The Thing About Cruising
15 January 2017
Aline, Brad and Jake are the last three on the right. We took this trip together last year to visit the monarch butterflies and the archaeological site of the Guachamontones. Next to them stands Jim and Kathy of Solar Flair. They, too, are on their way to Panama. Hopefully, they will all meet up. We miss you, too, Jim and Kathy.
January 13, 2017
Here’s the thing about cruising; people come and people go.
We said goodbye to our friends yesterday. Brad, Aline and Jake on Grinn II (Doesn’t that name just say it all?) After an extended period in Paradise Village, they are finally heading out to Panama. The had traveled down from Canada, but decided to stay put for a while as they needed a powerful internet connection for their son to finish high school. Jake has now graduated and is off to college in the near future. The problem with staying in one place so long is, you make friends. Close friends.
As cruisers, we are used to the fact that we meet people in one port, say goodbye, and then may or may not see them again in some other port or anchorage. That doesn’t mean it is easy. We also share a special bond because, even though we have to be independent to survive cruising, we also are acutely aware that things can turn dangerous quickly, and it is our boat buddies who are always ready to help. The reality of this brings us closer. So, saying goodbye to our friends yesterday was a bittersweet moment.
I am reminded of the very first blog I wrote, Cruising and the Second Noble Truth. In Buddhism, The First Noble Truth is, life is suffering. The Second Noble Truth is, life is suffering due to attachment. This concept of attachment is one we cruisers are constantly facing. We are learning the art of letting go.
“Fair winds and following seas,” my friends.