![\"Diving](\"https:\/\/yuliapal.net\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/diving11-300x214.jpg\" "\\"Diving")
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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.<\/p>\n
We swam in the dark water beating up the mud from the bottom of the lake. It was interesting yet cold and scary\u2026 Long forgotten memories\u2026<\/p>\n
Some 20-plus years later our family was on a vacation in Thailand. We took an excursion to Phi Phi Island. The brochure advertised \u2018snorkeling\u2019 to which I did not pay much attention because I was not familiar with this word.<\/p>\n
After an hour’s ride, our motor boat stopped in the middle of the blue lagoon and the guide said: \u2018Quickly put on your life jackets, masks, and fins and start diving.\u2019<\/p>\n The international public slowly started to undress and put on their diving gear. Awkwardly they jumped into the water.<\/p>\n When I realized what I am about to experience my heart started pumping with joy \u2013 I was about to dive into a tropical sea!<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n I started diving \u2013 carefully at first and then deeper and deeper, reaching the very bottom of the lagoon. My body was quickly recalling the long-forgotten skills.<\/p>\n![\"Phi-Phi\"](\"https:\/\/yuliapal.net\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/phiphi1.jpg\" "\\"A")
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