Making my way down the highway, I start to get a little nervous.
I’ve never been white water rafting before, and from what I’ve seen on the
internet, it looks a little dangerous. I guess it could be worse; I could be sky
diving! After a few miles, I pull into a little whole in the wall rafting place
on the side of the road. I figure no one will recognize me in a place like this
(boy was I wrong).
Walking up to the front desk, I’m shaking inside. I might
actually lose my breakfast from this morning - oh wait, I forgot to eat
something. This revelation makes me even more nervous. If I do die today from
falling off the raft and drowning, I’ll be going to heaven on an empty stomach.
What would my mother think if she were here right now? The one thing she always
stressed when I was younger was the importance of a healthy
breakfast.
There are only four other people in the little make-shift
waiting area. I take this as a good sign that it’s going to be a slow day for
white water rafting. They all seem to know each other and don’t even look up
from talking when I walk by. Score one for the home team! I might just make it
through the trip without anyone being the
wiser.
“Hello, and welcome to the Rafting Company. The names Monica and
I’ll be your rafting guide today. Is this your first trip down the river?”
“Yes, it is. How could you
tell?”
“I can spot a first timer from a mile away. You’re not going to
lose your breakfast are yah?”
“I didn’t eat breakfast.”
“What? Didn’t your mother ever tell you that breakfast is the
most important meal of the day?” You’ve got to be kidding
me!
“Listen, I’m a little nervous about this whole rafting thing.
It’s safe, right?”
“Of course it’s safe! I’ve been working at the Rafting Company
for about four years now and I’ve only fallen out about five
times.”
“Five times? You’ve fallen out of the raft five
times?”
“Oh yah, and that’s pretty good. The guide before me had fallen
out at least a dozen times!”
“I’m not sure if I can do
this.”
“Sure you can! The weather’s supposed to be really nice out
today. Plus, it’s a full boat today and everyone’s a beginner! That group over
there has known each other since elementary school.” She points to the group in
the waiting area. I decide to walk over and introduce myself. If I’m going to
die today, I might as well know the people who are going down with
me.