.
