A Cruising Lifestyle
A cruiser's life compared to living on land has some distinct differences. Although we have the conveniences of home--stove, microwave, refrigerator/freezer etc for the galley; television, VCR, DVD in the salon; a bedroom with attached bath; washer/dryer; and even a guest room-- we do miss out on a basement and a garage. In addition to all the above in a 52' long space, there's all the electronics necessary to navigate our way here and there, plus the engine and all its necessary accouterments and many spare parts. Storage is an issue, along with a personality that can handle moving three things to get to one sometimes. Tight spaces work with the right attitude.
Every day activities--grocery shopping, doing laundry, finding parts and services, sending mail--take on a new dimension for cruisers, especially if you're in another country. In general we have to find out where to go, how to get there, figure out how much we can carry back, and will there be a language problem when searching for things? Are places closed part of the day and re-opened later? What day is market day? And a really important one: when does fresh bread come out of the local bakery oven?
We have a washer on board, but it takes 15 gallons of water to wash and another 15 to rinse per load. Plus we have to start up the auxiliary power to generate electricity because our 220 volt electricity is different from that in Europe. In port, a hose can be run from the faucet on the dock across the bow and down the open hatch into the washer, saving ship's water, but the engine still has to be on. Another viable option is to pile all the wash in a hamper on wheels and march several blocks to the local laundromat. (Take a book along.) Clean laundry then gets hauled back to dry on board, or wait for dryers there. Be thankful for your modern conveniences right at your fingertips.
As with living on land, we have plumbing and electrical problems. But on a boat things take a new twist. In those tight spaces we carry extra parts as they might not be available at a local source when needed. In addition, one has to be self sufficient in regards to fixing the problem. Or have access to information on how to find help. Or both. Electricity is generated by running the engine or generator, plugging into the dock with the right plugs for 110 volts or 220 volts, and keeping the ship's batteries up to power. Sometimes it even means alternating between charging batteries, running the refrigerator, or turning on the heater to take off the chill in the cabin. Most of the time everything runs well. But then there are times of trouble. And no one I know looks forward to plumbing jobs.
All in a day's work on board though. If we decide to do some land traveling and leave the boat in a marina, we have to hire someone to watch the boat--especially notice that the circuit breakers aren't tripped, and if so, what to do. Defrosted freezers leave a mess.
"Reaching out and touching someone" means E-mail, "snail mail," and public telephones. It's very important to stay connected with family and friends. E-mails help with written communication. Many cybercafes in ports offer Internet services at reasonable prices. We also have onboard E-mail to use while at anchor or at sea. Messages will sit in a file until someone calls them up, but there's nothing like voice to voice. With a Spanish cell phone we do have the luxury of hearing a phone ring nearby, and it can be used in an emergency. For in-depth long distance trans-world calls to check on family, we use public telephones. Locating a phone booth, remembering the time differences, and having a calling card with sufficient minutes left on it to make several calls are prerequisites. Nothing is more frustrating than having done all of the above, then the party on the other end answers, but cannot hear you. This may mean having to locate another working public telephone and they are not on every street corner.
Snail-mail catches up about once a month via a request to the mail forwarding agent; however, I grow my long face when there's no real letters inside the packet. Setting up auto pay accounts certainly helps keep the bills up to date, and access to banking via Internet provides the balance at a glance. You should go out right now and give your mailbox a pat. It silently stands there on duty day in and day out just to serve you.
So life on a boat has some adjustments. None are insurmountable. Meeting other cruisers
and sharing tips on how to..., where to..., when to..., creates a positive energy flow and ability to
solve problems easier. Here in Barcelona we have met many cruisers from several countries and
enjoyed their friendships over the winter. A memory I will take with me is the morning "Cruisers'
Net" in which a Net Control person opens up one VHF channel at 0900 each morning and follows
a set routine. First he/she asks if there are any objections to using this frequency for the next few
minutes to conduct business. The Harbor master had given his blessing, so no problem is
anticipated. Just a courtesy to ask. Then we find out if anyone has any dental or medical needs;
followed by a weather report. Weather is always a current topic. Parts and services is next where
boaters ask where to, how to, etc. "Treasures of the Bilge" allows everyone to advertise what
they have found stored on the boat that they no longer need. Social events, lost and found, and
security issues come next. As boaters arrive they introduce themselves, and when they leave, say
farewell. At the end of the broadcast it's opened up to "AOB," any other business. We all listen
in daily (except Sunday), finding it an efficient and effective way to communicate amongst
ourselves at the start of our day. When we leave Barcelona there will be another NET to tune
into, but this particular one has certainly been neat.
In reflection, what do I really miss enmeshed in this lifestyle? Long hot showers, a fire in the fireplace on cold damp days, and a light going on when I open the fridge. So, I enjoy them at other people's homes.
Adventures win over inconveniences for now.