Logbook entries
We are almost halfway through our program and I have yet to write a journal entry. Not for lack of truly inspiring moments, as there have been many, but simply because I have not wanted to stop experiencing this adventure long enough to write about it.
Our amazing encounter with the orcas in the fog at Lime Kiln on the first day of class was an excellent indicator of the magic yet to come. We are not quite halfway through, and already the majority of my expectations have been met and exceeded. I have had some amazing moments watching the whales and thinking about their environment. I have experienced some seriously intense learning and have, thus far, survived. I have had the exhilarating opportunity to pick the brains of people whose research I have been reading for over a decade, to stand with them and observe the creatures that have captured both our interests, and to realize that they too are just people fascinated by an amazing animal and driven by a desire to know more.
What really strikes me are the things that have little to do with the whales, but more with people. I am certainly learning a lot about myself. How much I love and miss my family and friends at home (even when I am "with" the whales). How daunting it was to find myself in a strange place surrounded by strange people and try to make it home. How quickly strangers can become friends. The remarkable capacity for compassion that we all have in us. Watching a group of people come together to support and take care of one another is a truly inspiring thing.
I'm looking forward to our adventures on the the "high seas" with this unique little tribe of characters we have. And for the record, we may not be strangers anymore, but we'll always be strange ... behold, the incredible power of Roche doughnuts! :)
"In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we know, and we will know only what we are taught."