Sailust

I’m still alive and doing quite well, although it is very difficult to get to the computer and write a little bit about my trip. I’m right now at an Internet cafe in Tahiti and paying about $10 an “huere” to use it. I just finished 3 pitchers of beer with Brad, each costing $26. Suffice to say, I’m no longer in 3rd world South America but the Imperial playground of a European heavyweight. Tahiti is probably the biggest city I’ll see until Cairns, Australia.

Brad and I always joked about making a newspaper for Marlin. Had we followed through, the biggest headline of the Marlin Wake, (that was the name I gave the fictional paper) would be: “HURSH TO JUMP SHIP!” Two days ago, the crew of Marlin was enjoying the good weather and wind when abruptly Brad said, hey guys—. I was startled by his assertiveness and waiting to hear something profound like, I think we should have beans tonight for dinner, instead of pasta. Then he came out with: I’m going to get off the boat in Tahiti. This was the last thing on either Tom’s or my mind and we both took our time to process the curious statement. At first I thought he was just making funny, a sarcastic comment that we usually make to each other to make the days go by. Then he elaborated, as if he could tell we would need more of an explanation for such change in the universe of Marlin and to prove he wasn’t pulling our legs. He said, I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I wanted to make sure. Ever since we left the Marquesas. I know it’s a decision that I’ll regret but I’ll regret more not going. But I know that once I’ve made up my mind, and that I’ve begun to think about the other possibilities, that I now have to go.

I’ve thought a lot about what he said, especially since I’ve had by doubts about sailing and a longing for the civilized, sedentary world. One of my favorite pastimes on the boat is thinking about all the wonderful, simple things that I would be doing were I not on a boat. (Much as I thought about sailing into the sunset when I felt trapped in the same routine—rat race, if you will—on land.) In fact, I’ve made a list of the things I plan, intend or pretend to do when I get back, including books I want to read, movies I want to watch, restaurants I want to eat at and things I want to do, like baking an apple pie from scratch. I didn’t pry too much into his reasons, but think that if Brad’s so confident in his decision, it is best that he does his thing. Tom and I will work around the obstacle. This is all part of cruising and part of the adventure I sought. We’re going to look for another crew member or go it two. Either way, we will make it to Cairns. I’ll be sad to see him go. I’ve been smelling this guy’s farts for over 53 days (he’s the one who’s counting).

In other news, I got an email from Gary, captain of Crystal Blue. It turns out he had to send Larry home and he’s sailing the cat back to Pacific coast US. I was just as shocked at this news as I was by Brad’s departure. I think he was probing me to see if I would crew on the way back but I don’t think I would do it, even if he paid me, I’m looking forward to my return.

Other than missing out on the Block event of the year or maybe even the decade? That is Fat Pat’s 30th Birthday Celebration with cameos from Mike Franz of Paris, the crazy Quebecker Francois and all the Barnett Circle/Arden Park-fostered, grown-up-children and their lovable significant others, I’m doing honky-dory.

Our next stops will be the various islands of the Society Archipelago: Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora, et cetera.