A Message From Nancy

If you remember, my sister Nancy spent 10 days with us in the Bahamas. She sent a nice and very interesting email. Nancy is a pretty fair writer and story teller herself. I'll share excerpts. Here goes:

The Trip Back

So, I made it back safely....well, had a bit of a hard time at the airport. First, on the flight back to FL they gave me back my suitcase to take it thru customs [yourself] and then no one was around to ask/direct any of us where we should go to get to our next flights. Finally we all carried out bags out to the road to catch the shuttle to our various terminals. I took the shuttle bus to the Continental terminal only to find out that that the ticket from Marsh Harbor had "Continental" on it but that I was actually on US Air for the next leg (the tix did say "US" in small type). Even though I originally had plenty of time in between flights, making that mistake put me under pressure to make my next flight. I ran between the terminals (since the shuttle was no where to be found) and then realized that I still had my suitcase...SHOOT! I then had to wait in line at the ticket counter where she was totally confused as to why I was checking a bag when the computer said I already checked it in MH. Once that was straighted out I ran to security only to find a huge line...I asked nicely if I could go to the front and they let me. : )

Then, as if still in the carefree Bahama life mode I strolled thru security with my camera in my pocket and set off the alarm. They then had to search me, etc. (it was getting pretty late now to make my flight as you know) I grabbed my camera, shoes, jacket, etc., and ran to the gate (the last gate in the concourse, damn Murphy's Law) and luckily they were still boarding. Jumped on the plane and sat down to take a breath. Then the attendant came by to remind everyone to stow their items. OH Sh*t! I had left my backpack back @ security! I asked to get off the flight (they let me amazingly) and ran all the way back to security where he I spotted the security guy taking my bag to the back. I showed my ID, got the bag and ran back to the gate where the guy said wait...your boarding pass you gave us wasn't right. WHAT! I had already been on the plane! Anyway, after 5 more minutes (and holding up the flight) they printed a new boarding pass (that said US Air and not Continental - who cares?).

Culture Shock

I have to say that I had a very hard time coming back from the trip mentally. Obviously, from my story above you see I had trouble maneuvering thru the US airport craziness (like in 10 days I had forgotten what to do) but when I walked into the NC airport I couldn't help it and began to cry. I walked to my gate and everyone was giving the gate person grief since the flight was oversold. They were all so MAD and nasty. I really hadn't seen a crabby face in 10 days. (Plus, it wasn't the gate person who oversold the flight!!!)

Then I went to get something quick to eat and was just overwhelmed by the consumerism...Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, McDonald's, Chick-Fillet, etc. all with their bright lights and tons of items to buy, buy buy! Again, I became overwhelmed and struggled not to cry. I cut out of line, didn't end up buying anything to eat and went back to the gate. They asked if I wanted to give up my seat for a free ticket. Hmmm, I really wanted to get home but a free ticket would be help out. Then this thought slowly formed in my head...Well, if I don't get on this next flight to Boston now and have to wait in this airport for 3 hours ....would I turn around and go back to the Bahamas?? I seriously thought I might! In the end they didn't need us to give up seats and I did get back home fine. I don't remember having such strong culture shock coming back from 3 months in Europe...maybe it was also living on a boat?

A Million Thanks

The best for last....

One of the best times was getting the chance to experience your lifestyle. You both seem to really enjoy it, have a great community of friends (that you can contact when you want), and get along well despite the size of the space. I think that boat life suits you and Libby and you both have a healthy attitude towards it and towards future sailing. It was nice to see and to become a part of. I heard about how you manage living on the boat (financially, relationship-wise, and safety-wise) which makes me think about some of the ways I live my life now and what I may do in the future with retirement(!).

I also appreciate that you tried so hard to get to another Cay in the rough weather. I know it wasn't easy and sorry that Tarwathie took on some water and the jib thing-a-ma-jig broke in the wind (did you get it fixed?). I really enjoyed the sailing adventure that day even though we did turn back. The good part was because of the rough weather though, I got the chance to go on the day-trips to the Cays with each of you. Each Cay was so different. It was a luxury to spend a whole day with you.

The Bahamas will always be a fantastic memory for me and I hope to get back someday. My favorites were living and sailing on Tarwathie (i just started to get a bit of a feel for her sailing-wise), the color of the water (the pics couldn't capture it), the white sand beaches, the friendly Bahamian people, the lack of concern for time. My favorites with visiting was experiencing the whole day with you guys...from waking up to the sun and having our coffee, to eating yummy meals made by Libby (every meal tasted sooooo good!), to doing an errand or visiting your fiends, to playing games/learning to make baskets (even though I was not so fast at either!), to all our talks, Libby and my daily Bahama rum runner hour, to checking out the stars thru my skylight before I went to sleep. Those are what come to mind and I will continue to think about more.