This morning a big wave hit the boat while we were lying in bed. It set the boat rocking aggressively, and we could hear bottles and the soda stream falling over in the galley and then rolling around the counter and sink. It was loud- something that one who lives in a house only experiences during big earthquakes.
But it was not scary or unusual. We live on a boat, and have for the past year. It can be loud, damp, hot, and buggy. It’s often unstable- things fall over at unexpected times, and we’ve had to become inventive at stowing things we use frequently. We knock knees, hips, elbows, foreheads on surfaces that sometimes move.
But it’s the only place where I’ve lived that I can see the stars and the moon from my bed. The only place where I can tell the time based on the color of the water. It’s the only place I’ve ever lived where we could change countries and beaches whenever we please. And it’s been one whole year.
Paul and I sailed Tintas into the US Virgin Islands one week ago, and it was this same week that we officially celebrated our first full year of life on board. I can say with honesty that it was not what I expected, because I had no idea what to expect. But it is more than worth the sacrifice we made to do this.
We both gave ourselves the option of opting out of this experiment. At 6 months, we check in and ask – do you want to keep sailing? Do you want to keep sailing with me? And I think that aspect has been another important development for us, because that means that every day we have opted in to being here. Every day, we have taken ownership and care of this boat, and her crew (Paul, Lindsay), because we want to be here. We are her crew- and we are looking ahead to the next 12 months on board.
St Croix is a beautiful island. It has, perhaps, the clearest water I have seen in my life. But I have not fallen in love with this island the way some people have. The check in process was easier for us, as US citizens we were able to do so though an app because this is a US Territory. The language is English, the currency is US dollars, and there are familiar brands. We began in Christiansted, and then traveled to Frediereksted, and then sailed around the whole island to end up back at our starting point. We will be here through the weekend, to witness the famous St Patrick’s day parade (who’s main selling point, as far as I have seen, is that it’s the only event on the island that actually starts on time…11:45am sharp!), and then we will be setting sail again for St Thomas, USVI.
But in the mean time, we are healthy, we are one year in, and Tintas has only just been scratched the one time (more about that next time)— so I think we are doing pretty well, and maybe even doing each other some good.
Xo
Lindsay and Paul
To mention just one of the many things we gave up to live this life is close proximity to our family and friends, which makes celebrating special days a little more difficult. Happy Birthday to my Best Friend in the World, Samantha. You are sharp witted and softhearted , you are fast at catching trains and slow to savor good food, you are kind and generous, and brave. Thank you for being my friend and an original travel partner.
TIBURON MARINO 