Student Choice III- Communitas in St Martin

As I posted previously, I visited my uncle in St Martin over this past summer. During our week staying on his sailboat, my father, uncle and I became very close through communitas. However, this communitas was triggered by a very dangerous situation when we were between the islands of St Martin and St Bart. In summary, as a surprise thunderstorm was overtaking us, everything that could have possibly broken on the boat, did, within seconds of each other. These brief minutes were terrifying, especially since I had heard rumors about the French coast guard not rescuing sailors who were in distress at sea. Once we secured the loose, ripping sails, fixed the wind generator that was screeching behind us, and stopped the smoking engine, we limped back to port. This is an example of communitas because everything I did was not for myself, but for the safety of my family and the boat. At one point, when I went down below to retrieve a tool for my uncle, a wave hit the side of the boat and I hit my head against the underside of the cabin. Only after the situation calmed down did I feel the throbbing on the side of my head. My project was focused on the safety of the boat, and no longer on me. Not only did this life- threatening experience bring the three of us closer, but it also taught me that stressful situations can bring individuals together in an indescribable way.