The Seal that (almost) sealed my fate

You’re probably all wondering what I’m actually doing with myself in Austria, aside from admiring the countryside and eating Mozartkugeln. Well, I’ll start from the beginning, which will take a few blog entries, so bear with me. 

I got up early on Wednesday, September 23, for 3 reasons:

Surfing

Goodbyes

Last-minute packing

Surfing: It started out well; I was the only one out and the water wasn’t quite as cold as it had been ALL summer. About 15 minutes in, however, while waiting for a wave, a harbor seal (the white ones with black spots) popped up about 10 feet away (it felt closer) and did what they always do, stared me down. It felt like a staring contest. See, the problem with harbor seals is, they are entirely unpredictable. Sometimes look, then swim away, sometimes they jump on your board, sometimes they chase you. So I froze, he froze, but then a wave came and I had to dive under; when I popped up, he was gone. Alone and not knowing which direction my new friend had gone in, I went for safe and paddled in like my life depended on it. I got to shore, turned around and said, selfishly, “are you happy now?” and plopped down on the sand looking for him. Of course, he was gone. He hadn’t wanted anything, was just curious. We often forget that big, living, breathing, sea animals are swimming below us in the murky dark green deep. So concerned with OUR territory and getting OUR waves, we forget we are in THEIR territory. The harbor seal that day was a good reminder of the nature that we should love, respect and consider, every time we paddle out.

Goodbyes: Afterwards I cruised over to D's, who greeted me with homemade granola from his fave bakery as a goodbye gift. Then met H. and W. at Starbucks around the corner for a farewell cup o’ Joe. I know I also said goodbye to someone else very important that morning, who I think stopped by my house, but for the life of me I cannot remember who it was. Forgive me; if you read this, you know who you are.

Packing: speaks for itself.