So, I know that I haven't blogged in a long time. Blogger has been really finicky, so I apologize. Anyways, I'm probably going to start making my posts on here shorter, because I really really really need to start journaling more on [side notes]. Yesterday, we went shark cage diving, and it was probably one of the coolest and scariest things I have ever done. We got picked up at 5:50am (shame!!!!) and then driven two hours away to a coastal town called Gansbaii. There, we got breakfast and a quick safety schpiel(sp?) and then headed onto the boat. 13 of us went, and there were only 3 other guys doing it with us along with the crew. We went out to an island about 25 minutes away and we anchored a few hundred feet away. Off the coast of the island, which itself is a bird sanctuary, there is a massive rock that is home to about 50-60,000 seals. So, the sharks don't actually live there, but that gives them 60,000 reasons to come visit. In fact, the narrow straight between the island and the rock is called "shark alley" and over 70% of all shark documentaries are shot there. Anyways, as we headed to our anchor spot they let out a chum trail (sounds appetizing, no?) to attract the sharks and then set the cage into the water on the side of the boat. The cage is basically a large rectangle thats roughly 8 feet tall, 2 and a half feet wide, and just long enough for six people to stand shoulder to shoulder. So, once we all slip into wetsuits (not flattering for anyone's figure, unless you're Brad Pitt), they told us that the first shark had approached the boat. Now, it's not like jaws where you see the triangular fin above water headed right towards the boat. Rather, you keep an eye out for a large shadowy figure just beneath the surface. Once the first shark approached (all Great White sharks by the way), the dive master grabbed the first six to get in the cage (I was number 3). There is no dive experience necessary, because its not SCUBA or even snorkeling. Rather, six of you squeeze into the cage, all facing out, with your heads above water. Then, as the shark is about to swim by, the dive master screams, and we all go down to take a look. In addition to the chum line, they have a huge tuna head (larger than my own head) on a rope that use as bait. So, the shark approaches, and they use the bait to get it to come near the cage, and distract the shark so as not to attack the cage. I actually didn't think it was particularly freightening watching the shark go by, because there is a steel cage in front of you, but once it turned and was coming straight at us, I definitely felt my heart stop. It never bit the cage (although it has in the past), but it did bump against it a few times. We were in the cage for about 20 mins. each time (everyone got to go twice) and the entire day we saw somewhere between 7 and 10 different sharks, the largest being 5 meters long (about 16.5 ft.) and weighing 5 tons! I actually thought it was scarier watching the sharks from the boat, because on occassion the shark would pop out of the water jaws-style in order to get the bait, and that definitely scared the shit out of me. I didn't personally take any photos, but some of the others did and I have to say that not even Universal Studios could capture this kind of stuff. Anyways, we all got out alive, and with all of our limbs (you did have to be careful not to let your foot slip out the back of the cage!) and made it home safely. What we did learn, though, was that the company we used has also hosted Prince Henry, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt (one of the few things Missouri actually has to be proud of).
Today, we had an 8-10 page paper due (really, we're in Africa, why are we doing work???), and tonight I believe we're going to an improv comedy night, which will hopefully be good, you never know with open mics. Anyways, I'll try to be updating everyone more consistently. I recently posted some pics from the safari on Facebook, but the internet here is not free, so I'll have to keep photos to a minimum. Tomorrow, it's class again (hooray!).
Till then,
Jason
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