Something I’ve been wanting to do all my life was scuba diving. I’ve always enjoyed snorkeling and discovering what’s underneath the surface. So, the thought was, if we’re going to travel the world, we must get our diving certificates to see underwater, because more than 70% of the world’s surface is water and there is so much to discover down there!

I was so excited to get to Taganga in the Colombian Caribbean because it’s one of the cheapest places in the world to get your Open Water certificate. What I didn’t expect was the process that happens when we put ourselves in a completely new environment which us humans are not made for.

The first day we went out on the beach to test our equipment and do some initial exercices. The visibility was so bad that I felt trapped underwater and having to breathe through my mouth with a device made me feel super anxious. I literally was going to quit and forget I ever wanted to do this. Back up in the surface I was so grateful for the air that we breathe and being on land, made me appreciate life on earth so much more.

Fortunately, the second day we took a boat and went into Tayrona Park in open water. The experience was so different. I was now used to the equipment, having my artificial air hanging on my back, finding more ease in the neutral floating zone and enjoying the underwater landscape where everything slows down and the awe of its beauty keeps your mind calm. It’s almost like entering another state of mind, just focusing on long breaths and taking the spectator seat in an unknown realm.

The third and last day we went down 22 meters, that’s like having a 7 story building above us! Everything is quiet and moves in gentle waves. The colors of the fish and shapes of the corals bring you to such a different world we are usually not aware of. I’m thankful for this life-changing experience. Hope to check out many other diving spots along the way. Very proud of completing this course which seemed impossible after the first day.