Legiana Collective

I can’t say I know Legina Collective.  I met a few of them on my last day on the Brigantine, TRES HOMBRES, but they were busy playing.  I believe one or more of the band had sailed on the ship before. 

Two nights before we finished our five plus month sail around the North Atlantic with a cargo full of rum, coffee and cacao.  We’d survived a gale, ran into a bridge, thick Dominican red tape, seasickness and a few of the other natural dramas that appear when folks are stuck together on a ship.  

The people I would be saying goodbye to, were people I’d known only months were now some of the people I felt closest too in the world.  This can't help but be a little heartbreaking. 

We had unloaded our cargo and finished the handover to the new crew that would take her from the summer.  As the sun dipped down we stepped back to the table full of beer and food and watched them take in the new trainees  and get them as ready as they could to sail the next day.  Suddenly we felt a bit like guests.  This was beautiful and melancholic to me.  

Several musicians showed up.  Many cases of instruments were opened on the deck and they set up on the cargo hold hatch.  This was Legiana Collective.  They began to play in at least half a dozen languages.  The half dozen of us remaining from the winter sail sat bundled up on the gunnel, still a bit chilly in spring and smiled and laughed at the energy they brought.  It didn't feel like we had any left and it was nice to feel a little bit pouring back in.  Instagram: @legiana_collective