Day 1 began with a bit of hoopla, the crew up early and excited, anxious for the day to begin and the trip to commence. Sandra and I skipped around the main salon singing, "We're leaving today, we're leaving today!" I cooked breakfast sandwiches, stowed dry goods, and made lunch amidst fire drills, abandon ship drills and the rest of the crew stowing away all loose furniture and equipment. The energy was high, the crew in a tizzy moving around quickly as we waited like children for Santa for our last UPS shipments before we could take off. After several hours of waiting, time lapsed and we became deflated and impatient eating our lunch sighing. Not too much later, however, we finally took off for the 2 1/2 week first leg of our trip across the Pacific en route to Tahiti. The crew of Oberon, a yacht full of crew we had become friends with and enjoyed a weekly game or two of rugby with, threw us our lines and waved goodbye. We were finally off! Not wanting to miss a memory of the event, I photographed something fierce and recorded video of my crew mates to the point of annoyance. Anxious and slightly apprehensive of what the seas would bring on our venture, we talked about what we thought the following weeks would do to our psyche and if we might encounter an unforeseen storm. After a long day of rising and falling emotions, packing away and stowing of breakables, and goodbye phone calls while still in range, we finally nestled cozily into the forward guest cabins we would reside in while underway. Since our normal crew cabins are situated at the bow of the boat, we move further back into the less tumultuous cabins when we do long crossings, which makes it all that much easier for the voyage ahead and lessens the chance of getting tossed out of bed by a large wave. Finally…we were underway.
We spent a little less than a month in the States, too short in my opinion. The crew however were itching to get out to sea again and the truth of it is, a little part of me was as well. After so much time in simple lifestyles outside the U.S. without the spoilings of wifi, shopping malls, and coffee shops on every corner, we learned to appreciate more and to bond with each other better. It seemed the more convenient life became and the easier to acquire what we wanted, the more independent of each other and the more we indulged. I cannot leave the U.S. with ungratefulness though. We were sustained and able to fuel up in many ways, seeing family and friends. I also cannot complain about being in San Diego. Being one of my favorite cities in the U.S., it did not disappoint with its predictably great weather and laid back ease. I know I will be back there, though, as I always somehow end up.
Now it is nine days in and we are starting to become a little restless. Though the days go by quick, it is a fog of a life to live in constant physical motion, waking up at odd hours each day as our watch schedules shift, yet eating at the same times. Sometimes it feels like you get up to eat and have watch and the rest is in bed. I finished my watch yesterday morning at 7am, went back to bed for a few hours, woke back up to prepare meals for the day, then went back to bed for another few hours. I try to do a workout everyday but sometimes when the seas are rough, there is no way to maintain balance. And to be quite honest…motivation takes a back seat after a while. Mostly we lie in our cabins reading books or watching movies. Everyone stocked up on their favorites so the boat has become a dvd exchange community this last week. Late at night on watches my partner and I sit listening to audiobooks we chose together at the start of the trip. We are currently listening to The Travels of a T-Shirt in a Global Economy and just finished The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. It helps to pass the time and allows the mind to wander, which is imperative right now. I also downloaded a constellation app on my phone and spend many nights figuring out what group of stars I am looking at while listening to French language lessons. Two more months at sea and I could be a scholar! A crazy one…
My bunkmate Kate rooms with me and it is kind of like camping out. We arrive at different times to our bunks but each day there is always a time where we reminisce over our boredom and talk about what we will do when we reach land. She is positive and funny and it is personalities like hers and my watch partner Chris that make an ocean crossing easier. I certainly offer no complaint of the trip except for the boredom and anxiousness to see land but that is a given. We have been so ridiculously lucky on this crossing and I dare say the smoothest ride I have ever had on any boat underway. Each day has gone by smoother than the last and this is unheard of for a Pacific crossing. Nightmares and conversations of what may happen weeks before of high seas, waves crashing over the beam, and unbearable seasickness are only nightmares. They are forgotten and replaced with a calm, a serenity, and a smooth sail across small ripples and brightly lit starry skies. We have caught a few Mahi Mahi which have made for some delicious fish tacos, fried fish dishes, and fresh grilled lunches. The crew are in good spirits and we are experiencing no personality conflicts, no drama, and lots of laughter. As I have written in earlier blogs, you really know the metal your crew mates are made of by how they handle situations like this. And I am honored to be amongst so many strong and determined souls. I learn so much from each of them everyday and I hope they can say the same of me. Each of the boys have taken a night to cook a meal to allow me to do my watch or to give me a break, which I find so darn sweet. Tomorrow night we are having an "appetizer night" and each person will come up with their own personal favorite.
In two days we will be crossing the equator and since Kate and I have never crossed the equator at sea, we are going to take part in an old British and American Navy and Marines ritual called the Pollywog Ceremony. It is a bit of a silly tradition but a long standing one that initiates the "pollywogs" into Neptune's protection. In order to receive our certificate, (yes, there are real certificates for this) the captain and first mate pour fish guts and all sorts of stinky garbage on us. Then we will have to kiss a dead fish, do some embarrassing relays, and pour a bottle of champagne out in honor of Neptune. Once this is complete we swim across the equator and we are initiated into Neptune's protection. We then get to lose the title of "pollywog" and become "shellbacks." I think the boys are overly excited to pour garbage on us and I am just excited to get off the boat for a swim. Kate is terrified of swimming in the middle of the ocean so it may just be me. But I don't care. All in all, it will be a fun day and one I am sure I will remember for the rest of my life.
And so we move forward and once we reach Tahiti we will be halfway to New Zealand. Only a couple days ago the swell has picked up and we are a little more tired from having to balance as we walk as well as the watch schedules getting to us. I can see that by next week when we arrive in Tahiti, we will all be jumping off the boat and ready for a much needed break before we continue on for another 10 days to Fiji. Thankfully, our captain is giving us a few days off to stretch our legs, lay on a beach, and take some necessary alone time beforehand, as well as fuel up the boat and restock some fresh produce. I realize that as I am writing about these adventures and that I am going to Tahiti and Fiji I sound incredibly spoiled and lucky. I cannot deny those accusations. I truly am.
