A Sail of Two Idiots (54 page)

Because there is no other way to see so many countries and mingle with the locals while still being surrounded by your own stuff and by other folks like yourself (even if they're from different countries, they're boaters, and that makes them one of you).

Because you discover that no matter how bad you thought you had it in the States, people elsewhere probably have it worse and yet seem to be happier. There's a lesson in there.

Because even though it's harder and harder to find a “secret” or private spot to drop anchor in order to sing karaoke and sit naked on the trampoline, those places still exist, and it's paradise when you find them.

Because if you want to live “on the water,” living on a boat means you're usually away from mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and flies. There's usually a breeze. If you own your boat, this is the cheapest “real estate” you could have (maintenance will take a nice chunk of your pension money, though).

Because if you “live” near a loud bar or a bad area, you can move the next day.

Because it's the only setup where you can be unemployed, spend half your time reading, quit shaving, and run around in soiled/ripped clothing and nobody thinks you're lazy and pathetic.

Because with so much waste going on in the world, it's nice to leave a smaller footprint.

Because it's the only place you can walk around in various states of undress in front of a whole bunch of other people without being arrested for indecent exposure.

Because diving, kayaking, and snorkeling in crystal clear waters teeming with life are different from doing the same thing on a day trip out of the city or on a weekend vacation from your stressful career.

Because there's nothing like lying on the trampoline and naming cloud formations, or finding star constellations, or counting shooting stars. It's also fun to rinse your dishes in water full of little glittering bioluminescent beings.

Because when people come to visit, you can take them to several exotic locations and they have to unpack only once. A bonus is that you can put up your sails and impress everyone even if you're doing it all wrong.

Because no two days are the same. You can't predict anything (other than that you
will
be fixing something).

Because you find out what you're made of. You realize that your survival genes are in perfect working order and you are humbled by the fact that you are just a tiny speck in a big ocean.