I still vividly remember the fingers of seaweed imprisoning my foot. The violation of water in my lungs, the crush of darkness. The absolute fear, the panic. I didn’t venture into a large body of water after that for nearly four years, and even now I stick with the shallow end of a swimming pool or frothy ocean surf. Deep water? No, thanks.
Fun fact: Henley = me. I had not one but two near-drowning experiences as a child (none of which required CPR, thank goodness), but I was low-key afraid of deep water and the ocean before I traveled to the Galapagos Islands in 2016. Also, like Henley, I decided I would do anything to overcome my fear so I could go snorkeling and experience the wonders of the Galapagos Marine Reserve firsthand...and boy, am I glad I did! Not just because it informed the writing of SHIPPED, but because through the experience, I discovered a new-found love of the ocean and all the marine wildlife that calls it home.
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