Location: Les Saintes, Guadeloupe
Today was our last full day in Les Saintes and my day as skipper. We started the morning with eggs and pancakes made by Noah before pulling into the dinghies and heading to Pan de Sucre Beach. From there, our crew of about 15 made the trek through town and all the way up to Fort Napolon. After about three miles of roads that seemed to only go straight uphill or straight downhilland plenty of scooters and golf carts honking at the group of us taking over the roadwe finally made it to the top.
The view made every step worth it. Looking down at the bright blue water with Ocean Star sitting below us was one of those moments that makes you realize where you actually are and how crazy it is that this is our life right now. With Alive by Empire of the Sun playin in my ear, I couldnt help but think about how alive this entire experience makes you feel.
We spent most of the rest of our last day exploring Les Saintes, grabbing food, sitting by the water, and enjoying having nowhere else we needed to be. Chloe and I ate sandwiches on a random dock, and later I made the long walk back toward our dinghy pickup with music playing, taking pictures of the sky and Ocean Star along the way. Once everyone was back aboard, we jumped into the water for ocean showers and ended up swimming around, laughing, and hanging out together before dinner. Later, we watched an old sailing-training video about what life at sea used to look like, which made us appreciate just how much sailing has changed.
We ended the night with our usual squeeze around the cockpit. Since I was skipper, I got to choose the question, and I asked everyone why they decided to do Sea|mester. Listening to everyone answer made me realize that even though we all came here for different reasons, there is something connecting all of us. I think, in one way or another, we came here wanting to get away from the noise and routine of everyday life long enough to remember what it feels like to be fully presentto do something for ourselves, challenge ourselves, and feel truly alive.
Every day here, we accomplish something and learn something new. Whether we are climbing up a hill to a fort, learning how to sail, navigating a passage, exploring a place we have never been before, or simply sitting together laughing in the ocean, it feels like every day gives us something we didnt have before. We are learning about sailing and the world around us, but we are also learning from each other and becoming a crew along the way.
Today was just one day of this voyage, but I think it represented so much of what this trip is about: walking with purpose, learning as we go, being completely present in where we are, and appreciating the people beside us. We may not always know exactly what the next day or passage will bring, but that is part of what makes this experience so special. Every day, every passage, and every new place gives us another chance to learn something, experience something, and feel a little more alive.
Sails up tomorrow morningDominica is next!!