by Nicky Widenski and Macy Woodworth
What's up!
We started our Monday morning by all heading downstairs for breakfast around 8 a.m. After enjoying our delicious meal and reminiscing over the previous days, the bus came to pick up both the women's and men's basketball teams at 8:30 to start our day on Catalina Island.
With bright eyes and smiling faces we traveled an hour to the city of La Romana. We all were so anxious to spend a relaxing day out on the water especially with such gorgeous weather here in the DR.
Upon arriving our host, Miguel, introduced himself and told us what our adventurous day would consist of. The mention of a Pina colada immersed inside a pineapple immediately made us even more anxious to begin our day.
Once overtaking the top floor of the catamaran, while applying sunscreen in our swimsuits the crew members began to play upbeat Spanish music and enthusiastically grab people out to the middle of the floor to dance.
After about 20 minutes that consisted of dancing and enjoying bright blue water the crew members shut off the engine. After being told that cliff jumping would not be allowed today, the crew members were kind enough to let us jump from the top of the boat.
Both teams can confidently say that despite the amount of saltwater intake and strong waves, the opportunity to be able to snorkel in the middle of the Caribbean Sea was a once in a lifetime experience. Unfortunately, the rain cut our time short, but did not lessen the significance of the experience. Some people had the time of their lives, while others (other) suffered from sea sickness, but made it through with the help of our fearless senior, Markie- Rae Dean.
Once the rain subsided, a taxi boat came to pick up individual groups to take us to the island. There people continued to snorkel, get their hair braided with beads, visit the local gift shop and enjoy the well-prepared food at the buffet. Among the many things that had happened today a member of the men's basketball team got a bonus of the day by getting stung by the coral reef.
After spending a few hours of living on island time we then began to board the catamaran to head back to the port. Some more dancing took place while also discussing one another's sunburns. Before long, our relaxing day had ended as we began to pile onto the bus to head to SCORE for a delicious Mexican inspired meal.
After a busy and engaging week, to have a day like today on Catalina Island was something that neither teams took for granted. As much as we all wish time could have slowed down, the events that took place today are something we will always remember. While today was not only a great day because of where we were or what we're doing but was ultimately because of the people.
