Let me start from the beginning...
A couple of weeks ago, we went horse back riding with a group of friends. We were going to ride to the Lulu Waterfalls, then go to El Valle beach. My mother was a little reluctant, but after a while she said we should go. We met up with the group and we got a guagua to drive us to the horse place. When we got there, the workers first gave us a presentation of the fruits, vegetables, nuts, drinks and coffee of the country. Followed by samples of the foods. Then it was time to leave. Everybody got their horse. Papi and Raquel shared one, while me and mami got one each.
My horse's name was "Coco-loco" because, not only was he the youngest horse, but he was also the most energetic and rebellious horse.
"Great", I thought, "This will be fun."
Right off the bat my horse didn't listen to me. When I wanted it to go fast, it went slow and when I wanted it to go slow, it ran. It would walk in the grass where there were trees about neck high to me (on the horse), so then I would always get a face full of branches and leaves. My horse didn't really care for personal space, so he would always stand shoulder to shoulder to the horse next to me. So there were a lot of squished legs and knees in places they shouldn't be.
When we got to the waterfall, we had to go on foot for about five minutes because it was too hard for the horses.
The waterfall was gorgeous. When we got there, I jumped in right away. The water was freezing, but it was nice because it was so hot that day. We stayed there for about half an hour, then we started getting hungry. So we left to go the beach because there was food waiting for us there. But we didn't know it was an hour ride to the beach.
But how else were we supposed to get there? So we started for the beach. Again, my horse was being a jerk. On the way there, my horse caused us to get kicked by the horse in front of us, lose my hat twice, and he managed to give me a quick leafy snack before lunch.
While I was rubbing against the other horses, and getting leaves shoved down my throat and in my tonsils, I noticed that we were close.
The food was amazing! We had grilled fish, roasted chicken, rice, salad, bread, and tostones. It was very simple but it was delicious.
After we all finished stuffing our faces, my friend, Hannah, wanted to ride along the beach, and she asked me if i wanted to go with her. "Eh, why not?" I said. So we got on our horses and started to the other side of the beach. Hannah's horse could fly. It just zoomed away like nothing. Meanwhile, mine was being stubborn little brat. It took me a while to get it to even start walking. It would start walking for about three seconds, then it would turn and walk straight to the trees. I tried to get it to turn around but it wouldn't listen.
I kept jerking his head and forth like it was agitated. then it turned around towards our and and stood on it hind legs with me on it. Then, it just ran. It ran straight into the "forest" with many many trees and huge leaves (and by huge, I mean BIGGER THAN RAQUEL huge). A couple of branches and leaves managed to give me a cut on my arm and neck, make me lose my hat (again), and pushed my upper body all the way back, that from my waist up I was laying on my back, on the horse for about four seconds. You would've thought I was a contortionist. I was pushing the huge leaves out of the way when my body shot back up. The horse was still going full speed, then I noticed a weird tree. it was right in front of me, and it was perfectly arched. Both ends of the tree where in the ground and it was arched high enough to hit me right in the fa- "OH MY GOD, I'M GONNA HIT THE TREE!"
Then, literally, I remember thinking, "This is how I go..."
I tried to make the horse stop by pulling on the leash but Coco-loco was not having it. Before I knew it, I face planted into the tree and fell off and landed right on my back, taking my saddle with me. Of course it did nothing to the horse, he fit perfectly through the arch. I just remember lying there for a few seconds thinking "Yep, I'm definitely dead." Then I open my eyes and slowly lift my head to see the horse, still running.
He was probably thinking "I'M FREE! I'M FREE AT LAST!" I was surprised the blow on the head didn't kill me, nor the saddle that was basically thrown onto my lifeless body. And I seriously don't know how NOBODY saw it happen. The only people who saw it were two random guys who got the horse and helped me up. When I stood up, I noticed a pain in my neck. I knew I didn't break it, cause it would've hurt a lot more, but I knew I hurt it pretty bad. I got up and said thank you to the men and started walking back. Everyone was surprised I didn't cry. I didn't cry because I was so shocked. I was just kinda blank till I got back.
I told my mom what happened, then she kinda freaked out. My neck was hurting more now and my forehead was aching from where I hit it. Apparently, my head whip-lashed when I hit the tree, that's why my neck was hurting.
I sat down for a few minutes and got some ice for my head. I remember telling my mom, "My whole life flashed before my eyes... I'm not doing that again."
At least I didn't break anything.
All I know, is that I'm definitely not getting back on a horse, for a long while...