My first holiday abroad was nearly my last.

karenb54 (73)in #holiday • 8 years ago

I was 18 when I had my first holiday abroad, Me, my older sister and 2 friends decided to have a fortnight away in Benidorm, We had heard so much about it, Benidorm was popular back then, 34 years ago.

I remember saving every penny to pay for it, to buy summer clothes and beer money. We booked Rio Park, it was the popular hotel now its overshadowed by loads of new hotels. My first trip on a plane, my first trip away from home I couldn't wait. The only thing I wish I had learned to swim, I have always been so scared of water, even back at school for swimming lessons, I was hopeless, the thought of water on my face even being splashed scared me. My thoughts were paddle in the sea and stay in the shallow end of the pool, or so I thought.

Me 18 Sunbathing in Benidorm

I was lying beside the pool getting tanned when 2 boys we had got to know sneaked over to me one grabbed my feet the other grabbed my hands then swung me flying into the deep end they would need a crane to lift me now I fought to get my head above the water, didn't matter how much I tried I couldn't manage it, I actually gave up as I couldn't save myself, Its really scary thinking OK that's it... It seemed like ages being under the water, I could hear people screaming but didn't know what they were saying then 2 hands grabbed me and pulled me to the side, My friend had jumped in too save me. I couldn't thank her enough, took me a while to get my senses sorted and clear my breathe.

I did catch up with the 2 lads, they both apologised saying they didn't know I couldn't swim, I felt guilty for not being able to swim.

I am 52 now and still can't swim, I used to take my girls to the pool twice a week, they swim like mermaids, they love the water, I'm was left in the waist height end doing a few kicks, Its one of my biggest regrets not trying harder.