Monday, May 9, 2011

bucket list: scuba diving, check

The conversation went kind of like this.
Someone who just moved from Maui and said they like it there better:  I like Maui better.  It rains too much here. 
Me: Oh, really?  I haven't thought it was that bad.

That was a dumb thing to say.  But I only realize that after the fifth straight day of pouring rain.  

So, tonight, I am looking back (fondly) on some not so rainy days.

I didn't realize I wanted to scuba until the opportunity came up. And, to be honest, it wasn't like I was dying to do it.  I just wanted to do it and get it over with.  Does anyone else do stuff for this reason?  
 It started with a lesson from a man who is 25 years older than me and, well, in 25 times better shape than me.  He told us the rules, the hand signals, and some general tips like, "If it feels like you are getting stabbed with ice picks in your ears, then it is time to pop your ears."  It was then that I realized that I have never ever popped my ears.  He also told me to stop looking so scared.  
 They loaded us up with some super heavy gear.  This is when it gets super obvious that I hadn't really done much of any sort of exercise for about a year.  I think we all look like super heros.
 The walk into the water felt like it was a mile.  But it was more like 20 feet.  
 I spent a lot of time not knowing what I was supposed to be doing and waiting for someone to tell me what to do.  I also worried about my wedding ring that I forgot to take off (I've only had it since Christmas, I lost the original years ago).  But other than that, it wasn't so bad.  I'd even go as far as saying it was pretty neat.  I didn't see a whole lot of sea life and I was kind of worried about bothering the coral (I really listened during the video at Hanauma Bay in Oahu years ago), so I was mostly trying to dodge stuff.  I saw a sea turtle, some spiky things, some bumpy things, some fish... it was kind of pretty.  And only just a little bit creepy.  And it looks like I am not going to be landing any scuba endorsements anytime soon.  I think I'm okay with that.  
And afterwards, I slept for three hours.  I am glad I did it, I really am.  And the way it looks, it may never stop raining again so I may never have another chance to do such lovely outdoor activities on this island.  (Drama, I know, but this rain is starting to bug).  

4 comments:

pamela said...

i think it sounds super fun. then again, about anything you talk about will seem fun to those of us on the mainland!

**i tried to "like" your picture but maybe i'm a bit computer special needs because i couldn't figure it out?

Emily said...

Yeah, I used to have conversations like this:

Someone who just went scuba diving in the Philippines: I like diving in the Philippines better than Australia. The coral is so vibrant.

Me: Oh yeah? Well you haven't been scuba diving in the Red Sea. Amazing. Although the Indian Ocean is a close second.

So sad that my conversations nowadays are FAR FROM the ones I had ten years ago. You are so LUCKY!! I think if I ever went scuba diving again I'd be a scared wimp.

Abbigail said...

Wow. I want to say that I would dare do that when we visit. I will dare. We went snorkeling on our honeymoon in Mexico and I freaked out because I saw an eel. Such a baby. I am a bit afraid of water. Good thing I live in the midwest. And it rains here TONS too. We had over eight inches last month.

Kami said...

Oh, you are not in Maui, you are in Kauai. Good job on the SCUBA. Yes, the Philippines has the BEST diving anywhere, with colors that would blow you away! Now you are ready to go there someday and see that there really are places like Nemo's neighborhood that still exist on this planet.

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