2 weeks here and we’re off at dawn for Dominica. We have a cache of school supplies we’re smuggling from Martinique to donate since the island is still reeling from September’s hurricane. We’ve heard there’s opportunities to swing a hammer and help out as well. We’re game…and have a hammer.
My parents joined us for a week’s holiday while kelly flew home to take care of some business. We all had a great time exploring the island by car (a clown car, 6 jammed into a 4 seater with kids occasionally in the trunk!) and showing Grandma and Grandpa this beautiful island. A week on land – though we slept on board the Madame moored in Le Marin- was a big change for us. Traffic, parking, planning and ignoring the forecasts was the polar opposite of our current way of living but also reassuring that we are doing what we are meant to do. The zoo was amazing, botanical gardens, rainforest drives and beaches on Martinique are magnificent. It was really a special treat to get to spend the time with children and grands in paradise!
How much did I miss Kelly? Well, I missed her on her birthday for the first time, homeschooled as best I could, had a Super Bowl part at anchor with friends we’ve been cruising with and enjoyed/endured howling winds and squalls with kids on the boat without the half of me that is steadying, thinking and logical. Needless to say, I wasn’t right until Kelly was back but she’s here now and we’re back in our groove.
We headed up the coast a very short way to Anse Mitan to rally with our friends the Sperrys on s/v Caradow. A shuddering engine offshore had me hove-to, swimming in deep blue water under the boat with a knife cutting a fishing net and polypropylene line from our prop hastily before the next squall arrived. Never a dull moment!
Next day we buggared across the bay to Fort Du France to anchor at the city’s edge for CARNIVAL!!! The last 2 days were indeed the finale. Like New Orleans during Mardi Gras there is a heavy grinding sound ashore like a fright train or a tornado pounding from mid afternoon until you pass out. This is thousands of people partying in the streets, marching bands replete with conch shells, bamboo drums, horns of all varieties and chanting. We saw Jab Jab- a band of revelers covered in mud and motor oil marching and jamming down the street. We saw young men in tu tu’s and fishnet stockings, every young woman was dressed (and undressed) to impress. We stumbled into a historic building midday to find a troupe of French artists painting faces for the big night. We, of course, left there looking glittery and fantastic!
We cheered the bands. I brought the ship’s bell from Madame Geneva to ring along with the drum corps. Che, Gherty and Quinn played pick up futbol in the park with local French Antilles boys in the dark, faces painted, in costume, no common language, amazing. The kids lived it, we lived it, this is what boat schooling is about, this is why we do what we do. I felt lucky to be here with my amazing family living this life. Enough said.
2 days and one freezer we ordered UPS from the states (which travelled to France, Louisville, and then Martinique) later, we have frozen meat, the kids are eating ICE CREAM onboard and we’re ready for dawn patrol to sail to Dominica with our friends on s/v Caradow and s/v Merlin to rally with 2 more boats already in Prince Rupert Bay. I think we’re at 12 children, 10 adults and 5 boats! All headed north-ish all living this. All is well.
Stay tuned. Much Love!