Cole Tyler

It’s just after midnight and I just got back from walking around town with Isaac. He is a well-educated man who has passion for what he teaches. For two hours he told me of the culture of Mexico and Central America.  He told me about Panama and how it was defined as the cultural area in Mesoamerica where various pre-Columbian societies flourished. The history of the Mayan civilization captured me the most. It was widely considered to be the most sophisticated and beautiful of the ancient New World. The turquoise blue that it is notorious for is also my Mom and Adelaide’s favorite color. While I was unaware of it until Isaac told me, a painting that has been in our home since I was a child was of Mayan decent and the bracelet that I gave Adelaide for our last Christmas together was Mayan art.

As I walked in the sand and listened to Isaac speak of Mesoamerica and Mayan architecture, I was comparing everything he said to Adelaide. He spoke of the powerful distinctions of Mayan art and I thought of Adelaide’s distinct smile. He spoke of how each piece of Mayan art was said to have been spiritual in nature and I thought of the spiritual connection Adelaide and I have. He told me how Mayan art is very ritualistic and I almost burst into laughter as I remembered our ritual of having to kiss before every football game in high school under the bleachers (I know, I’m a loser).

The most impressive thing of all that Isaac told me regarding the Mayan art was that the Mayan’s did not have any tools or pottery wheels to create their art but they still managed to create highly detailed and beautiful pieces. And while most of the art depicted gods, rulers, heroes, religion, and daily life their main focus of art was that of human figures.

When I asked him what happened to the artworks he told me that most of it didn’t survive, but that some pottery and ceramics had made it through serendipitously.

…and Serendipity is Adelaide’s favorite movie. 

I think this trip and coming face-to-face with other people and cultures has made me take a long, hard look at my own life, the special people in it, and evaluate my own reality, my “normal.”  

Heading to Columbia…

Cole

Back at the kiosk after wandering the streets all afternoon and I feel it’s time for me to admit something; I miss Adelaide.

I really do. I miss her smile, her laugh, the way she looks at me when she’s annoyed, everything. And I’m not homesick or wishing I made a different choice…I just miss her.

When we were in college it was hard to stay together and the distance ultimately became a factor, but when things would get tough I always remember thinking back to our first date.

Now I must preface this with the open-ended statement that I accept my dorkiness, but our first date was at our high school football field.

I was 14, Adelaide 13 ½. We were both freshman in high school and we walked from the edge of our little town to our high school (about 1.5 miles). On the way, I took her to Scoops for ice cream where she got the vanilla/chocolate swirl on a sugar cone and I purchased straight-up vanilla on a wafer cone. After walking and eating I told her that I wanted to take her somewhere special.

Special to Adelaide likely meant something more than the high school football field, but at the time it was the most special place in the world to me as I was starting on varsity. So to the 50 yard line we went.

After jumping the fence the two of us went hand in hand down the middle of the field. I wore my lettermen’s jacket and she wore her cheerleading jacket.  We were both nervous. As we walked we didn’t say one word as the moonlight guided us. At mid-field we stopped and faced each other as the one flickering streetlamp provided two long illuminated shadows down the white-lined field.

As I stood there nervously I distinctly remember running my hand through my hair, it getting stuck as I had way too much LA Looks in, and grasping both of Adelaide’s hands before speaking to her. “I, I uh…had a really good time tonight.”

Adelaide looked up at me first, her hair pulled back tightly in a ponytail, before she shyly looked away and said, “Me too.”

It was then when I made my move and pulled her in a little closer, cupped my hands around her cheeks, and as time stood still our long illuminated shadows leaned in for what would be our first kiss.

And the spot that supposedly meant the world to me ended up proving to be much more than the 50 yard line of a high school football field. It was where my heart met its partner, its potential soul mate, its best friend.

And that memory, that moment, has remained stamped in my heart and I only hope that while I sit in an internet Kiosk in Panama that kiss on the 50 and everything those few seconds embodied is somewhere near Adelaide thoughts.

I never thought it would be this hard, but like someone, somewhere said, you never know what you have until it’s gone.

I hope she’s not gone.

Cole

p.s. Here’s a picture of her as some of the comments have asked what she looks like.

Adelaide

Sitting in a kiosk where I just hung with one of the boys who’s sailing with us, Nate. He noticed me checking out www.coletyler.com and offered his help. He obviously knows what he is doing with computers and actually made me feel like an idiot for not utilizing the options available with my blog.  He offered to help me out which should make my posts more appealing and readable, thus attracting more visitors. I’m not sure if the changes he suggested will bring more people to the site, but we shall see. 

It doesn’t look too difficult, and you should know by now that I am always up for a challenge.

More later,

Cole

What an amazing city. Not that I expected ruins, but I never expected glitz and glamour like it is. We dropped off the boat at the docks and Captain Carbajal told me to take the next two days for myself and to go explore as the real voyage would begin early next week. You see, from here we are entering South America with Columbia being our first stop. We have to transport one more boat before meeting up with a crew that Carbajal knows. I believe that they transport goods from region to region and their next trip will begin in Columbia and end in Argentina, thus rounding Cape Horn.

Isaac and his father have been cordial to each other throughout this trip. I cannot say that they’ve had a conversation with any depth, but they are going to be on a boat for the next two months or so together, so baby steps are alright.

Also, thanks for the comment Connor. Miss you guys!

Am off to explore.

Cole

Wind picking up as we are a few days out from Panama and I can’t wait to get there. The two kids are on my last nerve as they got on this boat thinking that they would be like the pirates or seaman they’ve watched in the movies. They didn’t realize that it is hard work every day to sail and that it requires focus.

I woke up early this morning thinking about the boys from home and thought I would offer up a summary of sorts.

Basically, Connor, Jackson, Brady and I have experienced everything together. Jubilation, heartache, teamwork, and youthful curiosity, we have been side-by-side through it all. At eleven, it was our first beer.  Two Budweiser cans and the four of us together in the attic of my garage while looking at a Playboy that Brady stole from the local lumber yard. We had just finished playing the Wiffle Ball League Championship Series that was won by the Mariners (Brady and I) over the Yankees (Connor and Jackson) in game seven. You might say it was just kids being kids, but in our minds, we, like the real 1989 World Series Champion Oakland A’s, earned those two horrible tasting Bud’s.

            From there it was the first older kids party Brady and I attended in 5^th grade. We wore khaki shorts, button down short sleeve shirts, docksider’s with no socks and the laces curled up. A memorable evening as I received my first French kiss from Karey Suprick, a 6^th grader, with “When I Look into Your Eyes” by Firehouse playing in the background.

            At twelve, it was our first drive around the block as I borrowed my Dad’s Toyota and jammed out to 2-Pac while he was at work.

            Who could forget 13 and our first time meeting Blackberry Brandy and Canadian Whisky at Brady’s? Shot after shot we experimented by not only acting like a bunch of loud fools, but also perfecting the art of upchucking.

Home boys

            Through it all, Brady, Jackson, Connor and I obviously thought we were cooler than reality projected, but we had a childhood that many children across the world have experienced and we developed friendships and created lasting memories.

And now I’m on my way across the world searching for Cape Horn and the cultures and friendships in between.

About 2 days out from Panama.

Cole

Going down memory lane has definitely made me think more about Adelaide…and I still haven’t heard from her.

Anyway, you’ve met Connor and Jackson, two classic dudes. Brady, the last of the guys I grew up with, is a beauty. My first friend in life and typically my teammate when we play 2-on-2 against Connor and Jackson, Brady is the natural athlete whose Dad and grandfather played for the Yankees. His grandfather’s claim to fame in our towns’ history book was that he caught Babe Ruth’s last game that he ever pitched in. I’m not sure if that was the last game he pitched in during Little League, high school, the minor leagues, or the Yanks, since Brady is the consummate storyteller and relative fibber.

Anyway, all the ladies say Brady is “tall, dark and handsome” and is the guy who could get any gal he wants. He’s funny but has a temper and an edge to him.  As kids, he’d be a Ferris Bueller/Zach Morris combination one day, and the next he was borderline Pony Boy from The Outsiders (that’s why we briefly nicknamed him, Brady-boy). The typical jock, Brady is a very fierce competitor. Throughout his entire life he’s taken chances and thrived by living on the edge. His older brother, Reed, would beat on all of us and was the superstar athlete in town. He could dunk, had a nasty jumper, and was the one we all admired growing up. Reed was an icon to the four of us. We thought he was destined for NBA stardom with the 76ers, but we knew he would likely end up with the Bucks because he was a sure lottery pick.

Brady’s older sister Heather doubled as the first love of my life and my babysitter. Every other Thursday night she would sit in the red chair in our kitchen doing her Algebra and wearing that short plaid skirt.  Life couldn’t have gotten any better for an eight-year old—except for the fact that I had to face her while wearing my one piece PJ’s. To make matters worse, I was going through the stage where my hair style went from the infamous bowl cut to the ever so trendy semi-buzz.

Sorry, I’m getting on a tangent of sorts as my mind went back to the fourth grade for a minute.  This boat is sitting on the Pacific relatively dormant and there is no wind in sight.

Brady is now a high school basketball coach in our hometown where he is a rockstar. Actually, my little brother Andy is a manager on his team so he keeps me updated on their record and how many technical fouls Brady gets. And how could I forget… Brady is engaged to Adelaide’s best friend Sidney. But for whatever reason, I don’t think he’s gonna pull the trigger and go through with it.

And if you or any of the boys are reading this, how about a comment?!

Bored on the boat,

Cole

Another day on the ocean as the winds are down and the sail is barely trimming as we coast along the Pacific.

So you got introduced to Connor last night and today it’s Jackson’s turn.

He is by far the intelligent one of our group. In all accounts a future Congressman with a determined small town work ethic. He received straight A’s without trying, great SAT scores without studying, and was loved by all teachers. Add to that a great athlete who could shoot, dribble, and defend. Jackson was a combination of Bill Bradley, ‘Pistol’ Pete Marovitch, and good ol’ Albert Einstein. Yet with that came a price. He would sunburn easily, had no dance skills, and had to face constant heckling from Brady because he had red hair and freckles. He was also a funny one, but it was a humor that reminds you of your tongue after trying to eat seven saltine crackers in one minute – pretty dry.

Jackson is also the lover of the group. In sixth grade we would ask him to tell us stories about his ladies. Not because none of us could get a date, but because he was stealing Brady’s Diamondback Sorrento to go make out and round second base with Elena Roberts while we were stealing our Dad’s cologne and pretending to shave while dreaming about rounding second base with Jackson’ girlfriend.

Easily able to bust my chops, Jackson left home to play hoops in college, but got hurt and came home where he’s now the local accountant where he makes bank. Luckily he does my taxes for free. Which reminds me, do I still have to pay taxes this year?

Anyway, he’s still the lover of the group and goes on more dates than I thought possible…and he’s really not a scumbag about it either, as he is falling in love left and right. Always good for a story or two, I plan on his e-mails carrying me through some of the tough times ahead at sea.

Wind picking up as we just started trimming the sails a bit.

Cheers,

Cole

Just got a comment from Connor and I realized that I never told any of you who he, or my other two best friends are. So each night this week I’ll give you a look at the guys who shaped my life, who still bust my balls, and are there for me at a moments notice.

First and foremost, Connor is my best friend who I’ve known forever. He’s a jokester but also someone who knows how to work computers (and blogs). He is the guy who basically called me out on if I was going to take this trip or not. In a sentence, he was sick of hearing me talk about it so he told me to either get on a boat or shut the ___ up.

Thus, here I am sitting on a boat swaying on the Pacific in the middle of the night while he is reading www.ColeTyler.com and critiquing the length of my blog entries.

Anyway, out of the three of us, Connor is the perfect one who could not hurt a fly but still played jokes that scared the daylights out of Jackson, Brady and myself. Athletic, big boned, and a competitor, Connor only knows one way to succeed in life – to compete and outwork his opponent. He, like all of us, has another side to him as he’s jovial, charming, and a complete ass kisser. From parents to teachers, Connor would kiss their ass, but as sick as it makes me feel typing this – Connor actually means everything he says. He really does care how Jackson’s aunt Lori is doing in nursing school, always asks how Brady’s uncle Joe is doing in Jersey (whom Connor met one time), and he really cares  how my Dad is doing in regards to stocking up on firewood for the winter.

He is also a self—proclaimed jokester. Sometimes funny, sometimes lame, but always entertaining. Which is probably why he’s such a successful bartender at McGrath’s even though he hates it. I think he has 2 more semesters at the local community college before he finishes his degree and if he could he would move out of his parents’ house tomorrow as he and his step-dad aren’t best of friends. But for now, he’s got the entire basement to himself where he lives with his computer, HD TV, and endless supply of Notre Dame gear.

I’m off to bed as I’ve got cleaning duties in the morning on deck.

Cole

Just got on board and you’ll never believe who is a part of the crew…the two teenagers from last night.  I don’t know anything other than one is the son of a finance guy and the other a doctor’s kid.

Should be interesting. We plan on being in Panama within a week.

Cole

Last day in Acapulco and we are about to change boats. An interesting process this boat delivery system is as we are paid to deliver a boat from point A to point B.  This next leg is from here to Panama. We are sailing a 45 footer so that is cool to be on a larger sailboat and since I’ve never been to Panama this should be interesting. From what I’ve heard Panama is a fast growing country and one that has two sides to it. One impoverished and one rapidly growing with wealth as the beachfront property is aiding their economy.

Gonna go for a walk on the beach once more before we take off.

Cole