Snorkeling

Dear college students,

The year was 2019. During my trip back home to Puerto Rico I was fortunate enough to snorkel for the first time ever. Now, what is funny is that I am not the best swimmer, but I won’t drown if that makes sense. We all have a friend like that, and if you don’t then you are that friend. So we are on this excursion, on a boat, and it’s a beautiful, hot sunny day. The hot rays of sunshine kissing my face and frankly burning my shoulders too. You know the feeling. You don’t want to be that person lathering yourself up with thick, white sunscreen. You want be the cool kid with the perfectly tanned body no hint of sun burn.. well, I am not that cool kid (thanks mom for the super pale sensitive skin). I simply burn 8/10 times I am out in the sun. So, here I am enjoying the breeze and ignoring the extra warm and hot sensation of the sun is giving me, drink in hand and enjoying the music. The captain announces we have arrived at the snorkeling area. He lets us know we can jump off the sides of the boat into the ocean, or head down through the stairs into the water located in the front center of the boat. He also informs us that the water in this area is about 15ft to 20ft deep. Yikes! As I watch the first few people jump into the ocean, I start to feel brave enough to jump into the water instead of taking the steps into the water. I wanted to feel the thrill.  I went to get my equipment, put my “life vest” on around my waist, and headed to the side of the boat. When I looked over the edge into the water, I felt like I was 50 ft away from the surface of the water and immediately after that thought crossed my mind I backed myself away from that edge. Fast! Who did I think I was? Not brave that’s for sure. The strangers on the boat and in the water started encouraging me to jump, rooting for me to make that jump. So after what felt like 30 minutes of intense indecisiveness, I did it. I jumped into the water. I felt like a scene from a movie in slow motion. Hair flying, my right hand pinching my nose and mouth shut so tight you’d think I was hiding the governments darkest secret. The water felt cold, yet soothing to my probably sunburnt shoulders. It was refreshing, I felt amazing. Snorkeling face mask on, waist life vest in place, and ready to see what snorkeling was about I proceeded to swim towards the coral reef. I got to see hundreds of fish of different colors and an amazing view of their habitat. It was the most peaceful I had been in months. It was like I became one with the water. The water was so calm. It was clear, I could see all the way to the bottom almost. The fish didn’t really seemed bother to have strangers swimming around them and disturbing the peace. They continued on doing what they did, swimming in groups. It was kind of majestic the way they were continuously in sync. They turned together, left and right and faster or slower. Some people had water proof go pros. You know those fancy cameras all the youtuber have now. Some people dove in deeper than other, I said no thank you to that. I was perfectly fine swimming right on the surface. I could see so much. I could feel so much. The water around me was heavenly. It was cool, I could feel it on every inch of my body. I felt like part of this ecosystem. It felt like I had done this a thousand times before. It was magical. I was taking in all the beauty this coral reed had to offer. When it was time to go back onboard, I felt a sense of sadness. Maybe because I wasn’t sure when Id be able to do this again and I didn’t want it to end. Then I realized that I have the experience now and maybe next time I can share it with someone else. I can bring someone with me to witness the wonders of nature and what the ocean has to offer.  I am thankful for this experience.  There is truly a whole new world to discover in the ocean.