Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in the hot, morning sun with yet another Full Speed cigarette. We are irritable, despond-
ent, and silent. Each little zephyr of breeze that ripples across the ocean is heralded op-
timistically but scampers away over the horizon. The big, hot orb of sun rises to its zenith
and beats mercilessly down. The air above the sea surface flickers and wavers, making the
squatting birds dance, as in a desert mirage. Camels lurch drunkenly, kicking up scruffs of
white hot sand with their forked toes.
So reads my log, the 24
th
of May.
I was suddenly awakened by Gavin's excited voice, “Hey, there's a couple of fish following
us.”
I looked into the cornflower blue of the sea and was instantly awake, “Yes! I see them,
they're dorado. God, if only we could catch one to eat!”
The boat was virtually stationary; there was no chance here of conventional fishing.
“I know how!” I almost screamed out, “the spear gun!”
“Yes, that might work,” replied Gavin excitedly. I almost dived down below to my locker
as I retrieved my trusty spear gun. I was loading it as I stepped outside, pulling back the
two big rubbers. Balancing on top of the taffrail, I sat motionless staring into the water.
“Here they come! There're two of them,” said Gavin. “Mr. and Mrs. Fish and Chips!”
I laughed; I could almost taste the fresh fish. Here they came then, ambling about the stern,
completely unaware of what was going on. I took aim. My hands were trembling with ex-
citement as I pulled the trigger. There was a metal clunk as the spear shot off the gun and
a splash as the gun was forced out of my weak hands and into the sea! The two fish bolted
out of sight, and I watched my gun sink like a long silver leaf underwater into the great
depths below. “Fuck!” was all I said. I was about to jump in after it when Gavin's panic-
stricken voice warned, “Don't jump in!”
I hesitated, “Why not?” I replied in disbelief.
“There may be sharks down there!”
“Oh Christ! Thanks a lot, now look, my gun is gone for good! Goddamn it!” I was shocked
at the speed at which I had lost such a valuable possession!
“Wait, look, there are the fish again. I'll just get mine.”
He too dived below and came back up the steps with his spear gun. “Can you see them?”
