A trip down memory lane

[Steerpike]

Sometimes I cringe at my old memories. Some remembrances are like regurgitation. They leave a foul taste in the mouth. But some are turquoise blue with tinges of gold. Like a trance remembered with a twist of pleasantness likely forgotten.
I was stationed on Diego Garcia in the space between 1977 and 1978. About 19 years stupid and very slight of build. It was the longest flight I would ever undertake (and boy, were my arms tired).
I was into my second year of Naval Service Still feeling the loneliness and pale independence of young adulthood. Like my shipmate, went to the Exchange and made some purchases. It was best to start up hobbies to keep yourself occupied. Some US Diver Flippers and snorkel caught my eye and like that, I decided to become a diver.
Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, is a coral atoll. It is a horseshoe-shaped, built-up coral reef along the rim of an undersea volcano. The water is populated with white shark, barracuda, Lionfish, parrotfish, moray eels, and other creatures we still have no name for.
All year long I spent the mornings in the lagoon. I was overwhelmed by its beauty and majesty. The first morning I strapped on my fins, clumsily edged into the water and dove in. The Sky blue water with florescent colored fish swimming oblivious to all humans was warm and clear. I was amazed and frightened by the wildness of the ocean. I floated in a turquoise sea my arms flapping like a bird. It was so dark below and blinding light above as the equatorial sun shone down upon the sea.
It is so easy to feel alone when you are diving. The ocean does not recognize the buddy system. But, floating there, I was surprised by a school of parrotfish. The size of small refrigerators, bright green with yellow stripes a red beak, and cold intense eyes. They swam right by me ignoring me like I was just a little boy on a bicycle. There were so many all swimming without touching me, all moving in unison.
When I think about my time on the island that is what I remember, how everything in nature is in unison all moving together like a machine. Such a nice memory.