Hummmmm, here’s a fresh topic for Project BlueSphere.
Carla and I have been together for 14 months now and have decided to take our relationship to the next level. We are planning to be married in Buenos Aires Argentina on November 23rd, 2013. No church, just a simple afternoon tea-party with a judge, family, and friends (about 60 people). We are going to bus and camp around Patagonia for a spell so we can see some of the country before the wedding and get some photographs and video.
Neither Carla or I believe in the religious or legal bonds
of matrimony. However we want to celebrate our Love before our friends and family and become family ourselves. Carla is my best friend, the editor to my writing, the music to my film, my first mate, and the companion I never thought I’d have. Most importantly we know how to take care of each other and are a team in every sense of the word.
Carla once told me Love is a simple thing, “it’s understanding”, and we have a deep understanding and caring for each other. We are both difficult and strong individuals. When you have traveled the world with no money as we have one’s 
perspective of the world becomes unique and it’s hard to relate to most people on an intimate level. Sometimes on any level. We are both governed by nature and seek harmony, not dollars, material things, status, nor “security”. We are just passengers sailing on the sea of life enjoying our time here, and now we are two.
Neither of us thought we would find someone compatible and have been given a truly beautiful gift. Many of you have been following my blog over the years, through many countries, and across vast oceans. I’ve learned enough during my travels to know I don’t know much of anything at all, but I do 
know the only reason we are here is to experience Love.
I don’t know why, but I’m the most blessed man I know. It seems that the universe lays itself at my feet and offers everything positive and beautiful on this earth. I have it all for one reason, and one reason only. I ask only for what I need from this world! And as a result I’m surrounded by freedom, love, peace, wholeness, and harmony.
I was in Panama City over the weekend as I had to see an immunologist. My asthma got out 
of control (serious breathing problems) and I’m doing a series of allergy shots (weekly) over the next year. Luckily the doctor trained me to give myself the injections as my lifestyle demands it. I went through this process when I was about 10, and again when I was about 30. The shots seem to last me about 20 years and living on a boat in the tropics is no place to suffer from allergies, especially to mold. The doctor bills, blood tests, travel, and hotel wiped out our finances however at the same time we booked another charter which is showing up this Saturday for 5 days. It’s a Canadian couple and their two children. Life is just like that. When we need something, it just appears.
I had bought two stainless steel wedding bands ($8.00) on Amazon
a few months ago as Carla and I often spoke of marriage. However I must admit I was a bit afraid of “popping the question”. I know so many people that have had such a hard time with marriage and I didn’t want to complicate my life with religious structure nor the legal system, neither of which have anything to do with two people wanting to start a family and share their Love with family and friends. I’m 47 and Carla 37, neither of us has ever been married. The rings are kind of temporary as we are going to do ring tattoos most likely in Polynesia. Neither of us really like jewelry. I literally promised Carla the world and have a tall order to fill.
We must put everything in perspective.
I was almost killed in a car accident on Sunday. I was on the highway at 5am in an SUV with 7 others heading for the San Blas. The driver was doing about 80 when we noticed 2 stopped cars (one in each lane) ahead of us. The driver locked the brakes and managed to maneuver between the two stopped vehicles (just barely). We were still doing about 70 when we noticed a truck on its side in front of us in the dark laying across all lanes. Our SUV did a few hops to one side trying to flip-over (on two wheels) as the driver tried to run us off the highway to avoid a direct collision with the underside of the truck (Gas tanks exposed to us). If we didn’t have the weight of 8 adults (and an infant) aboard our SUV surely would have flipped, rolled, and hit the 
underbelly of the capsized truck at 60-70 MPH. I was in the passenger front seat without my seatbelt. When we finally came to a stop no one was able to speak for a few minutes as it was more than obvious we cheated death by a fraction of an inch and could hear the laughter of death in the air before us. Everyone in the vehicle was shaking, white as a ghost, and in shock, not even the baby cried. I was blaring Bocceli in my ipod (thanks Chuck) to drown out the Panamanian music and it made the whole experience surreal as my life flashed before me. I must admit, given the circumstances, the 
driver did an enormous job of driving and I couldn’t have done it any better. The police had just shown up and hadn’t lit the accident yet, nor had the other two vehicles turned on their hazard lights. It was the closest of calls…, and people think the ocean is dangerous, poppycock!
Once I returned home, I slept the day away and proposed to Carla the following morning. Life is just too short to screw around with procrastination or fear as it accomplishes nothing. I love this woman and want to spend my life with her. It’s just like that.
So now I’m engaged. The journey before us has freshened like a 
stiff breeze, Love fills the hull of Splendid, and adventure lays upon our horizon. What more could a man dream of?
I am a king, I am a peasant, I am a sailor, and I am humbly a man in Love.
Peace, Love and Coconuts my friends.
May your journey light your way.
– alex
Great News!! I am HAPPY for both of you! You two make a great couple!! Congratulations!!
It’s funny, I just realized the last time I bought a ring for someone I spent over $10,000 and it meant nothing (12 years ago). This time I spent $4 and it means everything.
Thanks Dan
AWESOME!!! BIG congratulations Alex! Really happy for you. Myself and others I’m sure feel like your a family member. Having fallowed you from the very beginning and Skype calls it really does feel like we are long lost friends. Once again big congrats.
Yesssss! Congratulations and god speed my friend. May happiness and good tidings follow you on your journey together!
Congrats Alex and Carla! Fair winds and following seas.
Congrats Alex and Carla. Best wishes and you already have a family..those of us who follow you here :)
I am so happy for the both of you! From the onset of you introducing Carla, I believed that she was the one for you and you for her. I am quite sure you will have a wonderful life together and I can’t wait to meet her and see you. I feel like we are old friends after following you for these many years and communicating with you through them.
One little thing, as a paramedic and combat medic, PLEASE ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT! I have worked countless MVA’s and it’s always the same story. A horrific accident where the occupants were wearing seatbelts and either walked away whole, alive and minor injuries and accidents which upon arriving seemed minor, where the occupants weren’t wearing seatbelts and were horribly injured or dead. PLEASE,PLEASE, PLEASE! I have heard the stories a million times preaching seatbelts, that if I had been wearing one it would have killed them and the freedom aspect but honestly, it’s just overall BS. Life is fleeting as you well know. Don’t let a two second decision fleet you. Everybody else, WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS!
Again, I’m so happy for you both! Finding your soulmate (firstmate) has been a long time coming and I wish you all the happiness in our world. There is nothing better than a mate when the seas are rough and nothing sweeter than a mate when the seas are calm.
Congradualtions!
Alex: Congratulations – welcome to the “perennial bachelor no longer”, club – nothing like the love of a beautiful women to ease those rough days in Paradise… wear your seat belt.
And a big Congratulations from me too. I bet lots of us followers could smell this one coming for miles!
Cheers to the luckiest guy and gal!
P
one marriage begins and another ends……congratulations on life, take care of her.
CONGRATULATIONS.
“Love is a little haven of refuge from the world.”
Bertrand A. Russell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbFsNplPpHw
Not sure why but when I heard the news I thought of this…….few can say something better than John Prine…..
Fair Winds you two….
hea
Dear Alex, I´m very happy to know I´ll be your father-in-law very soon. You know Carla and Nico are the best I have in my life and i´m now hitting my target. Laura was my first “10”. She es really lovely and she is the perfect match to Nico. Now you will be my second “10” and I know you will take care of Carla much better than anyone else, including me!! As the old people say: I don´t lose a daughter, I win a Son! Thanks for this Big News and ENJOY!
Congratulations Alex and Carla!
“In the end, what affects your life most deeply are things too simple to talk about.”
Alex, i’m glad you’re still with us. thank you for sharing so much for so long, and congratulations to you both for making life so beautiful.
Your news put a smile on my face! Congratulations!
Guys,
Thanks for all the kind words, they really mean a lot to Carla and I.
Rudi (Carla’s dad). It was really a pleasure having you on Splendid and getting to know you. I’m also looking forward to spending some more time with you in November.
Just so you guys know I’ve had Carla’s brother and wife, Carla’s Mom and husband, and Carla’s father aboard and I must say with all honesty I’m gaining a beautiful and warm family. As most of you know my mother passed when I was 20 and unfortunately I’m not close to my father. The only family that will be coming to my wedding is my “momma D” (my step-mom) and a one of my cousins. Mg family if very small but just got a whole lot bigger.
Rudy, thanks for making Carla :)
Dear Ally and Carla, When you phoned yesterday to tell me the wonderful news of your wedding, I was thrilled for you. I remember my sweet dear little boy, Ally, who has now found his dear Carla, and won’t be alone anymore. I will be at the wedding and pre-nuptial parties in Argentina “with bells on” to “give you away” Ally. Congratulations and Hugs to you both, Love, Momma D (Sandra Dorsey- step Mom)
FELICITACIONES !!!!
I’m so happy to see my dearest friend Carla with a king, a peasant, a sailor.. a man in Love with her.
I’ll be waiting both of you down here in Patagonia!!!
Love and peace,
Martin
una inmensa alegría y emoción al leer esta nota chicos!! soy fan de su historia que no hace mas que valorar la vida y el amor!! los felicito de todo corazón!!! besos y abrazos a través del espacio!!! besoss
Wow, Alex, my man … you know, we’ve been together now for 3610 days … and boy, it seems like just yesterday we bought Namaste together. We spent every last dime and countless hours refitting her in Mystic, cruised her down the ICW, over to the Bahamas, Cartagena, the San Blas, crossed the Pacific, drank wine, plotted, planned, charted, baked bread, speared fish, and sold Namaste. We bought Splendid, and sailed to Panama, worried about money, stopped worrying about money, were full of self doubt, then full of confidence, had good times and some not so good. We spearfished, watched sunsets, double dated, rebuilt motors, sanded, varnished, epoxed, painted and sanded and sanded some more; we discussed the meaning of life, the meaningless of most lives; we philosophized, psychoanalyzed, and wondered why; we laughed, we cried, we dreamed together. I have been there with you, my brother, every day, reading your words, watching your videos, looking at your photos … for 10 yrs, and today, day #3610 is the best day yet. Congratulations to you and Carla!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Contrarian,
Project Bluesphere has been a ride for sure. After my breakdown in L.A. I just started blogging one day, mostly just to try and put my own life in perspective, and hopefully help others who were as lost as I was find their way on the sea. Now that I’m working on the book it all seems so unreal. The friends I’ve made, the people I’ve helped, and the people that have helped me along the way. People are so disconnected these days I don’t understand how men are able to relate to eachother outside of a work environment. Everyone is so competitive, envious, or lost its nice to have a platform where we can all just be honest with each other and talk about sharing the same dreams. You may think its been a good ride, but Project BlueSphere has changed my life in such a positive and profound way it’s hard to explain.
Thanks for being there everyone, it’s getting time to cross an ocean again ;)
Momma D, your the best!
i am so happy for you both, you are inspiring people, so full of courage, connection, integrity and honesty. you show me that anything is possible. This is what love really is, what you both have and nurture together with each other. Sending you love and big hugs from the UK. x
Congratulations, I’m so happy for both of you. I have been folowing you since you started blogging and these are really some good news.
Best wishes
Luis in Toronto
Owoo!!! Congratulations!!! Joaquin and I are so happy for you two!! I have no words to say about this beautifull testimony of love!! We will be expecting you here in patagonia anxiosly with a big smile and a big hug Carla!! love you dear friend!!
Carlita y compañero: felices por vuestra nueva avetura en le que todos los viejos amigos los acompañamos, bievenidos un abrazo de los jovatos, Celia y Leopoldo.
HOOOLLLYYYY SH%^^&%!!!! :-)
Wow! Wonderfull news! There is sombody for everyone. You and Carla are so good together that this news was comforting to hear. Happy day, and congratulations!
Congrats!
Did your twitter get hacked? Those weight loss messages looked fishy.
alex, carlita, felicitaciones! q lindo lo que escribiste, alex… estoy muy emocionada y con muchas ganas de celebrar junto a ustedes! besos y abrazo fuerte!
AWESOME AWESOME I’am happy for you, may god bless you!
Congratulations!
Your blog should be mandatory reading for all ages worldwide…You are two genuine human beings and a showcase of what real life is all about in a world gone nuts.
Congrats to you both!! It is no longer a solo trip, cool!! Gotta love the salor/ cruser hippie fokes!! I really do.. Doesn`t she have a sister?? ha ha
Congrats!!!
Just love seeing this. :) Congrats on marriage!
Congratulations brother. We are so happy for both of you. Michelle and I look forward to the day we sail up and anchor nearby Splendid. We already consider both of you family. Alex, intentional family is sometimes better than birth family members. We love you both. Lots of luck and happiness.
Congratulations brother and sister. We are so happy for both of you. Michelle and I look forward to the day we sail up and anchor nearby Splendid. We already consider both of you family. Alex, intentional family is sometimes better than birth family members. We love you both. Lots of luck and happiness.
Queridos Carla y Alex!!Nosotros fuimos testigos de ese enorme amor en sus inicios y hoy nos sentimos felices y orgullosos por la gran decision que tomaron!! Claro que estaremos presentes el dia del casamiento!! Gracias por recordarnos como nosotros a ustedes con tanto cariño. Beso grande
congratulations !!! i love carlita she is the best. Me alegra mucho que siempre compatan su felicidad, y que carlita comparta sus aventuras con la gente que la quiere , desde Peru , les deseo lo mejor.
Grace
Alex,
Look at your responses, you HAVE family. I, for one, will be there in heart, if not in body. I wish you both the best. I’ve been following your blog since the beginnging and, for now, live vicariously through your and your images. I look forward to the rest of your voyage. Carpe Diem
AWESOME!!! Congratulations to the both of you!
-Sebastian
Doug, I know, in many ways I have a bigger family than most :) thanks for all the kind words everyone.
We will be pretty quiet over the next 10 days as we will have guests. After that off to Linton to do some projects and have better access to supplies.
Peace.
You just got promoted to “Uncle Alex”! :) Lau, Kiara and myself and jumping all over the place celebrating the good news!! (it would be “kicking” in the case of Kiara ;)
You are most welcome to our family. It makes me extremely happy to know you guys will spend the rest of your lives as a family. In those days spent on Splendid it was very clear that all you need is each other. I live a different life but share and live by the same rules (I mean my own, the principles and core values). We can have more or less “things” that gives us comfort, entertainment, we can travel the world, but we do it or share it with the people we love and that’s why they mean something. In my world all those things are just pretexts to generate or trigger those magical moments that get carved in stone in our hearts. We know we have something when we dont fear to lose everything as long as we are holding our loved ones’ hands, as you usually put it when “security” is not a goal any more.
I dont care for titles so you can drop the “in law” part, welcome to the family.
Nico
Love
Very cool, you two sound like you both are on to something fantastic. All the best, and I will be thinking of you on my birthday, 11/23.
Tom aboard s/v Isle of Avalon
Nico,
Thanks brother. I must say I’m getting the long end of the stick on this one. I’ve really enjoyed everyone in Carla’s family and am gaining so much.
I’ve spent my life alone woundering the planet looking for something better. I found/forged freedom a decade ago but have not had a partner that I could share it with. I must say I’m a bit lost for words. I truly have it all!
I was really happy to hear you, Lau, and the yet to be born Kiara with be with us in Buenos Aires in November.
And I still want to see you guys get into sailing ;)
Peace
Best wishes Alex and Carla as you begin your adventure together!
Congratulations from Portugal we wish you the best.
Rui and Lena
Alex & Carla:
Wow! I leave you alone for a few days and look what you do. Talk about an announcement, but it’s exactly what you have now. Once you are as connected as you and Carla are, the marriage is a symbol of that love.
As John Lennon once put it, “and in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make.”
If that’s true, when you guys go, you are going to take along a lot of baggage.
Congratulations from Pat and I here in Fort Myers Beach Florida USA.
And… By the way… Thanks for being alive. Just remember: “Click, click…”
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
We have a lovely family on this charter. We have a family of 9 on 2 boats, 4 adults and 5 great kids :)
Congratulations to both. I’m very happy for you.
Love is a decision to commit, not an emotion. Looks like you made the right choice. 8*)
Congratulation to you both on your approaching marriage,:o))
Congratulation to you both on your approaching marriage,:o))
Man I am really happy for you both, Its not every day people find or realize who their soul mate is. And you my friends are just that. If I had the money to fly down there to be there for you guys, I would.. I would like to photograph your wedding.. 2 beautiful people recognizing their love in a very beautiful place..
Cheers mate
I have some wonderful home made apple cider wine I just made and wish I could share it with you two on your day, but I will diffidently be thinking about you guys when I crack one open.. and yes its wine not hard cider.. lol
Hey Alex: My sincere congratulations to you and Carla. Haven’t talked to you lately but I still follow your site regularly and sometimes miss not having had the chance to follow my plan to go sailing. However, after six years together, Shiela and I had a baby last year…a beautiful little girl…so I guess the world unfolds as it should, plans not withstanding !!! My son and his wife had a son a week after we had our baby too, so I’m a Dad and a grandfather since we last spoke !!
Wish you both all the best and since you’re much younger than me, I can only imagine what the next big news will be !!
Bruce
Congrats Alex!! Happy Days!
Congratulations !!
It is amazing reading your story. You really really nailed.
10 out of 10