ARC stands for Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. It's an annual transatlantic sailing event organized by the World Cruising Club, that starts in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and ends in Saint Lucia. The rally attracts a diverse fleet of over 200 participants. It's a fantastic adventure that combines the thrill of sailing with the camaraderie of a shared journey across the Atlantic.
Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, part of the Canary Islands, serves as a departure point for ships embarking on their journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean. This voyage is marked by a tapestry of significant, small, and personal occurrences.
As I stand on the docks, I am immediately drawn to the messages left behind by sailors teetering on the precipice of transformation. These seafarers, poised to embrace drastic changes in their futures, have etched their artistic expressions onto the rugged rocks of Las Palmas harbor. Each mark invites contemplation — a glimpse into the hearts of those who once stood here.
Some arrived prepared, their messages etched with precision and care, a deliberate act of leaving their imprint. Others, caught in the heat of the moment, scrawled their thoughts hastily, perhaps fueled by adrenaline or longing.
And so, these messages endure, weathering the elements — sunshine, heat, salt and the ocean. They bear witness to the passage of time, etching their own stories into the very fabric of this place.
Let us embark on a journey — a temporal voyage — from inception to the present. As we observe the evolution of these messages, we find some nearly indistinguishable, their edges softened by the relentless forces of nature. Yet, they persist, silent witnesses to the ebb and flow of human existence in this harbor of memories.
