Week Seven:
Apparently there is a kayaking team
on campus that I was unaware of. They meet every Tuesday afternoon at the pond
to practice their strokes. There were probably three or four members, plus the
head coach. There was a large jeep like truck pulled up next the pond, attached
to it was a trailer. On the trailer there were two kayaks. Each member did his
part in unloading the trailer. Since there were only two boats team members had
to take turns when it came to the actual rowing. The waiting team members would
wait on nearby picnic tables, with their laptops open, presumably doing
homework. The coach was pacing around the pond making comments and gestures to
those rowing. They would occasionally paddle close to the coach to catch what
he was saying. Around and around the kayakers circled the small pond. After a
good 30 minutes the ones waiting for their turn with the oars finally got their
chance. As the team members switched off there was much joking and laughing.
There was a real sense of community and friendship in the group, and I wondered
how long they had known each other. After the trade off the first group of
rowers sat down at the picnics tables, as it was their turn to tackle the
homework. The first group could have gone home, but waited patiently for
everyone to finish. After thirty minutes of the second group rowing entire team
helped put the boats back into the trailer. After everything was loaded the
team gathered round and listened to the coach. The coach seemed like a neat
interesting man. He was of medium height. He had a sandy beard. He was an energetic
and magnetic force. The group that gathered around for his input seemed genially
interested in what he was saying. The group demonstrated this sense of
friendship and community, which was nice to see. Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy
one another.
Another interesting group that was
out and about on that lovely Tuesday afternoon was an older couple. I had never
seen an older couple at the pond. This location was usually occupied with young
college students, or families with smaller children. Never had I seen anyone
over the age of forty-five. This couple appeared to be in their mid-sixties.
They sat on a nearby bench. The old man was reading a newspaper, while the wife
was feeding the ducks that swarmed around her ankles. They sat there
peacefully. Neither of them seemed to be in any big hurry, nor did either of
the m speak very much. I suppose after years of being together they rarely had
to make vocal interactions, they knew each other so well. After the man had finished his paper, they sat
there still for a while more, before they packed their things and headed back
to the car slowly. Still neither of them said a word.
These different encounters can
explain different functions that take place throughout a person’s life. For
example the young were interested in community and socializing. They divided
their time between homework and boating. The young people enjoyed the company
of their peers, and made lots of jokes, all seemed to being enjoying themselves.
The older couple in the other hand also seemed to be enjoying the peace and
quiet. A peace and quiet that maybe the noisiness of their earlier lives didn’t
allow. Each of these examples demonstrated what people what during certain
points in their lives. The young fold want adventure and friendship, the older
couple wanted peace and quiet.
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