The following is email correspondence between my first chosen crew and myself. Please read all of this to give you an idea of both our characters. You may also see the reasons why we chose each other.
If you feel that you fit with the two of us then please contact me. My responses are in bold italics
On 12/10/11, Jacek wrote:
Hi Julian,
Here are my details as requested:
My name is Jacek Spera. I’m 33. I’m from Poland. I’m currently based in Dublin where I’ve been working as a web developer for the last 2 years. Before that I lived in Manchester for 3 years doing basically the same. I’ve decided to end my employment there end of December. Good timing
I intend to take about a year break from work. Good duration allows time for the crossing, I am in no hurry and it’s a long way with the opportunity of many stops
I’ve got very little sailing experience. It is limited to sailing on lakes in small boats. No problem I know you’re not looking for passengers and neither I would like to be one. Nicely put I am hoping to learn from you. I can’t help but teach although I am using this opportunity and life itself to learn more myself
I keep myself in good shape; I’ve done my deal of manual labor in my life and I don’t shy away from hardship and adversities. I want to be a worthy member of your crew. The main challenge I have is with sleep deprivation, (sometimes this happens during bad weather etc) That’s primarily why I am looking for company
I’ve no medical conditions. I only drink occasionally. I am a smoker however. I plan to quit beginning of the new year and if I’m not off smoking before we meet I’ll embark for the trip without any smokes on me. That should sort it out. Being on my boat for a long period is a great way to overcome addition
My Polish passport allows me entering all those countries without having visas (Panama, Equador, French overseas territories, Thailand). It’s valid until 2016. Thanks for the detail.
I believe I’ve got sufficient funds to cover the required expenses. I would however like to know roughly how much I’m going to spend. I’ve no people dependent on me and therefore like I said I’m interested in doing the full length of the trip.
The extras to the day rate agreed, would be your personal entry immigration/visa to countries visited, I will fund the boats entry (if we choose to stay at a marina, (seldom needed) we will discuss and share the cost, in eleven years I have never chosen a marina, preferring to anchor
I am ready to fly to Panama to meet you there so we can see how we get on. I could be there before 10/1 possibly as early as 4-5/1. In case either of us decide this isn’t a good idea that I join you on your trip I can travel up north to Mexico. I’m sure that can be great too.
I think my English is pretty decent and I don’t expect any communication issues. Your English seems excellent, I like the detail. Please remember communication is extremely important to me, I am dealing with many inquiry’s
My personal reasons for wanting to do that are these: I think it makes sense for me to see and try other ways of life. I am simply curious. And it’s not the whimsical type of curiosity. I want to learn about myself, other people and the world we live in and learn practical skills too. I’ve been always blessed to meet people in my life who’ve made me a better, more complete person. I certainly hope it hasn’t been only me who benefited this way from those encounters. My way of life traveling since I was eighteen
Please let me know whether this is sufficient info or there is something missing. Not at this stage you have covered in very good detail It’d be great if you could also write about your expectations. I’ve read most posts on your website so I think I’ve got a rough idea but you might want to stress certain things nonetheless. I’d like to know whether what number of crew you’re going to have and whether there will be any experienced seamen apart from you.
At this stage I have the door open for two people to join me, I have one ‘in the wings’ right now and you, I get inquiries all the time
MY EXPECTATIONS. I have no great expectations. However I was brought
up with good manners and politeness. Tropicbird is my home and my
efforts have presented her for you to share this opportunity. In
regard to this there is a high regard for respect.
I expect the journey to be testing and at times arduous. Yet at other
times satisfying and always soul enriching.
Thanks for reading this. Please let me know what you think.
Kind regards,
Jacek
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