Searching for Calm Waters

Gallery: Potcakes

josie — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:27:00 GMT

dogs!

Potcake Pleasure?

josie — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:07:00 GMT

A potcake is the name given to the local dogs on the island, they originate from when slaves where on the island and the dogs where apparently introduced to 'protect' them, though more likely to prevent them from attempts at escape.....the name comes from the bottom of the pot burnt/crud from cooking that would be scraped out to be thrown out to the dogs.

I have never known just beautifully natured dogs. We've ended up with two of the buggars, Jasper and Mrs Whiskers.

Jasper ended up being fostered by neighbours about 2 months ago, he had been hit by a car and left in the road. It was unsure wether he would survive after the hit as he couldn't stand let alone walk, had problems determining the origin of sound and generally looked a bit bewildered.

The neighbours were going away for the weekend so we said we'd keep an eye on him. First 2 days he stayed in the garage, then after 2 days on our balcony being watched over and looked after he stood up, a little wobbly admittedly but stand up he did. From then on it got better and better and within a week he was trotting around at our heels. Problem was now we'd totally fallen in love with him and he now seemed to be ours. Much to the amusement of the neighbours when they returned (and relief, fostering and finding new owners is not an easy task here.

This was not the original idea considering we are temporary residents on a tropical island. However it was too late.

Next came Mrs Whiskers, one of a group of 'in bad shape' dogs left behind when the original carer/owner died. The group was being cared for by volunteers of the local animal charity TCSPCA. Some of the group where good for rehoming, others not quite so much hope. I had gone to see the dogs with a view to rehoming one to be a yard dog, and to be vocal around the place, mainly for protection, a win win situation really.

Mrs Whiskers was a strange choice, she was the smallest, a terrier type but there was just something about her you know, I just knew she would have a lovely character, a big heart and a feisty character, just what we needed around the place.

She proved me right, however again I hadn't counted on how totally utterly gorgeous she would be and now I'm in love with her as well. This isn't helped by Danny who is as soft hearted as I am.

Shit.

They bring us a lot of joy, they are unconditionally loving, responsive, well behaved and fun. Mrs W literally jumps for joy when she sees you. These dogs were strays, wild, but when given care they respond hugely. How can the locals not recognise this? The abuse and lack of even-the-faintest-sign-of-giving-a-shit offered by locals to these dogs is incredible. But it's ok as god forgives them they're sins towards these animals. Bollox really.

There's a few pictures attached, enjoy.

Josie xx

Gallery: Freediving

josie — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 01:36:00 GMT

Apnea

The dumps on a Tropical Island

josie — Sat, 9 Feb 2008 15:00:00 GMT

I am in the midst of taking a break. Work has been a little hectic and customers demanding and my patience has thinned to invisible so today is day 2 of 5.

You find me sat on my decking on a very sunny day, I'm facing the ocean and it's the blue you see in magazines, the shallow waters are an extreme turquoise, blending outwards to a deep blue as it reaches the reef, a gentle but rather firm breeze from the east is making my laundry billow in that wonderful way that only laundry can, Jimmy Buffett was playing from the little ipod speakers and now i've changed it to Suzanne Vega. The potcakes are sleeping in the shade just to my right.

So how, in this glorious environment, can you feel down in the dumps?

Well you can, and it's not something you can talk to people about as they think you're nuts, how can you get a sympathetic ear when you live work and breath the sea and sun every day?

Sometimes you just need to get away from it, time to reflect and chill and have no-one demand anything of you.

I'm not usually one for spa type pampering but yesterday that's exactly what I did. I went to the spa and got saunad, scrubbed and massaged, I then got coated in mud, wrapped in clingfilm and towels and left in a darkened room where I lay there and grinned for half an hour. My lovely lovely 'therapist' did not speak, did not attempt to sell me stuff and basically left me the hell alone. It was a good experience and much needed.

So, doesn't matter where you are, life comes with you.

Josie xxx

Ego of Tech 2

josie — Sat, 9 Feb 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Did the courses. I now have 'technical' certifications. Entry level stuff, quite low down on the scale of 'technical' courses.

I don't like to pigeon hole people but when you deal with the public in large numbers on a regular basis you can't help but catergorise them. Unfortunately you're often correct as well.

Take the big guy that comes to sign up for diving, quite tall, stocky but his main mass is around his gut. Ginger as well, but that's more a passing comment rather than a catergorising factor.

First impressions? Going to patronise me as a woman in a male dominated environment. Will be very vocal about his diving 'status' though probably did his courses in quick sucession and hasn't logged that many. Will no doubt dive overweighted and will more than likely own his own new equipment which will very probably be a wing. He will probably own a D9 and use the air transmitter thing rather than the good old fashioned safely attached gauge. In his bag will be a multitude of gadgets, gizmo's and thingymebobs that he will attach to himself 'just in case'.

I'd of liked to be wrong, but I wasn't. To top it all off he wants to register with us using his 'technical' card.

Anyway, if it makes him feel good then alls well.

I did enjoy my courses but it really did seem a load of hassle. wearing 3 tanks rather than 1 makes you off balance, I spent the entire dive on my side as the effort to rectify myself was too great in my opinion, I was told off for finning too slowly, I had to wear a dive plan written on a slate, a stonking great fancy computer and a back up computer, too much hassle for me, sorry. Too busy trying to dive to actually enjoy the diving.

Great instructor though, she totally knows her stuff and she's very happy with what she does. However the idea of holding her breath and diving is as freaky for her as wearing a multitude of tanks is to me. Swings and roundabouts I guess.

So, conclusion? There's a place for technical diving, but let's keep it in context, it's not at 60 feet on a tropical reef........

Now the rebreather is something I'm curious about. You don't blow bubbles so the critters don't see you as the threat they normally do, thereby you see much more. Now THAT sounds intriguing.........

Josie xx

Delightful Customers 2

josie — Sat, 9 Feb 2008 13:00:00 GMT

OK, when I first added 'delightful customers 1' I'd not long been on the island and was relatively new to the Americans and their demanding ways. Over a year has passed since we landed on this scrubbly little island and mindsets have changed a little.

The American culture is a little out of focus I think, a culture where responsibility is not accepted for the individuals behaviour, if you trip it most certainly is not your fault, it is not up to you to look where you are going, it's up to the authorities to ensure the surface is even, slip proof and grippy for you with an appropriate amount of signage should it not be. Sharp corners on cupboards (you know the ones, they've been around for centuries, design hasn't changed from when your great great great grandmother used them) are a potential law suit now.

I guess what I'm saying is that it's difficult to like them sometimes, all is good with them until something doesn't go their own way or an (unreasonable) expectation is not met. What I hadn't realised is that, refreshingly, a lot of them feel the same way.

Curious was that during our month trip to the States (see dannygoesdiving journal for information, he's the fiance and is better at these things than I) all barr 1 person we encountered was lovely, the everyday Americans are chirpy, positive thinkers and generally just good old down to earth nice people.

Take for example a recent customer, Mrs M we'll call her, came out to dive with us with anticipation of doing maybe 2 more specialty courses, she already had about 7. Mr M also had the same expectation, he had about 14 already.

However, Mrs M just couldn't dive, she was a lovely lady, had logged 30 dives but maybe only 1 or 2 of those where actually fun dives, all the rest had been training. She had the full range of all the most recent equipment (quite technically styled equipment as well) but not really much knowledge of how to use it. She spent the first half of the week endangering herself with her inability to control herself under the water and the second half trying to undo all the negative experiences she'd had in the first.

My god was she a fighter though, she did not once give up, this lady was a self employed, mother of 2 who, looking at her was clearly into excercise as she was incredibly fit and strong. She wasn't giving up for anything or anybody. Her husband (like most guys) was at a loss as to how to 'help' her and was quite distressed at her upset and frustration.

Anyway, this is one lady who has my respect and admiration, she left after her holiday with a great sense of achievement that I believe was greater than she experienced from any of her many courses. That is the American culture that you don't see everyday but is most definitely there, they're fighters, they believe in the 'American dream' and don't give up.

The other experience I've had most recently is the wonderful Ms L. She came out with her partner, both were divorcees, each with kids, each having found a great love in each other, a great trust and respect. He already dives, she wanted to learn. She insisted I teach her, I think there was some kind of connection when we first met and she was as keen for me to teach her as I was to be her instructor, sometimes they just hit you like that.

So we giggled, bickered and laughed our way through her course, she trusted me and knew she was safe and I did my best to turn her into the best diver she could be.

Even when she chased the shark down to nearly 100 feet (she should have been no deeper than 60), the look of amazement and joy on her face was a beautiful sight (what I could see of it through my laughter induced flooded mask).

To see someone in such awe of the watery world, to see someone recognise the beauty and strength in the wet and the creatures that live within it, was a great experience and one I am very very happy to have been able to share it with her.

She had great boobs as well, totally fake and rather large but they looked great!

Actually, oddly enough, both of these ladies had fake ones on incredible bodies. Go girls!!

So that's the end of my story, not really a story, just some musings I guess. No real conclusion, just a message of a greater understanding of cultures.

Josie xx

Darkest Apnea & Days off

josie — Fri, 8 Feb 2008 11:00:00 GMT

In the search for peace there is freediving, the ability to leave the fickle needs of a race gone wrong behind you and dive deep into a blue that holds no percieved desire for status, no uncomprehendable rules and boundaries for misunderstood interactions with your fellow man.

To fall downwards, to feel the water skim over your skin, to read it's contact is to know where your are. Here there is no destruction, no continuous selfish acts toward apparent progress. Here we have yet to infest and consume with the arrogance of those not to be held responsible for the consequences of their actions.

I am often saddened by these thoughts, it bothers me that I feel this way, a concern only matched by knowing these feelings are not shared by as many as should.

This is how I came to fall in love with freediving.

Just for a moment a true sense of calm, a release, a sense of what once was. A sensation that lingers on at the surface, acting to enhance preparations for dives to come.

Pure escapism, we all need it.

Today is Friday 8th Feb 08. I wrote the above October 07 and do not recall doing so, however what saddens me is that I felt and still feel that way. But there you go, that's just me.

My quest for calm is still ongoing, made frustrating by the limited opportunity to dive due to work and logistics. So having tired of Beaches I chose to take a few days out just to chill, today is day 2. Day 1 consisted of chilling, sunbathing, eating and then down to the spa for a sauna, salt rub, mud treatment and mini massage. The process was quiet and I was gently led like a muppet from one bit to the next with a stupid grin on my face and the urge to hug the lovely lady who neither talked to me nor tried to sell me stuff ...... 'what I'm using now is our specially formulated anti-nastiness yourskinwillfalloffwithoutit balm moisturising lotion that only costs 45 bucks'.....etc etc.

Day 2? Jasper to the vets to have his bollocks off. Bless him. Bonus was the vet doing some funny little magnet/clickygadget type thing over his back to release some nasties from when he was hit by the car (hence how we came to have him in the first place). Jasper responded wonderfully, though was of course at the time unaware that he was about to have part of his manhood removed.....

The next 2 days should hopefully see me either freediving or diving and poncing around in a bikini. Will keep you posted, though may not be for 6 months.....

For a more comprehensive idea of what goes on in the life of jo, refer to Danny (fiance) as his blog is a damn site better......

Ego of 'tech' - Part 1

josie — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 20:00:00 GMT

I'm drawn to deeper water, the urge just to carry on going, to drop down, just a little further to that next plateau or drop off, drawn to calm and peace and the small amount of time where a sensation of 'oneness' with the water is found; just for a short time. It's just pure escapism, that's all it is, but by 'eck it's good.

After a couple of 'odd' diving experiences regarding the above mentioned deep I figured I clearly needed more knowledge/training/experience and whilst reasonably competent with this scuba diving malarky am very aware of what I am lacking so contacted the lovely Ariane, 'Technical' diving instructor.

Hence my 'tech or ego' tag. Seems to me that people are drawn to status, to what they believe defines them and to what they believe gives them status. But what on earth is status anyway? It's a perception, that's all, it's what we would like people to think of us, how we would like to be seen. It is not real. The truth lies behind it all, take it all away and who you are is what's left/what's left is who you are, however you wish to view it. I know this is not exactly a revolution in thinking, it's just how I happen to feel.

Introduce yourself as a 'tech diver', defining yourself by that which you paid lots for suggests an ego that is out of balance.

Hence why up to this point I've always been a little dubious about doing a 'technical course', after all surely if you pursue an interest enough it's bound to get more difficult. But to brand it that way, to give it this apparently far more complex status doesn't feel right. I remember learning to scuba dive in the first place, felt pretty fucking technical to me at the time!

So I'm on a path through experiences and courses to improve my diving, apparently earning status and kudos galore along the way with which to astound and impress my friends, earning envy as I go......

Watch this space......

Gallery: Water animals

josie — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:34:00 GMT

Gallery: South West Beach

josie — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:00:00 GMT

Searching for the green flash

Delightful Customers 1

josie — Sun, 1 Jul 2007 16:48:00 GMT

Dealing with Joe Public has always been part of my day but never quite as it is here. Maybe it's the American mentality that makes it so much more of a challenge, I'm not overly sure.

I've been asked some seriously odd questions, the most recent was the guy who came really really close, totally invaded my personal space and asked in a quite demanding tone wether I knew whether they burned propane at the power station. I mean, come on, I'm a scuba instructor, how the hell would I know??

Today I was guiding on the boat, we left the jetty and keeping land on the left we travelled around 45 minutes around the island to an area known as North West Point. At no time did we lose sight of land. I was then asked if we were on the same island.

I've been asked how long the 3 day scuba course lasts as well.

Our yankee friends here at Beaches don't believe that getting your attention should come prior to asking you questions, they just fire them at you as you walk past, then take mild offence when you don't answer, which is why I frequently don't. I have a name, it's written on my work shirt, alternatively a good old fashioned 'excuse me' would also work just as well. Also, 'what' is not acceptable in place of 'pardon', it's a horrible habit they have, makes me physically shudder and I've frequently corrected teenagers who 'what' me, can't tolerate it. Revolting behaviour.

So apparently I've got a reputation of being a lady 'not to be messed with', but as our customers are generally bad divers (either rusty or just plain old badly trained) my dive briefings are a series of what they are and aren't allowed to do, in a stern and very British accent. Generally works.

Anyway, enough for now.........