erychan86 | Entries tagged with life: boat life

As I said a couple of posts ago, I've been missing in action here on LJ for a couple of days because I had some friends over. They all have been to Genova years ago, and for specific events, so they didn't have time to go around and see places. That was kind of challenging for me, because I had to come up with a plan in order to show them something cool in the brief time we had. They also stayed at my place, and it was the first time I had host in my place here in Italy, and that was another challenge, because I like everything tidy and it's impossible to keep up with the house while you have guests.

I loved having them here for once, and one of them managed to met Eric. Mark arrived a couple of days before Valex and BhMh and Eric had these 2 evening off, but the boss had a trip planned for the weekend so, Valex and BhMh, got to see him from the yacht, waving us all goodbye while he was leaving port. That was very sweet of him since I know he stress a lot about following the rules, written and unwritten, and I think that waving the wife and her friends goodbye from the upper deck while the owner is just below him, is not something he would have done just because... That made me very proud and I felt even more special then I usually feel (and he makes me feel plenty special).

I decided to show them Portofino (where the yacht was headed as well) because it's just so beautiful and the ferry ride is gorgeous. The day was lovely and - on land - I even met 2 of my ex crew mates who asked me help to get something for the owner (not the first time this month I have to help someone from the boat). One of them told me right away he misses my face a lot and I know what he meant... I miss these boys so much, but keep working there wasn't an option anymore (but I'll explain better in one of my next posts... this is a happy place).

Here some of the photos I took that day.
( Portofino 2016 )
It's insane how, when I show these places to people that didn't grew up around there, I feel like I'm seeing them for the first time too. I hate thinking that was a time I took them for granted. Travelling didn't just make me fall in love with new, different places, but it made me redescover the love of my land.

I don't want to talk about what's going on in Europe and the whole World right now... It's too painful and enraging and I can't do it... but I just want to say this one thing: We can't stop seeing the World because of fear. I'll never stop going where I feel like going. I'll never stop visiting new places and go back to old ones. I'll keep learning and I'll keep falling in love with what I see. That's the only way I know. That's the only way I can live.

I know I didn't actually share the Big News throughout this outlet, ~~or any other social network actually~~, but a month ago I finally quit my job. The reasons were various but ultimately it was time for me to move on and go live my life. The boat and its owner gave me a lot. The life I'm leaving now it's possible just because of him. If he didn't wake up one day thinking "I'm going to get myself a boat" I would have never met Eric, I would have never fell in love with him, I would have never left my whole life in Italy behind. So thank you Mr I-wish-I-could-say-your-name-but-I-can't-because-I-signed-a-lot-of-papers-that-say-I-can't-mention-you-on-any-social-media, thank you for being also SO DAMN AWESOME!

So, to go back on track, Eric and I rented a small Studio Apartment 15 minutes away from the boat, and we settled down a little bit (as much as you can settle in a Studio apartment you're renting for 4 months). The place is very nice and I think we'll rent tit again when we came back to the States in November after we spend the Summer season in Italy.

The reason why I didn't share this huge change in my life is because somehow I felt ashamed... Quitting a job without jumping into another right away it's not me, but the situation was and is different. I mean, I can't go and find a job for 4 months and then leave for 5... Also I'm still slowly getting together all my new documents... I have a social security number now and I still don't know what do I need it for... For me it's just something that can help the Machine from Person Of Interest to find me... I still have to get my driving license and I'm irrationally terrified... I can drive on stick in Italy where ITALIANS drive but I can't drive an automatic in an American wide straight road... I'm nutts! I will get there, I just need to chill and stop thinking about it.

For the past month I just enjoyed myself. I started running, biked around, watched my shows and relaxed. Everything was great until a couple of weeks ago I received a phone call from the boat. It has been three months since I gave my notice (I wanted to be extra nice and I gave two months notice instead of one) and they didn't fill my position yet. Apparently it's difficult to find someone who can do my job and at the same time can be liked by the owner and his wife. They called me to ask me to come back for a while because they are having problems with the work load and soon there's going to be the big end of the season trip and they're going to have a Full Boat. I didn't even think about it and I said yes because I'm a sucker for people who needs help and - even if some people don't deserve my help - the Owners do and I'm glad to be also able to see them again. At the end of the day it was a good thing for them that I decided to take a break and not to jump into a brand new job.

That leads at today. I'm writing from Nassau, Bahamas where I flew for the day in order to sign a contract.
The boat is registered in the Cayman Island so the company can't hire in US soil so - in order to advert problems - the contract has to be signed out of the Country.

So, this is the story of how I quit my job and I came back temporarily to it. Yet another proof that my life it's insane and I can't control it as much as I wish. Hi and Goodbye from the Bahamas. Here're a couple of pictures.