Being Thanksgiving, I want to get caught up on my thanksgiving to some really special people who have gone above and beyond this past year for me. I sometimes don’t think I thank people enough, but I want everyone to know how grateful I am to have people like these around me. I’ll add pictures of as many of them as I can come up with down the road.
So without further adieu (in no particular order)….
Daniel from “Yankee”
Daniel was gracious enough to take care of Aretha, Lucy and Cosmo the whole time I was gone in Europe. We’d only known each other a little while before he took on the responsibility, which he readily stepped up for. He took such good care of them, that Lucy incidentally became really attached to him. He also kept his eye out for Andiamo the whole time I was gone. So, many thanks Dan for looking out for the cats and Andiamo!
Steffenie Pearse(from London)
Stef and I first met back in Isla Mujeres last year, literally right after I got back to the boat after the painful and devastating crash of my marriage. She reached out back then and though she knew nothing about me, listened and spent hours doing nothing but being a friend. Since then, we’ve seen each other several times most recently in London this past summer (hey, she put me up!), and I’m proud to call Stef one of my dearest friends now. I trust there will be good times for a long time to come.
Jodi Bates (from Minnesota)
I also met Jodi in Isla Mujeres during that very crucial time. And over a period of a few short days, she became a quintessential friend. Like Steffenie, she listened, consoled, and just hugged me when I needed it. Since then, we’ve stayed in touch, and she continues to be a real friend to me. Jodi was unfortunate enough to be back on Isla right when Wilma slammed it, and that proved to be a very trying time for her. I’m glad she made it out relatively unscathed, and I trust she will have lots of new adventures in her future.
Miguel Silva (Fresno, California)
Miguel is one of my oldest and best friends. He lives in Fresno California with his wife Arcelia and their two kids. Miguel and I have been friends since our time in the navy almost 20 years ago. We lost touch with each other for about 10 years, and then out of the blue, he found me when I was living in LA. We have been through many crazy and tough times. But no matter what was going on with him, he would be there. He was particularly there for me when my marriage ended, and when Pop was leaving us. Thanks for all Miguel, you are my brother.
Steffen and Frederik (from “La Boheme” and “Jeri”, respectively)
I met both of these guys shortly after Hurricane Ivan brushed by Isla Mujeres. Frederik’s boat actually getting massively damaged when his boat flipped, taking his mast and rigging with it. Both of these guys had plenty to deal with on their own boats, but when they heard what happened with me, they took care of me. They rallied around me and made sure that I ate everyday, and that I had at least a little bit of fun during that horrendous time. Along with Greg, these guys provided me with enough diversion to find my way out of the darkest hole I’d ever found myself in. They were also responsible for finding Raf, who ended up crewing with me for 5 months right out of Mexico. So suffice it to say, that I can’t thank these guys enough. I got to spend some time with both Frederik and Steffen this past summer, and I have a feeling we’ll be spending lots of time on each others’ boats in the future.
Greg McMullin (Daytona Beach, Florida)
Greg and I have been friends since both of us were in high school. Though we weren’t always the best or closest friends at times, Greg rose to the task when I had to come back to Andiamo after Mahi left. I didn’t think I could go back to Andiamo alone, so Greg flew down to Mexico with me and hung out with me during that crucial first week back. If it weren’t for Greg being there to keep me from going too nuts, I don’t know what I would have done. So thanks Greg.
Howard, Bonnie and Vanessa Thompson (Iowa and Utah)
We met the Thompsons in San Pedro, Belize during Christmas week last year. Along with Eric, Greg and Raf, the Thompsons became part of the Andiamo clan and together we enjoyed an amazing Christmas in the Caribbean. How that happened from a casual meeting at the pool of the Belize Yacht Club, well go figure. I wasn’t sure how good Christmas was going to be for me considering all that was going on with me at the time, but thanks to this incredible if very unlikely group, it turned out to be one of my most memorable ever. Vanessa was indeed quite cool and fun to hang out with that week as well. I’ve stayed in touch with Bonnie throughout the year (she’s always commenting the blog), and now that Vanessa is online, I can keep in touch with her as well. Thanks, and here’s hoping that we get you all back on Andiamo sometime soon.
Tony Pacette (Utila)
Tony is a Texan who lives on Utila. What started as a simple delivery of a dinghy to him from Rio Dulce, turned into a very fun and interesting friendship. Tony is a very interesting guy with lots of stories to tell, and they’re all true I’m sure. He made us feel right at home when we got to Utila, and I look forward to seeing him again in Utila when I get there soon. He had a pretty horrrendous motorcycle accident not too long ago, so he’s been confined to a wheelchair while doing all kinds of horrendous physical therapy. He has opened up his home to me many times, and I hope I can be of help to him when I get to Utila.
Miriam, Tobias and Sina (in Berlin)
After meeting Miriam here in Guatemala in January of this year, I managed to meet up with her and her boyfriend Tobi in Berlin for a week’s stay that was outstanding and memorable. They took lots of time from their busy lives to show me around their city and really see it like a native. Their hospitality was really fantastic. Sina, a close friend of Miriam’s also took lots of time to hang out with me and show me around. Some of my best memories of my time in Berlin were the time I spent with her and listening to her stories and experiences of living in East Berlin before the wall came down. I look forward to going back to Berlin and spending more time in that wonderful dynamic city. Thanks for showing me the real Berlin!
Craig Tomashoff (LA – my brother in law)
Craig has been good enough to provide me with much of the onboard entertainment that I have on Andiamo. Thanks to his “connections” in Hollywood (he is now the West Coast Bureau Chief of TV Guide Magazine), I have an almost endless stream of dvd entertainment that really keeps things fresh and entertaining on Andiamo.
When I was in LA early October, I was in a strange funk, and wasn’t really myself. It affected my time with the kids, and with Judy and Craig unfortunately. I’m sure it had alot to do with the very emotionally trying time I had in Florida in the preceding weeks. I might have overlooked thanking Craig for his efforts to get my dvd’s together, and if so, I want to make up for that here if I can. Craig is also the best brother in law anyone can ask for. He’s a good father, and husband to my sister Judy. He was there for me, along with Judy, when things went bad in my marriage, and he was there for both of us when we lost our father. And if I never told him how much I appreciate him, let me do it now. Thanks Craig for everything, I mean that. You’re not a brother in law to me, you’re a brother.
Luigi and Luisa Bellotti (from Italy, living here in Rio Dulce)
Luigi is a world-class sailmaker from Italy, who spends half of the year in Guatemala. He has helped me with many issues on Andiamo, including the mack daddy of them all, my in mast furling problems. They’ve had me as a guest at their lovely house here on the Rio Dulce now a few times, and it’s a joy every time. Grazie per tutto!
Lotte Vismans and Pauline Roels (Holland)
When I met Lotte and Pauline here in Rio Dulce earlier this year, they were two loopy backpacker girls with a plan to help fix up the school at the La Esmeralda village close to Marios Marina, where Andiamo sits. Very few people from the marina were willing to help them out. That’s when Raf and I stepped up and offered to help them however way we can.
The school was in dire straits, with not enough money to even pay for all the teachers it needed. There was no library, and no transportation to get the higher grade kids to Frontreras to continue their education. With a lot of sweat and effort, these two then still teenage girls turned a whole school around in a matter of months, and made a huge difference to some 330+ kids in the area. Their project continues to be a success, and they continue to raise funds for the project even though they are back in Holland attending college. They inspired me to try to make a difference whenever and wherever I can. It’s a value I’ve instilled in myself for life, so I thank them for that more than anything. It was an honor for me to be part of their project at whatever level I can. I still help out wherever I can.
After the time we spent on Andiamo with them as crew, I look at them as nieces in a strange kind of way. I found myself wanting to protect them and give them some kind of guidance. Hope they understand it’s because they have become dear to me. I suspect that our paths will cross many more times in the future. I think we can all learn something from these two. You find inspiration in the most unlikely places sometimes.
Mahia Mann (Boulder, Colorado)
One of the three American “Sea Cadets” as I affectionately called my crew for our trip from Utila back to Rio Dulce last May. Upon arrival, the other two Sea Cadets took off on their own separate paths. Mahia, however, chose to stay another 2 weeks or so to help me with Andiamo. She helped me get her shaken down and ready for her summer-long stay in Rio Dulce. Her companionship was a refreshing change of pace for me. For the first time ever, hip-hop jammed on the stereo. She made me laugh all the time. We also had several incredible adventures during that time, including a fun and eventful sail trip into Lago Izabal, a scary adventure fighting off some drunken lancheros one night on the Rio Dulce, and a nice little trip to Flores and Tikal. I will forever remember those times as some of the nicest and most blissful I’ve had since this whole Andiamo thing started. It would be great having her back onboard Andiamo someday for more adventures. Thanks Mahia.
Pam Stamey (Valrico, Florida)
Pam is an old friend from high school. We’ve always had a strange and antagonistic relationship (she’s very catholic, I’m not), but I love her like a sister (ok, maybe like a 2nd cousin or something 
). We’ve fallen in and out of touch many times over the past 20 plus years since graduating high school, but strangely we were always able to pick up right where we left off. I’ve now become quite close to her entire family (her husband Dan, and the kids, Bethany, Alex and Barry), and count myself downright lucky to have such a great group of people as friends. During the tough times, Pam has been always been there for me, and let my gratitude to be known right here and now. Thanks Pam, and the rest of the clan.
Michael Greaney (Virginia Beach, VA)
Mike is another longtime friend. We go back to GRADE school! We may not see each other for years at a time sometimes, but the friendship continues no matter what. Mike was there from the very beginning and saw many of the tough times we went through as kids. Through it all, he was always there to brighten things up. He was one of the first to give me enough inspiration to even think about continuing on with Andiamo after things went south with my marriage. Even now, his comments on my blog continue to make me laugh and smile. It’s nice to know that he’s out there keeping up with me even though we haven’t seen each other or talked on the phone in quite some time. So thanks Mike, thanks for being the kind of friend you’ve always been.
Paul and Janet Ramirez (Orlando, Florida)
I go way back with these guys, more than a decade. There have been many road trips, and vacations together. Always fun, always interesting. Despite changes in geography, marital status and other factors, I´ve always maintained a strong friendship with them. We´ve been there to help the other through some very trying times over our history, that´s for sure. My visits to Florida are never complete unless I go see them at least once. Just want to make sure that they know that I thank them for being such wonderful friends, and I´m sure that it will just continue on.
And last, but certainly not least…
Mietsie Truyers (Belgium)
Besides being someone very special in my life, Mietsie has been there for me in oh so many ways. Who’d have thunk that a friendly visit by Raf’s cousin and another friend could have such a lasting effect? Well, that’s what happened. After 2 strange and fun weeks on Andiamo, we continue maintaining a close and special connection that I treasure very much.
She also made my time in Belgium this last summer incredibly special. She was a great traveling partner on our jaunts to Barcelona and Paris as well. She was always there and she continues to be there for me. She also took time out of her very busy life to freshen up this site, which really needed it. Her constant show of love and friendship has made a real difference to me. So muchas gracias, Mietsie. I suspect that there will be much more to come.
And there are so many other people in between and around all these people that I want to thank as well, and as I go along, I’ll get them added in of course. But for now, I’ll leave the list here, but it’s definitely to be continued.
Comment from: Jodi [Visitor]
Happy Thanksgiving to you my friend! Isn’t it such a blessing to have so many wonderful people in your life to be thankful for? I too have counted my blessings today and you were in them! I also am thankful to Steffen and Frederik for introducing us-what great guys! Have a great holiday and I will write soon…as soon as I decide where the next adventure is-not during hurricane season! 😉 Jodi
Comment from: Raf Truyers [Visitor]
For the amazing 5 months on the boat, I still think of every day, thanks Tony!
The saga will continue 🙂
Comment from: mietsie [Visitor]
Better late then never right?
So here it goes,
I feel very lucky to have met you,
it felt a little bit like meeting my second half…
So thank you for being who you are and being in my life, allthough you can be a pain in the ass too, 🙂
Hope I will see you again soon…
mietsie