Perhaps we all should write one?
Time is one of those things we endlessly try to comprehended, yet no matter the effort; the result will always be the same, ignorance. We have no idea where our lives will bring us and we fear the unknown. Maybe this is why we take such comfort in the system, it leads us to believe we are in some sort of control of our futures and provides a structure we can manipulate to some extent?
We’ve been talking a lot about health care lately and it is quite the touchy subject. I’ve thought much of this as I’m in my mid 40’s, cant afford health care, and have had some health issues lately.
An American guy sailed into the anchorage about 4 months ago, in his late 60’s. Instantly I could see he was out of his element. He was constantly complaining about the sea, local weather, local water source, local conveniences, local people, and anything else he could. He sat at Hanz’s restaurant every day glued to CNN, and lived as far from this beautiful paradise as he possibly could.
I did a small welding job for him a few months back. The entire time we were together he just complained, complained, complained. My response was “Why don’t you just go home”? I’ll never forget the look he gave me. It was anger surrounded by the fact that he was utterly lost, it was sad.
About 6 weeks later he had a heart attack while aloft at the top of his mast and disappeared, his boat floating alone in the anchorage. I thought he had past away. Well I saw him on his boat yesterday and I swung by to say hi. I asked him how he was doing and he said “My sailing days are over, it’s just too dangerous”. He is selling his boat and going back to the states ASAP.
The previous night I decided to watch a film, “the Bucket List”.
At one point Morgan Freeman was telling Jack Nickelson a story about the angels that guarded the gates of heaven and the two questions they asked as they decided if you were allowed to enter. The two questions were “Have you experienced real joy in your life”? Proudly Jack answered “yes”. The other question was,” have you brought real joy to the lives of others”? In his eyes his answer was shamefully “no”.
I think this is what it all boils down to, joy. We must experience it and bring it to others as much as we possibly can.
Since I can’t afford health care I’m working on improving my diet and lifestyle. I’m sure I’m not the first guy in his mid 40’s to do this? I want my food & lifestyle to be my medicine going forward in life.
My refrigerator on Splendid is too small as I can’t keep much produce in it. After I return from my job in April I’m going to focus on a new refrigeration system, sadly at the cost of my motorbike ):
I want to carry copious amounts of fresh produce so I can take better care of myself and my health. I’m going to start making my own tofu on a regular basis (healthy protein and cheap) as well as making and canning my own liver (most nutritious of all meats/cheap) Pâté.
I’m also going to get rid of all the white flour on board and replace it with whole grain and void myself of as much sugar as I can.
I’m questioning my engine driven refrigeration system and hooking up extra belts to the little Kubota. Engine driven relies solely on the burning of fossil fuel, which I’m not so wild about. I’m a bit lost when it comes to all the refrigeration systems (Isotherm, Frigaboat, Norcold) and they all seem to use the same parts and just put different prices and labels on them. If anyone really knows about marine refrigeration I’d like to speak to you.
I’ve found www.rparts.com which sells refrigeration parts as well as generic systems. Here is the one I’m interested in:
http://www.rparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=14_57&products_id=434&osCsid=psgik143p08r4dmapbpgk6sdd4
When I return I will also need to prepare Splendid for another wet season which technically starts in May. In Panama the wet season is 8 months long. I enjoy the wet season and an afternoon shower, but the time between October and January can be a bit trying.
Splendid’s water tanks are empty and a good rain would go far.
Anyway, I’m off for a hike.
Cheers.
Sail far and live slowly.
– alex