This is one of my favorite stories to tell. Imagine you’re swimming with dolphins in Mexico on a bright, warm December day.
Wait, back up. Imagine being with your best friend at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico. You’ve chosen some excursions to do at the resort - swimming with dolphins included.
As we headed out on our bus, I discovered something very, very fun in a bag I hadn’t used since I was on crutches. Immediately, I got flashbacks: Where did this mysterious free-floating “candy” come from? Oh, yeah! The last time I used this bag, I was in a wheelchair at Disney World and couldn’t fit into the brand-spankin’ new Avatar ride.
Fresh off of surgery, I had the luxury of cutting a lot of lines, but I couldn’t bend my knee enough to fit in the ride. This was a LOL moment, but it was also a tragedy. Rather than stick to a regimen of Oxycodone and Percocet, I, like a rational human, stocked up on Colorado Candy before this trip. So I would sleep on the plane, get my appetite back, and, I guess, most importantly, cut down on the pain I had from a plate and seven screws in my femur.
Cut back to the bus in Mexico…I see a small red gummy chilling at the bottom of the fanny pack I last used in Disney World with my Mom and Brother—an edible. Yeehaw, boys. I look at my best friend and say, “Should we?” Before I could finish my sentence, we split the bad boy in half on the bus to swim with dolphins.
We arrived at the facility and mistakenly put on our sunscreen. We didn’t hear the instructions NOT to wear the SPF because it harmed the water and the dolphins we were about to swim with. Like shameful idiots, we had to shower before entering the pool. As soon as the shower cuts out, we give each other a look.
“Oh fuck. Here we go.”
That giggly bliss was starting to hit at the perfect moment. We were given instructions to get into the pool and stay close to the wall. Our was group would be shoved across the pool on a boogie board by two dolphins pushing on our heels. Let the record show that you could not pick the group you ended up in. By pure chance, we got the best activity.
Two lil’ homies would come up behind you and vault you through the water for like 20 meters. But before we could get launched across the pool they kindly asked the dolphins to swim in front of us. As one person would swim out into the pool to get into position the dolphins would make a round in front of us. I got to touch a dolphin no less that seven times while waiting to be shot across a pool.
As each member of our group went out to boogie board across the pool I was giddy with excitement. We were able to catch all of the coaching cues, “Keep your legs straight!” and there being pressure on the bottom sides of your feet as they shot you through the water. We saw some people totally fail and I knew when my moment came I would be the best subject those dolphins ever pushed.
Truth be told, I was impressed at their athleticism but being vaulted across the pool was not the part of this story I remember the best. I distinctly remember standing against the wall next to a ten year old asian kid who gave me a serious look of judgement each time the dolphins swam in front of us to touch.
“EEEE!!!” I exclaimed with joy as they passed by. In dolphin, and in human, I think I transcended the language barrier. It was obvious I was having the time of my life.
Anyways, that was one of the best days of my life. Swimming with dolphins. a 10/10 experience and one that I highly (pun intended) recommend!
I know the dolphin was trained to pose like that but, truth be told I communicated with her telepathically and we were both on the same page. Who’s more excited!?!
I love her.
Ciao for now!
xoxooxCait