Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Wednesday, September 29, 2010

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Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
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I am me again.


Yesterday I stood at the edge of a volcano - I really mean it literally. It was great to stand there all alone with a view over the island of Gran Canary and the mountain tops of Tenerife in the distance. It was not only the view that excited me - at that very moment I realized that I was feeling entirely myself again. It took some time after my departure from the Netherlands. Over there I was confronted with so many things: boards, journalists, hearings in Court and at the same time I was busy night and day with the preparations for my journey... And then I found myself sailing out of Gibraltar completely on my own. At first, I had to get used to it and I even felt lonely, a feeling I had never had before. It felt like being suddenly teleported out from inside a big group of antagonistic people directly into a dark forest. Luckily, this feeling soon faded away and now I am feeling great. I am in a very quiet and remote harbour where - only on the weekends - there is a bit more activity but still this harbour is well protected... In the evenings I enjoy the soft rocking of the waves, the silent caress from the wind and the stars shining much brighter here than back in the Netherlands. Anytime I want to I can get in touch with my family and my friends in just one minute. Actually I am never bored in my solitude since there is always something to do like reading, photographing, swimming or the 'necessary evils' of schoolwork, and then cooking or cleaning the boat... But then even this is not so bad anymore. That is because I make my own decisions on everything now. There is no longer "it must be done now" linked to everything and that makes a big difference. I am free to be totally me and that feels just great.

Saludos! Laura