Crystal Clear Caribbean Waters

We awoke early on Monday morning, packed up the car, and headed off for a half day trip to Steps Beach.  Our destination of Rincón, Puerto Rico was over an hour’s drive away, which provided me with the opportunity to view more of the island.  One major emphasis on the research project and the courses being conducted here is how everything is interconnected, which arose as a discussion during the car ride.  The boss and another intern explained to our two new students that the numerous mountain ranges on the island divide it into seven ecological zones, which, as a result, create vastly different climates, landscapes, and ocean current patterns, among other things.  This is what causes northern Puerto Rico to be like a rainforest, as it experiences downpours throughout much of year from trade winds off of the Atlantic Ocean.  Conversely, in Guayanilla, where the center is based, the mountains block out much of this rainfall, creating a dry climate and constant sunshine during the majority of the year.  Now, I had a picture to fill in the blanks of this ecology lesson, which I had also received.  I don’t believe that the mountains are quite as high as the snow-capped giants of the western United States, but they do look dramatic, rising up from this small island and towering over the villages far below.

Once again, I was excited to return to the ocean, which seemed to stretch on forever, uninhibited by land in its westward direction.  Palm trees and other tropical vegetation grew along the edges of the narrow beach, gently leaning towards the water.  Pelicans flew overhead in v-shaped flocks comprised of three individuals.  Occasionally, one would swoop down from the trees and glide along the water line until it was nearly skimming the surface, likely searching for its midday meal.  The beach itself is named for its rock formations below the water’s surface, which drop downwards in steps away from the shore, having been carved this way by the furious waves that pound the surf.  I was fascinated even by the few algae species and sea snails that I found atop the rocks left exposed by the receded tide, since they were quite unlike those that I had become familiar with in the colder northern ocean waters.

Unfortunately, the combination of not having had a proper ocean swim in years, the constant jostling by the crashing waves, and the panic over whether or not I could breath underwater, prevented me from receiving a full snorkeling lesson, and so I remained land bound.  This was only the beginning of my frustrations on that fateful day, about which I vented the other day.  I allowed the negativity to overtake me, so that I was no longer able to enjoy the beauty surrounding me and the freedom of being away from the confines of the house.  I took a couple of strolls along the beach, studying the shore life and getting splashed by incoming waves, for which I neglected to watch in the midst of my observations. 

Upon our departure from Steps Beach, we visited the food vendor’s compact trailer for a treat of empanadillas (fried meat pies) and pinchos (kabobs).  I’ve found it quite impressive how many Puerto Ricans understand and speak English in a province where the primary language is Spanish.  Even here, the boss had a lengthy conversation with one of the servers about whales in this non-native tongue, while we waited for our food.  We took our lunch to go, as we had a schedule to stick to, and traversed back through the mountains to our home in the south.

Introduction to Scuba Diving

For the past two winters, I have attempted to enroll in a SCUBA experience class at Westfield Water Sports in Southwick, Massachusetts.  The class is offered as an introduction to SCUBA, so that individuals may get a feel for the sport and determine if it’s something that they enjoy enough and feel comfortable with, before pursuing the formal certification course.  The introductory class is only offered every first Friday of the month, and it seems that there is little interest in winter weather pool time, as oftentimes, the classes that I have signed up for have been cancelled, due to too few participants.  However, I can’t place all of the blame on others for how long it has taken for me to get into this class, since my own plans or reservations regarding cost and my level of comfort have also kept me away.

Finally, last Friday was the night.  There were enough people interested and I needed to do this for myself.  My initial interest in trying SCUBA developed as I encountered various marine biology internship postings that listed SCUBA certification as an application requirement.  I decided that the certification would make me a more attractive and qualified candidate for such positions; however, having never even been snorkeling, I figured that I should find out what SCUBA was all about.

The class began with the typical filling out of waivers and signing one’s life away.  We received an overview of the functions of the essential pieces of SCUBA equipment, and were ingrained with the three basic rules of SCUBA; breathe at all times, ascend and descend slowly, and equalize early and often.  The slow ascent and descent and frequent equalization are safety precautions, which are intended to prevent pressure from building in the lungs and ears, reducing the potential of serious injury.

We reconvened at the pool, at which SCUBA equipment was distributed and we suited up.  By this time, I was becoming somewhat anxious, as I sat on the edge of the pool, fiddling with my face mask, so that it didn’t feel like it would either constrict the blood flow to my brain or allow water to seep in.  Breathing with the mask on felt strange, as I struggled for air in its confined space.  Finally, I slid hesitantly into the warm water and was equipped with an air tank.  I found it amusing that the tank felt lighter than my frame pack often does when I’m traveling. 

After, a few more instructions and a final review of the three rules, it was time for the moment of truth.  I purged my regulator of any water that might have entered, stuck it in my mouth, and began insistently negotiating with myself to go under water.  My less logical side soon won out and I plunged my head in.  We had been told to take five breaths before resurfacing; however, mine felt more like hyperventilation, as I continued to struggle with my logical side telling me that humans can’t breathe underwater.  I quickly popped up, breaking rule number two and tried to get my wits together.  Fortunately, the second attempt was far more successful, and I gradually became more comfortable with this crazy concept. 

As a group, we slowly made our way from the shallow end to the eight foot depth at the far end of the pool, from which we commenced our free swim time.  I found the experience to be thrilling and I felt more at home in and in tune with my element, as I darted around the perimeter of the pool. 

Now, I just need to save up for the formal SCUBA certification course; perhaps, next year.