Another World
Escapada
Andreas Haas
Mon 7 Dec 2009 22:47
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14.20.60N 054.45.99W
Yesterday, as we were sitting in the cockpit, we
had an interesting discussion about how different life on ESCAPADA
really is - in fact, it is another world!
For example, the whole concept of money here is absent. We have not seen or used money
in the last 2 weeks at all. This is
very unusual compared to the other world
where money is a continuous object of
attention. Out here on the Atlantic
there are no flies, mosquitoes, ants, bugs or any
other living creatures except us 4 boys
(and any fish we catch or the flying fish which
simply fly onto the deck). There is no illness, no
anger, no hatred, no frustration, no
TV, no radio, no news, no traffic jams
and no going
to the office. Instead, we have lived outdoors for
already three weeks in the fresh air, go to work barefoot in shorts and a t-shirt (sometime without
them),
eat healthy, drink 3 liters of water daily and
live in the natural rhythm of sunrise and
sunset. The best reward we get from Captain
Flagpole after a hard day's sailing, is a delicious dinner accompanied by a cold beer
or fine glass of wine! The only thing missing for
this to be total paradise would be to have our women here with us...
Multi-tasking is a skill quickly acquired on ESCAPADA. Our
world is the only place where you have to walk zig-zag to keep a straight line,
wash dishes with one hand,
hold on to a rail with the other and pump the salt water
faucet with your left foot while standing on your right. Sleeping
also takes some skill. Depending which way the
boat is heeling or rocking (and it is always rocking), you
determine how to lock yourself into in niche to avoid being thrown from side to
side. As the long Atlantic swell
hits the yacht continuously, she lunges constantly
from one side to the other. At these time you wonder "who's driving the boat"?
Sleep comes in short intervals
between the watches, running the engine to charge
the batteries and the constant
rocking. And when you are finally rocked to slumber, you sleep like a
baby.
Eating is an equally creative process. In our
world, you need to be very careful that whatever you have on your spoon or
fork does not fly away with the wind between the
plate and your
mouth, Keeping an eye on this while holding the plate with the other hand
and balancing in your seat after a smashing wave makes for a great
appetite.
Apples have proven to be a simply and effective
solution to the challenging conditions. Either plain or in fruit salad, they
make up a standard ration in our diet.
We are now just 330 miles from St. Lucia. Directly on
course at over 7 knots, we anticipate to arrive late Wednesday night
or early Thursday morning, Regardless of when we
arrive, the ARC "Welcoming Committee"
promises to have our well deserved Rum Punches cold and ready!!
In the meantime, we continue to work on our tan, grow our
beards, try to walk a straight line and enjoy the final days of our passage
across the Atlantic.
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