It's been a while since I wrote the last post. We've been sailing for three days since Bermuda and oh boy it was so hard to get on the discipline of the shifts again! Especially because after the first hours with calm waters the ocean transformed itself into a chaotic and erratic maze, with waves jumping unpredictably into and inside the boat. We all get wet and we have to laugh with these showers. The wind got better on the second day and yesterday night unfortunately the front sail, genoa, had a tear. Before we were at 9-10 knots of speed, which was very good at 200 miles per day, and then we went down to even 1 knot, almost backwards! The gulf current is so strong now. Why do we have all these forces, wind, currents, making our way more difficult? Makes us wonder... So the engine is back not by our wishes but as necessity to get Oceans of Hope in time to Boston.

Susan is with us now, so we are a happy family of ten. She really blended easily with the crew and is a very interesting and funny person to be around. Something related with water is always happening with her, so I feel really connected as that happens with me all the time in my life also!

I have been struggling a bit with seasickness since the waves went chaotic. But mostly I have been feeling without energy, so I stay a lot of time just lying down on deck as inside it is so hot, we have to turn on the many fans available.

When the clouds give a break, the moon is shining so bright in the black sky on its half way to be full when we get to Boston. With this silver light I really enjoy losing myself looking to the sails and the boat itself. It reminds me one night when I was at the steering wheel turning back in time to a story of my childhood. I was at a popular fairy and telling my mom I really wanted this book called "My white horse". I get it :) And every now and then in my life, a real white horse appears and I always go toward him, because then I know and feel I am connected to the world and the path is right. But here, in the middle of the ocean, how could a white horse appear? Running over the water? In a shape of a cloud? Then the tears start running in my face, as I still feel the wheel in my hands, and I look at the shapes of the shining silver boat and felt: "This is it, Oceans of Hope is my white horse now!" It is like an endless white energy, that pushes me forward, that makes everything and every dream possible. I found again faith in myself and welcomed in this family on board. I almost hear this music from Coldplay "Do you believe in magic... of course I do..." Believe it or not, the first restaurant/bar we entered in Bermuda was called... The White Horse. Coincidence again, huh? :)

We are getting so near to Boston. Who will I be after this, beyond every word dreamt inside Oceans of Hope?

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."- Henry D. Thoreau

I know I will have for the eternity this treasure inside my heart of making the Atlantic crossing on board Oceans of Hope with this amazing crew. I feel proud of myself, of this epic achievement. All the negative experiences of my past, of not relying on myself because of roller coaster MS-symptoms, are gone with the sea. They were on my body to teach something about the way I lead my life. With Oceans of Hope I have a new treasure map. How life opening is that? This is what I call changing perceptions of MS, not only raising awareness as I have also being doing for ten years, but changing my own, as a person first, then that also have MS. And having this opportunity to share with family on board, beyond all language barriers. For me, that is all I could wish for in this moment.

Boston, get ready, here we come!