indo adventure- day 13: hope
hope
Today is the last day of the surf retreat, and unfortunately I was still unable to surf due to the state of my shoulder. Tomorrow I fly back to Bali, spend a day, then start the journey home.
As may be evident by this blog, this trip has manifested in very unexpected ways. I will admit I have felt bummed, irritated, and at times, despondent. But in the end, I see it as a character test. Perhaps I needed reminding of the importance of resilience and tenacity, particularly in challenging times.
But the goal hasn’t changed. I still want to surf. What’s changed is my understanding of the path to becoming a proper surfer. I came here thinking this retreat was the whole thing, I would leave standing up straight on a long board riding off into the sunset. It turns out it’s been one small part of a much longer journey. While I haven’t had the physical experience I was hoping for, I have tried to learn as much as possible. I understand waves now in a way I didn’t before. I understand reef breaks and bathymetry and why a particular lump on the horizon means something by the time it reaches you.
Once I get this shoulder sorted, I’m excited to get back on a board and keep trying.
a quick snorkel
I went snorkeling a bit today and saw all sorts of beautiful sea life in a reef, including some cool fish. Then I saw one that had brownish/orange coloring and spiky bits and I instinctively knew to swim away. When I was telling a new friend about it, she said “I think that was a lionfish!” She showed me a picture and I confirmed. Lionfish are venomous! So lesson learned: trust your instincts!
Photo credit: Luiz Rocha © California Academy of Sciences
farewell Sumbawa!
