Today we went snorkeling in Sosua, DR. Previously I have snorkeled in Disney when I was younger but I had a bad experience because there were sharks and I was too young at the time to just relax and enjoy it. So going into today's adventure I was nervous to say the least. On top of having the experience, I get very motion sick when on a boat or in the back seat of a car. I thought that taking some medicine before would allow me to really enjoy the adventure, but I was wrong.
The first spot we went to swim and look for fish was not too far from the shore. The coral was closer to the surface, which helped so we did not have to dive down very far to see fish. At first I found it very difficult to get a breathing pattern down. I was feeling nauseous the whole time I was swimming but I kept pushing through it because I knew I would not get an opportunity like this for a long time. I was able to swim around the coral and get some pictures of fish on my underwater camera! I was also able to get some pictures of myself in the water as well. Once we were done at that spot we all got back on the boat. My right foot was cramping which made it hard to get back to the boat. The flipper also gave be a huge blister which added to the pain. Once I climbed back on the board, I felt the nausea kick in again, and two other girls were sick. This made me nervous for the next stop we were making. One of the workers said that the next spot was very wavy and that if I was already feeling nauseous I should probably play it safe and go back with the girls that were sick. I took his word for it and went back. This ended up being a great decision because another girl got sick at the next spot.
I am somewhat sad because I did not get to see the great amounts of fish at the second location. But I was still able to experience snorkeling, even though it was not for a long time. I am so proud of myself that I am doing so many things during this trip that I never thought I would ever do. I am making so many great memories with great people, and I am truly blessed to be on this trip.
The first spot we went to swim and look for fish was not too far from the shore. The coral was closer to the surface, which helped so we did not have to dive down very far to see fish. At first I found it very difficult to get a breathing pattern down. I was feeling nauseous the whole time I was swimming but I kept pushing through it because I knew I would not get an opportunity like this for a long time. I was able to swim around the coral and get some pictures of fish on my underwater camera! I was also able to get some pictures of myself in the water as well. Once we were done at that spot we all got back on the boat. My right foot was cramping which made it hard to get back to the boat. The flipper also gave be a huge blister which added to the pain. Once I climbed back on the board, I felt the nausea kick in again, and two other girls were sick. This made me nervous for the next stop we were making. One of the workers said that the next spot was very wavy and that if I was already feeling nauseous I should probably play it safe and go back with the girls that were sick. I took his word for it and went back. This ended up being a great decision because another girl got sick at the next spot.
I am somewhat sad because I did not get to see the great amounts of fish at the second location. But I was still able to experience snorkeling, even though it was not for a long time. I am so proud of myself that I am doing so many things during this trip that I never thought I would ever do. I am making so many great memories with great people, and I am truly blessed to be on this trip.