Journals from the week ending February 21, 1997
Setting Sail
Chris O'Neil, 2/10/97, aboard ship...On February 9th, the new and old crew of the sailing vessel Concordia experienced their first all hands high. It was interesting to watch how the new and old crew worked together and interacted.The look of apprehension mixed with a healthy dose of giddiness on the faces of the new crew was something I will never forget. I thought about last august in San Diego during our first all hands, the faces and feelings were identical.
Some of the new crew jumped right in and wanted to be completely involved in what was happening, others seemed a bit overwhelmed by everything, especiallly when Bosun Bill shouted commands like, 'Let go the top gallant bunts and clews and haul away top gallant sheets.' To someone who does not know all of the lines, it sounds like a foreign language.
It was also nice to see how most of the old crew were really willing to answer questions and explain the big picture to those new crew members who were really interested in the whole process.
Who knows, maybe February 9, 1997 marked the day when some of the new crew fell in love with the power and beauty that can only be felt by sailing onboard one of the world's great tall ships. I feel it is the job of the old floaties to do anything that will enable the new floaties to feel at home in their new found environment.
Good Positive Soul
Alexandre Belanger-Calderoni, 2/12/97, aboard ship...My vision is stunned by the port. Slowly my neck gets tense. My eyes get up. A majestic symphony takes my soul. I go walking to my means of transportation. My being is on the verge of a very large precipice engulfing everything. Once on board, a tender feeling sings in the center of my body. My mind may travel everywhere. The present moment is great. The sentiment of my being, a sailor of the world, is beautiful. The great departure occurs and the flow of the water brings me to a place. The waves are rocking me with their calm. A nice smile is written on my lips. They're saying that I live. Time slips through my fingers. Traveling is in love with my heart. The music of the sea enchants me by his magic. I'm jumping for joy.