October 1, 2003
Norfolk, VA

In order to reach Norfolk before the end of the day we got up and left before the sunrise Again. Te sunrise we saw was breath taking and unbelievable. I was thinking of my friend Kelly who loves sunsets and since she gets up well AFTER lunch she would probably never experience the shear beauty of the rising sun. Kelly, for you are these pictures. This day I vowed to never undertake any significant trip without good quality camera.

We arrived to Norfolk just in time before our beloved Mr. Winky (our engine) decided to give up for the night. We managed to go by the US Navy escorted by ever watchful police and Cost Guard ship in case our fiberglass sloop may do some damage to a submarine or aircraft carrier.

I think I understood something about USA today I've never seen before. With military of this size this country will always be involved in one war or another. Good chunk of US economy depends on it and soon or later US politics are steered towards another conflict to flex it's military muscle, test new technologies and get the circulation of money going again. On the other hand one may appreciate America standing up to maniac dictators that torture and kill their own countryman like their lives don't matter. It's tough to understand all this. The world out there knows greed, lust for power and lies beyond of what we can comprehend and all of it is so complex anyway. Nevertheless I find humanity fascinating and I thoroughly enjoy studying how people participate willingly and not in this complex network that our society forms, it's politics, economy, philosophies and all. I enjoy my life more than ever being able to get out again to expand my narrow horizons once more. Meet some people, read some books. For all I know in some 8 months I may have to make the landing back to everyday trying to make a living like everyone else. But not today. Good night America.

(M)