by My respect for the ocean substantially increased over the first 72 hours on the R/V Endeavor. I’ve never experienced such an incredible level of vulnerability. My land body was at the mercy of the ocean, and she definitely made sure that I was aware. Within the first 5 hours I found myself on the deck, dreaming of solid ground as my stomach swayed. I constantly fought my surroundings and whenever there was a moment of distraction, the ocean was there to remind me of her presence.
In a moment staring into my green bucket, I finally embraced my lack of control. The many years of people asking me if I’m susceptible to seasickness faded, as I was finally able to say – yes I get seasick and still have a passion to explore the ocean.
I mention seasickness not to scare anyone away from going to sea. Rather, I write this because those two days made me realize that the one thing that was building the anticipation and hesitancy in me, wasn’t worth the worry. Yes, I was seasick, but after 48 hours, my body adapted. No one had ever mentioned to me that it does go away.
I was thrilled.
Instead of fighting the rocking motion, I swayed like a baby in a rocker. Dancing down the halls I now find the large waves to be a thrill, the food from Mike and Larry to be delicious, and everyone excited to talk about their many adventures.
While incredibly uncomfortable, those two days won’t be solely remembered as such – I have a feeling that all I’ll simmer on is the two days that showed me the possibility of life at sea. If I can embrace two days, I’m left with all of the other days to explore my passion, and to me, that’s more than worth it.
Emily Waggoner
