Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
It's A Small World
and getting smaller every day. New guy comes on the ship and he's from 10
miles down the road from where I grew up. A week later another new guy and he's from 10 miles down the road from where I now reside . .or at least keep my boat parts. We're next to a very very small town but a month or so ago I found out the motel desk clerk where I just happened to decide to stop one weekend is from this same place. In another newgroup pertaining to the industy two of who post here had been telling a youngster about the plusses and minuses of going to sea commercially. Sure enough he was on this same ship when I arrived...of all the choices who would have thought? In the past few years I've met people from many places. The most interesting was a Russian who invited me to go sailing up by St. Petersburg. And then there's good friends and former colleagues from many years ago. Between trips I made a fast run to the southern end of Mexico and met with some former colleagues from the days of Mobile Training Teams in Latin America, assisting School of the Americas and the Jungle Operations Course in Panama and the like. Very young Lieutenants then they are new Colonels and so on in the Army or Federales (National Police). Since we were near the coast I asked a lot of questions and got the grand tour. There's a lot of great and wonderful things down there! But like anywhere some negatives. Biggest problem they mentioned was the same as here in the US ...drugs. Since I live on a sailboat they cautioned me a lot about my conduct when I came down. Who do they watch? People with frequent trips in and out of their country . ..no visible means of support . . .. . . . those with friends who are known to be currently or formerly connected with the illegal drug trade. . . . lots of cash and flash You know .. . I think I'll forget that orange hull and stick to a white one . . . and forget competing with Neal. Besides "Squeeze The Orange" doesn't make it as a name. On a happier note I got the feeling these former students were actively trying to improve things in their country. The networking between countries because of the training in Panama is still strong as well. We talked about everyone in the past, fother former students from Guatemala to friends in Costa Rica. And of course they asked about me and former unit members. I think they were surprised to find out I've become much more 'peaceful' in my old age. Anyway it's nice to have friends! One thing to remember when you travel. Step outside the US and you leave the Constitution and it's protections behind. In most other places on our planet. . . the jails are not someplace you want to visit. Learn the local customs. . . respect the people and DONT get caught with what you shouldn't have. In another few weeks I'll be off again . .to somewhere. . . .but knowing I have good friends and many acquaintences on this not so big anymore planet is certainly one of the better parts of life. It's always good to know you can turn to someone for a little assistance or just to converse over a cold one. Who knows? I might even visit ole Neal one day. Fair winds MST |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
It's A Small World
I might even visit ole Neal one day.
You're figuring on getting that bored with your travels? --=20 katysails s/v Chanteuse Kirie Elite 32 http://katysails.tripod.com "Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
It's A Small World
Hey . .. you gotta be a kind and caring type right? Now how much more kind
and caring could one possibly be than to visit a poor lonely shut in with nothing to do? Oughta get the humanitarian of the year award for that shouldn't wonder. Along with the small world idea I shoulda mentioned NOT being smart enough to find a cyber cafe, log on, and send Ozsailor a message when I was in Oz, the land up over! Too much on my mind I suppose. Anyway to find out I could have tossed a rock and hit his boat while eating breakfast at their really great marina was too much. I'm still doing egg on my face over that one. So when I leave the coast and get to the Great (Inland Seas) Lakes and get on down to the upper end of the lower peninsula .. . . I'll make sure to not repeat the same mistake. I counted the people to visit in the back East near Europe part of the US. A few more geographical spaces to fill in and I can get invited for dinner and . . .almost every night! Cheers and Fair Winds! Michael |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
It's A Small World
Schoonertrash wrote:
I might even visit ole Neal one day. Fair winds MST Make sure all your shots are up to date. Cheers Marty |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|