rollin' rollin' on a river...
wow.
The canoe race was absolutely INSANE!
The first day started out pretty good considering the shop where we were getting out canoe/life vests/paddles from never friggen came when they were supposed to! But finally 'David' showed up hung over half an hour late with no keys. He had to break of his lock with a crowbar to get our stuff out.
The first day was pretty brutal. We paddled strong for the first 3 or so hours non stop which was pretty good because we thought we only had to paddle for 6. Turns out or measly 6 hours turned into a gruelling NINE AND A HALF. We quickly gave our canoe the nickname "the tank" because it was impossibly huge, heavy and couldnt tip if we wanted it to. And lets just say we didnt get in first. Or second. Or third. Ok, so we came in last. Dead last. By the time we actualy got to camp we were so exhausted we just set up our tent and went to bed. We also did meet some very nice british boys who were also very yummy. They of course whooped our ass by getting in at a very respectable place of 60 something.
The second day was very intresting. It was 12 hours long. 12. We paddled from dusk to dawn. It was very intense. Along the way we did see some scary howler monkeys that make the freakiest sounds ever. Kind of a cross between a warthog and a dog. Oh, and it also turential downpoored. It was pretty freakin intense. And of course we came in last. Again. By the time we got to camp it was dark and we had to set up our tent. We met up with the brits and ate some dinner which consisted of a mound of rice and to my utter enjoyment, a chicken foot. It was truly grim.
The third day was hard. There was strong winds and it was very hot. It seemed that day went on and on and on and on. Forever. At this point my ass is very sore, and both my hands were covered in blisters. Our bodies were basically rapidly deteriating. We finally arrived. Last of course. We thought we were going to die, but we trucked on and rejuvinated ourselves with beer and a swim.
We hoofed it so hard on the fourth day. We paddled very strong for around 4 1/2 hours straight. We were determined not to come in last place again. And we didnt. It was great passing the finish line knowing I wasnt going to have to sit in a canoe again for a very long long time.
All in all, we did come in last place. But we completed the damn thing, and that was our one goal. In fact, out of 102 teams nine droppeed out. And we finished. Three girls with no canoing experience in a tank of a boat. It was great. A very challening but rewarding/good experience. I have also learned a very important lesson. Do not listen to Belizeans and expect an honest answer. They are the BIGGEST liers EVER. EVER I SAY. DO NOT TRUST THEM.
Now we are sitting in a laundermat cleaning all of our stinky wet nasty clothes. I think we are going to bus back to San Ignacio today and spend another night there relaxing and doing absolutely nothing. We definetly deserve it.
Mom and Dad, I think I am going to try to phone you tonite...
The canoe race was absolutely INSANE!
The first day started out pretty good considering the shop where we were getting out canoe/life vests/paddles from never friggen came when they were supposed to! But finally 'David' showed up hung over half an hour late with no keys. He had to break of his lock with a crowbar to get our stuff out.
The first day was pretty brutal. We paddled strong for the first 3 or so hours non stop which was pretty good because we thought we only had to paddle for 6. Turns out or measly 6 hours turned into a gruelling NINE AND A HALF. We quickly gave our canoe the nickname "the tank" because it was impossibly huge, heavy and couldnt tip if we wanted it to. And lets just say we didnt get in first. Or second. Or third. Ok, so we came in last. Dead last. By the time we actualy got to camp we were so exhausted we just set up our tent and went to bed. We also did meet some very nice british boys who were also very yummy. They of course whooped our ass by getting in at a very respectable place of 60 something.
The second day was very intresting. It was 12 hours long. 12. We paddled from dusk to dawn. It was very intense. Along the way we did see some scary howler monkeys that make the freakiest sounds ever. Kind of a cross between a warthog and a dog. Oh, and it also turential downpoored. It was pretty freakin intense. And of course we came in last. Again. By the time we got to camp it was dark and we had to set up our tent. We met up with the brits and ate some dinner which consisted of a mound of rice and to my utter enjoyment, a chicken foot. It was truly grim.
The third day was hard. There was strong winds and it was very hot. It seemed that day went on and on and on and on. Forever. At this point my ass is very sore, and both my hands were covered in blisters. Our bodies were basically rapidly deteriating. We finally arrived. Last of course. We thought we were going to die, but we trucked on and rejuvinated ourselves with beer and a swim.
We hoofed it so hard on the fourth day. We paddled very strong for around 4 1/2 hours straight. We were determined not to come in last place again. And we didnt. It was great passing the finish line knowing I wasnt going to have to sit in a canoe again for a very long long time.
All in all, we did come in last place. But we completed the damn thing, and that was our one goal. In fact, out of 102 teams nine droppeed out. And we finished. Three girls with no canoing experience in a tank of a boat. It was great. A very challening but rewarding/good experience. I have also learned a very important lesson. Do not listen to Belizeans and expect an honest answer. They are the BIGGEST liers EVER. EVER I SAY. DO NOT TRUST THEM.
Now we are sitting in a laundermat cleaning all of our stinky wet nasty clothes. I think we are going to bus back to San Ignacio today and spend another night there relaxing and doing absolutely nothing. We definetly deserve it.
Mom and Dad, I think I am going to try to phone you tonite...
posted by clare at 6:10 PM
2 Comments:
WAHOO for the smokin-ass beaver team extraordinaire!!! nicely done. and i'm very proud that on one leg you were not last! Treat yourselves to some well-deserved showers, rum and icecream in whichever order you like. Hilarious - did you know about this: http://www.clairesadventures.blogspot.com/ ?
he he he take care rest up for next stage of adventuring,
aunt.
Dad, that quote was the perfect thing for the race. There was no stopping only [near] death. Zoe says your little 'hummm' at the bottem makes you sound like Gandalff. Take it as a compliment I say...
Clare
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