We Went to Sea the World

With all the attention Sea World has been getting lately, it made me reminisce about a dream nightmare I had as a child that would haunt me for years. Yeah, I know, it’s been a while since I was a child but work with me will you?

In spite of my deathly irrational paralyzing fear of drowning, I’m obsessed with all things marine, especially sharks and whales. The thought of swimming with them sounds great in theory, but there is no way I could ever do it. No way. That said, I watch everything I can about these creatures and think it’s a sign from God that Shark Week always falls near my birthday:) And I spent a summer going to Sea World to see the whales and well, some of the performers too.

My trips at 16 were no small accomplishment due to my aforementioned nightmares about Shamu leaving the tank and stalking people in the gift shop. Yeah, that was what my 5(?) year old mind came up with after my first remembered trip there. The picture below is of a simpler time when I didn’t know that I would have nightmares later. This stinking nightmare stayed with me for the longest time and I kind of held it against Shamu in particular and orcas in general. At random intervals I’d rehash this dream.

A happier time before knowledge...

Picture it: Sea World, Aurura, OH, circa 1981:
Young Kiki, Mom, Dad and Nana head down the turnpike for a fun-filled adventure. Once at the park, Kiki is mesmerized by the colors, the myriad of animals and how the exist in Ohio and all the park has to offer. From the dolphins to the fish, she is in awe of how wonderful sea life is. She even tries to climb the wall in to the tank to be one with the fish (obviously forgetting the failed swimming lessons but that’s another story). She swears the animals can talk to her

As they approach the Shamu show, she gets scared and has a foreboding feeling (yes, she can have that at that age). She tells her Dad she doesn’t want to go to the show. Dad says it’s nonsense, that’s why they’re there and they’re going. She tries again to get out of it without a good result. Dad tries to woo her with the thought of being picked to pet Shamu and this doesn’t work out well.

The show starts and all the whales talk about how much they like working there and enjoy being orcas. Jumping and splashing it looks like a lot of fun. She sits about 10 rows back thinking maybe she was overreacting.

After the show ends, the only way out of Shamu Stadium is through the gift shop (?). The family mills around looking at items no one needs. Suddenly it gets very dark and a large shadow descends upon the shop. A scream makes Kiki turn around. Standing in the doorway is Shamu (now with feet and a back fin) with his hands (fins?) on his hips. He’s snarling and saying he will eat everyone because he’s mad. He charges through the crowd making a beeline for Kiki and her family. All she can hear is the sound of his teeth chomping. The family runs to the car (now considerably closer than before) and jumps in. Shamu runs behind the car all the way to Toledo, chomping the whole way.

End scene. Fin.

Yep, slightly neurotic even at a young age right? It’s amazing I ever made it back to Sea World or in an ocean again. See what watching too much CNN makes you remember?