Serious Fun!

I rearranged the furniture here at the Blue Pelican, my lovely little enclave which is upscale and serene (and gated) but still within walking distance to St Martin Yacht Club and Simpson Bay. Now, with the desk dragged upstairs and abreast the picture window, I can look out at the lurching palms and stormy sea – thankful I declined an extra day of sailing today AND that I hadn’t yet left on my johnnycake expedition (recommended by fellow sailorchicks Kim St. and Karen C.) as the rain has just come howlingin. (Looks like Via & a granola bar for breakfast today.)

My first morning here it poured too (the ocean is now obscured by the driving rain) as I was about to depart ... as soon as the sun broke through I bolted: a nice 20 minute stroll up and down the hill (wow, the rain is pummeling the rooftop in thundering waves of intensity right now). Despite several warnings from friends abroad, the most dangerous thing I’ve experienced during my morning promenade has been the threat of bottomless puddles – and the rattletrap cars that go rushing through, splaying mud everywhere ... (it is raining so hard the drops are ricocheting off the patio like machine gun fire!).

Being on foot is the best way to scout out an area though, and I’ve already discovered a French bakery that transforms into a pizza parlor at night ... an Indian restaurant (Bobbie G & I had curry there last night) ... a deli ... and scores of brilliant bougainvillea with tiny birds flitting about ... plus I’ve met all the parking attendants and security guards along the way (except the one at the top of the hill who is perpetually asleep). But not today: today I am holed up at mi casa transcribing tapes (well I guess the technology is chip-based now ... but ‘transcribing chips’ sounds like I’ve lost my mind to a bag of Doritos), doing some background research, and generally getting ready for the next three days of racing!

I have TOTALLY SCORED on an awesome mix of rides (in fact, I had too many and nearly added today, the Commodore’s Cup – thank God I didn’t – to ride on a Class 40 [from South Africa] or a Dufour 40 [from Guadeloupe]) – and am overwhelmed by the wonderful friends and strangers who have hooked me up and/or invited me to sail. I’m reminded again what a small world it is (although a sailor I met in Golfito asked ‘IS IT a small world? Or a big life?’) and how, if everyone stretches their fingers out just a teeny tiny bit and extends themselves a little, we are all connected in a brilliant and delightful way!!

Well the rain has let up – it is still breezy but I’m eager to venture out on my ‘day off’ (it is NOT a beach day :-P ) so ‘best to finish up my SAILING post and head off to find some johnnycakes and fun ...

See my official posting here ; check out the official Heineken Regatta page here and more pix on FB here

~ Betsy

PHOTOS OF MY FLAT @ BLUE PELICAN