Well, it may be Sunday, but even in the catholic Philippines, PADI certification and tide wait for no man. After three days of classroom, practical sessions in shallow water and 5 dives, I am now a qualified Open Water Diver. The classroom stuff wasn't difficult, but only the biggest idiot wouldn't pay attention when it's something on which your life can depend at 25m beneath the surface. I appear to have taken to diving like a...er...fish? This really surprised me as I've never been a strong swimmer and thought the chances of my panicking at uncomfortable, underwater situatuons were reasonably high. However, logic dictates that panicking is only going to cause more trouble...so you stay calm.
In a totally different way to the alien nature of turning up in a foreign country, the underwater world is incomparable to anything else. You see it on TV or in films...and you may even have been snorkelling - but it's not until you get away from the bouyancy fluctuations of the surface depths that everything starts to make sense. This lumbering 115kg mass of bone and muscle (and obviously a teensy-weensy bit of fat!) encumbered in about 20kg of dive gear and weights, does not locomote particularly fluidly or easily on land. Attach a pair of fins (flippers to the uninitiated) and cover with 15 metres of brine, and suddenly the world floats by effortlessly. And what a world - everything swaying and pulsing. Only fluid motions allowed - even the darting of frightened fish or the sharp closing of plant tendrils seem to have a languid smoothness unseen on terra firma. I'm totally bewitched by the ocean floor and can see myself really getting into the whole scuba thing. I've already signed up to my advanced open water certificate, which will include a wreck dive and a night dive.
Apart from the diving, I've mostly been eating and reading. The food here is different but every bit as appealing as Korea's. I've limited myself to one piece of junk food - after the tiring session in the internet cafe the other night. The rest of the time I eat...fish. Squid...Lapu-Lapu...tiger prawns...shrimp...blue marlin...tuna...ad infinitum! I typical meal consists of a small fish (would make 2 fillets about 2inches by 6inches) broiled in a soup stock, a (Fin) handful of tiger prawns and a couple of squid (these latter two choice, grilled with garlic. On the side you'd have two cups of garlic rice and a drink (eg a whole green coconut). With friendly and attentive service the bill comes to 220pesos...or 2pounds 20pence...aah...life's hard.
Back with more, later in the week. Take care, y'all and stay in touch.
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