November 13
The day we were leaving the AirBnb (Saturday), it poured all night and day. We tried to wait for a lapse between two clouds - Mother Nature had decided that this would not be the case. So we packed everything in big black garbage bags, filled our buggy, put our Tilley hats on and faced the music.
However, when we got to the end of our lane, the cross street looked like a river - no kidding! Dirty brown water rushed in front of us. There was no way I was going to scurry through this mess. We turned around expecting to call a cab. When we arrived back at the AirBnb, the owner (Dick) was so generous - or he silently pitied us LOL! - to offer us a lift to the marina. We, and our bags, were so wet by that time, he didn't have to offer and get his car wet and steamy. <span;>What a wonderful man! Oh by the way, Dick told us that November is usually the month with the most rain falls. Huh! We'll keep that nugget of information in a little drawer of our brain for next year!
As the days pass by we've been cleaning and organizing the inside of Komeekha to make it liveable and enjoyable again. We're not working very fast and efficiently as it is about 30 degrees in the boat. So, like everyone else in the tropics, we're moving slowly and do not hesitate to stop and be social.
Talking about being social, we've reconnect with a few friends and already made new ones: Jim on catamaran Southern Cross and Rachel/Susan on sailboat Aspen. Jim (Chicago) is getting two crew members this afternoon for a sail to Florida in less than 30 days. Rachel and Susan (from Penetang/Midland) just bought their sailboat here. Like us, they don't have an itinerary this season. So we'll probably see them a few times. We like to meet everyone for Happy Hour at the marina bar: beers $2, rum and gin/tonic 1/2 price. Against the heat and the aches/pains, this part of sailing life is a balm.
At dinner last night, Joe gave us a gift from his wife Cathy. (Cathy stayed home as Joe is also planning to sail to Florida to sell Lady Seagull. She'll join him in January.) One of Cathy's hobby is to make carpets and stuff with a hook and wool strings (hooking?). She made a little mat for the table with our logo. See blog picture. It's so beautiful, faultless. Thank you so much, Cathy.
We took the bus to St. George this morning for our first major grocery shopping. I was afraid to see the receipt as food is expensive on the islands, especially if you expect to eat the same diet as in Canada; ie lots of vegetables and fruits, a variety of cuts of meats, variety of cheeses. First of all, most grocery stores don't have a "variety of" anything fresh. Sweet peppers are $2 each, cauliflowers $7, apples $1 each, no celery/broccoli/bok choy/green onions, very few cuts of beef, a lot of chicken (that one has a lot of variety: feet, giblets, necks, backs, thighs, wings - no breast (??!?!); every part is sold separately). Lentils and potatoes are cheap. So we're slowly learning to cook meals that don't cost a fortune. This week, we learned about Callaloo from Joe on sailboat Lady Seagull. This plant is kind of a cross between kale and collard greens. People sautee it with onions, garlic, hot peppers, tomatoes, etc. I cooked it twice so far. It's tasty and tender. I think I'll put it in stews too. We love it. I bought 3 bags today ($1.20 each). Frank will learn to love lentils. LOL! Oh! I saw fresh turmeric. This is so cool! I have to find recipes for it. I love food!
We took a taxi on our way back because of all the heavy bags. The taxi driver also offers island tours. Swimming under waterfalls, visiting a chocolate farm, a rhum factory, lunch in a local dive. We're interested and ask if others would like to join us. Rachel and Susan showed some interest. Joe did it last year with his wife Cathy and some friends. It'd be fun! We'll keep you posted.
I'm reading a lot. In the cockpit, with the wind passing through, it's cool-ish and comfortable. I read 2 books so far. Even though I gave him a novel, Frank is currently reading "Heavy Weather Sailing". I don't know where he thinks he's going but I will avoid this situation if I can. LOL!
