One of the greatest pleasures we’ve had cruising is one that we didn’t think of before we started: local events.
Why Cruise? Really?!
We more or less thought about things like provisioning, having to work on the boat, planning passages and then making them, even things like hiking, swimming and snorkeling. Without really thinking about it, we figured that we’d glimpse local culture mostly through everyday things such as going to the grocery or perhaps eating out.
What we discovered is that there are always a bunch of local events going on. And they’re a great way to meet people, have fun and usually learn a bit about the local culture . . . yes, even when we’ve been in the US (our home country).
Cruising isn’t only about moving the boat and enjoying nature. It’s also about slowing down and making time to take part in the local community and what it offers.
Finding Local Events While Cruising
Longtime reader and cruiser Patty suggested the following to find local events while you’re cruising:
1. Approach strangers with a smile, a handshake and a hello.
2. Tell them how much you love their area.
3. Ask them “What’s beautiful that the tourists don’t usually see?”
Sounds like great advice to me.
Our Favorite Local Events
One of the first local events that we attended was charro, a Mexican rodeo. One of the local businessmen announced it on the cruisers net. Surprisingly, we were the only cruisers who attended. It was a huge local celebration and we had a ball!
In La Paz, we went to the Carnival parades, timed for sunset:
Off-road racing is the sport in Baja . . . and two sons of the marina/boatyard we used in LaPaz just happened to race (no pictures of their trucks, sorry). We hitched rides to several of the races. Other cruisers warned us it would be a long, hot, dusty day. Yes, it was — but I’ll never have an experience like that again!
Back on the mainland side of Mexico, we suddenly found ourselves in the middle of a boat parade. I think it was part of the blessing of the fleet.
In El Salvador, local invited cruisers to the Mother’s Day celebration at the local school:
Last summer, in the Bahamas, we were at Hatchet Bay for their mini-homecoming. Dave got roped into the dance contest . . . and won!
Dave and I both raced sailboats for years before cruising so we were excited to go to two Bahamian regattas. When the local organizers discovered that we were former racers, they set the weather mark right off our bow . . . and we got to see all the action very close up!
The oldest skipper in the fleet and winner of the distance race. Love his attitude!
This past week, the Wings of Freedom tour came to the Marathon airport: four restored, flying airplanes from WWII: a B-17 (pictured at the top of this article), a B-24, B-25 and P-51. And not just to look at from a distance. We could walk through all but the P-51 . . . and all offered rides (for a price). Where else can you crawl all through a legendary plane right up to the time it’s going to take off?
The highlight of the day, though, was meeting Bob (last name unknown). Now 98 years old, he was an RAF pilot in WWII, flying the British equivalent of the B-24 Liberator. Thirty-five successful missions over Germany.
Cruising – More Than Just Moving the Boat
It’s easy to get so wrapped up in boat projects and “getting ready to go to the next place” that we don’t make time for the things that are going on right under our noses. Had Dave not been a plane buff, I probably wouldn’t have gone to Wings of Freedom. And I would have missed something really special.
It reminded me that cruising isn’t only about moving the boat and enjoying nature. It’s also about slowing down and making time to take part in the local community and what it offers.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
The Boat Galley says
Absolutely! I’m 5’3″ (on a good day) and I was too tall for several places.
Carolyn Shearlock says
How neat!