My last two divemaster requirements were the worst. I had to actually take real people out on guided dives and check their skills. Yikes. On my first outing out on my own I forgot my weight belt (huge blunder) and got a little bit lost. Thankfully Lily gave me her weight belt while she used a spare and I ended up taking my two divers on a less conventional dive pattern. The following day Nene and I took out a couple to review their skills which was a 'too many cooks in the kitchen' type experience. Really frustrating but it was also one of those times to just suck it up and deal. When we got back to shore, I had to eat, nap and prepare myself mentally for my graduation party that night.
Everyone I'd talked to had said they couldn't make it to the party but when Yoomi (the other divemaster student) and I arrived fashionably late, everyone I could have imagined was there. All the instructors and boat guys, the receptionist and Marta the cool cleaning woman. Even the guys from Tayrona Dive Center came by. It was quite a party. Nelson started up the bbq and fired it up by aiming a dive tank of pressurized air at it. Yoomi and I were fed first and were led to our places on stage to start the show. I didn't realize that I'd have to wear a mask with the snorkel which meant I'd have no way to breathe. Before the rum even trickled down the long snorkel tube I could smell the sickly sweet aroma and by heart started racing. It was over quite quickly but not quickly enough for me not to breathe for the entire duration. When I lifted up my mask a few centimeters to get a few molecules of air into my nose and lungs I could here Max yelling that I was cheating. Ya, right. Divemasters don't need to breathe. I forgot. Good Lord I'm too old for this shit.
Nene and Lily stepped up to the stage for their turn. Lily cried and Nene asked for more. the entertainment portion of the evening being over Max finally agreed to switch his blaring AC DC greatest hits CD for some Reggaeton. As usual in Columbia, dancing immediately broke out. One more hour and the party was pretty much wrapped up. Really lovely and memorable. They were nice enough to give me the next day off which I spent walking along the Santa Marta beach front and downtown shopping area with Winnie, a Danish girl from my hostel. At noon we hopped a bus to the mall to enjoy some much needed air conditioning and to find a present for Gerd and his girlfriend who were getting married later that day and for their soon to be born niña. We finished just in time to catch the beautiful sunset behind the lighthouse. I've been so busy, smetimes I forget to stop and enjoyt how beautiful it is here.
All done. All completed. But I just can't seem to leave this place. I was going to head to beaches in Tayrona National park for a few days of relaxation but Gerd asked me to help hi out with a big group for the next 3 days. I must say it was really nice to be asked and needed. No one really needs you when your traveling, floating from town to town. So I leave Sunday for a few days in a hammock in Tayrona before popping back in here before heading out on a six day Lost City trek and then Cardigan and perhaps a little taste of Southern Columbia. I'd hoped to get to Cuba before Fidel died but it looks like it may be touch and go. Hold on Mr. Castro. I'm coming!
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