Noah Barnes

Shortly after I started dating my today's husband Jim Freeman, he invited me for a dinner, adding: "I have a friend who's visiting from US, you'll like him." I imagined an architect in mid fifties, gold-rimmed glasses, pin-striped shirt and slacks. When I came to Jim's flat, he said: "We just got back from the airport, he's in the shower."

A few minutes later, a cute 21-year-old walked out wearing just a towel around his waist and a big smile. I remember thinking: "If all Jim's friends are this cool, I better stick around." What Jim just forgot to mention that Noah was already re-visiting Prague, after having lived there in early 90's. He was an ex-ex-patriot.

Sitting in a tram, I noticed Noah was flipping cards with strange pictures, obviously memorizing the images. When I asked about them, he simply said: "I'm learning port signals, I'll be a sea captain." I was stunned - meeting a soon-to-be captain in landlocked country is very unlikely, to say the least. From then on, things didn't surprise me.

It didn't surprise me when we received a copy of his Merchant Captain licence as few months later, but it made us super proud. It didn't surprise me, when I realized he's a professional musician, plays just about any instrument he picks up and sings like an angel. It didn't surprise me, when he quit all this and earned a degree in anthropology, spent time learning Chinese and danced tango in the evenings. During our trip to London in 1998, Noah took me to Hyde Park to see the statue of Peter Pan. I found it symbolic - if there is a boy who will never grow up, it's certainly Captain Noah.

Noah is now back in Maine, sailing Stephen Taber, the oldest still-at-sea schooner in America. I love the Maine coast and I'd love to take one of Noah's cruises. Stephen Taber was built in 1871 and it's a truly beautiful ship, but it also has a Captain who can ensure the trip will be fun. One of these days, I'll go with him on a sea voyage, but for now, I'm still his "fourth landlocked sister". Check out Stephen Taber's website and don't miss a chance for the holiday of my dreams.