Maïalen, France

« I will begin talking about different kind of experiences I lived throught this trip :

An experience of the universality of human aspirations : we were all here with a desire to engage in dialogue and meet one another.

This enabled us to bond quite quickly and realise that we all had so much in common: the desire to be happy, to share with others and to bring peace around us, to discover more about others, to love and be loved, to cherish and respect our surrounding nature and be closer to it. We also shared the same kind of questions and dreams. The consequence of all this was that we built a strong relationship in a short amount of time. The speed at which we got to know each other even surprised us. As a christian, I also experienced very deeply the universality of the Church, by sharing with other new christian friends from different countries and realising that we have similar spiritual experiences of God.

An experience of connection through the boat : Sharing joy of navigation, despite the seasickness, pulling ropes and working together, sleeping here or there without any rules, serving the others by cooking, washing dishies or cleaning the bathroom, contemplating united the wonderful nature, sometime at night during the shifts, learning to make silence and listen to the wind and waves songs, we get closer and closer every day. The boat was also a great way to meet the crew of the AJD association, working alongside them and taking part in the navigation manoeuvres.

An experience of beauty : during the two weeks, we were delighted by the surrounding nature, with the daily rising and setting of the sun and moon, the sky full of stars every night, the vast blue sea, the shape of the Greek islands and their abundance of trees, flowers, fruits and small houses, and the beauty of this old wooden boat, most of the time moving by the strength of the wind alone.

An experience of the benefits of dialogue : To be honest, this kind of experience hasn’t always been so easy. True dialogue means stripping away preconceptions and accepting that our ideas and beliefs about subjects that touch on the heart of our history, education and deep-seated convictions may need to be questioned. And all of that can be a big deal. This stage also presented an opportunity to ask questions and try to truly understand the lives, ideas and choices of people from different countries, religions, and cultures. I was inspired by the exchanges with each of the participants, who reminded me how much we receive from others when we are willing to truly engage with them. Now, every country they came from has a face and a name for me, and that means a lot to me.

What touched me particularly was seeing how everyone left the boat with a change in their heart, whether big or small. This boat has helped everyone to grow in a way What a wonderful gift! This experience has taught me that peace cannot be built on big ideas, propaganda, force or pressure, but rather on prepared hearts. This preparation takes time and requires patience, reflection and humility.

This Med25 adventure marks the beginning of a road for me, I feel it. It revealed to me a part of my French heritage that I felt but was unaware of : Mediterranean roots. I left the boat eager to learn more about my new friends’ countries, their history, language, heritage and beliefs. I have continued to learn ever since. I left the boat determined to work on my English in order to communicate better with others and open myself up more to the outside world, and I have started to do so. I left the boat with a heart full of gratitude for the new friendships I experienced, for the everyday gifts of nature and joy, and for meeting the crew, and want to cultivate this gratitude. I remember the words of Father Marios, whom we met in Athens. He told us that the first step to resolving problems is to observe, listen and feel; to engage a dialogue with what I see; to think about it and then change. This time for observation and reflecton isn’t indifference. On the boat, I observed, listened, felt and thought. I now need to continue thinking, and realise what I want to change and take action.

For me, this should be the very first step to any decision regarding laws or political decisions : look, listen, understand and know, and then decide.

En avant ! »

Maïalen