The Ship IS the Destination
Introduction: Sailing Through Life
What if the journey itself is the destination? That’s the realization I’ve come to after years of living on ships, sailing from one horizon to the next. Each voyage is less about the ports and more about the people, the lessons, and the shifting perspectives that only the vastness of the sea can inspire.
The Future Isn't What It Used to Be
The International Dateline is a strange concept—a place where today and tomorrow coexist, teasing time itself. Geography, however, isn’t just about crossing borders; it’s about navigating the boundaries of our expectations.
Sure, I’ve visited incredible places: "Melbourne was awesome," "Ghana? Amazing!" "India? A magical delight." But often, reality pales in comparison to the maps we draw in our minds. Sometimes, it’s better to let imagination take the lead and reframe the conversation.
Even the most beautiful destinations can challenge comfort. But I’ve learned this: you don’t quit countries—you quit people. And through all my travels, the best ships I’ve found are friendships, the bonds that sail with me long after the journey ends.
Impossible Is Nothing
Going out to sea feels like stepping into the infinity of hope—a preview of life’s coming attractions, where I have the final cut in my own movie. The ocean is food for thought, and its menu is the meal. Each itinerary is a promise, giving me the sense of a destination and the energy to start anew.
In these moments, I feel like the patron saint of optimism, full of faith and ready to embrace the unknown. My first ship job came from a cold call and a 12-minute elevator pitch. That leap taught me to trust myself. Only when you trust yourself can you begin to truly live.
The Adventure of Bad Planning
As they say, an adventure is just bad planning done well. Living on a ship is a paradox: monotony tinged with hysteria. It’s not real life—it’s an alibi. It’s like going out of your mind every day just to come to your senses.
Ten ships later, I’ve learned to embrace this madness. Life on the water teaches you to persist through folly and come out wiser. Yet, no matter where I roam, a part of me always returns to America—a land of contradictions and unrealized promises. As much as I love my country, we often go through life doing nothing for each other.
An Expat Life, Redefined
Embracing the expat life has meant having nothing to do and all day to do it. Born in the USA, I won the geographical lottery but squandered it chasing greener pastures. I’ve come to realize, though, that the grass is only greener where you water it.
Every journey has taught me this: life is less about where you are and more about how you choose to live. Living on a ship has helped me understand that the destination is secondary to the connections you make, the lessons you learn, and the memories you carry.
Conclusion: Sailing Into Perspective
At sea, time bends, priorities shift, and perspective expands. The ship isn’t just a vessel—it’s a way of life. Each voyage reminds me that happiness is not a place but a mindset.
As I gaze at the endless ocean, I realize the journey itself is enough. The weather is here, and so am I.
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