Location: Underway to French Guyana
Ironically, after becoming shellbacks yesterday, a few of us were stricken with a bout of seasickness this morning. We have spent the past few days fully sailing without the help of the engine whatsoever, forcing us to once again find our sea legs. If you don’t sail or haven’t sailed before, I can’t really describe the difference between motoring and sailing, only that there is far less tension and pressure on the boat when we motor, easily cutting through the waves. When we are sailing, the boat has to struggle against the force of the crashing waves and the pressure exerted on the sails, which, while fun, is going to take some getting used to for many of us still getting used to this new feeling.
It is day 48, and as a group, we have begun growing closer, meaning that everyone is becoming comfortable relaxing into some of the habits we had prior to boarding Argo. Sometimes, these habits are matters of carelessness, leaving an unclean cup in the sink, failing to clean up a mess, and generally just leaving things out where they don’t belong, but they include so many sweet things, too. Two days ago, my roommates and I had an impromptu art session, sometimes, we will read poetry with each other, and we have all learned that Katie loves to bake, which is one of the things she misses about being home. This morning, she and her sous-chefs made banana bread, a refreshing change from a typical passage breakfast of cereal and milk. The crew eagerly enjoyed the generous portions she cut, and by dinner, there was nothing left.
I continue to be impressed by how diverse this group of people is and the various talents we bring to this journey. Del’s talent for cutting hair was employed again this evening for another round of haircuts; smudges were the most impressive as Del shaved the word ARGO across the back of his head.
A day that began turbulently for some ended with a dozen dolphins leaping out of the water, diving back into the sea, only to reemerge again to our port side. I can’t count how many dolphins I have seen on this trip, but somehow, everyone stops what we are doing and runs to the side of the boat, oohing and ahhing at these small but perfect moments nature chooses to give us. This is the second time we have seen dolphins right before it’s time for squeeze, putting us all in great moods before preparing to share with our peers and mentors. Experiencing nature in this way makes you feel both huge and inconsequential at the same time. I don’t think that as long as I live, I will ever experience anything that makes me feel both so connected to the world and so separate from it at the same time. This journey is truly special. Thanks for joining me.