Friday, October 8, 2010

Tight Spaces

Gosh...I just saw a news report about rescuers of the trapped men in Chile. They are 2,300 feet below ground. One of the rescuers was demonstrating the way they will get down the tunnel by standing in a metal mesh, 24" cylindrical cage which is lowered mechanically.

I don't know about you, but I'm not one to enjoy tight spaces. Even in such a cage, which is open enough to see through, it's too confining for me. And, going underground for any reason, let alone into a small tunnel, is not for this light lover. I want my feet solidly on the ground and plenty of space in which to move around.

I've never had an MRI or CT scan, but I've watched them when some family members have had to be tested. I'm sure I'd feel claustrophobic having something as close to my face as that machine is. I know they've got 'open' ones, but I don't know if they're good for testing every condition known to the medical world. If I ever find myself in the position of needing such a test, I will find out at that time, by asking.

I remember a vacation in Texas. We visited a place called 'the Natural Bridge' between San Antonio and New Braunfels. It is a rock formation of 65' bridge above ground with caverns below. Three of the four of us decided to tour the caverns. Well, the four of us started down the paved path into the cave, but one of us, upon hearing we would descend to a depth of 211' feet, decided to turn and run for the daylight. Guess who?

Another time, Mike and I went to New Hampshire, and visited a place called the Ice Caves. I was fine while I was in the open air, and I truthfully did attempt to enter the Caves. But, the anxiety hit, my heart pounded and my chest felt tight. I couldn't do it. I felt like a 'party pooper', but Mike went in and did the exploring, and when he returned, he told me that it was very snug in there....almost too tight for him. His words gave me relief, and I abandoned the 'party pooper' feeling.

I'm thinking that 'coal miner' can easily be erased from my list of possible future occupations.