Friends on boats
27 March 2013 | Waisaladup, San Blas, Panama
Bill
Friends on boats.
The cruising community is a funny one. We learned from some British folks in Warderick Wells, Bahamas to visit our neighbors as that is the way to make friends when you arrive in a new anchorage. Many city dwellers would never conceder knocking on their neighbors door when they move in�... and yet for us there is a need to make friends quickly�... so we go right over, knock on the boat and see if they might be our new friends. Especially if it is a kid boat.
When we saw Salsa arrive in Bonaire, we knew we had to stop by as they had a boy about Isobel's size. This was the start of a wonderful relationship. That was mid February. Since then we have shared many meals, discussed boat problems, fears, good books, theories of evolution, sailing techniques and destinations. We have explored mountains and beaches, snorkeled and just sat together. We have watched each other's kids and exchanged recipes. We clicked really well together.
And, today we parted ways. They are off to head west to prepare for the Panama Canal and the South Pacific�... and we will stay here for a couple more weeks before we pass through the Canal and head to Ecuador.
Lara and I discussed skipping South America and heading out with them, and we have chosen to stick to our plans�...
So, they sailed off. We hope to see them again and we don't know when that will be. It is tough to express the emotion when you see good friends sail away.
That is how life is with us cruisers, it just seems to be a real part of the lifestyle. Every friend we have had along the way, we get to know quickly as we never know when our paths will diverge. It might be a good way to go through life anyway, strike up friendships and develop them fast, as one never knows�...