This week we had a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our first year of cruising. A mother on a group that we belong to asked for suggestions for a reluctant soon-to-be-cruising 7 year old. We mentioned it to Ru and asked if she would like to write a letter to this girl and she jumped at the chance. Here’s what she said:
Hi <name omitted>
My name is Ruby. I am 8 years old and have been cruising for a year. I left from San Francisco a year ago today with my mom and dad and little brother. I heard that you might be a little worried about cruising and I want to let you know that it is really awesome.
When I got to Mexico I made a really good friend named Kara (on Taking Fight) and then a little while later I met two boys named Shandro and Matero (on Kenta Anae). All along the way I have made friends, sometimes we only play for a few hours and sometimes I get to travel with them for a while. Sometimes I even get to have sleepovers or sail with them on their boat while my brother sails with my parents. The only bad part is that you have to say goodbye a lot, but I always know that I will make new friends and that I will remember my old friends.
There are also a lot of great grownups out here and they talk to me and play with me. So even when there aren’t a lot of kids around I still have people to play with.
I have also seen so much cool stuff since I left. I see dolphins all the time and sometimes I see whales so close to the boat that I can almost touch them. I have seen waterfalls and rain forests, sea turtles, and islands that disappear when the tide comes up. My mom and dad even swam with giant manta rays, but I just watched from the dinghy.
I’m also learning a lot of cool stuff. My dad lets me sail the boat sometimes and I am old enough now to stand watch and help with anchoring. My dad even lets me take the dinghy out by myself on calm days. I have learned a lot about money too. I can buy my own ice cream in dollars and peso, tala, pa’anga and francs. I can say hello in many languages too.
If you want to ask me any questions you can send email to <omitted>. All of the kids I have met seem to love cruising and I bet you will too.
-=Ruby
7 comments
Comment by Cidnie
Cidnie October 5, 2012 at 3:55 am
The photo pf Ru dressed up for rendezous is astoundingly beautiful. All of the photos are great but that particular one of your Polynesian Princess just slays me. <3
Comment by Torre – Fearful Adventurer
Torre – Fearful Adventurer October 5, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Cry This is amazing. Beautiful, Ruby. So much heart and self-expression from such a little package.
Comment by deneb
deneb October 6, 2012 at 12:01 am
Fabulous fabulous. I am going to dream all week about making fairy houses on the top of a tropical mountain. Except in my dream the dolphins will be up there too.
Comment by Tucker Bradford
Tucker Bradford October 6, 2012 at 3:24 am
Deneb I love you. Thank you for taking two of my favorite memories and marrying them like they were destined for it. Sweet dreams dude!
Comment by Camanoe Steph
Camanoe Steph November 12, 2012 at 1:10 pm
WHY do your kids make me cry??? Ruby is so awesome.
Comment by Lisa Pelletier Harmon
Lisa Pelletier Harmon April 9, 2014 at 5:58 am
Ruby, your words are amazing! As you share your story, I try to imagine the blue green water that surrounds you,. I have seen sting rays up close and touched one, but have not seen a manta ray or a sea turtle yet. I hope someday you will publish a book of your adventures sailing with your family and you will include some of the pictures you shared above. Your life is like a dream for those of us who follow your blog. You are experiencing more than most adults will in a lifetime! Although most people you meet will be nice, every now and then a cranky one comes along, who may try to make you feel bad about the life you have. I think they are just jealous, because maybe that have never seen a sting ray or a sea turtle or a sea so blue green it looks like it glows and maybe they never will. I am inspired by your bravery to explore and live vicariously through your whole family’s wonderful life on the sea. Please keep us updated, and include all the new languages you are learning as well! Lisa
Comment by Catherine
Catherine April 9, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Dear Ruby, thank you for writing a letter to kids who want to sail…..we know some kids who are about to start their adventure and I’ll share your letter with them. We were really pleased to make lifelong friends with you…..once a sailing buddy always a sailing buddy! We might now be on the other side of the world in another hemisphere but we remember Convivia all the time and our own boat Pegasus will always be in our hearts because she took us on such great adventures. And when you guys have kids of your own, maybe we’ll all meet up on our own sailboats in the Tuamotus or in Fiji and take them swimming with stingrays too!!
Lots of love Mia and Lochy (now aged 11 and 9!!)
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