It's been 6 months aboard Rhythm.
Saturday morning was the first time we checked in to ," The Cruisers morning check in,announcements on the VHF Channel 68. They were inviting us all to join the Grenada island Hash!!
What is a ,or,The "Hash"? Ok,I just went to Wikipedia ,go see. It originated in Malasia by Brits,of course. They called it ,'A drinking Club with a running problem' Officially,The Hash House Harriers.
We heard on the VHF about this event with suggestions to all participants; don't bring electronics,they will get wet,the train will be challenging although all ages are welcome,being in shape will help as there are hills difficult even for dogs,bring a light as it may get dark by the time you make it to the end.Unlike our,10K runs and the like,no distance is foreclosed or purpose...
David declared ,we are going!Instructions included directions to at least the start. We meet in town via bus by 2:30 pm and gather and grab buses to go further into the interior.
A place we have been pragmatically and studiously trying to get into,pricing buses taxis rent a car options...We are here for further work on Rhythm and to do some voracious and intense school work. Yay Jay! So the tour to hike and see and feel this island beyond the anchored home and beyond the wifi of the marina,had been waiting.
We waited no more. We got the bus,hot hot hot,reminding me of India,music a stream of consciousness one tune morphing into the next.I'm not able to stop the in seat jive in the back of the bus...We arrive at a cafe in the town of St George and Carribean style,wait a. while...weather,and see a majority of University of St Georgemedical and veterinary students gather along with a few cruisers and as many locals. What a mix! we started feeling a little comically wary as we asked questions about this 'event'- getting smirks and noting winks of inside jokes...uh-oh...what are we in for?? I noted t shirts from past Hash events and realized ,we'd really missed out on something internationally known!! How did that happen to us Canadians?
We made friends with a cruising Mum and her two kids,very same ages as J and O. We caught the University bus,really feeling like students when the English prof in charge barked out the Waiver excluding the school from any responsibility and took to the narrow windy steep road up up up into the views ,passing graveyards of the fortunate bodies,rich in real-estate .
We went up to The Grand Etang jungle at 1,921 ft and on .We finally arrived in a non descript area,houses on both sides of the road,modest,with neighbors keen and curious.They had seen this before.
The start,can you imagine about 150 people and many dogs,one whie cat on a shoulder,all scrambling down behind a very very small hut like house,first stepping on the womans front stoop,to say,hello as she waved from her seat on the floor!?!! She pointed at a chap behind me and said !Man with cane should not go!! I had a little chat with him,offering to help,thank God he took her advice or the dogs would have had to find us many hours later.
It was exactly Romancing The Stone,so funny that the first intrepid steps across the first river as we bottle necked for each person to step on stones to avoid soakers.HA! Seconds around the bend was a massive river we all just waded through surrendering completely. An older man,I'm guessing 70+?.. Was sliding precariously up the next full mud slide incline,I tried to give him a hand
NOTE: all my 'do-gooding' ...why was I not up with the lead runners??? Hmmmmm
Anyway,he said oh no no Im heavier than I look,I then quoted from his T-shirt,"Life is Good!" and he responded,"Dont believe everything you read!". he did make it,btw
And it is NOT a race,it is designed with forks in the road just to trip up those keeners in the front and choreograph the group to stay closer together
So,it was insanely fun! We got covered in mud and waded through many a stream,the root J and O we on was longer and included ropes for down hill precipices and a waterfall near the end. We arrived elated,amused,inspired AND with coacoa pods,nutmeg and a young drinkable coconut. I received some odd bites in crotch area that had me panicked until they just went away. I got a bit on my foot at the end that kept me up for 2 nights with itch.Joey had to run bare foot as he only has flip flops! He did sustain some cuts but nothing serious
We saw the island,felt the warmth and spirit of the people; the locals would point us in the right direction as we passed and we obviously enjoying the Saturday spectacle.
After a wee hut provided us with beer and a huge vat of what the locals call,"oil-up" if that's how it's written? It's the infamous breadfruit( brought here from Captain Blye) ),and dumplings,sweet potatoe,chicken,fish,and a pungent tastey sause made with spices grown on the island with shredded coconut....Much jolly energy as we all waited for all entries to return from the jungles of the hash.Shouts of HASHERS etc.
Fun,I had sat with the assistant dean of the med. School on the bus,Glenn,we ended up hitching a ride together on a truck,he in the cab and David,J and O and I standing up on the back.
There was quite a traffic jam in this narrow road of a neighborhood,and we didnt want to wait til the Hashers got to crazy,there is much lore of hasing like rituals played upon Virgins of the Hash,ie if your running shoes are too new one may be invited forsefully to drink your beer from the shoe!!!! Saturday night had begun!
We had a blast riding on the back in the dark of night down down the hill that felt to us like that last GS run of the day- down the mountain feeling fully all the good feelings of the day.
Alive!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Cottage Day on Union Island
This is the first day in weeks,where it feels like a rainy day at the cottage.
We left our beloved Bequia 2 days ago.
we realized,that since the new places we saw in the US,we were finally off to places yet unexplored by us!
Heading south with good wind,we approached Mayreau a small island of The Grenadines next to the Tobago Cays. We anchored in Salt Whistle Bay,with northerly swells,Joey and Olivia put in a stern anchor,which also reassured our unenglish, gesturing, very close neighbors. Across the pretty sand beach ,I found a very prototypical beach which was one of the first I felt compelled to film,photograph and send home! So vivacious with the wind,the green only on the land ,the affectionate puppy like indigenous dogs,channeling Sister for me to love. I also had that feeling that I compulsively had to turn back and bring the crew to share this expanse and to watch the extreme kite surfers. I nabbed David and we walked back. We met one of the fit young woman surfing,here chartering a boat from Moscow,"close!" she responded to my Canadian nationality . We met German and French families,both traveling with kids younger than ours for a year each.
Bequia was wonderful. We loved it all over again this year. Feeling like home it was very social and felt like a real holiday.
Mum and Dad were game and we had loads of fun with our new lifelong friends,Tom,Melanie and Rose and our Bequia buddies, Martha and Scott.Dad introduced us to a lovely Swedish family who I won't even dare to attempt to spell here in public. We had a drinks party on the boat and I do believe it was them,however,it could have been Martha and Scott, who brought the first delicious bottle of red wine that Ive had in months,I can print that;it's Santa Rita .Cab.Sauvignon,Medalla Real 2007 yum yum Thank you
NOTE: it's 11:42am and rainy cottage day is over,now the day is windy with a clear sky...for
now,anyway.
On Union island.It's so cool to see the subtle differences in these islands. here,there is a small but charming little center with fruit and veg markets housed in colorful huts. there is a French influence,Joey satisfied a late afternoon craving with bread and imported pate.
I'm looking forward to visiting the organic chocolate factory on Grenada to satisfy my cravings.
So,this feels like the real thing,the adventure begins.
Life ,is not too different,believe it or not. the challenging annoyances of compatibility between us crew is anywhere we go.A work in progress. Rhythm,she, the boat ,and her needling puzzling irritating needs,I want new parts! I want oil ! I want fixing ! I want attention!I'm not working ,Im just not! I want you to take me apart and put me back together! I want another new part! I want you to pay someone else to help me fix me unearth my fundamental needs! you don't KNOW me!
Teen Rhythm we need you,teen Rhythm we love you!
We left our beloved Bequia 2 days ago.
we realized,that since the new places we saw in the US,we were finally off to places yet unexplored by us!
Heading south with good wind,we approached Mayreau a small island of The Grenadines next to the Tobago Cays. We anchored in Salt Whistle Bay,with northerly swells,Joey and Olivia put in a stern anchor,which also reassured our unenglish, gesturing, very close neighbors. Across the pretty sand beach ,I found a very prototypical beach which was one of the first I felt compelled to film,photograph and send home! So vivacious with the wind,the green only on the land ,the affectionate puppy like indigenous dogs,channeling Sister for me to love. I also had that feeling that I compulsively had to turn back and bring the crew to share this expanse and to watch the extreme kite surfers. I nabbed David and we walked back. We met one of the fit young woman surfing,here chartering a boat from Moscow,"close!" she responded to my Canadian nationality . We met German and French families,both traveling with kids younger than ours for a year each.
Bequia was wonderful. We loved it all over again this year. Feeling like home it was very social and felt like a real holiday.
Mum and Dad were game and we had loads of fun with our new lifelong friends,Tom,Melanie and Rose and our Bequia buddies, Martha and Scott.Dad introduced us to a lovely Swedish family who I won't even dare to attempt to spell here in public. We had a drinks party on the boat and I do believe it was them,however,it could have been Martha and Scott, who brought the first delicious bottle of red wine that Ive had in months,I can print that;it's Santa Rita .Cab.Sauvignon,Medalla Real 2007 yum yum Thank you
NOTE: it's 11:42am and rainy cottage day is over,now the day is windy with a clear sky...for
now,anyway.
On Union island.It's so cool to see the subtle differences in these islands. here,there is a small but charming little center with fruit and veg markets housed in colorful huts. there is a French influence,Joey satisfied a late afternoon craving with bread and imported pate.
I'm looking forward to visiting the organic chocolate factory on Grenada to satisfy my cravings.
So,this feels like the real thing,the adventure begins.
Life ,is not too different,believe it or not. the challenging annoyances of compatibility between us crew is anywhere we go.A work in progress. Rhythm,she, the boat ,and her needling puzzling irritating needs,I want new parts! I want oil ! I want fixing ! I want attention!I'm not working ,Im just not! I want you to take me apart and put me back together! I want another new part! I want you to pay someone else to help me fix me unearth my fundamental needs! you don't KNOW me!
Teen Rhythm we need you,teen Rhythm we love you!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
No Resolutions on Bequia
Second day in and no resolutions,well,actually ,I did say Id like to get to bed earlier...we'll see.Its not a very sexy promise.
Just before I opened Davids computer,I was heading for the beach. I was going to find a spot to sit and meditate,if I could -the swell is still sweeping to the top of the beach,strong and vociferous and frothy and playful ,mighty.
I had a dream ,Jude Law was my friend and he had such an overdone tan it was shocking,I said,'you better stay out of the sun,son.' We saw him here last year for real so..
.Its Sunday morning just before 7am.I slept in a big bed with Olivia again,second night not making it back to our home,Rhythm.
I want my toothbrush!!
My parents are here,having arrived on Wed. morning just after Christmas.Philippa had left on Dec.27th. We had a great visit with her.Christmas Day was very chill-not in the Canadian sense,haha,we stayed in and very slowly we opened presents,anticipating a lobster lunch up at Tom Melanie and Roses place.
The lunch was fabulous,they had presents for everyone! We had yummy drinks and happy open and generous hearts.We played the chocolate game! We had lots of fun
We missed our family
WE missed our friends
We arranged one of Keegans rooms right on the ocean for them. We rented the space we had last year for our kids and Jay. Its a million dollar location with a quaint ghetto ornamentation.(Id just die if the proprietors knew I said this as they are very earnest and hardworking.) Just paint the place white! Remove the rugs,have matching cutlery,white plates.....
So,because of the swell, that locals say has lasted an unusual length of time,David has stayed here,I have mostly been swimming to and fro. Swimming in! What a trip that is . The dingy has to transport cloths,food,and landwithout mishap. Swimming- like yesterday,NewYears Day I had to swim over to do damage control -there was voluminous and multitudinous rain on the eve and we'd left all the hatches open.When I had left,I closed the people sized hatches and locked up but forgot about the potential for rain.I was also worried about my kayak,if it was full of water,I pictured it dragging under and pulling on the anchor. Oddly,I seemed to be the only one concerned. So,as I swam out ,I nearly had a heart attack as I became aware of a foreign body in the water,yes a blob I soon began to imagine was a body,it was bobbing,a plastic buoy,personified by many hairlike strands of rope , a pink human coloring ,it was NewYears Day -things turn up , could have been a run- over -by -motor boat- reveler who has yet to never show up for todays brunch??!! Anyway,it was inanimate and I made it to the boat where there was lots of mopping to do. The rest were all gathered at Mum and Dads pad. We had a day plan.
We planned to meet after 1pm at the NYDay BBQ over on Friendship Bay. Martha Kellagher and Scott,Melanie Tom and Rose.
Ma and Pa;
Joey and I took the bus to pick them up,a small van type and on the way,sitting in the very heat of the back of the bus,looking out to the sea as we swerved and honked and jockeyed for road space I was compelled to shout to the local passengers,'Do you people know how lucky you are to live on this divine island?' I didn't but,I do love Bequia.
We've had a fun time,it is disappointing not being able to even have them come out to the boat .Can you believe!? We have the intention to take them south to Mystique,the private island,pretty,with cool bars. We will, we wait for settle winds and surf.
WE had a dinner at our favorite,Fernandos,we had a really fun night with Martha and Scott and Toronto architect Michael,cocktails and dining at wonderful Tante Pearls.We walked down a gnarly path to Princess Margaret beach and got wet shorts as the waves played with us,taunting like an annoying kid who wants too many tickle fights
Im going to the beach
Am I?
Church is in the near future and we desperately need groceries.Town is a long walk or short bus ride away.WE had popcorn,crackers and peanut butter for dinner last night. I just couldn't scrounge up the energy to go get food,or scrape a pasta with shelf food together.I just ate and drank enough to put me to bed.We watched a movie.
I miss our movie night.
Just before I opened Davids computer,I was heading for the beach. I was going to find a spot to sit and meditate,if I could -the swell is still sweeping to the top of the beach,strong and vociferous and frothy and playful ,mighty.
I had a dream ,Jude Law was my friend and he had such an overdone tan it was shocking,I said,'you better stay out of the sun,son.' We saw him here last year for real so..
.Its Sunday morning just before 7am.I slept in a big bed with Olivia again,second night not making it back to our home,Rhythm.
I want my toothbrush!!
My parents are here,having arrived on Wed. morning just after Christmas.Philippa had left on Dec.27th. We had a great visit with her.Christmas Day was very chill-not in the Canadian sense,haha,we stayed in and very slowly we opened presents,anticipating a lobster lunch up at Tom Melanie and Roses place.
The lunch was fabulous,they had presents for everyone! We had yummy drinks and happy open and generous hearts.We played the chocolate game! We had lots of fun
We missed our family
WE missed our friends
We arranged one of Keegans rooms right on the ocean for them. We rented the space we had last year for our kids and Jay. Its a million dollar location with a quaint ghetto ornamentation.(Id just die if the proprietors knew I said this as they are very earnest and hardworking.) Just paint the place white! Remove the rugs,have matching cutlery,white plates.....
So,because of the swell, that locals say has lasted an unusual length of time,David has stayed here,I have mostly been swimming to and fro. Swimming in! What a trip that is . The dingy has to transport cloths,food,and landwithout mishap. Swimming- like yesterday,NewYears Day I had to swim over to do damage control -there was voluminous and multitudinous rain on the eve and we'd left all the hatches open.When I had left,I closed the people sized hatches and locked up but forgot about the potential for rain.I was also worried about my kayak,if it was full of water,I pictured it dragging under and pulling on the anchor. Oddly,I seemed to be the only one concerned. So,as I swam out ,I nearly had a heart attack as I became aware of a foreign body in the water,yes a blob I soon began to imagine was a body,it was bobbing,a plastic buoy,personified by many hairlike strands of rope , a pink human coloring ,it was NewYears Day -things turn up , could have been a run- over -by -motor boat- reveler who has yet to never show up for todays brunch??!! Anyway,it was inanimate and I made it to the boat where there was lots of mopping to do. The rest were all gathered at Mum and Dads pad. We had a day plan.
We planned to meet after 1pm at the NYDay BBQ over on Friendship Bay. Martha Kellagher and Scott,Melanie Tom and Rose.
Ma and Pa;
Joey and I took the bus to pick them up,a small van type and on the way,sitting in the very heat of the back of the bus,looking out to the sea as we swerved and honked and jockeyed for road space I was compelled to shout to the local passengers,'Do you people know how lucky you are to live on this divine island?' I didn't but,I do love Bequia.
We've had a fun time,it is disappointing not being able to even have them come out to the boat .Can you believe!? We have the intention to take them south to Mystique,the private island,pretty,with cool bars. We will, we wait for settle winds and surf.
WE had a dinner at our favorite,Fernandos,we had a really fun night with Martha and Scott and Toronto architect Michael,cocktails and dining at wonderful Tante Pearls.We walked down a gnarly path to Princess Margaret beach and got wet shorts as the waves played with us,taunting like an annoying kid who wants too many tickle fights
Im going to the beach
Am I?
Church is in the near future and we desperately need groceries.Town is a long walk or short bus ride away.WE had popcorn,crackers and peanut butter for dinner last night. I just couldn't scrounge up the energy to go get food,or scrape a pasta with shelf food together.I just ate and drank enough to put me to bed.We watched a movie.
I miss our movie night.
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