April, 2010

Traveling By Land Versus By Sea
 
I have land traveled Mexico over 3 months now. This is in contrast to the year I traveled by sailboat down the West Coast of North America. The two methods of travel offer unique opportunities.

Sailing is turtle-like. Your shell home goes with you. You have all the comforts of home with dolphins, sunrises and sunsets, swimming, diving, your favorite peanut butter, etc. Your friends are your fellow cruisers who share experiences, local knowledge, favorite marinas and anchorages and most importantly friendship.

In contrast, traveling by land I have to carry everything I need on my back. A couple of books, a couple of shorts, a couple of shirts, and before you know it, including your water, you are loaded down. But learning the daily routines and lives of local people is truly astounding. The architecture, food, music, dancing, sights and scenery are obviously great. I met a crafts person and know his personal life; a B&B owner and learned his family heritage for generations; a woman who shared her personal relationships and how she managed birth control and the men in her life –- all memorable experiences. I found Mexican people generous, easy to be with, peaceful, extremely polite, helpful and fun to be around.

So all in all, after living on a sail boat for a time, it’s energizing to spend time on land. However, being a cruiser in my soul, I can’t wait to get back to my life on the water. Both lives are wonderful. And like all things in life, I appreciate a nice balance.