Jellyfish, Ahoy

Saturday, Sept 2

Today at the sea it was gloriously sunny, and the water was flat, calm.

There were loads of jellyfish out, so I knew I was going to have a lot of company. I was the only person at the beach again. I didn’t see anyone on the campgrounds or near the cabins. I hope they were out having fun somewhere. I miss swimming with my swim buddies back home. I love swimming no matter what, but it’s more enjoyable when I can share it with others.

I took my time getting my gear on because I knew the water was going to be cold. I also don’t like immersing myself into a school (pod?, group? gang?) of jellyfish. I have made my peace with them, but I’m still not sure if I hurt them when I swim by or accidentally swat one. 

The water felt good cold. That means it was cold enough to feel bracing but not so cold I felt that freeze burn on my skin. I really could go another week without my wetsuit, but I’m not sure I want to. 

Underwater Obstacle Course

I pointed myself toward the huge diving platform, then tried to swim slowly to avoid crashing into jellyfish. I did my weird reach-out stroke, trying to sweep them away as I moved forward. I wasn’t very successful because there were five or six of them coming at me every stroke. One hit me in the face. It didn’t hurt, but I wondered if it was thinking, “ew, her face touched mine.” I wasn’t bothered by it at all. Too tired. And too happy to be in the water. 

I made it to the area in front of the platform faster than I thought I would, then decided to create a new stroke so I could do the equivalent of treading water for a few minutes. I was able to rest my head on my swim buoy and pedal into the water, like I was on a recumbent bike. Usually my buoy would’t stay under my head so perfectly, but it did today because the water was so calm. Then I started sweeping my arms away from my sides, like I was shooing the jellyfish away. 

Adapt, Invent

I found this position and movement comfortable, maybe sort of silly, but I liked doing it. Eventually, I got bored and needed to swim for real. I swam out a bit into deeper water, without putting my face in the water. I could swim like this and not see the jellyfish, but I didn’t want to do that. I decided days ago that we would share the sea in peace, and that’s what I wanted to do. 

Still, there were a lot of jellyfish, and they were huge. The water was kind of a washed out sage color, with a lighter, diffused yellow on top where the sun came in. I did some quick chants to my main peeps, “H, E, T, R, A.” Then I repeated that about five times. I also asked for some support. 

Land Problems

I’m having great swims but a hard time here. The data plan I bought for my phone doesn’t work, and I don’t have wifi where I’m staying. So, I’m not able to work the way I usually do (swim, write, post, interact with the peeps who interact with my posts), and it’s bumming me out. 

At the same time, I’ve waited 20 hours trying to fix these networks, email back and forth with customer service, etc. I’m done. I’m just going to swim, and the other stuff will have to wait. 

All that matters are the swims and the people I get to meet. 

Tomorrow I will do a bunch of laundry, ride to the beach for one last swim without my wetsuit, then pack for my trip on Monday to visit my cousin. Hurray. 

I love you, sea. I even love you, jellyfish.