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Day 3214
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Feb
17
Written by:
Alex
2/17/2012 4:29 PM
Carla’s first blog:  Hi there everyone : )
I thought some of you might be interested in hearing about my first impressions. Not that I have experienced much sailing yet because we still haven’t really moved from this beautiful area. But we’ve been doing some work and I am getting to learn what it means to make a boat your home. I thought having an “outsider’s” view on that might come in handy for some who might wonder whether it’s really difficult or very different. I’m long-winded, so this will be a bit long I think. Hope you don’t mind. And there’s so much I am learning I might have to come back some other time and write some more. Alex is a little nervous right now, he keeps on interrupting me and wants to know what I’ll be writing about. He just told me “you being on the webpage is as or even more important than you coming to live on Splendid”. I see how much it means to him. We’ve gone from one person to three really because, a few days after I came back from Patagonia, Chuck arrived as well. Funnily enough he and Alex met through this webpage and have been writing to each other for quite a while whereas in my case I never even thought about sailing before. Back home sailing is for rich people really. Or for marines, they usually start with military training and then leave and become merchant marines. This is just my opinion but I’d say our average Argentine citizen knows nothing about it and does not even imagine some people just live on a boat. Now when I met Alex I was blown away by the idea but not without some hesitation involved. I’ve been a nomad for twelve years, I just don’t need a home at all. The idea is sometimes hard for Alex because he really wishes I get to love Splendid as much as he does but the thing is, what I love to do is travel. I love moving. I like being able to just go anywhere anytime. I never travel with a plan or much money. Because then I am just ready to go through any doors that open as I move. And having to do some work in exchange for accommodation or food gives me real amazing experiences. At the beginning, when I have some money, I stay at hostels and just get bored. But then when the money’s running out (like two or three weeks later) I can be swimming somewhere and meet nice people that are going fruit picking somewhere they know and then I like to just pack my clothes in ten minutes and go with them. And maybe at the fruit farm I might meet other people that are going for a jeep ride somewhere for fun or volunteer at some community and I like to just be able to go with them. This is exactly how I met Alex. I was in a bus stop waiting to get to some little rural island I knew nothing about and we started talking, he offered to take me to a few islands in the dingy, I found him an interesting guy with clean energy so I said yes. And, after a few days, when he invited me to live with him, I had nothing back home other than a couple of boxes at my dad’s garage. I went, gave most of my clothes away to my older niece and came back with the stuff I thought I could use here. Owning anything is just a drag for me. Even the idea of owning property somewhere and living on rent is stressful. I’d have to be watching if the tenants are paying or if something breaks, I’d hate it. I have received good money from my family twice and instead of getting a car or buying a house all I did was get some clothes for myself (I’m a hoodie junkie), a good camera, presents for my family and then I went travelling until the money was all gone. At first, owning Splendid and having to look after it seemed like stress to me. We can’t just go places whenever we wish, the weather has to be good, you have to pay for a marina if you want to travel on land. And I just don’t know how to love any kind of object. I jump in the water many times a day because I need to feel I am in nature and not in some man-made thing keeping me away from it. I am a real hippie, I tell you. I’m writing this just to give a little background information because it really explains how Alex and I and the whole project of travelling together became real so quickly. We’ve only been physically together for 23 days and it feels like we’ve known each other for years. The thing is, we are really similar and we’ve been living very similar lives only that he was doing it in the sea and I was doing it on land. We had a couple of discussions in which he said that living on land is being part of the system and I totally disagreed. Sure, I had to do some work to eat and continue travelling (either teaching children somewhere for nine months, which I absolutely love doing, it’s no effort at all I could rent a nice flat and enjoy some luxuries or travelling I would get odd funny jobs like working in a rice field or a bar somewhere) but that’s just because I don’t want to stay on a little piece of land and grow food. My sister has a beautiful life with her family, they live in the country and don’t use much money. They build everything themselves and produce their own food. Their children are growing in a beautiful environment. The way Alex shoots fish you can still hunt on land if you want to do so. And little rural villages are quite similar to these anchorages. I don’t really see such a big difference. And it’s not like you don’t have rich, selfish or narrow-minded people living on boats! It’s not that everybody is really chilled because they live here, in just one week here I’ve already had to endure a long conversation with someone who would not look at me in the eyes once because Alex and I were living together and not married. There’s good and bad everywhere and nothing’s perfect. You only live once and it’s important to live the life you want. Whatever that means to you. But there’s something really amazing about living on a boat and it is that it is a house that moves. As silly and simple as it might sound, when what you like doing is travelling it is just the perfect thing! You don’t need to work to pay for flights or buses because if you’re patient you can just go nearly anywhere in the world with wind and solar power. It’s clean, good karma and it’s just nature all around you. And we can do a couple of charters now and then (I like having people around, there’s always something to learn from everyone and I believe most people have a beautiful heart that shines bright if they feel confident enough to open up to you) and use some of that money to buy fresh fruit, nuts, oats and nice tea. Save some money to go home once a year or every eighteen months to visit my lovely family and friends (in the picture I’m talking for free on Skype with my sister Juli in the mountains, we are still very connected here). And there’s nothing I love like water. I can swim for hours, it’s my element. You can really have a good life in the sea. And I did not expect to meet someone as wonderful as Alex, ever, so right for me, so similar and so complementary it feels just like a gift from the universe. Some people kept telling me, with this envious grin on their face, “when you finally fall in love with someone you’ll want to stop travelling and have a house and all, settle down”. All I could hear was “wish I had the courage to live like you do” so it didn’t make me mad. But then people who love me kept telling me “when you find the right person, loving will be a lot easier and you won’t have to change, things will get better. You just haven’t found the right man yet.” Everything tells me I finally have. Chuck’s first guest blog:  It is hard to believe a week ago Alex and Carla were waiting for me at the airport. My luggage missed the flight due to my long lay over in Atlanta. However, everything was delivered to my room by the next evening. The price of rooms are comparable to the states ($80 a night). We could have stayed in a hostel for $12 for a dorm bed or $30 for a room to yourself. We bought provisions which Carla carefully arranged in two backpacks. The prices are much better than Tacoma, WA on almost everything. After two nights all three of us were itching to get out of the city. I could feel the stress easing away the farther we got away from the big towns. I would not call Puerto Lindo (the community nearest Splendid) uncivilized though. It has several restaurants. Free water for the cruisers. Free internet for all customers, though cruisers can use it without paying for anything. The anchorage is very quiet and peaceful. Alex and Carla are great teachers and mentors. There is no stress to do or not do anything. Though Alex asks me what I want to do several times daily. We discussed going to the San Blas Islands but the weather offshore is worse than I wish to experience. I asked to go to Isla Grande, an island half an hour sail away, for a change of pace. Once we got there we found the anchorage was rollie. We took the dingy into town for a snack and a beer (see my pic). Alex did not get upset or anything when an hour later I mentioned I wished we were back in the old anchorage. We pulled anchor and followed the way points back. We swim as many times a day as we can. There is no pressure to get into the water. I personally have to ease into things. I sat on the ladder the first few minutes the first time. Then I eased in the water never straying too far from the ladder. Neither Alex nor Carla laughed or made fun of me. I made a comment later that the only person to be laughed at would be the one not here trying and learning. Some might say I am missing things like the reef. But I am less stressed than normal. I am enjoying doing things at my pace without holding Alex or Carla back. I would be content to hang out right here for the next week. Yes the San Blas Islands sound great. I have heard them compared to the San Juan Island back home. I do not intend to stress myself just to see them. There are about a half dozen boats for sell in this anchorage alone. I am already planning my next trip where I come down and make an offer on one of them.
Hi guys it’s me (Alex):  Chuck is gr8, we are having fun. We all went to the reef today and I shot a few snappers for dinner. Chuck brought be a GoPro video camera which straps to my head in an underwater housing so I can take it spearfishing, it’s AWESOME!!!!! We just watched the first footage from it.
It sure is different having 2 extra people onboard. Chuck is an easy guest to have around and he is really into the idea of cruising on a boat. We are having some problems getting fuel as everything is closed and we can not pass on the road due to carnival, and the local stations are dry. The markets are also lacking some items due to a conflict in the north with the Indians. Apparently the Panamanian government is trying to mine on Indian land and they are REALLY unhappy about it. Some people have died in the protest and they are blocking some of the roads & traffic. You know me, I’m with the Indians as they just wish to live in peace. I like Carla  Life is good here we will be off to San Blas soon to film. Peace, Love, & Coconuts Alex
Tags:
25 comment(s) so far...
Re: Team Splendid’s blog
What a great blog. Some times when i sit here and work away day after day trying to get closer to my dream of cuting the dock lines i wonder if it will ever happen. Just reading the words from the 3 of you really helps keep that dream alive. Especially the words from Carla. Living so free and let life unfold the way it should. I admire that so much.
By Curtis on
2/17/2012 9:09 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Great Log,
I'm very glad for you guys, Hope your lives will continue to be full of adventures.
Glad you have met Alex, Carla.
Luis in Toronto
By Luis Castanheira on
2/17/2012 11:55 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Great contribution Carla thanks for sharing! all I ask is don`t break his heart! he deserves a good woman to share his dream! (some of us are less fortunate) enjoy.
By rob on
2/18/2012 2:49 AM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Good Morning you guys...
Very nicely formated blog post. GREAT idea. It may be stolen. ;o)
Sounds like everything is going great. Chuck you are a lucky guy to have made that jump and spending time with Alex. Sounds like you got the bonus of Carla too. Enjoy the moment and tie into everything you can. That energy will sustain life and your dream for a very long time if not forever if you "imagine" being there in your core.
Carla, you sound like a kick. I'm still hoping to get down there and play for a while. The back is mending and I'm feeling better all the time. Could be because I'm sailing all the time. Lots of reasons for the healing and I'll drop Alex a line about the process. It's been pretty enlightening...
Alex, you are just one of the lucky ones. Continue continuing on and stay in touch. Enjoy the ride and embrace the love. It's all there is you know...
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
2/18/2012 7:25 AM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
I'm incredibly happy for you Alex. I know I rarely comment, (and when I do I may be a bit critical, sorry,) but I read your blog religiously. From her writing and pictures I'm getting some really great vibes from Carla. Sounds like she's a grounded, no-nonsense girl who will keep you on your toes. I like her, something I did not feel about the previous lady.
It's good that you're finally seeing the tail end of the Splendid rebuild. These things are always so darned insidious, stealing away years of our lives. Or rather, we trade years of hard work for years of enjoyment, I guess. Regardless, right in the middle of one of these massive life-changing projects it's really hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Can you tell I've had a few projects like that?
Anyway, good luck and fair winds my friend!
By YodaMouse on
2/18/2012 10:57 AM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Nice idea Alex. It gives another perspective as to what life on the water down south is like. Chuck I'm curious what the prices of boats are like compared to back home.
By Doug on
2/18/2012 12:26 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Thanks for all the kind words..., yup, Carla is gr8. Chuck is enjoying a thing we do down here, siesta :)
Check out my captan Paul's video on youtube:
youtu.be/grjyvvsxXtQ
he does charters in Florida.
By Alex on
2/18/2012 4:13 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Yeah, I agree with the others, great post. Cool to hear Carla's thoughts, especially about a 'house that moves'. That was the notion that first drew me to sailing.
I like Chuck's input, too. I just might have to figure a way to get myself down there for a few days.
peace,
By Dave from Austin on
2/18/2012 7:15 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Hi Carla! Wow, what a great read. I LOVE reading stories from women who live as you do. I too was ready to hit the big blue 20 years ago but was greated by my son so things went on hold. Now at 43 I'm ready to go, a bit scarier now than when I was 22 but I know I can do it. Keep writing, I'll be reading. The world loves to share in the happiness even if it is vicariously.
By Debbie Gundelach on
2/20/2012 8:49 AM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Hi Carla,
It is very refreshing to hear that you and Alex are doing so well and that you have found peace together. Best wishes!
Dave
By dave@networksconnect.net on
2/20/2012 12:58 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Alex & Carla:
Once again thanks for the plug up here. I just varnished my cockpit today and laid down a test area of non-skid. Thanks for the inspiration. I think it going to work, so I'll get to work between charters and do a little at a time until it's done.
Well I've got a half day tomorrow and a sunset tomorrow. Got to make the money to buy the dog food you know. You guys take it easy down there and Chuck is a lucky guy.
We'll talk later...
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
2/20/2012 10:07 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Thanks everyone for all the good energy, support and encouragement! Living and having a project with someone is never easy, it takes courage and partience. It requires a deep look inside and getting rid of all that we know we don't like about ourselves. Having a healthy relationship requires work but it is certainly worth it. That is why it is important to choose a person you have a lot in common I think. So that it's not harder than it should be and so that you are excited to take the necessary steps. We're on that path, getting to know each other and discovering what comes out, who we are as a team. We both feel we are a pretty good team : )
I know this is Alex's space and I don't want to intrude too much. Just wanted to say again how happy it makes me to see how beautiful this space is.
Also, it's great to see some more pictures there!! I really like seeing what you guys look like! I just managed to add mine.
Love : )
Carla
By ojosquegiran on
2/22/2012 9:59 AM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
So I want to take a census among my friends. The question is:
Facebook, positive, or negative. I find it a bit invasive and dont really like it, what do you guys think?
I taught Chuck how to make bread this morning. Yesterday I shot a fat lionfish and made lionfish tacos for dinner, YUMMY!!!!
By Alex on
2/22/2012 10:11 AM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Aren't Lionfish like super poisonous?? How do you handle them?
I hate Facebook, but it is so frikkin convenient to stay in touch with family and friends. If you set your privacy options and never click on the apps or nekkid girl posts then it's manageable.
my 2 cents.
peace,
By Dave from Austin on
2/22/2012 10:23 AM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Lionfish are super poisonous on the barb, but not the meat, the meat is fatty like a grouper and white, yummy!!!. I use thick welding gloves when I clean them.
I think facebook is a bit evil and I'm thinking of just deleting it, especially since I have bandwidth issues all the time, I much prefer email.
By Alex on
2/22/2012 12:09 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Facebook... What a weird thing it is. As a business owner, I have to admit that it is a way to reach out and touch my clients with little bits of stuff and keep them interested in what I am doing. I can tell them, all at once that there has been a blog post update. I can post fast photos from my phone. It's EASY to stay connected and at this point of my life it is a necessary evil.
It's unfortunate that I have a personal account under Paul West and a business account under FantaSea Sailing and a magic account under Brother Paul West. I'm just getting ready to open up a Capt. Paul & FantaSea Sailing account, invite them all to become a fan and then dump all of the other 3. Sailing is my main focus right now and I have a website for the magic stuff so the only FB thing I really need is the sailing thing.
It's hard to put a finger on the impact it has on my business, but I have a dream that keeps coming into my sleep where I'm about 100 miles offshore and I toss my cell phone, my laptop and set my waypoint south and that's that. It's a real good feeling and I love that dream.
As I tell everyone I know, "If you never hear from me again, I'm probably okay." I mean what's the worst case scenario, I die at sea? Well I have to tell you, it's all up from there.
So, as for your question, I don't know. It's a real personal choice. It's kind of becoming minimal in cyberspace. Think about what what you need to do what you want to do and then do what you need to do. If it involves FB, cool. If not, there's ton of people around the world that will find you other ways.
So what do you need Alex and Carla? What do you want. You know we'll support you along the path. That's what friends are for.
Take good care of each other and enjoy EVERY precious moment!
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
2/22/2012 6:36 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
census among your friends....hmm well well well i make 3rd friend........2 more than i thought.....i liked fb for about a month. too old to social network.......G oh yea hi from mom.
By gary on
2/22/2012 8:25 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Have this site setup so that new posts are automatically re-posted on Facebook. It will keep your core readership where you built it, here on PBS, and if you only post a teaser on FB, then it will help direct traffic back here to PBS.
Twitter the same way.
Your readers will like it, you can reach new readers you normally never would, and it bumps up the page hits, which sponsors LOVE.
Social media is in it's infancy, its only going to grow. Use it, don't let it use you.
//$0.02
By Le on
2/23/2012 3:17 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Yeah Carla, it's Alex's space, but you're a lot prettier.
By Tim on
2/23/2012 9:21 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Also, I will never do Facebook.
By Tim on
2/23/2012 9:23 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Funny you say that Alex, I recently just deleted my Facebook account. Huge waste of time, people who I barely know from someone or another, but are not in my life really any longer, and so on.
I've done it and pulled the plug and I don't regret it. Been about 2 months now. Anyone who knows me can call or send an email.
Stay safe man
By Cole on
2/23/2012 10:21 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Congrats on your new find! From what I read, she sounds educated and open minded. That must be some bus stop!
Question; How do you retain your citizenship? I want to visit panama, and the west coast of s, america. Not for long, but a few months. How did you find out about international travel on your boat. I still havent found out how to put a travel plan into action. Ive gotten about as far as saying that I want to go s. america, but no idea how to start the paperwork. Have a passport though. Mabey I will talk to a travel agent. Look I awnsered my own question!
Ive been busy rewiring my 25' Pearson. She is sweet, but very neglected. I got her a few weeks ago, and now that it is tax time, I can haul out and paint the hull. Very excited! I am kind of living two lives, one on land, and one with one foot in the water. Got to pay the bills.
Sounds like you are in a ton of fun, so carry on!
By isaac3 on
2/24/2012 4:54 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Congrats on your new find! From what I read, she sounds educated and open minded. That must be some bus stop!
Question; How do you retain your citizenship? I want to visit panama, and the west coast of s, america. Not for long, but a few months. How did you find out about international travel on your boat. I still havent found out how to put a travel plan into action. Ive gotten about as far as saying that I want to go s. america, but no idea how to start the paperwork. Have a passport though. Mabey I will talk to a travel agent. Look I awnsered my own question!
Ive been busy rewiring my 25' Pearson. She is sweet, but very neglected. I got her a few weeks ago, and now that it is tax time, I can haul out and paint the hull. Very excited! I am kind of living two lives, one on land, and one with one foot in the water. Got to pay the bills.
Sounds like you are in a ton of fun, so carry on!
By isaac3 on
2/24/2012 5:02 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Isaac, get your passport and just go. You can also check www.noonsite.com for specific country cruising info.
Carla and I put Chuck on a bus today, what a great guest he was. You will see Chucks name on the next film as he invested a Cannon T3i and gopro video camera in it. I also made another friend which is a wonderful thing.
We got non-skid on both the aft & forward cabin houses. All that is left is the fordeck and I can call the decks DONE!!!!! I'll get pictures & video up soon :)
I like drinking yerba mate :)
Cheers
By Alex on
2/24/2012 5:31 PM
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Re: Team Splendid’s blog
Alex & Carla,
My view on Facebook and Linkedin - I HIGHLY recommend that you set it up and Really put some effort into it IF you want to charter your boat out on a regular basis. I own a technology and software company for almost 20 years now and we really promote on FB and Linkedin. We also help our clients set up their social media too. It is a PERFECT (FREE) way to promote your "business"....especially when it is 20 degrees out for someone and you just posted that it's "85 degrees and sunny, who wants to go sailing and get a great tan!" Once you get someone to "Like" your business page on FB, that means their friends will see your posts too. It's like a wildfire that grows.
Jeffrey Gitomer wrote an awesome book on social media and how it could build your business. www.gitomer.com . I recommend you read this first before you start setting up your accounts.
This of course is just my humble opinion.
Dave
P.S. Once you get set up and get 5 charters off FB then throw the 6th one to me FREE! LOL!
By dave@networksconnect.net on
2/25/2012 9:19 AM
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