The 2009 Muchas Gracias List!

In keeping with my annual thanksgiving tradition, I’m happy to present my 5th annual Muchas Gracias List. This is where I take a moment to thank all the people who’ve been good to me and/or Andiamo the past year. I always find myself lucky enough to have friends who support me or help in such exceptional ways that I never think I can thank them enough. This is just another way of trying to put that sentiment to rest…

So on to the list! As always, in no particular order…

Karen Dominguez – Despite having been off Andiamo for the past few months, her mark continues to be indelibly left aboard. Her help in the previous year and a half has been invaluable, and I find myself thanking my lucky stars for having had spent even the relatively short time with such an amazing, smart, hysterically funny, beautiful, and big-hearted girl. Thank you Karen, for everything you’ve done for me, Lucy and Andiamo, may our paths cross again someday, you are sorely missed.

Sonnie Rosenval of “Anomaly” – Sonnie is this strange, offbeat boat guy I’ve known for years, since our Rio Dulce days. He’s always been quick to offer a helping hand, and particularly was of a big help during some crazy engine downtime Andiamo experienced last spring. He literally dropped everything back in Bocas to hop a plane to Panama City to help me make sense of my engine problems. His help helped Andiamo get back on track in record time. He also was a big help while we were weatherbound in Bocas del Toro earlier this year. So thanks Sonnie, you’re a good man, and I don’t care what anybody else says about you. 🙂

Alicia Leoni – a good friend who lives in Miami, and has on multiple occasions been a big help in providing me and Karen with a crash pad while flying in or out. She’s got a big heart and is a true friend. Thanks for everything Ali!

Greg McMullin – a longtime friend back in Florida, who, like Chris has gone above and beyond in helping me out with logistical stuff stateside at the drop of a hat. He recently visited Andiamo after an absence of almost five years, and it was good to have him back. Thanks Greg!

The Cast and Crew of “Julian and Camilla’s World Odyssey” – it was great having them aboard for the shooting of their San Blas segment of their Panama episode. Thanks for the good times, and for giving Andiamo a little dose of immortality 🙂 . Hope we meet again!

Dino Perez – My crewman, right hand man and loyal, trusted friend. Dino has become an incredibly integral part of Andiamo’s (and Lucy’s) well-being. His contribution to keeping Andiamo going is absolutely immeasurable, and I really have no idea what I’d do without him. He was definitely the right person to come along at the right time. Thank you for everything Dino!

Badly translated in Spanish/traducido en espanol: Dino Perez – Mi tripulante, hombre derecho y amigo leal, confiado en. Dino ha hecho una parte increíblemente integrante de Andiamo (y Lucy tambien). Su contribución a guardar ir de Andiamo es absolutamente inmensurable, y no tengo realmente ninguna idea qué haria sin él. Él era definitivamente la persona adecuada a venir adelante en el momento adecuado. ¡Gracias por todo Dino!

The People of Carti’ Yantupu – It’s pretty amazing to see how at ease and at home I feel with the Kuna people of Dino’s village. Everyone, including the village chief, knows me by first name and treats me like family. Despite some crazy times and experiences we’ve shared, I find myself very much accepted and liked by these warm and caring people. I can’t say how much of an interesting and incredible experience it has been getting to really know them. So thank you!

Translated in Spanish/traducido en espanol: La gente de Carti’ Yantupu – Es bastante asombroso ver cómo en la facilidad y en el país siento con la gente de Kuna de Dino’ aldea de s. Cada uno, incluyendo el jefe de la aldea, me conoce por el nombre y me trata como la familia. A pesar de algunas veces y experiencias locas que nos compartimos, me encuentro mucho aceptado y tenido gusto por esta gente amistosa y que cuida. No puedo expresar cuánto de una experiencia interesante e increíble se ha estado familiarizando con realmente lo. ¡Muchisma Gracias!

And finally….

The Wonderful Andiamo Guests!!!

What can I possibly say about this? When I started doing these trips, no way in the world could I have ever predicted that such great times and great encounters would have come from people who for the most part were mere strangers before ever setting foot aboard. With VERY few exceptions, our onboard guests have been nothing short of phenomenal, fun, caring and adventurous people. I am overwhelmed by the sheer number of new friends I have made, and the incredible connections with people that span the globe! I’ve considered myself lucky for the incredible friends I’ve made over the last five years, no doubt. But this past year, that luck has gone through the frickin roof!

So many thanks to my esteemed Andiamo guests and friends for the great times, the crazy times, the marriage proposals, the babyhead curses, the crazy storm times, brilliant conversations, the great experiences, the adventures, the phenomenal pictures and stories, the fond memories, and what else? May the good times keep coming! Thanks for keeping things beyond fun and interesting for me.

And that’s it for this year! If I missed anybody, I’ll be sure to add them in. Thanks for a great year, and here’s to a phenomenal 2010, Andiamo’s SIXTH YEAR! 😛

And a late entry!

Arturo in Panama City – Arturo is a Colon-born and raised Panamanian who now lives and works in Panama City. Though his shop is in a non-descript garage, smack-dab in Panama City’s WORST neighborhood, he is by far the smartest and most resourceful mechanic/machinist/welder/general-fixit guy I have ever met PERIOD. I’ve thrown so many repair projects at him wondering if the next one would stump him or be over his head, nuh-uh. He has completed each and every project with no problem whatsoever. And always at an incredibly fair price. He is my SOLE go-to fix-it guy in Panama City, and I thank him for coming through for me each and every time. Muchas gracias, Arturo!