hamsiin
the hamsiin is a dry desert wind. it sweeps across the middle east on around 50 days a year, hence the name, which in arabic means *50*. the dry, hot air of a hamsiin sits in the crevices of your skin until it is as dry as sandpaper, it gives the days a hazy shade and the nights a dull colour. its heat can melt your brain.
the hamsiin blew when we got on a boat in aqaba to cruise on the red sea. it was hot, but the sea was rather rough. nonetheless, the crew let the boat drift to give passengers their money's worth and allow them to swim and snorkle. i wanted to snorkle. had done it before in the sinai red sea in egypt and loved it. i checked with the skipper if the water was safe despite its choppiness, *no problem*. i asked if the life guard would be in the water, he laughed. *you'll be alright*. i was strapped into a buoyancy jacket, put flippers on and snorkle, and i jumped in.
the water was pleasant, i felt good, and drifted and pedalled around. there was not much to see, no magnificent reefs that were even close to the red sea life further south. so i followed some fish for a while. then i looked up. there was noone around me. anywhere. i saw the boat in the distance behind me, and snorkeled back towards it. after some time, i looked up and realised that the boat had not come one bit closer. oh great. i decided to swim for it. i also told myself not to panic and to breathe slowly. that had the opposite effect. the boat was still far away, and i'm not a strong swimmer at all. where was everybody? with salt water in my nose and mouth, i made it a little closer to our boat bit by bit. finally i saw someone in the water. alan, my hero! he swam towards me and asked me if i was ok. sweet of him to ask, but *NO!* i was not ok! just hearing a voice calmed me down extremely and gave me time to steady myself and catch my breath. i was kind of fine again. when suddenly i was grabbed from behind, and taken aback i started lashing out. who was that, and what did he think he was doing?? someone, probably alan, shouted that it was alright and that he was a lifeguard. alright then i thought, but he's a little late. i let him pull me to the boat.
back on my feet i wasted no time to vent my relief and anger at that crew who let people go into such rough sea without even looking out for them. honestly though, i was more upset with myself. talk about embarrassing! emotions were high this afternoon.
the hamsiin apparently had blown in jerusalem for 5 days non-stop when jesus was crucified, and everyone had gone a little crazy. i understand.
thank you alan.
the hamsiin blew when we got on a boat in aqaba to cruise on the red sea. it was hot, but the sea was rather rough. nonetheless, the crew let the boat drift to give passengers their money's worth and allow them to swim and snorkle. i wanted to snorkle. had done it before in the sinai red sea in egypt and loved it. i checked with the skipper if the water was safe despite its choppiness, *no problem*. i asked if the life guard would be in the water, he laughed. *you'll be alright*. i was strapped into a buoyancy jacket, put flippers on and snorkle, and i jumped in.
the water was pleasant, i felt good, and drifted and pedalled around. there was not much to see, no magnificent reefs that were even close to the red sea life further south. so i followed some fish for a while. then i looked up. there was noone around me. anywhere. i saw the boat in the distance behind me, and snorkeled back towards it. after some time, i looked up and realised that the boat had not come one bit closer. oh great. i decided to swim for it. i also told myself not to panic and to breathe slowly. that had the opposite effect. the boat was still far away, and i'm not a strong swimmer at all. where was everybody? with salt water in my nose and mouth, i made it a little closer to our boat bit by bit. finally i saw someone in the water. alan, my hero! he swam towards me and asked me if i was ok. sweet of him to ask, but *NO!* i was not ok! just hearing a voice calmed me down extremely and gave me time to steady myself and catch my breath. i was kind of fine again. when suddenly i was grabbed from behind, and taken aback i started lashing out. who was that, and what did he think he was doing?? someone, probably alan, shouted that it was alright and that he was a lifeguard. alright then i thought, but he's a little late. i let him pull me to the boat.
back on my feet i wasted no time to vent my relief and anger at that crew who let people go into such rough sea without even looking out for them. honestly though, i was more upset with myself. talk about embarrassing! emotions were high this afternoon.
the hamsiin apparently had blown in jerusalem for 5 days non-stop when jesus was crucified, and everyone had gone a little crazy. i understand.
thank you alan.
posted by SCHNUCKELCHEN at 7:46 am
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