Viaje

Rhona Canoy

 SO… Travelling on a ferryboat (which is what our Philippine ships are) is a philosophical experience. Though most people take it so much for granted, it’s actually quite wondrous.

Think about it. A whole population riding on this one vessel, all headed in the same direction. Kind of like us on this planet, or even deeper, in this life. Everyone knows where we all are going even if we don’t know each other’s purpose, nor each final destination.

Different life stories converge in conversations between strangers. It’s amazing what people will reveal about themselves to someone they’ve never met, finding camaraderie in the shared voyage. Opposing views create lively discussions rather than emotional headbutting and ugly namecalling. Curiosity overtakes shyness and information is shared, passed from one to another.

Parents let their tiny children talk to strangers who, in turn are equally mindful and attentive to the younglings. Strangers generously agree to watch someone’s belongings while they take a bathroom break.

Everyone finds it in themselves to be more considerate. Someone will help you move your luggage out of the way. Or let you cut in a line. It’s easier to shush people when they talk too loud and everybody else is asleep. Saying sorry is more commonplace.

Life is simpler on the boat. There is no cell signal, ergo no WiFi. There’s nowhere else to go unless one chooses to jump off. So everyone is mindful of each other.

Don’t get me wrong. There are unpleasant people on the boat as well. The drunks, the bullies, the thieves. But there seems to be a strong collective attitude to keep the peace, to maintain harmony.

That is, until the boat gets back to shore. Then it becomes each man for himself. The mad rush to get off, as if the few minutes matter and the first one on land wins the lottery of life.

So what is it about being adrift in the middle of the sea that brings out the best in people? Is it because we need to get along in order to survive? Is it because we’re trapped on the vessel? Is it because the option to exit is too extreme?

And what is it about getting to shore that brings out our worst? Is it knowing that we may never see these people again? Is it because our survival is no longer tied up with theirs?

We live on this ferryboat called earth. We have nowhere else to go, adrift in the sea called the universe. With no port in sight. I guess if we see it in this context, we just might be nicer to each other. We just might be willing to live in harmony in spite of all our differences and disagreements. Because our survival is linked to each other’s.

If we start thinking this way, we might just make it to the finish line. And win the lotto too!