I have been asked by Kerry to contribute to the blog by writing an entry about some of the experiences I had the last few weeks while travelling to and from Canada. Mainly the differences of living on a 23 foot sailboat to life on land. Now, although we were rarely out of sight from land, the entire cruising lifestyle is drastically different than the lifestyle one lives ashore.
I first noticed this the moment I stepped into Fort Lauderdale International Airport from the Bahamas, my first time back in a densely populated location since leaving the US. The level of activity was not what I had grown accustomed to and nothing like the relaxed pace we try to maintain aboard Second Wind. The energy levels were through the roof, the anxiety and stress from travelers was palpable, and the overt annoyance shown by both customers and the airline representatives was almost an overload on my senses. It seemed as though as soon as I left the easy going atmosphere of the Bahamas I was transferred into a world that moves 100 miles per hour. Rush here, hurry there, no time to slow down, and if you even think of trying to…you’ll get left behind.
My arrival at Pearson International in mid March greeted me with the reminder that March in Canada is as unpredictable as ever. Not having the forsight to remember this, I was the only person wearing shorts in Canada when there was snow still on the ground. At least I remembered my shoes (I had not worn shoes, only sandals or Crocs for the entire trip, unless going on jogs).
Staying in an actual, permanently fixed dwelling compared to living aboard made me realize how much living space, or lack thereof, we have as sailors. My parents’ modest one storey home felt like a mansion, and Sean and Whittney’s 2 floor ( 3 with the basement) townhouse felt like a palace.
The amenities of the land based life is one that I have taken for granted in the past. Not having to walk several blocks, carrying a load of laundry in a mesh bag or backpack was welcomed while I was at home. Having moderately priced fresh food from anywhere in the world a five minute car ride away was not something I appreciate the way I do now. And a shower that I could have for as long or whenever I wanted was sincerely missed. Cold drinking water and beer, a temperature controlled climate, and unlimited internet are things that are also scarce for Kerry and I so it was nice to have them readily available.
All the “luxuries” of home; the TVs, the washer/dryer, the showers and running water, cars to get to and from places, all the food you could want in grocery stores, and a refrigerator have been undoubtedly missed by Kerry and myself. However, I think we can both agree that we would give these material items up to do another trip like this one. A trip where we can once again, get up whenever we feel its time to get up, eat when we’re hungry, go snorkeling and fishing and experience nature and the ocean up close and personal. To experience the sunset after a long day of travelling or the sunrise after a restful night under a million stars in the clearest of skies. To live a lifestyle, where we live life in a pace dictated by ourselves, discovering new places, and meeting new people.
We have been very fortunate to be able to do this trip, and my experiences back in “the real world” reminded me of how special this undertaking is. Not very many people our age have this incredible opportunity and we are very lucky to be doing what we’re doing. Watching the world through the eyes of a cruiser, I know for certain that I wish to one day take on another adventure such as this one.
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