I wont be sailing to Panama this season.
A number of factors have helped me make my decision, most importantly, my father wants to move to Panama.
When I told him we could do it in 6 months or so, and he replied “6 months is a long time when your 83”, I made my decision. I’ve become really close to my father for the first time. We are both strong-willed and hard-headed men, friendship has always been difficult. This is a really good time for us and I’m giving it priority.
He doesn’t want to go to a home, assisted living, or stay where he is. The truth is on his retirement he could afford an “average” assisted-living home in America. But in Panama he can easily afford much better care and personal assistance, his insurance is good there and his money will stretch much farther. I also need to get him away from American food, he loves to eat garbage.
His biggest dream is just to be surrounded by nature where he can watch birds, monkeys, and have a dog. I’ve already found him a rental in Bocas Del Torro where I plan to have him is 3 weeks. I’ll move Splendid close to him in Bocas, and bring Eleanor down after the hurricane season. I’ll find him someone full-time to cook, clean, and watch after him.
Carla and I have been planning to move to Bocas for a while anyway. It’s a good place for us to charter and we both want to focus on surfing for a while. I’m turning 50 in July and Carla is turning 40 just a few days before me. I’ve drastically changed my diet (zero sugar, low carb, and no dairy or processed foods) about 4 months ago. I also want to bring my physical activities up a few notches. Surfing is damn good fun and great exercise. Accompanied with my yoga, I plan to live a long, full, and healthy life with my wife in Paradise!
I’m also hoping that Carla can join me for our trip to Panama after hurricane season. She hasn’t even laid eyes on Eleanor yet. I’m also going a bit crazy without my wife, I miss her so bad it hurts, two and a half months is far too long for a couple to be apart. We both enjoy doing our own things but this kind of separation is too long for the both of us.
That’s it for today. I’m crazy busy with all the new plans.
Sail far and live slowly.
– alex