What an experience this was!
In one moment, we were in our familiar world on land, sitting on a boat, and imagining the manatees as we have seen them from the surface, read about them, and watched them in soundtracked internet videos.
In the next moment, we were underwater, in snorkel gear and a wet suit, and approaching a large and curious manatee! There was no soundtrack; just silence and wonder, and respect for their domain. It's easy for us humans to reference our own civilization as the center of the universe, and our place on Planet Earth as the center of this world, but there are really so many worlds going on here at once, both above sea level and below it! Swimming with the manatees brought up a deep primal feeling of being out of control and at their mercy for me; not in a bad way; but in a humbling way.
In the end, the manatees we encountered were gentle and sometimes curious and playful beings who were a joy to swim among. Yet again, I feel blessed to witness life from another perspective outside of myself, and to remember my responsibility to behave as a good steward of this planet, and a good neighbor as I can to the other worlds co-existing on it with me.
Also, the boat ride and snacks were great, and the hosts and touring company were superb! We had an amazing and life-enriching time with the manatees!