A broken wall

Another Swim incident. This time, a joyous one.

Last evening was one of those days where I did nothin more than running from one corner to the other. I and my Manager had planned to catch up for a Beer in the evening at 7 to vent out the heat. It was at 6:20 I realized I had been to the Pool only 2 days in the week and am out of town during the weekend (for I plan to be in deep state of Nirvana with one of my Engg Buddies who's in DE for a Business trip). Hmmn, tough call, I made my mind to rush to the Pool asap and have a short 20 min dive. I sneaked into my Manager's office and rustled that I'll meet him straight at the venue at 7:15.

Just minutes later I was in the Pool about to start stroking -- a guy (as young as I am), 6 footer, muscular Hulk came to me and said in German that he has seen me swimming regularly. Hmmn....I have been observed (of course, many stare at me, sometimes with disdained cold eyes for I have dark hide and hairy chest). I was happy that I was able to understand him and I replied affirmatively. That followed with an avalanche of German words which threw me into an abyss of bewilderment. I took a deep breath, told him that I cannot understand so much of German but can try to if he can be slow. He asked me whether I know English and boom - he started speakin GRE English! for what he told later that he was in the US for some years of his Education. Good; connection established.

"am takin part in a swimmin competition tomorrow n wanna ask if you can watch me swim for a while n gimme some tips. I used to swim a lot but quit an year back n hav started again since 3 months. I do cycling to keep my feet tickin. Somehow, I doubt somethins gone wrong with my style..if you have a moment, it would be wonderful" said the Deutscher Junge. This for me was something. It has not been that very often I've seen/experienced/heard any white skinned soul approach someone unknown from the Orient world - and what I saw was even more so for it was to seek a suggestion!!! To keep it straight, I was zapped; and moved.

Though I didn't have much time, I was convinced of myself that I should watch him swim (of course, I was also as proud as a Peacock for a while :) I asked him to crawl from one edge to the other, I went underwater and closely followed. Moments later, I was on my way givin Gyan revealin the less known tricks of trade. I did a few Lengths myself to show him what I meant. He (now quite a few folks in the Pool) watched me with curiosity. I stopped and asked him whether he could follow and realize what I said. "Sure, thanks a ton for ur time n advice; I may not be able to learn overnight but am sure it'll help me take long strokes. I hope I didn't trouble u much. You and the way you talk reminds me two of my best Professors who taught me Math n Physics in the US. Thanks again, I'll see you soon" was his reply.

10 mins gone and I was all bliss in water the next 20 mins. I had heard many nasty incidents, this was a welcome ice-breaker or even a wall breaker.

Nothin comes for free, I was late by 15 mins for the Beer and that cost me ein Bier:(