Thursday, October 4, 2007

And on the 7th Day, Land

Day 7
Weight: 216 lbs.
Food Intake: 3 avocados, 2 with sea salt


What is green on the outside, green on the inside, and has an avocado seed in the middle?

I awoke to a strange sensation. The ocean wasn't moving at all. I could hear running water, birds and insects. I was still in the raft, but when I looked up I saw the leafy branches of trees. I wasn't on a beach. I was on a riverbank. The high tide appears to have carried me into a river valley during the night and deposited me on dry ground as it retreated into the sea.

The first thing that caught my eye were these green hanging fruits from the tree above me. I wasted little time in obtaining a few specimens. They were avocados. I was so happy to have found food that I split open the first one. It was a little green, but it was food! I ate the avocado and found it to be quite bland. I felt sick and nauseous. I laid back down and slept to fight the sick feeling. After a few hours of sleep, I just rested. I was so weak and weary that I couldn't imagine hiking through an unknown and brushy forest. I pulled the raft away from the river so that it would not be carried back into the sea.

Around lunch time, I felt a little better, but the thought of eating another avocado made me squeamish. Maybe if I could flavor it somehow it would be bearable. I knew that I needed nourishment. So I opened up another one and hiked down the river to the sea. When I reached the beach I found it to be quite barren. Waves, sand and dunes as far as I could see in both directions. I mashed up the avocado and soaked it in seawater. This time it was much better.

I was still weak from my ordeal, so I climbed back into the raft and slept again. I felt safe in the raft which had carried me so many miles over the ocean to this shore. Tomorrow I can explore. Today I can rest without the constant tossing of the sea.

When I woke up it was dark. Night had fallen. I felt I should eat something to get me through the night but the only thing handy were the avocados. So I took one down to the beach, soaked it in seawater and began to eat. I got this one too salty and it was all I could do to force myself to eat it. I felt sick again, but I felt that I needed some kind, any kind, of energy flowing into my body as I slept.

I crept back into the raft and fell soundly asleep.

2 comments:

Houser said...

I expect to see some action shots.

And by action, I mean you lying on the beach eating avacados.

Keith, Houser House Resident said...

Gary,
I admire you willpower. I have to say I definately couldn't go without eating for that long. Good luck and be safe with it! Hope to see you and Maxine soon!