The Things I Learned on Yacht Week

You know I’ve been busy when you haven’t heard from me in a while.

I’ve seen a lot over the past couple of months. You name it, it’s happened: Near death, new life, shotgun weddings, health scares, experimentation, questions, answers, observation of it all.

As a person my age, I’ve probably seen more in two months than I would have in two years; but believe it or not, I’m once again grateful. Grateful for all the fear, sadness, understanding and relief I’ve experienced first or secondhand, because it’s continuing to shape who I am and who I will be when I come out of this crazy year. I won’t speak to all of these life happenings, because in many instances they aren’t my stories to tell. But between Yacht Week and now, a lot has changed.

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*flashback*

Today’s my Dad’s birthday (Dear Dad: this will likely be posted days after) [Update: it is now exactly one month post-dad’s b-day]. I’ve been on Yacht Week in Croatia for the last 7 days and I’m having moments of real peace (maybe it’s because I’m finally lying in a bed that’s not moving). Yacht Week was, interesting. That sentence is probably making you wonder about all the crazy things that happened. Some crazy things definitely happened. A stomach virus broke out midway through the week and spread to eventually about 50% of the people there. I haven’t gotten it yet so I’m part of the lucky half (Note to Yacht Weekers: don’t swim in the float party water after they open the holding tanks at night). But some other crazy things happened too; I pushed the boundaries of my beliefs, and explored questions within the deepest corners of my mind.

My dad gave me the gift of curiosity. I’m incredibly curious about the world and all its people, places, history, nuances, everything. From driving me and my brother around the island of Oahu to the Polynesian Cultural Center (immediately the humuhumunukunukuapua'a song comes to mind), to handing me my now favorite book, “Into Thin Air” and sparking my wildest dream to climb to Everest Base Camp, I know I have my dad to thank for this thirst. During my travels I have the perfect classroom, and the RY community are my peers. We’re constantly challenging one another to think, expand, understand, reach new conclusions and grow. I’ve come to believe I can even feel that very growth happening, those “holy shit...” moments when something or someone takes your brain to a new level.

A lot of things happened on Yacht Week that drew curiosity from various places. I talked with a number of people about the human condition; Life, death, society, purpose. I somehow ended up in multiple conversations discussing religious, philosophical, and historical perspectives with close friends, but also complete strangers.

Is a culture morally obligated to invade another culture, of which whose belief system they don’t approve of? Will society, overtime, eventually change without influence, or does a seed need to be planted from within? If all mankind spoke one language, would we become too smart (Genesis 11:-9)? Does the evolution of societal rules give us hope that we will eventually reach a time of equality or are we in a forever revolving door of discrimination? How deeply is discrimination rooted in our existence? Why do young people die? If everyone has a purpose in life, are we all given the chance to fulfill it? Is there such thing as one true soul mate? What is consciousness? Is our life even our own?

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Even beyond talking, I felt energies pushing and pulling at one another- I watched the strings of the universe at work. It all sounds crazy as I write it out, but this was my reality on Yacht Week; there was an unmistakable vibe flowing through these people that set the atmosphere for the entire week.

Bottom line: shit got real. I was certain the week would be a glorified spring break laden with snobby rich people who I could never connect with beyond surface level. I'm starting to love being proved wrong.

Combine these amazing conversations with amazing humans, the crystal clear waters and breathtaking views of the Croatian islands, plus a boat skipper and hostess who I’ll remember forever- and you get an unforgettable week. By the end of it, I felt attached to our little yacht named “El Tabasco.” Although it gave us massive headaches for two days by way of a broken motor, we actually got to sail and I wouldn’t change a single thing about our experience. I can’t tell you how hard my heart was smiling as we sat on the side of that monohull, with sunshine on our cheeks and our feet skimming the waves.

So, without further ado…

[a few of] The Things I Learned on Yacht Week:

1) Age doesn’t define you. Just ask our 22 year old, Vis-native skipper who out-sailed all 50 other captains, saved someone from drowning while keeping his cool to the point we didn’t know anyone was in trouble, and pulled us through every mechanical problem smoother than the Croatian breeze.

2) Never judge anyone based on their appearance or circumstance of life, because you will be VERY wrong and have to eat your words.

3) To understand someone’s actions, you must understand their past.

4) Opinions can change. So can people.

Annndddd here’s the kicker:

5) Aliens may already be living among us ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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*flashforward*

Spain is magical. Its old and new all at once- the architecture is unlike anything I’ve seen to date, but I can speak the language with semi-comfortable familiarity. I’m still trying out pescetarianism (month three, going strong), so no Spanish Jamón ibérico, but I can eat all the seafood paella I want. Ok, so I actually ate some snails at a tapas bar in Madrid, but they’re an insect or some sort of land mollusk, right? They were totally worth it and delicious- tasted like chicken!! (I must be having meat withdrawals).

In Valencia, we live 15 minutes from the beach, the humidity is dying down with the onset of autumn, and with an extra week in the month of September I feel like I can take a breath and truly enjoy “home.”

So far, Spain has really impressed me- from Madrid to Ibiza (and La Tomatina thrown in for good measure), this country has a LOT to offer. Beautiful buildings, breathtaking scenery, impeccable food, unique culture, and of course, Spanish wine and CAVA. Spain might actually be my new favorite country...but then again I'm partial because of my two favorite Spaniards <3

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In the last 5 weeks I’ve been in 3 different countries, my company was acquired, I’ve been blindsided by an unexpected romance, and I have no idea what my life will look like six months from now. I guess that’s how life works; you think you have it all figured out, and with the snap of a finger, it all can change.

Remote Year ends in a little over 3 months. What does this mean for me? I could have given you a great answer a month ago, filled with next year’s travel plans and upward career mobility. For now, I’m going to sit tight and smile at my surroundings, because I’m right where I need to be.