I thought this was a cool photo i snapped with my iphone on the way to my job from Panama.
I’ve always wanted to fly but have never been able to afford it. I believe one can find a similar peace and freedom in the sky as on the sea, in the desert, or in the mountains.
I seem to be attracted to vast open spaces and solitude. I’ve spent some time in the desert and one day would like to spend some time wondering a desert for an extended period of time, perhaps in Africa? I like living close to nature. The only problem with flying is I don’t like burning fossil fuels. Hang gliding or paragliding may be the ticket for me?
I am a traveler, and I try to find the journey in all my travels. The last month has been an interesting journey, and one that has offered new perspective and taught me more that I could have imagined. I physically pushed myself to the reaches of my abilities. I’m stronger, thinner, and a little wiser then when I boarded the Grand Princess nearly a month ago.
My skin isn’t as thick as it used to be. I take being treated well by the people around me for granted.
I’ve made some good friends in the last month and met some people I have absolutely no respect for. I guess the contrast lays in the fact I haven’t been able to walk away from the self-centered people I’ve been forced to deal with in the last month. I try and surround myself with good people for numerous reasons, foremost i like to be around people that I can learn from.
It amazes me to see what men will put up with to hold a job. I’ve watched men belittled and abused for no reason. I must say the management on my job was substandard, insulting, and not as productive as it could have been. I’ve run larger crews on more complex projects as a line producer and production manager, and analyzed companies as a stock broker & financial advisor. I must say I don’t have much to say about the way the company I’ve been working for (I wont mention their name) runs their business. That being said their are some really good people involved in the management of the job i just completed but a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I will not put myself through such an ordeal again. Such is life. I made some money, learned some carpentry skills from my buddy Don, a carpenter of over thirty years, and had some laughs. Chuck, Matt, and Todd also became good friends that I hope to stay in touch with.
I’ve spent a month alone at sea, and many more months and years sheltered from society in beautiful island paradises. But being trapped on a ship led by a man who has no regard for his crew made the jobsite a prison, and one I wish not to revisit. I didn’t mind the work or long hours, but the lack of respect, kindness, and decency was too much for me to endure. It was sad to see men accept such treatment in exchange for money.
I start my trek home tomorrow morning. I had tried to see an old friend but it just didn’t work out. I’m stuck in the airport tonight but will have dinner with a sailing buddy. I fly out of Fort Lauderdale at about 6am to Houston, then Houston to Panama City where I will spend the night.
It looks as if I will be returning to Florida in a few weeks to help a friend sail a boat around the east coast of Florida up into the pan handle.
I’m emotionally and physically exhausted. I cant wait to see my beautiful Splendid. I should sleep on her on Saturday night : )
I may not buy all the things I want as I’m going to try and keep a few bucks tucked away for a rainy day. It feels good to have a few bucks in the bank.
I want to get back to working on Splendid and preparing to cross the Pacific again. The far east has my name on it and the more I dream about it the closer I get to it.
There are so many layers to this big beautiful blue sphere. I hope to experience a few more in my life and photograph write, and film them, not to mention share them with you.
Its good to be home and able to write my thoughts and share them with my friends.
Peace, Life, and Love.
– Alex