Word #1 (Associate Freely)

[liveonearth]

OK, here's how it works. Behind the cut there is a word (or phrase). After you click the cut and read the word, open a comment window and write down your first few thoughts or associations and send them back to me. Nothing is too weird; it doesn't have to make any sense at all. Just the first thing you think of, and more if you want.
OK, what is the first thing to come to mind:

palm tree