Wed August 13 2:20pm / Water Temp 20 C / Air Temp 80 F
Today at the lake, I swam in the sea.
This time I cycled to the pier in the middle so I could swim to either side and reach another pier. The beach was full of people but not packed. And not really noisy. Somehow everyone was enjoying the sand and sea without intruding on each other. The only noise was little kids shouting to each other across the water and squealing with delight as they splashed around or played on their floatable.
There were people eating little sandwiches on the beach, people reading on the pier, and parents playing with their kids. The water looked so inviting, especially the patches that were free of the tangled brown seaweed. That shit looks a bit scary.
I love how the Swedes keep these public spaces clean and tidy. There are garage and recycling bins along the walking path, as well as dog poop bins. Plocka upp bajset. There are also public toilets, kiosks were you can buy treats, and free air pumps for cyclists.
I walked to the end of the pier, removed my super sexy Esty mumu, and walked down the ladder to enter the water. There was a guy with his kid blocking my way, so I waited bending them until the kid jumped in. I put my foot in teh water, and slowly made my way down the ladder, then shrieked a bit when I felt how cold it was. The guy adn some other people laughed at me. I had all my gear on – cap, snorkel, and two bag, so I looked like a real weinnie.
I knew I would acclimate fast, but it felt so cold. The man said, “fresh.” And he’s right. It is so fresh to get into the cold water. Instant reseting. Instant energy.
I adjusted my goggles and started swimming to the other pier. I figured it would take 30 minutes to get there and back. Along the way I marveled at the various shapes, sizes, and colors of the sea plants. I hoped I’d see a fish, but instead I saw several moon jellies. Most of them where pretty small, maybe the size of a golf ball, but a few were bigger, more like the size of an orange. The moon jellies are fascinating because they look so delicate. Last time I was here I only saw them in the opaque brackish water, and memory had them shaped as buns. Today, I could see that they don’t have bottoms, just tops. They’re more like a frisbee disc, concave.
I tried to slow down so I could see them better. Their entire structure seems to be involved in movement. So perfect and graceful like a soft little sea haiku. Simple, but maybe more complex in detail. I must try to research them a bit if I will be sharing the sea with them. When I was almost done with my swim I saw a tiny, skinny fish about two inches long that looked like a miniature shark. Fisk.
Now that I’m here I’m mad I didn’t pack the video camera I bought specifically for my last Sweden trip. Last time and this time I ran out oof time and space in my bag, and I couldn’t bear to repack to fit it in. Now I wish I had it so I could share the amazing seascape. Maybe I can find a cheap one on Amazon.se.
I decided not to shower when I got home because I love what the saltwater does to my skin adn hair. Plus, I feel clean so why waste water. I put on my merino tank top from last trip, and I’m a bit shocked at how big my gut is. Must. Lose. Weight.
Now I am crazy hungry, and fighting the urge to tear into my fancy butter & chili chips. Gonna make something healthy to eat, then find myself a cheap little water cam.