Today was a day to remember for the rest of my life. The Amistad set out on the water for an interfaith sail. It was once again a beautiful day in Lisboa with the sun shining, and nice breeze. But today was not like any other day, it was different in a way that I could not understand. Drew and I were in the small boat. This was different for me, it was my first time and I loved it. The deck was filled with all different types of people from young, to old, blacks, to whites, from Muslims, to Jews, and Christians. The best Amistad crew ever set sail with the jib, staysle, and fore top sail. As we hauled on the halyards and sheets the crew was lent a helping hand from the interfaith teens and we were sailing. Everyone mingled and chatted to one another until I heard the second mate Mike yell, "Hands to furrell the top sail." As Ella, Eve, and Paula made their way up the shrouds Drew said to me "They still need one more person, why don't you give it shot Dustin." Of course I was nervous at first but I felt that I was about time for me to man up and do it now, as professor Williams would say. So I grabbed my harness and made my way up top. It was cool at first until the shrouds began to get smaller, and smaller but I managed to maneuver my way to the first yard. Once I was there it was not so scary anymore. Ella, Eve, Paula, and I began to furrell the sail and before I knew it I was as relaxed as if I was just standing on deck. We finished and I made my way down and realized coming down was harder than coming up. I reached the deck where captain Bill was telling the Amistad story and felt like a new man, like I had just accomplished something, and I did. As the Amistad reached the dock everyone said their goodbyes and it was all over. As I look back on it now it was not so bad; after all you just have to be ready yourself and just do it. So now I am an official aloft candidate and at any time I can be called on and I will be ready. 

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