Location: Underway to Port Elizabeth
You know when youre really tired, and then you start crying, and youre not sure why? Well, there was a day in July aboard Argo when this happened to me. Generally, Im really uncomfortable with crying, even when Im the one doing it. So, I tried to come up with an excuse for myself as to why this was happening, and I was able to convince myself that it was because I would be missing Thanksgiving this year. Four months early, and I was already having Thanksgiving FOMO. Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday, and really the only one my family goes all out for. But, in all honesty, Ive missed a lot of Thanksgivings, so Im not sure why the thought of missing Thanksgiving 2024 was hitting me so hard in July.
Anyway, the other day (on real Thanksgiving), I was in the laz all day splicing in the new steering cable. At one point, my family FaceTimed me and passed the phone around the party. My cell service wasnt so good, partially because I never have great luck with the e-sim and partially because I was essentially crouched down in the basement of the boat, below the water line. Regardless, it was great to see some familiar faces, but when I hung up the phone, I couldnt help but notice that I actually did not have FOMO. I felt completely content and really lucky to be crouched down in the depths of Argo in the lovely (lovely?) waters of Durban, South Africa. I actually spent a month and a half living in Durban when I was 18, so it was really cool to be back. If youre wondering what I was doing as an 18-year-old living in the 2nd most dangerous city in Africa, thats a really good questionmostly surfing until I got e-coli. What Im trying to say is that I am just really happy and blessed to be here, on Argo, with all of the people you readers know and love. I wouldnt want to be anywhere else.
Two nights ago, we began prepping for our Thanksgiving celebration aboard Argo. While all the students and some of the staff went across to the Marina for a Braii, Allie and I stayed back onboard to watch the boat and to get started on our contributions to the feast. Im not going to lie. I look forward to a quiet boat every once in a while. But as we were making cookies down below, Allie and I could still hear with almost perfect clarity everybody across the bay at the Marina singing karaoke and having a blast. It made us really happy. The students all brought this energy home with them later on in the night. Their smiles and laughter were infectious when they returned home. New chefs stepped into the galley to start on churros and cheesecake, meanwhile others remained singing and dancing around in the salon until midnight in the chaos of Thanksgiving feast preparations. Argo is just a boat without all these guys. One of my favorite points in the program is when the students stop referring to Argo as the boat and start calling it home instead. This was really one of those nights that Argo felt at home. I constantly feel so lucky to be a part of something so special.
All of this triggered me to think back on that day in July when I was crying about missing Thanksgiving. I figured I had written something really meaningful and worth reflecting on in my journal. What I found was a lot stranger. On Day 56 of summer program in Raja Ampat I wrote Today I thought about Thanksgiving. I wonder what will happen. The show must go on. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? Seriously, what did I mean by that? I wonder what will happen? The people will gather, the people will eat, and thats the whole thing. What did July Kackie know that November Kackie didnt? Why was I crying and writing in riddles?
Anyways, no tears since then! As we celebrated Thanksgiving last night, I was overwhelmed with joy (with maybe even a happy tear, actually). I was SO happy to be celebrating last night with Ainsley, Ali, Allie, Amanda, Ava, Ben, Bodhi, Calum, Charlie, Drazka, Gabe, Hannah, Juliette, Kiley, Meg, Philip, Tomer, Travis, and Will. (Yes, I wrote that in alphabetical order- I dont play favorites). I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are all exactly where we should be right now. These people are family. Argo is home.
To my biological family and our chosen family, who got to spend Thanksgiving together this year, I am so grateful for yall and the support youve given me. I cant wait for yall to see Argo one day!
To the loyal readers who are just here to keep up with our day-to-day, heres the play-by-play: Watch Teams 2 and 3 cleared Argo from the dock at 4:45 this morning. Watch Team 2 was then relieved, meanwhile Watch Team 3 arranged the fenders around the salon table, as if the fenders were having a board meeting or a formal meal. Regardless, they make comfy beanbags (photographed). This afternoon, students gave literature review presentations and reviewed for the ICC exam. We ate Thanksgiving leftovers for lunch and dinner; believe it or not, there is still more! We are looking to arrive in Port Elizabeth around midnight.
Cheers everybody! This is my last blog of the program- more to come next semester!
All the best,
Kackie or as the Argonauts are calling me these days, Toidis.