Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell reflects on her deep affection for Lake Victoria, where she grew up swimming. Although years have passed since she last swam in the lake, she vividly recalls its sensory experiences, from the texture of the water to the sights and sounds of the surrounding environment. The lake's vastness gives her a sense of ownership and belonging, providing a contrast to the endlessness of open water. Diving into the lake evokes a feeling of freedom, where the underwater world mingles with her memories and familial connections in Siaya County, Kenya.
I always imagine the strange animals that wait for me below the water's cool surface anytime I am wild swimming.
The lake is so large it's impossible to see the other side, but lakes are contained, and so it feels like mine in a way open water never can.
With my ears under the surface I can hear the other world happening beneath me: clicks, small vibrations and dull thuds from shifting stones and fish.
It's a feeling of endless freedom.
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