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Posted by Chas on 08/02/02
Cozumel - 7/28/02 - 8/1/02
The decision to take the "Plunge" is made
&...
I am reminded why I switched to Video.
Day 1
Arrived at DIA at 5:45am for my 8am flight on Ryan International. Met up with
my friends Ron, Robin, & Tiffany for what would be the first time we would
be on 'la Isla' together. We missed out on diving together, but did get a
chance to hang out & 'conversate' a bit.
Once again. I stayed at "Alicia's B&B", 1329 C. 19 between Ave.
65 & 65 bis. $20/nt single - $35/nt dbl includes Chuco's Desayunos
Deliciosos. Got unpacked and headed off to the first of the final meetings
which will serve to determine my future. I am pleased to report that this, and
subsequent meetings over the next 4 days, removed any remaining doubts I may
have had.
On or around the 1st of October, I will be crossing the border @ El Paso
/Juarez in my packed to the brim 4-Runner to begin a new career in Cozumel. No
Cojones, No Gloria. I will be "Working with", as opposed to
"Working for", Dive Paradise as the second of three videographers
operating under the name of 'Orca Film Productions', a division of Dive
Paradise. Dive Paradise will be sponsoring me for my FM-3 Immigration Papers,
allowing me to live and, more importantly, work in Mexico.
I will be working with Ramon Betancourt, who had previously worked with Martin
at Blue Planet. We will be joined by long time Office Mgr. 'Challe' who has
temporarily returned to being a Dive Master. We have the option of
Incorporating as a self-owned entity if, and when, we should decide to do so.
We will also be free to contract to other Dive Ops who don't have, and/or are
unable to contract with, other Videograpers, barring conflict with DP
contracts. The numbers are right and my only limits will be self-imposed.
'The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades...?'
The past 3+ years, since I began diving, have made me realize how burned out I
was from 21 years of the roller coaster ride which is the Tattoo Business.
Time for a new Roller Coaster. Heh-heh. I will, most likely, after a brief
hiatus while I get situated and settled in, start offering my services on an
'appointment only' basis. If possible, thru a local studio such as Maya. I'll
figure that out after I get there.
Now to the rest of the story......
After the meeting, I went over to the Hotel Barracuda for my traditional 1st
dive on Pico's Reef. Some of you are aware that I do this as a tribute to my
late friend ( and friend to many) /Instructor/Dive Mentor, Daniel Ayala.
Daniel died of a heart attack in late 1999 while doing a solo dive on the wall
at Punta Langosta a few days after I left the Island from a 19 day trip. I had
spent the majority of that 19 days with Daniel as, first a student taking a
Rescue Course and then, after the RC was cancelled due to my suffering a
Middle Ear Barotrauma, as an observer of his teaching techniques with other
students. 19 days during which I developed a great admiration and respect for
this native born Mexican, raised in Michigan, who looked and sounded more like
a California Surfer Dude than most California Surfer Dudes.
Day 1 - Dive 1: Pico's Reef / 20fsw / 60 mins / 88º on my Cochran.
Did the normal shore entry in the Barracuda's confined water area and
proceeded over the barrier wall to Daniel's Wall and Pico's Reef. Two
"Junk-piles" which are rather quickly becoming very nice artificial
reefs. Venturing back into the shallows (10-15fsw), I went as far south and a
little beyond the pier at the Acuario. Out into the sand flats at 20fsw and
then a slow, leisurely drift back to Pico's. Puttered around there for a while
and then back to the entry/exit point.
After the dive, ran into the ubiquitous Ron Lee in front of Dive Paradise on Melgar. He was going in to sign up for a night dive. When I saw him at the Airport on the day we left, he said he thoroughly enjoyed it. Thus, making up for a previous, disappointing dive with DP and leaving him feeling good about giving them another try.
After showering and changing for dinner, stopped by the Golfito to visit for a bit. Sally informed me that Carolyn (CorpusCarolyn on Travelnotes) had just left for Prima's and was waiting to meet me for dinner. CozChristi had planned on joining us but she had a group out and was unable to do so. Not being very hungry, we split a bottle of Cabernet and I had Steamed Mussels and a house salad. And so, once again, virtual friends become real friends.
Day 2 - Dive 1: Punta Sur/Devil's Throat / 124fsw / 27 min / 84º Oceanic
It's my Birthday and a nice start to the real diving. Dive buddies are an Instructor couple & their 14 yr old daughter. She handled the swim-thrus nicely and looks to be an excellent future diver. Kudos to Mom & Dad. I got the cross but didn't aim high enough. I don't have that problem when I shoot video. Hadn't used the Auto35 since the Socorros in Mar/Apr of 2001. And it showed. These are the only half-way decent shots from Punta Sur.
Silversides in a swim-thru
Punta Sur @ 80fsw
Dive 2: Delila / 69fsw / 47 min / 84º
The more I dive this reef, the more I like it. Saw an 8' - 9' Nurse Shark and a 3' -4' Nassau grouper.
Another business meeting after the dives before going back to my room for a siesta and a shower before the dinner/Birthday party at the French Quarter. A nice turn-out for those who coud make it. Some had other obligations and couldn't. Greg (glassman) from Galleria Azul, snuck away from a dinner party at his house to hang out with us for a bit before we ate, and Darcy (diva_diver) stopped in with her BF after. She & I ended up diving together the next day. Ron, Robin & Tiffany had arrived early and had already dined. They hung out until the rest arrived; Christi, Carolyn, Stephanie (Cozumel Wedding Planner) & her husband Felipe, and Trudy)
A couple more bottles of Cabernet went well with the Filet Mignon. Mike & Mike Jr. import their beef and this is one of the best filets I've ever had. Consistently melt-in-your-mouth every time I've had one. I had the "it's an Island Tradition" practical joke of being told that I had to take the first bite with just my mouth, only to have one of the waiters push my face into the cake. Took me two days to get the chocolate out of my right nostril....;)
Didn't think to break the cameras out until the early birds had left. Carolyn & Christi have the cake pictures...
For days 3, 4 & 5,
Click Here.
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