Take
deep breaths and whatever you do, don’t panic.
Scuba
diving instructor Sinan Halacoglu conveyed the imperative message prior to my
first plunge into the deep blue.
“If you
panic you are done,” the veteran diver reiterated, his formidable,
uncompromising shark-like gaze penetrating my defenses.
Though powerful, direct and of the utmost importance, Halacoglu’s message was of little comfort. That should be easy enough, I thought, still trying to absorb other tidbits necessary for a successful maiden dive.
Dressel
Divers, set in front of the lavish backdrop of the Iberostar Resort in
“No one
cares about locals, it’s all about five-star resorts for tourists; there is no
balance here,” said the 30-year-old, his tone laden with anger.
Although
“I have
three kids, work 12 hours a day, six days a week, but it’s all good man,” said
Rennae Gayle, who coordinates events for tourists on behalf of Iberostar.
Gayle,
26, smiled like the Cheshire Cat, showing off her pearly whites as she ambled
along the beach. Regardless of personal strife, she maintained a sunny
disposition. It was infecting, like an air-born contagion.
After
the inspiring chat, and a quick informative classroom session, myself, along
with two fellow Canadians – Shira Hutton and Mike Perrin – and one Englishman –
Danny Kelleher – yanked, stretched and pulled our wetsuits snug.
The Sun, although blanketed by dense cloud cover, quickly heated the foamed insulated suits, rendering any movement exhausting and slow. Like an overheated penguin, I waddled to the pool and toppled in, finding instantaneous relief.