Water, Water, Everywhere!

There was a moment of skin numbing chill - and then horrific blackness. Friction was no longer in control - there was a deeper, greater power at work. And the few moments before the head broke the surface of the saline water contained in them an eternity. It was a taunt - and the waves seemed to echo the mutual dislike. But it was obvious even to a fool who was the boss and who had to beg for mercy for having dared to invade restricted territories.

The first breath of air did not feel wonderful as is always described by others - it was salty and made her throat ache. But she was nevertheless grateful for it. Her life jacket seemed almost pointless as she bounced up and down - but she knew it was the reason that her head was above surface while the rest of her was weighed down by water. She flayed her hands about trying to find something to hold on to. Her fingers brushed the plastic surface of the overturned kayak. Barely 5 minutes ago - the kayak had been one among the handful floating gently beside the guide's - hearing him talk about the glory of La Jolla caves. She would never know how it decided to flip her over.

The 2 guides expertly jumped into the water and made sure she wasn't hurt. Then they flipped the kayak up and held it in place for her. Watching them work, she was sure they were fishes converted to human beings - no one else could feel that home in the middle of the water. And then she thought - she would've been a cat in her own previous birth. She was helped up the kayak - and the retreat began. Every nerve end screamed out, anticipating another fall and unpleasant thought of bringing all of them down again floated in her head. As the shore came closer, the ocean saved her the effort of getting down and dumped her on the beach with another huge wave. She was drenched again - but she had found her ground.

Lesson learnt: Stay away from the Pacific Ocean (or any water body) when you don't like it!!!