One of my oldest dreams was to see the Southern Cross, a constellation visible only in the Southern Hemisphere. For years, it remained just a thought, something I might experience “one day.” There were moments when I considered traveling to Australia or New Zealand, but I never took serious steps to make it happen.
Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by the night sky. I would gaze at the stars, learning constellations and identifying galaxies. Though I never owned a telescope or even binoculars, my imagination took me on journeys through space. I dreamed of discovering new celestial bodies, exploring the unknown. Studying the night sky was more than just a hobby—it was my window to a world beyond reach, yet always present.
Time passed, and my dreams remained in the background, overshadowed by daily responsibilities. Yet they never truly faded.
Then, life took an unexpected turn. While working in IT, I met her—a colleague who, as it turned out, was not just passionate about sailing but also a captain. She would often share stories of her adventures at sea, and although I had never considered sailing myself, I was captivated by her experiences. My connection with the ocean was minimal—just a few casual outings, including a brief participation in a sailing race where I was little more than extra weight on the boat. I could barely swim, managing only a few meters with a basic dog paddle. The thought of crossing the ocean seemed completely out of reach.
She frequently invited me on sailing trips, but I always found reasons to say no. Then, half-joking, I said, “I’ll sail with you if you ever cross the equator. That’s my dream!” It felt like an impossible challenge—something I could safely say, knowing it would never happen. She smiled, and the conversation moved on. Life continued, and we lost touch.
Years later, I heard from her again. This time, the news was astonishing: she and her husband had built their own sailboat, and set off on a journey around the world. But this wasn’t a race against time—it was a voyage of freedom, of embracing the unknown, and of living life without unnecessary rush.
And suddenly, I realized—my dream of seeing the Southern Cross and crossing the equator was no longer just a fantasy. It was closer than ever.