I get let down by both the sun and a Swiss boatman

Despite the cold and rain, a small group of us would-be swimmers gathered at the lakeside yesterday afternoon, determined to take the plunge.

Unfortunately for us, the boatman who had been contracted to accompany us didn’t think we’d show, and rather than contacting us to find out, he just closed up shop early for the day and went home.

Unable to find another boat on such short notice, we considered the option of swimming even without a boat. It’s probably a good idea that this idea was shot down in the end, given that (1) not everyone considered themselves to be expert swimmers, (2) the wind and rain were making the water choppy and leaving boaters with low visibility and (3) as the proud holder of lifeguard certification that expired over 10 years ago, I was the one who was most qualified to come to the aid of anyone in distress.

On one hand I was relieved not to have to face the possibility of hauling a six-foot-tall unconscious man 500 meters back to shore, but on the other hand I was quite disappointed that I wasn’t going to get to swim across the lake after all, especially since I had spent the entire day talking myself into believe that it was going to be an amazingly fabulous experience.

So over dinner at the grounds of the Züricher Theater Spektakel, I convinced my fellow would-be swimmers that we should give it another go. We are scheduled to try again tomorrow. Did you hear that, Sun? I’m giving you a second chance to prove your usefulness…