I read an article about the recent influx of pirate activity. CNN sited five different incidents of vessels from different countries being seized by pirates. For one Chinese ship noted, the government payed a whopping $2 million ransom for the release of the crew and boat.
This might be a terrible tragedy to most (let me apologize now for my light-hearted nature) but I found it utterly fascinating. The romanticized savages of the sea are still stealing ye booty!
Although criminal in nature, I love the idea of pirates and everything about them. They travel the ocean freely on a ship with a band of brothers, er, siblings (p.c.). An undetermined destination awaits. Their territory can bare no lines yet they protect it furiously. Clothes are tattered from manning the ship and possibly the occasional sword fight. No bills to pay or alarms to set. Your bank balance and 401-k are below deck in wooden chest. In my mind, it is mandatory for at least one crew member aboard to have a patched eye. The pillaging is a Darwinian right. The woman are always beautiful and the men are undoubtedly brawn. My commercialized images are probably far from reality - unless you live in Disney World.
The real wondrous aspect of it all is despite the Internet, globalization and scientific technology, some in this world live within a far different reality. If my ship ever got seized by pirates, I'd let 'em take it - as long as I could join them, say 'ARG' relentlessly and drink stolen whiskey from a jug.
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I read an article about a bunch of pirates that got shot by a boat they were trying to sieze, I also found that very interesting.
Modern-day pirates attack the crew in the film "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou." The pirates are far from romantic in that, probably a bit closer to reality.
However, I did meet a fellow out in LA (of course!) who belongs to a quasi-Band of Pirates; they meet every so often in the Pacific Ocean and recreate the romantic version of Piracy you describe. I think you might enjoy that voyage; even just being on the ocean for the weekend would be great!
Arg!
(NOTE: I've re-posted twice now due to -- ARG! -- typos. Oy vay.)
This is quite interesting I must say. I am not as into pirates as you but I do find them fascinating to read and learn about.
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