Many years ago we had an exchange student from Spain for a school year. Miquel was a shy teen who could barely speak English when we picked him up at the airport. As the school year progressed he became fluent in English, made many friends and joined the HS tennis team and Boy Scouts. We enjoyed showing him Florida and learning about Spain. The school year went by very fast. By the time we had to take him to the airport to return to Spain he was part of the family. As the plane lifted off we weren’t sure when or if we would see him again.
With the advent of Facebook we became reconnected. Six years ago he surprised us by sending a message saying that he was in Florida and came via a ship across the Atlantic! I was very surprised and happy. He was on the El Galeon, an authentic replica of a 16th century Spanish merchant ship which was visiting St. Augustine. It was great seeing him again and learning of the adventures of a lifetime he was having traveling the world and about how sailors of yore worked and lived. We also got the chance to see him again 3 years ago when the ship made a port stop in Tampa.
Miguel is now on another authentic replica ship, the Santa Maria, which was one of Christopher Columbus ships: https://www.facebook.com/lanaosantamaria/ . The ship crossed the Atlantic last fall and has been touring Puerto Rico and the United States. It was in St. Augustine for a short visit. This past weekend my son, Steven and I were able to see Miguel. Steven had not seen Miguel on his previous visits so this was the first time for them seeing each other since Miguel was an exchange student. We had a great time touring the ship and visiting with Miguel. The Nao Santa Maria has left St. Augustine and is now on a voyage visiting ports along the east coast of the United States then traveling the St. Lawrence Seaway and visiting the Great Lakes region. We look forward to the ship returning to St. Augustine in the fall.
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