Log from Bruce “The Guest”

Hey all! This is Bruce on Namaste…three hours from Miami, and how many hundred years back in time?? I’ve been in underdeveloped countries before…doing tours by bus, walking through the streets and always retreating afterwards to a hotel room, or a cruise ship and commenting on just how backward and underprivileged the people were. How much they DIDN’T have…how poor they seemed to be.

Namaste isn’t luxury. She’s compact and comfortable and an abject lesson in all you really need. Anchored 50 feet offshore from a beautiful island in the San Blas Archipelago, we can watch firsthand how Kuna Indian Families live. We see their daily routine; watch them interact with each other and with their occasional guests-like Alex and me- on our sailboats. We gain insight, and contentment even, from their simple way of life. They play with their kids, and dogs, and each other. They catch fish, bake bread (both of which we gladly buy!!) and don’t have to worry about their next mortgage or car payment or how much the insurance for all their “stuff” will cost this year.

For our part- for Alex – the scene and the experience can change on a moments notice… haul the anchor, raise the sail, and be off. Less stress, great view, peace and solitude, and the satisfaction of being virtually self sufficient. Who has the better lifestyle? Who are the poor ones?

Makes you think…or perhaps it should!!