The Wilderness

Raaid Bacchus
E211W: Diary/Journal
May 14, 2007

Got off bus. Ride was too long, people too annoying. Found clear spot to pitch tent, right under two trees. Keep low profile. This trip is going to be a learning experience. I would have never imagined this place to exist in such close proximity to New York City. Hard to believe this is Jersey.
Cook group is annoying. Consists of two Jews, both practicing and celebrating some holiday. For some reason they abstain from bread and meat. Not bad guys but we cannot so much as share a meal together. It’s a bit awkward. I eat in my tent.
Nightfall. Flashlights. I once again sneak off to the woods. Our group try to start a fire, succeed, fire lasts about 1 hour. Start talking to people from other circles. Turn out we have more than a few things in common. Make friends with a Mexican guy who soon becomes my partner. Julio, he calls himself, we plan on canoeing together. Better get to know the guy. Also met Sameer, a Pakistani immigrant. Shared food. I enjoy his company. We say up later around a large fire masterfully created by our Mexican friend. We all talk. I meet a few girls but have a hard time matching up faces and names due to the wilderness being… dark. I’ll get to know everyone in the morning.
May 15, 2007
It is damp out but no rain. The morning dew saturates my tents rain fly. I stumble out after laying in my sleeping bag for an hour. My Jewish friends have started to cook something. I share a piece of matzo with them, it is dry but I enjoy it. I feel like this flat, dry bread is as much a part of their culture as the yarmulke. They’re good guys. I pump some water out of the ground and they begin lighting the stove. After heating the water we each enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. This is a great way to start the day.
Doc gives each pair a cushion, 2 oars and 2 life vests. He’s a few short so we get one. Whatever, I’ve been on a small boat before. We set out on the lake. The water is murky and black, it isn’t running and smells like a sewer in some places. Not at all difficult to navigate, however, we just row and row. Julio mans the rear of the boat while I hold down the front. I believe that makes him the captain. Doc proposes a race. We all line up, about 15 groups at the very least, in a rude half-circle on the lake. Doc gives the call. We all rush forward; I can’t even recall the incentive Doc promised. We furiously row foreword with countless groups following. We turn hard. Their bow rams into the stern of our ship. Funny how I remember these terms now. We end up falling in the lake. Julio thinks he is drowning. He is lying on his back, gasping for air. Flapping his airs wilding in the water. I watch him. I’m standing. I am in the lake. Our boat has capsized. The water is about 3 feet deep and dirty. Stand up, Julio!
May 19, 2007
I haven’t had much time to write after our trip to the lake. We have been on various rivers throughout the week. In fact this is our last day. I made friends with almost everyone on the trip. Some are, in fact, the douche bags I thought they were from afar. Others are incredibly friendly and intelligent, I am glad to call some of these people my peers. I would have to say that the good has far outweighed the bad in that department. I know we will all meet up on Facebook after this is over. It’s the last night so I figured I would wrap it up, I can’t wait to get home and back on a computer.
I made some good friends on this trip. I also learned a lot about myself but the most important thing I am taking back is my memories. This record only serves to remind me how miserable I was at first.