5 Sep 05

05.09.05

I thought I knew how to swim
Until I found out I didn't
In the middle of the Greek ocean

On our honeymoon. Sort of.
2 years to the date
My more prudent half and I
Are on a ferry
headed to hot springs
Off the coast of Mykonos.

Only the ferry stops
Mid ocean
And the skipper says
Jump off and swim to the springs.

Well.
No life jackets or buoys in sight.

Bronzed bodies leap into the ocean
Laughing, splashing.

The prudent half is prudent and has no illusions about his swimming skills.
I on the other hand am not leaving without seeing the hot springs
So I jump in
Red bikini and all

I strike out
Only
The sea seems to go on and on
The water stays green forever. My arms are tiring. I'm gasping for breath.
Then I start seeing shadows of brown beneath and i think
God. Land. I can touch the sea ground now.
And I try
Only I can't.
Now I panic.
I see the headlines flashing already
Young lady drowns while reaching out for eternal hot springs.
I see a man treading water like he lives in the sea
I struggle up to him
Instead of shouting "help! I'm drowning!"
I say with all the decorum possible to muster while trying not to drown
"Excuse me sir. I'm having a bit of trouble. May I hold on to you for awhile?"
Greek men aren't particularly friendly. They are handsome  in the gruff sort of way. He just nods ..  possibly puzzled at the kind of trouble I'm having since I obviously have no trouble speaking in full sentences even if they come out a bit breathless.
I hold on to his arm for five seconds while i scan the sea for something friendlier to hold on to.  i spot a small rock that looks tethered to the ground.
Then I strike out again. This time i don't fall for the ruse of brown shadows meaning ground I can stand on. I just swim. (I was dog paddling- now I know).
I find the rock and clamour on and stand there shivering for a full minute. Shivering in cold. Realisation of my folly in taking on the Greek ocean without knowing how to swim. Realising damn I  don't know how to swim! And the dread that man I have to go back too.

I crawl to the hot spring and stand in them forlon for 5 min. Yay I made it. Yeah whatever.
The I take a deep breath and start again for the ship. I swim then float on my back to rest then I swim again and float again.
I spy the better half clicking photos a d i want to scream. I'm not swimming in just staying alive!
I make it back. Can't speak. Shivering again. He says
"Where's your ring??"
I reply
"I nearly died!"
So I paid the sea my ring in return for life
Came back to singapore and started swimming classes straight away.
And now i tell myself
Man I swam in the Greek ocean when i didn't  know  how to swim.
I can do anything!