I’m lying in bed thinking about it:
Everywhere around the world, in every sea, every ocean, diving is completely different. Wether you are diving in the Red Sea, in the Indian Ocean, in the Cenotes of Mexico or here in Bavaria in the Alps – every time you enter a different planet.
My parents decided to raise their children here in the south of Germany… at our latitude, the water is always a bit cooler in comparison.
But what the hell… rise and shine!
I have already packed my things yesterday. With a cup of tea, sitting on my terrace, I am thinking again about whether I have really thought of everything. Arriving at the dive spot and having forgotten the mask would of course be fatal. I am speaking from experience…
Now: mask, fins, suit…
OK, everything seems to be in place. Everything loaded in the car. Just a quick coffee from the bakery and I am on my way. Listening to relaxing music, I am driving towards the mountains. I can already see them from the freeway – impressive!
The route mostly leads me through valleys and over passes. Granted, I don’t feel the same motivation to climb mountains as to dive into their sisters, the lakes. But the mountains are simply a beautiful sight to behold. It just grounds me already. I am leaving the stress and all the things that are actually not so important behind me. And I haven’t even made any effort yet.
As I arrive at the dive site, a mountain lake, I hurry out of the car – down to the lake. I take a deep breath and watch the lake. The colour, the light, the waves, the clear spring water, the untouched nature.
Each time it is different, never the same – almost as moody as a living creature.
I try to let go and take it all in.
Just listen.
To get started, I wish everyone – A beautiful good morning.”
In the meantime, my dive buddy – we never dive alone – has also arrived. A short handshake a hug, a quick check: Is he well rested and fit? Each time completed with a smile, we are both thinking the same.
Briefing: How do we want to dive? Deep? Flat? Is there a specific goal?
Afterwards, we calmly go back to our cars, unpack our things, concentrate on putting our ricks together and change into our suits. All the time listenig to each other’s stories from the past few days or just accompanied by the sounds of nature around us.
We check each other one more time, then go into the water. We let it carry us for a moment. We look around, sometimes I close my eyes, open them again and then we give each other the sign.
I consider it a privilege to be able to see it this way, I have often met the right people who inspired and supported me on this path – and I would like to pass this on now. And I would like to thank you dear friends and colleagues.
