Have you ever had a childhood dream of being a mermaid, swimming gracefully among coral reefs and dazzling visitors at an aquarium? What if I told you that this dream could turn into a nightmare? Let me share the story of my unique job as a mermaid and why I signed up for it in the first place.
When my friend and I finally arrived after a long day of travelling and the attendant showed us our little cabins so we could settle in, it was already late at night. Fortunately, the cabins were equipped with everything we needed and felt like rooms in a nice hotel.
Childhood Dream Come True: The Magical Setting
The next morning, I stepped out onto the terrace and was greeted by a lush green park with beautiful trees and plants. Squirrels — yes, the ones that reminded me of *Chip and Dale* — were running everywhere. Various colourfull birds filled the air with their vibrant songs, creating a symphony of nature.
Our private chef, which was assigned to us brought breakfast, prepared to cater for us to any craving at any time. I couldn’t even think of what I wanted to eat because the options seemed endless. It felt like a scene from *The Green Mile*, where the condemned man is served his last meal before facing the electric chair. 😅
However, after breakfast, my friend and I explored the grounds more, discovering that not only were we surrounded by beautiful nature, but there were also amusement park, a water park, a zoo, and even a private beach! All of this was part of the enormous complex where we lived and worked as mermaids. The best part? We had unlimited access to all the attractions.
Being a Mermaid: A Dream Come True?
Our mermaid costumes were stunning, with colourful tails and large fins that made swimming underwater a breeze. Essentially, we were freediving, diving deep while holding our breath, performing simple tricks, and smiling at the visitors. People came specifically to see us; we were the stars of the show, waving to children and blowing kisses.
Diving wasn’t difficult, and the job itself only took up to 30 minutes a day — three underwater shows of 10 minutes each. Between performances, we rested for 50 minutes in a special room. In total, we spent just 3 hours on the job each day, and after that, we were free to do as we pleased. The payment was also quite great.
It seemed perfect… like my childhood dream had come true…
Swimming with Sharks: The Dark Side of working as a Mermaid
But now, let’s talk about the downsides:
- We worked in a massive aquarium filled with all sorts of sea creatures, including sharks and venomous stingrays capable of killing us.
- The water we dove into was cold and salty, which could be bad for our health in the long run. If you’re not used to cold water or if you’re lacking vitamins, your skin starts to peel, your hair becomes dry and brittle, and you find yourself constantly getting sick.
- Lack of freediving skills, anxiety, or improper breathing underwater can lead to serious, life-threatening situations.
- When swimming with sharks, you must remain absolutely calm — they can sense fear, and that’s the only reason they might attack.
Why Being a Mermaid Might Only Appeal to Someone as Crazy as Me
For almost anyone else, the cons would definitely outweigh the pros, and this job might seem impossible. But for someone like me, it’s perfect, because:
- I love freediving, swimming underwater, and holding my breath.
- I’ve been toughening myself up since I was 15, taking cold showers and swimming in cold water.
- I adore working with animals and know how to behave around them.
- I always dreamed of swimming with sharks and was even willing to pay quite a bit for the experience (it’s an expensive activity in many places worldwide).
- I didn’t and don’t really worry about these things because I’m addicted to adrenaline, and throughout my life, I’ve done things just to see, *“What if…?”*
How I Ended Up Here (Almost by Accident)
Honestly, I never imagined there was such a thing as a job being a mermaid. I didn’t think it could be this exciting, and I never expected to be paid well.
My friend and I often travel to India for various modelling gigs and contracts. She does it full-time, while I do it for fun. One day, she showed me an ad and laughed: *“Look at this! Some weird people are looking for mermaids to swim in cold, salty water with sharks. What kind of crazy person would take that job?”* 😆
And yet… here we were. 😊
Lessons Learned from Swimming with Sharks: A Childhood Dream, Just Not as Expected
This experience has taught me that dreams often come with a price, and it’s important to understand all aspects before diving in headfirst. Despite the challenges, I’ve realised that true happiness doesn’t come from comfort, but from overcoming fears and pushing the boundaries of what I thought was possible.
Working as a mermaid has been a lesson in balancing thrill with risk, embracing the unknown, and learning to find beauty even in the cold depths of the water. Because sometimes, dreams come true — just not in the way you expect.
