Race 9 - Day 3
Crew Diary - About Friendship
12 March

‘’Having a friend is owning a treasure’’ this is something that we say in my country, Spain.

The fact is that, although it wouldn't have to be this way, our capability of making new friends, in general, goes down as we grow up. I met the absolute majority of my friends in the first half of my life before my 25 years. It’s difficult to explain why as one gets older one loses the capability of starting new friendships: lack of time? Work, family, social commitments, more square mind? Less capability of being surprised by someone? Laziness? Lack of chances to meet people out of your usual environment...?

I would like to share with you another of the good things of taking part in this adventure called Clipper Race: The race gives you the chance not only to be out of your usual area of comfort but also to open your mind in order to meet new people even if you aren't willing to do so, it’s something that will happen: this is a very narrow space to be on your own! And potentially starting new friendships. The amount of time that you spend with your fellow crew members and the fact of being completely out of your usual role makes it easier. And yes, that has been my experience here. I'm not suggesting that all the people that you meet here will become friends forever but if I take into account the number of new fiends made here vs the made in the last 20 years, I can affirm that the ratio is really high and that this is another good reason to be here as ‘’ making a new friend, is owning a new treasure’’.

Love to all from the China Sea.

Tono Pena