Many years ago, when I was around 18-19, I joined a diving club. We would put on scuba gears and descend into the opaque waters of the lakes in the Leningrad region.
We swam in the dark water beating up the mud from the bottom of the lake. It was interesting yet cold and scary… Long forgotten memories…
Some 20-plus years later our family was on a vacation in Thailand. We took an excursion to Phi Phi Island. The brochure advertised ‘snorkeling’ to which I did not pay much attention because I was not familiar with this word.
After an hour’s ride, our motor boat stopped in the middle of the blue lagoon and the guide said: ‘Quickly put on your life jackets, masks, and fins and start diving.’
The international public slowly started to undress and put on their diving gear. Awkwardly they jumped into the water.
When I realized what I am about to experience my heart started pumping with joy – I was about to dive into a tropical sea!
I was in such anticipation that I left my family behind. I quickly put on the mask and fins and dived into the sea without the life jacket. I did not want to float on the surface of the water like a lifebuoy.
I started diving – carefully at first and then deeper and deeper, reaching the very bottom of the lagoon. My body was quickly recalling the long-forgotten skills.
The tropical underwater world which opened in front of my eyes was magical – the warm transparent blue waters, the multicolor fish, corrals.
I literary had an age regression, swimming like a teen, totally excited, marveling at the new world that opened in front of my eyes.
That was a surprise, as unexpected joy.
Leave a Reply