Humbling....

Now, 6 days in St. Thomas I have been humbled several times.

The latest experience occurred today as I looked about at all the vessels at dock. I think to myself....where do these people get this kind of money to own vessels like these?

Then, this afternoon a sailing yacht pulled in and docked at the end of C-dock (the dock at which we are slipped) and I had to go out and take a look at what appeared to be "Darth Vader". All dark navy, 130' long, a single huge dark navy mast, digital readouts attached to the mast illustrating lat and lon positions, winds, etc. Then, curved, stainless "gates" that pointed to the entrance down below. I've never seen anything so sleek! You can check it out at: http://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/details/276. Her name is Angels Share. She has been in the Caribbean and is here to be loaded onto a transport vessel to take her to Spain. I talked briefly to the Captain as he was spraying her down....he is from Norway.

I walked back to board Great Mates II....how humbling!

Then on to a bit of a different humbling experience. We have befriended this taxi driver, "Yogi". He's a very nice man who has been here in the VI for four years. He is Palestinian, born in Jerusalem. As he has taken us from place to place, we have chatted and come to know a bit about one another. Yesterday, he took us on a brief tour of the island, showing us various high (literally, high on a mountain), points where we stopped to take photos. Then, he took us on to Megans Bay Beach where we just hung out for a few hours, amazed by the clear turquoise waters. As he was dropping us off, I asked him...."when will you be able to come back to get us?" To which he replied, "anytime you wish, except between 1 and 2:00. This is Friday and I will be in prayer at the Mosc."

Yes....he is a devout Muslim. And while, since 9-11 we have all formed our opinions about Muslims, I'm here to say I was humbled by a man so devout that he couldn't work for an hour on Friday because he had to go and pray.

Once more humbling experience. Last evening while having dinner at a great little spot owned and operated by fellow Hoosiers, from Danville IN, (www.islandviewguesthouse.com), our waitress, Rebecca told us her story. A beautiful mature blond with a Marilyn Monroe look, she and her husband live with their 5 children (the oldest is away at school) on a 42' sailboat. He is a boat delivery Captain and she a waitress. They home school (boat school) their children. Also, they have a bit of a community out there in the mooring field. Different parents take turns taking the children to points of interest or on activities. They are from Washington state and are preparing to go home on Tuesday. This will be the first time they've been home in five years!

I cannot imagine living on a 42 sailboat with a family of 6....and educating them...and having to dinghy in to work or play or shower or do laundry and grocery shop. And to not be home to see family for five years???? WOW! Am I spoiled!

To close here's a funny line shared with us last evening about the boating life....."its the only time you will pay 5X for 3rd class travel!" Fellow boaters; you know what this means!

God's peace and understanding,

Lisa