The Human Factor

Nineteen days is a long time to be at sea. As has been pointed out by a couple of readers, we might even have been at sea for a little bit too long. Besides making sure that our vessel was pointed the right way, with sufficient wind in its sails, eating and sleeping have become our main concerns. Thus our existence slowly reverted to a much simpler form of being. Far from the crowded and busy world, far from the constant flood of information filling our conscious minds to the brim. Day by day, mile by mile, our brains where slowly left to declutter. 

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It is a slow process. At first, all the new boat information easily makes up for the lack of news, emails, likes, reels and intermittent scroll sessions. But as we slowly take ownership of this new space, as we find our own spaces and roles within it, as the boat becomes a part of us, and us a part of it, an unusual emptiness starts appearing. Here and there, between conversations, after a good laugh, after picking up the phone, only to realize for the tenth time that there is no network out here. One might try to escape with a deep dive into the plotter menus or the radar settings, but it is a vain quest.. 

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It might feel like boredom at first, slightly unconfortable.. sitting there, with thoughts.. images, water and sky, ever changing, yet always so similar.. We start to notice the smaller things, we start looking up and around, we start observing our thoughts. The contrast is stark to our conventional lives, and with a new perspective, some things are beeing questionned some are being accepted.. Slowly a feeling of peace is being given space to spread and grow within us. 

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And as we live through that process, each at our own pace, a few things are left to stay. The rythm of the watches, waking, sleeping, helming, eating... And amongst those things, within life at its simplest, people, simply. Sharing, laughing, caring, bonding... 

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Sailing can be a great social accelerator. And stakes are high; ten people sharing the same small space for three weeks. Interactions quickly become more than functional day to day exchanges. They naturally grow into the newfound spaces. They become substance to our days, bringing depth and connection at times, laughter and joy, entertainment, support and understanding. Sharing hardship and milestones, friendships are born and evolve at a speed that would seem impossible from land. 

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And after those three weeks spent with you, I am getting ready to leave our vessel with the profound conviction that those bonds will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

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Manot