One of the stories parents tell their children to warn them of the dangers of the ocean, I was happy to experience it when I was a teenager and not yet a firm believer that the most popular part of my country, its ocean, could really hurt any family. It was not that I came from a sailor's family or that my father was the captain of a large ship or something like that, but it was largely because both my parents considered themselves sailors, coastal travelers and unknown blue waters. . In particular, my father, a former scuba diver, was always eager to give us a “sea lesson” while sailing on our small, but popular fishing boat.
In the summer I was about to turn 15 and my brother was about 12 years old, my father decided that we should enjoy the island coast long enough and we were ready for our first maritime study. We boarded our small fishing boat and, following Father's advice from an expert, set out on our journey to the clear blue sea. Our goal was to visit a small island, not far from where we lived during the summer holidays, and to learn, with useful training, some of the important things he had been explaining to us over the years. I remember looking at the horizon and marveling at its beauty. I still remember how it was yesterday, how the shiny blue sky formed a small white line in the area where it was connected to the dark blue sea. The air gently helped our goal to get out of the harbor and although there was undoubtedly something I had to do or watch someone else do while I was in the boat, I could still feel the salt droplets flowing through the air and drying out. my lips. In fact, that long boat trip was the first time I felt part of nature; part of that beautiful and completely, one hundred percent, living area.
In less than an hour, we were able to get close to a small desert island that we had planned to visit that day and my father shouted — probably because of the strong wind — that he was aware of the beautiful sandy beach where we could camp. all day long. Everything went according to plan and we set foot on that virgin beach thing so we could enjoy a warm day and chill out in the deep sea to admire its beauty. My brother screamed for joy as he jumped from the boat to the sea and later I decided to dive from the highest point when I discovered I could climb rocks around the uninhabited sea. But the adventure was about to begin.
When we decided to go out on the warm, friendly beach for more than three hours, Dad found that our little boat engine was out of order. After many attempts to start an engine that would help us get back home safely, I realized that he was now under pressure to retrieve only the two oars. He managed to steer the boat into the deep water, and then we realized that the rough seas were so strong that it was impossible for us to get home safely. Moreover, the wind speed was constantly increasing and instead of going where we wanted it to go it seemed that we were going to get worse. Fortunately, my father did not give up. He kept trying to reassure us and laugh at this voyage, but when I saw his eyes focused on the situation, that look told me more than words I could describe. That's when I got scared and thought it was possible for us to never come back. Although I had no doubt that my father could lead us to safety and I did not believe that such a tragedy could be the real situation I would have to face - after all I had my heroic father - a voice in my head kept shouting. that I had to remain calm and support his efforts in any way I could to be successful. In fact, when he tried to start the engine, my brother and I grabbed hold of the oars and tried to pull them together toward the shore. When Father was in charge, we almost hung from the boat and assisted his efforts by using our hands as two oars, one on each side of the boat. We did as he was told and within three hours, we were inside our own harbor. Dad would yell, “You're a real spit fire,” and his voice gave us the courage we needed to keep going! After three and a half hours we were able to get off the boat. Needless to say, our sea voyage was a landmark summer vacation that year, but more important, it taught us a valuable lesson. Never take anything lightly when visiting unknown waters; as in health.
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