At Sea in Drake Passage

And so it begins, our journey into the next year. First, we leave most things familiar behind: trees and dogs, police and cars, fast food and convenience stores. Next, we leave the land behind too; it disappeared yesterday evening, in our wake. This morning there is no land, just this ship, with some dozens of us, at sea, heading southwards.

It is a bit turbulent, but that will pass as we do, from yesterday, to tomorrow; from who we were, to who we can become. The Drake Passage is always a bit like that, only more so now, with next year on the other side, in a wild place, a place we only visit and where we must be very polite.

Well, enough of that, if my life is going to change I want to be a more active participant and there is plenty to do: organize the cabin, read the manual for the new digital camera, watch the birds all around the ship. Where are they all going? They are always there, going with us, hour after hour. I think they are the same ones, but I do not really know. I guess I will watch for a while. What is it that Yogi said? Something like, “You can see a lot by watching.” Good enough for me, this year and next.

And the picture? That’s an iceberg, from below, not today, but tomorrow.