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View Full Version : Agoraphobic Tidal Bore River Rafting



Jitterbug
02-11-2010, 07:45 AM
:shock:

Okay this one needed a new thred. Mostly because its somewhat comical. At the time I was suffering from anxiety, the word Agoraphobia I hadn't heard before. I left my stressful call center like computer support job to work at a local vacation resort... sounded relaxing... lol.

Well my friends the only thing stranger then fiction is truth, and my boss (who was a very cool guy despite having what I assume to be aspergers, which in my condition I just couldnt deal with after a while) planned a start of the year team building excercise.

I thought ok so it will be one of those things where we all sit around a campfire with funny hats or some such bs (after working for major corporations I realized just how insane some "team building" things can be.)

I arrived to see a large bus.
Oh shit.
Worse still, where we were going was a "Surprise" My ibs flared up and I stationed myself right next to the busses bathroom. So the trembling trip took 45 mins or so. "dear god why all this way for a bloody sing song " i asked myself. Then came the sign.
"Tidal bore rafting" ... i bolted to the bathroom. After the pain and cramps subsided and I was convinced that there were no more possible contents left in my digestive tract ... either end... I proceeded to pick up my "survival suit"
You see this region has the highest tides in the entire world and this particular river literally reverses flow every 6 hours... its no tame event.

Jitterbug
02-11-2010, 08:03 AM
We proceeded to the muddy bank and hopped into our tiny boat. This torture would last an hour, I remember at one point hanging onto the boat and looking up.... at the surface of the water. Holding my breath wondering why i was still hanging onto the boat if the boat spent most of its time underwater. When it was all over we walked back to a cabin where I hogged a fireplace. yes there was to be more.... the boss announced another surprise.

ugh.

So another hour long drive and then thank god...it was a vineyard. :) I was thankfull for that wine "tasting" the rest of the trip home was pretty good... I guess... dont remember really.

As bad as my nerves were.. I made it! Anxiety can really stop us from doing things that are fun... granted I didnt find any of that fun... well except the vinyard... still makes for a great situational comedy. My agoraphobia has led me to believe the mailbox to be an "over the top" trip"

Can you think of ant "over the top trips" you been on and survived? (its good to list your accomplishments)