My experiences on this trip have shown me I do not need to be anything else other then myself …we are all adequate – The ways in which I have carried on have been simple and self-driven, hoping to avoid any competition or jealousy. Every person has their own ways of going about there business and with regards to how others do, make a show of holiness or pass out grades for good performance. I have certainly tried not to do that.
No one person is better than the rest of humanity, nor is one person better than any other on our trip. With Crystal here, that distinction has blurred, but I have tried to be observant of it.
By avoiding drama during this trip, I have been able to free myself to pursue the activities with clear earnest and whole devotion. I am proud of this, because if I had not, my experiences would have been overshadowed with negativity and affected my efficacy.
If you can preserve culture, you must also preserve the artifacts the culture holds important. You can preserve a didgeridoo, but if no one remembers how to play the song of the Kangaroo, or the Dingo, It is merely something to look at. Conversely, with out the artifact, the culture is lost. What I am driving at is there must be the culture to preserve the knowledge of the artifact for it to be important – or we will simple speculate.
The Maori in New Zealand have both, and though they have been diminished since European colonization, they fare better then, for example, the natives of America. In Australia, the aboriginal culture seems much diminished. Except for the marketing of the didgeridoo and boomerang, with foam versions sold in toy stores, they have lost more. The Maori fortunately seemed embraced, but the aborigines have been forgotten.From start to finish, our group of intro divers was treated respectfully and those who had taken open water, but had not certed, were treated no differently then the others. Our Dive Instructor, Liz, was fantastic and worked with all who needed it, meeting everyone at their level. In the pool, we went through skills and each person was worked with, if they needed.
Through the whole process of heading to the ocean, we were used to help push the boat in the water (duh) but still, Liz was “doing little” and we got the treat of feeling involved.
Diving I was periodically reigned in with a “This way” gesture, a gentle intervention to keep me with the group.
Further in the dive, a large leopard shark came with in touching distance … Liz was open to what ever emerges, and we were able to pet it. WOW.
On the return, the process unfolded much as it did on the way out, only in reverse. WE helped load the boat, move the gear off the boat and wash it up. It was a very smooth operation all in all.
One of the opportunities of this trip was the chance to develop our skills as a leader by being “Leader of the day” In the beginning, we worked in teams to decide when dinner would be ready, brief the group on activities, upcoming events and all of the happenings on the trip.
Upon coming to Australia, we were singled out and one person was leader for the day. I have seen many people rise to the occasion of stressful days. Loading a trailer, shopping, cooking, and calling operators, all with in the same day.
As is the nature of this trip though, there are days where there is simply not too much going on.
I seemed to have landed every single day there is nothing going on to be leader of the day. I have not been responsible for hardly anything on this trip. It’s quite strange really, because outside of this trip I have much responsibility as a guide for the Outdoor Program and the Climbing Gym manager back at the university.
So I suppose I don’t feel gypped out of an opportunity, because in other aspect of my life, I have already been given plenty of opportunities similar to being leader of the day … but if that were not the case, I’d be a bit butt hurt.
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