or: I am not a fish

Jacques Cousteau once said “The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish.”  The past week, I have been doing exactly that and have noted a few other things as well.

– it is cold being a fish if you’re not wearing enough neoprene and once feeling this way, it’s harder to observe the other fish while also keeping focused on the divers who are always the first priority

– this fish may not be quite as scaly as others as there is no room for scales when your skin is more prune-like over two dives and a couple of hours in the water

– it is hungry work and tiring being a fish and so I eat more

– I have met many others this week who are also observing / becoming fish and have learnt quite a bit about underwater photography too. One couple has only just left their country after over 58 years on this planet and as a result, are planning how to spend their retirement traveling and learning to dive after having their first experience underwater here. They regret not traveling sooner. This is their only regret.I told them my only regret is not learning how to dive sooner and I want to help others not have the same regret  

– I went to a bbq with other fish observers. We challenged ourselves to communicate on land purely with dive signals for five minutes  Turns out this is easier underwater and I laugh a lot less then too 

– I have realized I’m not a fish and am a temporary visitor to their world which is normally very relaxing  except when I’ve cracked my mask and have it start leaking 25 metres underwater.

This would never happen to a real fish.

 

* Thanks to  N*E*R*D for the title to this post.