Leonie, Lebanon

“I don't know where to start from. The beginning of this adventure that felt like a
dream, or the end of it and all the memories it brought; a new me, a new life. At
first, everything felt so magical, A random person telling ne abort the project, applying to
it and getting accepted, then applying for the first time for visas and getting them
perfectly on time.
Everything was perfect! My adventure started with 3 planes to arrive to Palermo then
meeting the first person from the group. A total stranger that had my luggage, and we
were running down the streets in the rain to catch the bus.
Funny right? But we didn't feel like he was a stranger. When we arrived at our
destination to meet the others, they were having dinner, and as if we always knew each
other, we sat at the table and started eating all together and passing the food to each
other without even knowing each other's names, it didn't even feel weird. They were
family from the start! And with this family, we wandered in Palermo, the city, before
starting the serious part, the real sailing adventure, the first day on the boat was not
easy for almost everyone. But this united us. Sea sickness end, a bucket and a
medication made us closer, for we were us, weak humans trying to help each
other despite our own sickness.

Day after day, sickness left us, but we gained trust and friendships. Living together,
doing daily tasks as groups to take care of us, doing our team times where we
learned about the different cultures and countries on the boat created a deep
connection between us. In the morning "Did you sleep well", during the day" are
you feeling okay?", at right do you need a jacket". Everyone caring for everyone
without any exception; what surprised me is this. The family love we had in just a
few days as if we knew each other for decades. Are we really like this in our
normal lives? I don't know, but what I Know is that everyone made the effort to
meet this adventures purposes and goals. Peace. And peace was among us,
Among 33 people we have a 38m boat.
Among people from different countries around the med sea. Hoping Peace will be
among the countries themselves. Yes, we discovered that we had a lot of differences,
but we found 0 reason not to be united… 0 reason to not respect each other's. We are
all humans, with differences that made united were stronger.
When we arrived at Bizerte, we had a strong bond with the crew as well. We couldn't
walk separately. We were always looking for the person who was missing. We couldn't
enjoy things without everyone's company and the presence of all the group. And here
we already knew the preference of each person and tried to do things, tours and

activities, that everyone would enjoy. And our discussions and team times got deeper
and deeper. Here started the sadness. Sadness because we started the countdown.
Few days left and everyone will go back to the different sides of the Med Sea, each
person will go back to their home. But here it is home! Bel Espoir is our home! And I
remember the first day arriving to Bizerte we were discovering the Streets, and I was
tired; and I wanted to go back home. I wanted to go back to the boat, the beautiful Hope, I
missed it. The bench, my small bed, the deck, just the boat. I never asked for the date
and time, I was living free from everything, every harsh thought. But I did in the last
days because I wanted to cherish every moment, every minute left with my family on the
boat.
And here i am, in Lebanon writing this letter after 5 days of coming back. Physically
here, mentally in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea with my friends on the sailing
boat. After all I lived in this adventure, I am not the same. I remembered what life
should be, what humans are naturally outside all the businesses. politics, fake
news and routines. I will never forget this life I lived, this family we built, this
home we had.
Because as I first said, it was and still is the most perfect thing I've ever lived.
Truly me, Léonie.