De Caribbean Regatta 2009
Day 7 - Sailing Home
You
can never escape the final day, which we call "Sailing Home." Without an
end, there can never be another beginning. It has to happen and it is OK.
But when it does happen, pictures from the final day are always contemplative. They often show the grizzled sailor looking out, trying to capture the visual memory of the islands and the spirit and De Regatta. If you try hard enough, you just might remember all the details and the colors and the feeling and these will tide you over as you return to the northeast where winter still has a tight grasp on the weather.
"Sailing Home" is just the beginning of our new adventure and your new life. You have now been touched by De Caribbean and the spirit of De Caribbean Regatta. You will never be the same.
For some people, this will be the summit of their lives. For whatever reason, they will never be able to climb this mountain again. It will only be the memories in their minds of the fun and celebration and sailing which will creep up from time to time and twitch their mouths into the start of a smile. Maybe they will fight the memories because of sadness for not being able to go back. Or maybe they will be at peace with their circumstances and permit the memories to flood over their minds and to swim again in happiness and bliss at what was and where they have traveled.
For others, they will be fortunate that this regatta is only the start or the continuation of their Caribbean voyages. They will be permitted by grace to join once again de Regatta and set off on a quest similar to finding the Holy Grail. I have been on many regattas and the only thing I can assure you, each one is different. They are not better or worse, just different.
Over the years, we Caribbean sailors have achieved so much, we have created so much happiness and shared good feelings. I hope that our carbon footprint will actually be a big kiss to the sun.
Next year, De Caribbean Regatta will return to the original location of the British Virgin Islands. It is not too early to begin making your plans to join and participate. I hope to see you there and in the meantime, fair winds, following seas and joy in life.
Click any of the pictures below to enlarge.
