Illusion of Words

Boating Expedition

September 21, 2008 – 8:52 am

That sounds serious. But no. Boating means water-skiing, knee-boarding and whatever other weird top-of-the-water sports. I’m not the most healthy and sportsy person - perhaps that is why after an entire day on the boat, I got fairly close to puking, and now sitting in front of the computer, still have this weird floating sensation. The floor must be rocking.

Anyhow, it was a first. I tried water-skiing. It definitely wasn’t easy trying to put on the skis. I can’t swim, so that didn’t make it any easier. It was a constant struggle against the skis and the water. Wrangling around in the water, trying to make the long skis behave, and when you finally get the rope, and position yourself, and the boat takes off, and suddenly you’re in the water again, skis floating about in close vicinity. So no, I didn’t succeed.

There was the Tarzan-esque rope stunt, which I did not try. It was getting colder, my teeth were chattering when I let them be. Then we went on to the tube. Now that’s a device for a novice (ok, lame), but really, all you had to do was to hang on for dear life. I tried it. Pretty smooth sailing in the beginning, like some sort of mild roller coaster (which was quite fun), then it starts getting crazy as the boat driver tries to throw you around by making sharp turns, and you begin to think you can’t hold on any longer, and you hit a wave, and suddenly, WHAM! you’re hit by water right in the face and the sensation is like you’re drowning or something, and as you try to wheeze out the water from your nose, you open your eyes and see that you’re floating in the water (thank God for life jackets!), with the boat some distance off.

That hit-the-water sensation was definitely no fun. Two times and I didn’t want to do it again. Besides, it was getting colder.

Despite that, it was one great experience. Thanks to all those generous folks. Another glimpse in American life. Boating - memorable as yet another first in my life.

The Tube!