North Carolina State University Athletics
Swimming with the Fishes
12/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2001
Cancun, Mexico -- We knew waking up this would be no ordinary day.
This was our first full day in Cancun, and as expected last night, the midday practice was indeed called off. Snorkeling would be the main entree of the day, so rest was imperative.
The squad slept in, and breakfast could be had at any time after 6:30 Central. I slept in until about 8:30. My first thought was to open the blinds of my first-floor room, unlatch the door, and slide it open to hear the sound of crashing waves only yards from my patio.
The Pack migrated into the breakfast buffet intermittently then prepared for an 11:15 departure for Marina Barracuda, the launching pad for our aquatic adventures. We commandeered a Cancun "autocar" (bus) a block from the hotel. Now the art of bus driving is an acquired taste, and here is no exception. Making stop after stop isn't the issue. The issue the 80 km/h sprint for 1/3 of a mile, then the factory-like testing of the brakes. Surprisingly, though, we made it to the marina with no reported cases of whiplash.
The 26 of us divided into 13 pairs, grabbed a lifevest, picked out flippers, posed for a few pictures, and boarded our two-man motorboats for a 45-minute venture to our snorkeling rendezvous. After a scenic, single-file ride, we had arrived at a local reef in the Atlantic Ocean. The goggles were handed out, instructions were given, and one by one, the Wolfpack slid off the fronts of their boats into the chilly ocean. One by one, we submerged ourselves into the ocean. One by one, we all spit up a lung-full of salt water. Ok, ok. So it was my first time snorkeling experience. I coughed up so much salt, I would've made Morton proud.
The experience was exhilarating. After we all worked out the breathing techniques - in and out through the mouth, NEVER with the nose, repeat NEVER with the nose - the adventure began. We broke up into smaller units with our snorkeling guides and saw different things. Floating over the live reef, we all could see the plantlife swaying at the bottom, which was about 25 feet below the surface. Oh, there were fish. Schools and schools of fish. The colors weren't quite as exotic as we anticipated, however we all saw things which were incredibly memorable. Team videographer Todd Rausch, Liz Bailey, Amelia Labador all were within a safe number of feet from a dangerous Barracuda lying in wait for prey at the ocean's bottom. Rausch even had a glimpse of the razor-sharp teeth, but disappointedly, never saw them put to use. The strangest moment of the excursion was feeling the big group side by side in a tight circle while floating on top of the water, all staring down at a single eel, snaking across and chasing fish throughout the reef. Toward the end, we learned firsthand that some of the fish weren't shy. It wasn't uncommon to see them swim inches away from your face, stare at you, and then casually swim away. Instinctively, we all reached out trying to touch the fish, some were luckier than others, and Labador said she nearly was bitten on the finger by one of the more frisky fish.
It was quite an afternoon, but over all too quickly. We snorkeled about 45 minutes, then we exhaustedly mustered the strength to climb back into our boats, and take a more direct drive back to the pier.
After returning to the hotel, most of us ventured to downtown Cancun to browse and barter for trinkets and souvenirs. Dinner was on our own and one night remained for unbridled fun before the mood gets a bit more businesslike.
It's funny, though. In the two days here so far, I haven't heard anyone talk basketball yet!! I'm sure that'll happen soon enough.
Spanish Word of the Day: Inferma. English translation: sick. Sentence usage: Basketball operations director Sue Doran became inferma when we all returned to the pier. Evidently, the choppy, fast boat ride, coupled with other factors caused her to become a bit ill. She rested up early Wednesday evening, and will have her game-face on Thursday.
Weather: It may have reached 80 today, but the clouds dominated the sun most of the day. The humidity remained, however it wasn't as suffocating as yesterday.
Thursday's Schedule:
8:30-9:55am: (central) The Pack will conduct its first practice in Mexico.
11:00am: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Afternoon: Beach time.
Evening: Team meal, and early lights-out.
Patrick Kinas will be writing a diary throughout the season as he travels with the Wolfpack Women.
