It’s hard to believe that it’s my fourth Christmas aboard Andiamo. What’s more that I’m topping off my FIFTH YEAR living and cruising aboard her (it will be five years in February). So much has happened, so many adventures, so many incredible people encounters, so many places, so many experiences (good and bad) in such a short time. I remember when I was in the navy 25 years ago for a four year stint. Those four years seemed to drag on forever! These days, time goes by at such a dizzying pace, it’s staggering. Yet, things remain interesting. Yet, I’m not tired of it.
This year’s Christmas found me oddly alone again. Karen went back to Colombia to be with her family, and I didn’t quite have that option to join her. My time in Colombia was up for the year, and Andiamo was going to be quite busy during the holidays. So, I find myself in San Blas, hanging out with the Kuna. and some pretty cool tourists and peace corps volunteers that I met on the ride back from Panama City. Aaron, a Kuna who runs a local hotel and a few island lodges, has had me over for dinner and his holiday parties pretty much every night since being back. Dino, who is integral to Andiamo here in San Blas has been keeping me good company as well, and helping me tremendously to get Andiamo sorted out and ready for her upcoming trips. So, although I’m by myself, I’m not alone.
One of things that I find interesting this particular time, even a bit exciting, is how surprisingly varied things get for me each year. Despite the fact that this has been a rather turbulent year for me on many fronts, despite many challenges. Things are still fun, I still like doing it. There is simply no way I could have predicted all that would happen with me and Andiamo during this year last Christmas. I have ventured, albeit slowly into the world of writing, and though I haven’t gotten as far as I would have liked this past year, I do find myself being more and more comfortable with what I am doing. Having done a few passenger runs and guest trips with Andiamo has also enabled me to appreciate that I can still do what I want to do, even though life isn’t necessarily as easy for me as it was when I started sailing Andiamo.
All these developments make me wonder exactly what 2009 has in store. To be honest, I really have no idea. I think I know what I want to see happen. But I think whatever does happen, it’s gonna end up giving me some really fun stories to tell and to share.
We shall see.