I woke up this morning and started on my daily routine, John, Daryl,
and I were wrapping up the work we did on Midway. While we worked,
we all commented on how such an opportunity would probably not come
our way again. But life is full of surprises! As I stood in the lab
working with Nikki, Tracy walked in smiling and says, “Dora how
long will it take you to get your bathing suit on and your snorkeling
gear?” It took several seconds for the information to process.
The first thing I thought was “Snorkel…..where?” And
then it hit me…snorkel, the Avon, divers, ocean. Oh, Yeah!
I know I answered something and that Tracy made another comment but
I can’t remember what it was. All I know is that I was smiling
from ear to ear not believing what I was about to experience. I had
quietly hoped that I would get to go on the Avon for a boat ride, but
to go snorkeling was something that I had not even allowed myself to
think.
I dashed out of the lab and took the 2 flights of stairs in a flash.
Later I heard that it was described as leaving a sonic boom behind
me. But I was
excited; I knew that this was going to be another first for me. I was by
the Avon in about 4 minutes, changed, geared up, and very much ready
when I found
out that John had been given the same opportunity. Cambria pulled us aside
and I forced myself to focus as she gave some safety guidelines.
The boat was ready and loaded. The crane started swinging and the
Avon was hooked. I watched, as I have tens of times, the boat was lifted,
moved away
from the ship, and then it descended, but for me it was as seeing it for
the very first time! I watched Cambria climb over the ship and onto the
ladder, and then stepped into the boat. Then it was my turn. There
I was looking
at
the side of the ship and wondering, “OK, how do I do this…?” Well
I finally made it over and I sat on the side of the Avon. I was just looking
around, trying to soak up the whole scene so that I would be able to retrieve
and enjoy it, again and again.
As we got the o.k. from the ship and we started moving away I waved
to everybody, I do not know why. I was going to see them all in an
hour or
so, I guess
it just felt like the thing to do. I remember seeing the R/V New Horizon
shrink
in size as we moved away and thinking, “Wow, she does look impressive
and reassuring” I looked around and realized that we were on a
small motor boat in the middle of a blue Pacific Ocean. I loved it!
John B. and Jared prepared for and dove in the water. John P. and
I talked to Cambria as we patiently waited for the divers to set up
their lines.
Cambria gave us the “go” and John and I went in. It was unbelievable. Words
will do small justice to what I experienced. The water had transformed as if
to tell us, “This is what I am really like, not what you see from above.
I invite you to marvel at my being and place yourself in my universe.” I
was fascinated by the color, the light, the silence, the feel, the
taste. I knew that I had just become another sea creature playing by
the same rules
as all others. I could be both predator and prey. But looking around,
I quickly figured out that prey would be more like it. So I stayed
close to the boat.
I began to notice, really notice my surroundings. I spent some time
looking at Jared and John B. They moved in such an effortless manner.
Jared was
standing, suspended underwater; his fins slowly move back and forth
as he focused on
a Rhizosolenia mat. It was like they were moving in slow motion. Their
moves flowed but you could also see that each one of them had a purpose.
They communicated
underwater with a common nonverbal language, engulfed in blue silence.
I was amazed at their serene confidence in this alien environment.
My attention was caught by small rays of light. As I turned, I noticed
a starburst pattern with me in the spotlight. It seemed to radiate
from the
bottom of the
ocean and dance around me to the music of light. It trapped me in its
magic and I lost myself in its calm welcome. I tried to find the source,
but
all I saw was an endless, transparent blue. I could not help but to
feel in awe.
The magic was broken when Cambria informed us that it was time to
go. After I gracefully excited the calm of the ocean, I quietly sat
down
and watched
my snorkeling partner fumble his way up the ladder (I seem to remember
this somewhat differently….. John P). We both looked at each other and knew
that we had just been part of something extraordinary. John B. and Jared came
on board and we prepared to leave as we loaded the precious Rhizosolenia mats
into the cooler. Cambria radioed the bridge of our return and we headed towards
our friends and home at the New Horizon.
Dora A. Leal
