f-ing manatees. f-ing turtles.
Facing my fears on a full-day snorkeling trip in Caye Caulker, Belize.
I wish I could say I was fearless. But that is far from the truth. You’ve probably noticed that I’m afraid of a lot of things. Pretty much everything, actually. But, truthfully, most of these fears congregate over two main themes: a fear of heights and a fear of being under water.
I try my damnedest to push myself past them. Sometimes it ends up working out for the best. Sometimes the worst. And sometimes I just can’t push myself over that hump.
But hey, I try. I just can’t help it that while in a body of water I imagine nothing more than drowning or being eaten by a shark. And I just can’t help it that at the top of just about anything I imagine a foot slipping and me plummeting to my death.
It’s how my mind works. I’ve learned to live with it.
Ever since a new friend taught me how to swim in Boracay I’ve been much more confident getting in the water. When I can no longer touch the ground I don’t panic, I just tread water and float and know that I am OK.
In Caye Caulker I took a full day snorkeling trip on day with friends. I really wasn’t sure how I’d fare with it. I mean, I’ve snorkeled before. But only for short periods of time. And only with land close by.
But it ended up being pretty amazing. I stayed out of the boat for much longer periods of time than I ever thought I would. And I saw manatees and turtles and so many fish under the water.
But I didn’t make it more than two minutes in with the sharks. Because, hello, sharks. I may have kind of hyperventilated into my snorkel.
I mean, I can handle tackling ONE fear, but TWO? At once? No. Just no.
