I know you want to see pictures of paradise but today you get this.
I nice cup of mate goes a long way when its raining like hell. I sat protected in the cockpit enclosure sipping mate and watched the sky fall for hours yesterday. The seawater became brown with mud from the local streams and my thoughts focused on my experience watching TV last week.
I stayed with a friend in the city who is all plugged in and saw Obama was reelected. I’m not going to get into who I like or didn’t as I don’t have an opinion, well, one that matters anyway. What I did find shocking was all the hoopla on my facebook feed. Lots of name-calling and childish Obama comments.
Living in the 3rd world, all I can say, is the election outcome was the will of the American people, and we should all support that will save the outcome! We should be grateful we are allowed to vote and an given an opinion. Majority rules, that’s the American way. Don’t take it for granted.
I live in Panama and the “people” don’t have the choices we do. People are poor here. Hotdogs, pills of any need, and cheese slices are all sold individually. I often see an old woman or man in the pharmacy buying one or two tablets for pain or whatever ailment they have. I see mothers in the store buying 2 hotdogs and a slice of cheese all the time, usually accompanied by a few .5 cent candies for the little ones. People go food shopping here with less than a dollar.
What really gets me however is the American two-party system. The few hours I saw on television were more akin to a football game than a presidential election. Everyone just seemed to be rooting for their home team and going on why their leader was “better”and why the other guy isn’t. Why is it always Republican vs. Democrat? Wouldn’t a little more variety in our political diet prove more nourishing? America seems “divided” and not “United” as she should be, bad sign guys? If the American system is working the way it should, then the right guy got elected. What I really don’t like is the over-sensualized aspect of the whole election process. ALL candidates regardless of their party should be allowed equal airtime and exposure otherwise it just seems that the guys with the most campaign-money wins. I suppose that’s the American way as well, bummer! The 2-party system divides Americans. “United we stand, divided we fall”, think about it?
People have socialized care here and in most countries I visit. Tourists visiting Panama automatically get 3 months of free healthcare regardless of nationality. I don’t know much about “Obama care” but if its about less guns and more for the care of people I’m all about it. It never is that simple though is it? I’m sure its an over-complicated mess lining someone’s pockets. Caring for people regardless of their income is good will, not good business, and we should be pioneering that forefront even if it means buying one hotdog at a time, which it wont.
I held a series 7, 65, and 66 license with the Securities and Exchange Commission I believe I have a decent grasp on how economies work. I’m not just a poor bum on a sailboat, I choose to live at “poverty” level because I don’t want to be a part of the system. I’m amazed that with our defense budget we aren’t seeing individually wrapped hot dogs in the 711 yet? Guys, it all boils down to quality of life, and the average American quality of life is still “through the roof” compared with most other countries. I’d really like to throw a glass of water on the fuel that’s burning our defense budget. But luckily we (Americans), are all entitled to our opinions.
If you have anything to add, be my guest.
Enough politics, moving on.
My charter guest is coming on the 14th and plans have changed slightly. He wants to see the city and I’ll be in Panama with him. We will sail for San Blas the first window we have after the 17th. I don’t expect any favorable wind and will most likely have to burn 10 hours of fuel, ARRG.
I’m really looking forward to shooting some fish and testing out my new lobster traps. Carla is in Patagonia visiting her sister and having a blast. Shell be back in a few weeks and we will re-connect in the San Blas.
I know I’ve been a little quiet but the book is demanding much of my time.
“United we stand”!
– alex