On the last morning of our stay in Assos on the Aegean, I finally got a few moments to swim in the sea. The conference was over, we packed our bags, and headed to the beach for a bit. Papa held the baby while I dove into the sea. And then I dove again and again and again. 4 times, for each day we were there. (Although we were there for 5 days :), and if I knew what I was doing, I would have dove a 5th time) I could have dove in all day long. Entering into the sea, just as your finger tips hit the water, your eyes see one kind of blue and then the sandy/rocky floor, flickering shadows and beams from the sun and waves, and then the most crystal clear blue water ever.
I guess this is a good enough place to be with 35C temps.
Yeah we swam. In fact, we arrived yesterday afternoon, peeled out of a mini commuter bus, stumbled across the road and registered at hotel. Did a 180 and walked 10 ft across the pebbly beach and into the Aegean. No bathing suits, no camera to capture the moment. Just pure reaction. Lucy, of course, went entirely in, skirt, onesie, diaper and all. She didn't mind. She even drank the sea water ... and not just once. Chaz and I were a little more reserved, and content to just cool off our legs.
Several movies popped into my mind while I was reading about Nablopomo. So while I am traveling on a bus tomorrow morning I thought I would write this tonight, just in case I can't get logged in tomorrow. I suppose that is breaking the rules a bit...
Our bus ride leaves @ 7am, but we need to arrive an hour before. This could be tough, with a baby and boy. But we need the practice for our outbound flight that leaves @ 5:55am a week later.
The bus ride from Istanbul to Assos is 6 hours total which includes a 1.5 ferry over a Strait and a half hour wait in line for the ferry. Assos is a small historical village. We are going here because there is a philosophy conference being held in this town. I am no philosopher, but the town itself met my criteria; historical, small and seaside. So we are tagging along. Papa is the philosopher. He will go to talks. We will swim and play and explore. He told me that one day the conference people will take a day trip to Troy. Can you picture 30-40 professor philosophers on a field trip. Ah the attire (perhaps strawhats, short sleeved shirts and cords), leather bound note books and cameras.
Here, in Assos, is where I plan to swim every day. Hopefully.
Tidbit of information: When we reserved our bus seats ... three seats and a lapbaby ... I was informed that Chaz will have to sit with Papa and I will sit in the solo seat with lapbaby. I was told this because Chaz always wants to sit with me and I like to sit with him and Papa sits alone. But in Turkey, they will not sit a male beside a female (strangers) or vice versa. The other seat is reserved to a female so I will sit beside her. I suppose this is why reservations are taken.
These buses are luxurious, big seats, servers and movies. I wonder if we will see.....(segue to my swim theme movie choice)
I am a lousy movie critic. It has been a long time since I have seen this movie and I barely remember it. BUT the picture, I cannot forget. And the very first bit of the movie. It was very sensual. Have you seen it?
I thought writing each day about SWIM would be easy, well, easy enough. We are traveling until July 13 and we are able to swim a lot. In fact we are headed to the seaside town of Assos where the beach and a pool will be at our fingertips. There is one minor challenge though; getting to a computer to write about it. Today proved to be tough. We are staying in Istanbul in two different places. One connected the other not. We spent the day at grandmas apartment, the unconnected place. An hour after papa left in the morning, I felt trapped. Sick boy, laying on couch and baby taking her nap. I was pacing from room to room, nowhere to go, nowhere to write. Nowhere to walk except from room to room. And nowhere to swim. But I did realize how important the first few hours in the morning are to me. I need to release my energy, such as a long walk and I need a creative outlet, such as blogging/writing/planning/finding inspiration. I have been doing this for 6 months and this morning I noticed how good it is for me. When papa returned a few hours later, I high tailed it out of there.
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Personal goals - Swimming days:
7/1 - check - @ BuMed. Splashed in baby pool for a bit, then handed off baby L. and swam in the big pool. A stranger tossed the reluctant Chaz into the water!
I'm joining the July NaBloPoMo - National Blog Posting Month. It's a month of writing/posting every day and the theme is swim.
Swimming, I love.
I am reminded of a preface in one of Kurt Vonnegut's books, or maybe it was a passage in the story. He said he was an awkward fellow in most parts of life, except in water. He felt most at ease while swimming. Most graceful and calm. I instantly related to him. I'm a little clumsy with words, conversation and groups of people. Swimming though, I am at ease.
I grew up swimming in lakes and pools. I taught swimming lessons as a young adult and swam laps during my early 20's. I wasn't fast but I had a pretty stroke. I love waterfalls, swimming holes and natural water pools. I take my kids to the beach and pool. My son takes swimming lessons. Now a days, it is difficult for me to swim. I take the kids swimming, but I am assisting them. Especially the baby. Last year I was able to find joy in jumping into the water, off of high edges and one time a cliff, with my son. Having a baby now, makes these things a bit more tricky. Sure we can get in the water. She LOVES splashing around. I just can't actually swim!
My goal will be to post each day about swimming as per the nablopomo. Swim almost everyday (gotta be realistic) and find Kurt's book with the preface or passage that I related too.
As for NaBloPoMo prompt, "Where would I like to go swimming?" How about the southern coast of Turkey, Mediterranean Sea.
Swimming days:
7/1 - check - @ BuMed. Splashed in baby pool for a bit, then handed off baby L. and swam in the big pool. A stranger tossed the reluctant Chaz into the water!
