Imagine taking a job on a whim and finding yourself stranded in the middle of the ocean for what feels like an eternity. That's exactly what happened to Giulia Baccosi, whose spontaneous decision on New Year's Eve 2019 spiraled into a six-month maritime adventure.

At a lively party welcoming 2020, Giulia received a message that set everything in motion: a friend informed her of an urgent need for a cook on a cargo ship heading to Central America. Despite having secured a job in Sicily, her heart told her to reconsider; she decided to take a chance on the adventure at sea.

The ship, the Avontuur, a century-old schooner, embarked from Germany amid the anticipation of a three-month journey. Giulia was excited, envisioning her return to Italy, but the universe had other plans.

After 36 days at sea, the crew reached Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where exuberant carnival celebrations greeted them. Giulia and her shipmates joined the festivities, unaware of the impending global crisis.

Soon after departing Tenerife, the crew encountered a distressed fishing vessel filled with exhausted migrants. With no supplies left after days at sea, Giulia and her team instinctively provided aid, leading to a series of unexpected events.

Just when the crew began settling into their routine, disaster struck. An email informed them of a looming worldwide lockdown due to COVID-19. Shores were closing, flights were canceled, and before they knew it, their reality shifted dramatically. Gone were the days of socializing on land, replaced by the isolation of life on the ship amidst a global pandemic.

Giulia struggled with the disconnect from her loved ones, fearing for their safety while trapped at sea. With only limited communication via satellite email, she felt the weight of her decisions as the crew sailed toward uncertain futures.

As the weeks dragged on, Giulia and her fellow sailors adapted to their confined existence, embracing creativity and forging unexpected romances to cope with their isolation. They found solace in the wonders of nature—whales, dolphins, and the beauty of starry nights—while also confronting frightening challenges like dwindling supplies and the threat of hurricanes.

After 188 grueling days at sea, the Avontuur finally docked in Hamburg. The crew was overwhelmed with emotion, a mixture of relief and joy. As they unloaded their cargo, laughter and celebration filled the air, but Giulia felt a profound change in herself.

Five years later, even after the tempestuous journey, Giulia continues to embrace life at sea. Now working aboard a new vessel off the coast of Greenland, she still looks to the sky, seeking signs from the universe that she's on the right path.

Giulia's incredible tale reminds us of the unpredictability of life and the strength of the human spirit amidst chaos. What started as a simple job decision turned into a transformative journey that changed her forever.