When Ben and I were engaged he talked a lot about wanting to learn how to SCUBA dive. That sounded adventurous and fun so of course I raved about how I wanted to do that too! This though I'm a pretty terrible swimmer and had panicked the first time I'd tried snorkeling. Since making such a bold statement, I've had several more opportunities for snorkeling and learning to SCUBA. The snorkeling is getting better; the SCUBA is probably never going to happen. What I've learned most of all is to be comfortable with my abilities.
My first snorkeling experience was with a group of friends on an organized tour in Bermuda. Trying to look cool, and not wanting to look like the old lady on our tour, I declined a life jacket. I made it about 2 minutes offshore before the guide took me back to the sand. Brushing that off to my friends as seasickness (or something equally ridiculous) I eagerly followed them out into the open ocean at an abandoned beach hours later. The underwater rocks beat up my legs and the current beat up my pride. I spent most of the afternoon fooling around on the shore.
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| Goofing around with my friend Dave |
I tried exploring underwater depths in the same way several more times with no better results. Looking good was always the determining factor and I'd rather make up an excuse to not go out rather than looking stupid. Then, the changing day came.
Ben and I had found a great little beach cove on the west coast of Mexico. A local cabana shack charmed me into putting on a life jacket and Ben and I spent the entire day out on the water! No boat or kayak, no tired arms or fear of drowning-just the two of us floating in the world alone. It was amazing! That's the day I set my pride aside and I allowed myself to have fun without embarrassment or worry.
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| A great snorkeling day |
I am never going to be a diver. It turns out that conquering my minimal swimming skills wasn't nearly as difficult as feeling comfortable with schools of fish swarming through my legs. I enjoy being in the water and observing the underwater goings-on as I float safely distant from above. It's true I may never see the most beautiful things down there to see, but I'm out there. And that's pretty big to me!
1 comments:
My husband used to have his SCUBA license or permit or whatever it is. I've never done it with him. He's so much more adventurous than me when it comes to that stuff. I'd much rather be ON the boat! Sounds like you had a wonderful time in Mexico floating around.
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