Fly Fishing Rods

A Peace from the End

It started as a thought then progressed into a dream and then it

became an action that now is a nightmare. I overreacted, and became

too bold. I took a month off of the work, and flew down to the southern

most tip of Chile. The first of the month was when I would emerge

myself in the culture, and then the second part was an upscale

camping trip. The first part was great. Everything the typical young

American did I did. Perhaps I had too much fun because when it

came to the camping part I was a wreck. Two days into the outing I

fired the guide, which wasn’t the best idea considering I had no

knowledge of the area. She left all the equipment that I would need;

the only thing lacking was the instruction manual to it all. The first

night was fine, the second one not so much. It’s November, and

although I’m in South America it’s cold. The second night it rained,

and the tent wasn’t properly set up for rain, so it leaked. After this

incident I grabbed a map and hiked toward the ocean. Land wasn’t

treating me well. Once there I bought a small boat and planned on

taking it easy on the ocean blue. So much for that keen idea.

Most everything I knew about ocean currents came from my

freshman year of geography. It just so happens that I didn’t pay

attention too much in that class, so most of my knowledge is

conflicting therefore incorrect. But I always enjoyed winging it. Now

here I am in the middle of some ocean on a boat with just enough

water to get me through a few days and the only food is that in my

backpack. I don’t know how to properly drive a boat. This place that

was a paradise for me several days ago is now my lovely killer. If the

cold doesn’t kill me the loneliness will. After trying all the controls

written coincidentally in Spanish. I try the radio, but showing those

poor Mexicans how livid I am doesn’t seem to help. It just makes my

throat and head hurt. Then it gets me thinking about how I’ve treated

people my whole life. It’s best not to get started on some deep,

personal self-evaluation I tell myself, but I know the topic will again

come up. Best now to drift off to sleep on this cold stiff bed the only

thing between the unforgiving crystal clear haven and me.

A new outlook has been bestowed upon me. I’ve decided to just

take it easy. The scenery is astounding; one can just imagine the

outline of the land, but it truly is gone. Today is much warmer than the

previous days. The sun is shining brightly, and my spirits are high. I

lay on the bow of the boat dreaming about what I wish would be. I

imagine that I’m on a yacht on a warm day off the coast of the Virgin

Islands. The crewmen come by and ask,” Is there anything I can get

for you?” “I’m good on the sushi, but could you get me another one of

these?” I reply tapping the tall thin glass nonchalantly. The life is

good. This boat is hardly a yacht. The fish are hardly crewmen, and

dingy water is not even close to a chilled cocktail. Aside from the

melancholy reality today is a great day. And no clouds, rain, or icy air

can change that.

The dew covers my fingers, frost covers my hair, and my bones

are stiff with cold. Guess that’s what I get for passing out on the

deck. This boat is small with a cabin in the bottom. It has a clumsy

heater, but a nice stash of blankets in the closet along with a cheap

hot plate. I’m wondering if I should try using hot plate; a cappuccino or

some hot chocolate would really do the trick. But there’s a chance it

could start an electrical fire. Maybe first I should check if there’s a

lifeboat. If I’m stuck in a lifeboat I will surely die; a hot drink or

potential death? I grab the hot plate. As I sip the hot chocolate and

curl under the blanket I think of how to make this situation even

better. Some music I decide would just make this day. Turns out the

radio that I yelled at the Mexicans through only plays music. If only-

oh wait I got it- some English music comes on. I lay there sipping hot

chocolate, curled with blankets, and listening to the hottest songs

wondering what the other people are listening to this very song right

now, and what are they doing. Are they driving, at a party, getting a

phone call, or being idle just as I? I just think of all the resources they

have. I wouldnt’ but gray skies and blue under it. It scares me. Here I

am in the presence of no one. It’s just me out here. Me against

myself.

The warmth is all gone along with my hope. I know now that this

adventure will surely end in my demise, but I am at peace with it. I

know the end, yet somehow I am perfectly content with the verdict.

As the good book says,” Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we

die.” I shall certainly do the latter two for

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