Friday, August 17, 2012

Swimming with the Fishes*

*fortunately, Mexican style, NOT Sicilian style!


With regards to the beach, I experience a conundrum of sorts. You see, I love love LOVE being by the shore—feet in the warm sand, ears soothed by the crashing waves, eyes feasting on the landscape of endless sea and sky. But here’s the thing: I don’t really want to be IN the ocean.  All that vast open water, with unlimited power…I have a healthy respect…no, let’s just call it what it is, “profound fear” of the briny depths. (Also, I don’t enjoy the all-day sand wedgie…but we don’t have to get into that.) So, today’s tour jaunt challenged me in ways I didn’t anticipate when I weighed the options for our last big Mexican Shebang. I selected the Mayan Adventure, which promised the chance to observe three different ecosystems, up close and personal. There would be snorkeling….there would be underwater-creature sighting…and some other fun stuff!

When we arrived at the first site, our Guide introduced us to an underground cenote (sen-oh-tay), which roughly means “sinkhole”. He explained that we’d see the entrance point from which fresh water flows from an underground river, as well as some interestingly-shaped stalactites and stalagmites. While providing a brief orientation to snorkeling equipment, he kept mentioning how we’d surely find the water to be “refreshing!” He said this repeatedly, with such enthusiasm that the entire group (us and one other family of three women) became suspicious. We queried him more pointedly, and he admitted that the water temperature in the underground cavern—which of course never receives warming from the sun’s rays—would be 77 degrees. Hmm, that didn’t sound so bad….except holy guacamole, Batman, he might have been exaggerating a bit, unless I misunderstood, and “77 degrees” really translates directly to “popsicle toes”. I stood there on the steps, only submerged to my knees, and wondered—with complete sincerity--if I’d even be physically capable of sliding into that water. But here’s where I earned myself a pat on the back: I strapped on my…Big Girl Gear…and did it. In the end, it turns out I’m just too stubborn to consider being left behind.

And although Derek, Riley and I all shivered our way through it, that cave was well worth it. Perfectly clear water, every formation visible, tiny fish darting about—way cool. Then, Luis absolutely made the boys’ day by announcing that at the next stop, there would be…ziplining…and cliff diving. We made our way a short distance to a second cenote (slightly warmer than the first, as it lay completely in the sunlight), where the more daring could ride a zipline and jump into the water, and/or climb up to a 12-foot-high platform and leap off into the pool. Not ashamed to say that in this case my dislike of heights won out, and I played the role of Coward Photographer instead. Naturally, all 3 of the males in the family participated in each of the Tests of Bravery…multiple times. I cheered…and snapped away safely from the ground.
Finally, we drove to the third area, a lagoon where we would snorkel and hopefully spot lots of tropical fish. The water inside this cove was utterly calm and reasonably temperate, so nobody had any trouble navigating amongst the fishies and admiring their bright colors. But then, the group opted to travel maybe 300 yards or so (Husband’s best guess) out to a small reef for a potentially greater number and variety of flora and fauna. Have I mentioned my strong aversion to water that’s over my head? And that whole “fury of the ocean” thing? Suffice it to say, I was…nervous. (Note: We did have life jackets on, else this would have been over for me before it started.) Fortunately, the “pigheaded” trait kicked in once more, and I flippered my way on out there with the rest. On the way, I saw eagle rays and sting rays, a needlefish, many parrotfish, brain coral….and lots of other things I can’t even name, but that were awesome. Every once in a while I paused to recognize “I can’t believe I’m doing this!” before continuing on my way.

When we finished, tired from our snorkel-cross-training workout (kicking those fins is hard work, I’m telling ya!), Team WestEnders all agreed that this definitely qualifies as a Favorite Memory so far in our Family Vacation Chronicles. Husband and I privately marveled at our fairly fearless children (and I made sure to seize the opportunity to point out to those very kids how great their parents are for taking them on these exotic travels). Manana we head home after one last breakfast—exhausted, but loaded with stories, photos, and a few souvenirs of a beautiful semana en Mexico!

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