Sea Lions and Knitting

Mar 15

Written By

Yep, sometimes they go together...Yesterday was magical...I've been working in the Montessori method almost two years now and I still feel like I'm rediscovering the world around me. Sometimes it seems I've been just daydreaming before. One of the most amazing things I have learned during these two years is to wonder. Wonder at the world around me, wonder at the beauty and simplicity of life...I've always been a quiet kind of gal, preferring to spend time at home reading, knitting, exercising. But once in a blue moon I feel adventurous!It happens so that right now is the high season for marvelous creatures that come to our region just for a couple months a year - whales and sea lions. Our students are doing research and find fascinating facts about these marvels of nature. The principle of my school advised me to go to the nearby town, just 3 hour drive from us, where you can rent a tiny old boat and, if you are lucky, see some marine animals in their natural habitat.I actually talked my husband into it. We woke up at dawn, 3:30 a.m., packed lunch and knitting, of course, and got on one of the most amazing one-day trips I've ever had! We arrived early and found a guy with a tiny old boat, which didn't look very safe, but this was the only option we had. Two lovely American couples that also felt adventurous decided to join us! And off we go...I am sorry for the quality of pictures in this post. I got my old camera with me and most of the photos were taken while riding on an old boat and jumping on waves. :)It surely wasn't a relaxing type of a ride! Though the sun was generous, the wind was cold and extremely strong. All six of us got on the floor of the boat, as it didn't seem perfectly safe to jump on the waves while sitting on old wooden benches of a boat. I was holding tight a bag with my knitting! :)But it was so worth it! One hour and a half later we saw a rocky desert island. I felt butterflies in my stomach...So calm, serene, where only the laws of nature reign...Our guide was slowly cruising along the shore while we were speechless and in awe. And all of a sudden...At first I didn't understand why we stopped, but then I saw them..Sea lions! Everywhere. It seemed like they covered every single rock... Sunbathing, relaxing, playing in the water. They are so friendly! Coming close to us, playing with us, so hospitable! We felt like very long-expected guests! The truth is I wanted to cry... I felt like a child, inexplicably happy...What surprised me is how loud they are! It seemed like you were at a huge market where everybody is talking, shouting and singing at the same time.Sea lions are so adorable! As clumsy and lazy on the shore, as fast and agile in the water. I managed to catch one on camera in the water! Hello, lovely!Though sea lions didn't mind us at all, we didn't want to disturb them, so after 30 minutes, we got on our way back. Our boat stopped on a lonely shore, which took my heart away......where we had our lunch and had some rest before our way back. Guess, what I was doing :)The way back was lovely... The wind has dropped a little bit.Everybody was calm and silent. It seemed like each of us needed his time and space to live through this experience in his own head and heart all over again...It is nice to wonder... And feel adventurous... Feeling grateful...