Sailing, Week 2
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The Jubilee Sailing Trust
Oct. 14, 2004

    Today Alicia made us climb up the rigging to the second platform.  I was scared to death, frankly, although I did it without much outward display of hesitation.  It was a characteristic Outward Bound moment.  Up on the platform, we talked about our goals and team issues (the first time we've done any of that stuff).  Then we stood in silence for a few minutes, staring out at the sea and the tiny figures of the crew and our mates below us.  Finally, Alicia read us a quote that I really like:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  For it is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?'  Actually, who are we not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others won't feel insecure around you.  We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It is not just in some of us--it is in everyone, and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." --Nelson Mandela

    Other things I did today:
    -Worked on ditty bags with Alicia and August
    -Went aloft to loosen the gaskets holding the sails
    -Saw dolphins off the starboard beam
    -Worked on celestial navigation with Mark and Nick
    -Saw Claire (the first mate) get upset when we accidentally ran over a lobster pot
    -Ate Shepherd's pie for dinner

Overall: a busy, great day!

Oct. 17, 2004

    Today we're in Cascais, Portugal.  Along with 9 other people (including old teammates David, Calen, Thomas, and Alex) I went on a 40 km bike ride north along the coast.  The first half was tame, but the second half involved a neverending, gradual climb on a very busy road.  The fact that the bikes were total crap and had worked in only 1 gear didn't make it any easier.  But it was fun!  We ended up at Cabo de Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe.  There we had ice cream bars in honor of David's 24th birthday.  Later, I ate dinner on the ship (veggie lasagna...Graham is WONDERFUL), bantered with Mark and Nick, and went out for gelati with Alison.