Adventures Essays (467 words) - Rafting, , Term Papers

Adventures On The Rapids "This could be your last meal," my mother jokingly said before we left that day. The day was bright, and the sun gleaming. The group packed into the muggy van, it was stifling hot, and downright uncomfortable. On a hot summer Missouri day, in the middle of July, your shirt clung to your damp skin. The mission: White Water Rafting. The drive to the river, where we would begin our incredible journey, seemed to last endless miles. The humidity was almost unbearable; the van had absolutely no ventilation. Fifteen people packed like sardines, anticipating beginning the trip over the rapids. Envisioning the cool water splashing on our sunburned faces. Fleeing from the van was like jumping from a burning building. Bathing suits on, sunblock applied, strength in tact, we were set. Waiting for the moment when we were able to jump into the raft, and head down stream. Savoring our feet splashing in the chilly water. What we didn't know, was what the day was about to become, and how it could have changed our lives forever. Less than two hours from now, we would know. I was assigned to a raft with my brother, my friend, and the river guide. The adults went in another. About an hour after we left, we made our first stop; an enormous rock midstream. We sat there for several minutes hopped back into the raft and we were on our way, rushing down the river, nearing towards the end. As we approached the last of the rapids, our guide asked if we wanted to surf up them. Surfing is basically paddling up a rapid. We practiced for several minutes, because you have to get used to paddling against the current, then you can go up against a rapid. We were prepared, and ready for the last of the excitement in our adventure on the rapids. Fighting our way up the rapid, it all played out in slow motion. We paddled hard, and so powerfully. I remember it being like a space ship bursting into the sky, or a bomb exploding, when another raft came charging down the rapid, crashing into my side of the raft. I was thrown off the raft, into the bitterly frigid water. All playing back in my head now, even slower I found myself panicking. I realized that my foot had been lodged in between two rocks. As my life is flashing before my eyes, I saw fearful people above the water. I was unbelievably frightened. I heard screams, and yelling from above water. Then I thought to myself, What if I can't see images of my life seconds from now? What if I can't feel terrified? What if I can't see the people just above me? Abruptly, as if I was released from a funnel cloud. I was pushed into the stream. Now I was gliding downstream. My foot was released, my fear calmed, and the images weren't flashing anymore. I was safe.

Free Essays on Interview With The Amish

Interview With James Shoemacher Amish Vs. American James Bernard Shoemacher, Æ’Â ±JBÆ’Â °, has been a friend and business associate of mine for about three years. He was born and raised in an Amish community in New Harmony, Indiana. JB spent twenty three years inside the community until he was married, then he left to join his brother who lived closer to town than the community was. Together they make up the New Harmony carriage MFR., this is how I came into contact with him. I first met JB and his brother Jed in a draft horse auction in Waverley In., he was there with several of their hand crafted carriages. I got to talking with him and soon thereafter started a business relationship with him that has lasted already five years. Over the time that IÆ’Â ­ve know JB I took in a lot of knowledge about his culture and heritage, thus making him a prime suspect for my interview. That, and IÆ’Â ­ve always been intrigued by the Amish people. After talking with JB for a while I started to understand his English diale ct as if it were the country bumpkin slang I have grown to love. Premeditating the oncoming interview I developed a series of twelve questions that I hoped would help me better understand the Amish people and there never changing way of life. I wanted to be able to sympathize with the man in the horse-drawn buggie on the side of the road and be able to see the world from their perspective. As we sat in one of the finished carriages in JBÆ’Â ­s barn I began my quest for enlightenment. First I asked, what are the main differences between the Amish and American cultures? He stated that the Amish teach separatism and that they are not allowed to go to war, take oaths, or hold any public offices. They are not allowed to use any kind of electrical element inside the home, E.G. telephones, computers, and televisions. Amish people focus a lot on togetherness, the whole community will be involved in what has been made po... Free Essays on Interview With The Amish Free Essays on Interview With The Amish Interview With James Shoemacher Amish Vs. American James Bernard Shoemacher, Æ’Â ±JBÆ’Â °, has been a friend and business associate of mine for about three years. He was born and raised in an Amish community in New Harmony, Indiana. JB spent twenty three years inside the community until he was married, then he left to join his brother who lived closer to town than the community was. Together they make up the New Harmony carriage MFR., this is how I came into contact with him. I first met JB and his brother Jed in a draft horse auction in Waverley In., he was there with several of their hand crafted carriages. I got to talking with him and soon thereafter started a business relationship with him that has lasted already five years. Over the time that IÆ’Â ­ve know JB I took in a lot of knowledge about his culture and heritage, thus making him a prime suspect for my interview. That, and IÆ’Â ­ve always been intrigued by the Amish people. After talking with JB for a while I started to understand his English diale ct as if it were the country bumpkin slang I have grown to love. Premeditating the oncoming interview I developed a series of twelve questions that I hoped would help me better understand the Amish people and there never changing way of life. I wanted to be able to sympathize with the man in the horse-drawn buggie on the side of the road and be able to see the world from their perspective. As we sat in one of the finished carriages in JBÆ’Â ­s barn I began my quest for enlightenment. First I asked, what are the main differences between the Amish and American cultures? He stated that the Amish teach separatism and that they are not allowed to go to war, take oaths, or hold any public offices. They are not allowed to use any kind of electrical element inside the home, E.G. telephones, computers, and televisions. Amish people focus a lot on togetherness, the whole community will be involved in what has been made po...