Shooting the rapids

Media

Part of The Young Citizen: The Magazine for Young People

Title: Shooting the rapids
Creator: Marquez, Elisa
Language: English
Year: 1937
Subject: Rivers.; Pagsanjan Falls (Laguna, Philippines)
Rights
Abstract: A shared experience of the author in riding a boat going to the Pagsanjan Falls.
Fulltext: 194 THE YOUNG CITIZEN JtiJ.11. 1 !I.Ji Interesting Places Shooting the Rapids By ELISA MARQUEZ "Arc you ready to shoot the rapids this morning?" asked our kind hostess. As we had already put on our bath robes ;ind taken our broad-brimmed hats co protect us from the sun· s rays. we mcrril y went to the shore. There the expert boatmen were waiting for us in their banqs. Only two of us could ride in one banca for every vessel had to be manned by two men. The ride to Pagsanjan Falls started. The oars of the boatmen whizzed thru the waters. Everyone was cager to reach the famous falls. "There." warned the boatman. "Keep your hands away from the sides of the boat. We shall begin to shoot the rapids.·· ··r thought that the end of the ride had come. Big boulders were before us and the strong current seemed to push our· light craft back. I could see th.: boatmen double their strength to make the boat pass thru the bubbling water and between the big rocks. Did feel nervous~ Sure! y, I did. but then the lofty mountains on both sides of the stream h c I d me spellbound. \Vhat · lovely flowers grew on the wild grass~ How interesting the varicolored dragon flies and birds were! With my whole attention focused on these lovely works of N.itu're. we passed thru the rapids not without that feeling of great excitement and awe. "But, hush! Do you hear that noise~.. I asked my companion who was craning her neck to sec a cute bird just ;lighting on a thick bush. "What can it be~" she asked me in reply. " W c arc nearing the falls. " explained the two hoatmcn in unison. After several minutes more of constant rowing. we reached our goal. Magnificent! I was speechless for a moment. How great it is to ~cc the mighty volume of water rushing down the high mountain'. People say that the ride to the falls is quite d;mgerous. but I assure you that the wonderful scene is something chat you cannot forget.