Saturday, March 1, 2008

George Town life







I am back at J&K Computers (the little green shack) with incredibly fast connection and so able to post up a few pictures. The first one is at the "Chat and Chill" on Volleyball Beack - this is the social mecca. This is the beach where yoga (and pilates) happens, bridge, dominoes, volleyball, and just about every other major activity including the dances. The second 2 pictures were taken at our quiet little beach on the other end of Stocking Island - our favorite shade trees and Wayne is in his secret workshop. The last picture is the Straw Market in downtown George Town, where local ladies sell their hand-made hats, baskets, etc. Today I get to be downtown while Wayne has to sweat it out there playing tennis with the big boys (and girls). I started out, however, by walking to the tennis club with him so that I could take a shower. Heaven! I have not had a shower and hair-washing (yes, the braids came out) since last Saturday and it's well worth the walk! It's cool in here at J&K and the fans are blowing on us. Julius - the proprietor - is a sweetheart and extremely helpful. He printed a couple of documents for me so that we can all go to school this summer, and now I'm just playing on the computer.

Playing is on the agenda next week. Here are the activities we are involved in: "Sail Past" (presentation of the 'fleet' to the local dignitaries), Opening Night masked ball and fashion show, Coconut Challenge, Ultimate Trivia Challenge, Volletyball, Children's Day, Tennis, Bridge, Sand Sculpture, Arts and Crafts Display and the Variety Show. What a couple of busy weeks! This week will be my last teaching pilates, as the action is really heating up on the beach.

The past couple of days we had another "cold front" meaning the temperature dropped into the seventies. Chilling! Cloudy weather with rain squalls kept us on the boat most of the time, but we were able to invite our friends Klaus and Rachel over for a lovely dinner. They are leaving on Sunday and we'll really miss them. We have other nice acquaintences and friends, but we get along so well with them that it will leave a big void. Just now I've had a long delightful conversation with Susan of Susan and Skip who are aboard Wayward Gypsy. Their boat is a three-masted square rigger with a sleek black hull. She looks like the Black Pearl of Pirates of the Carribean fame. Susan explained that she and her man left their farm in Tenessee (no lie!) with little to no sailing experience and are now living the romantic dream aboard a ship with two king-size berths and dark mahogany woodwork all around down below. Har, har har, matey! She was kind enough to invite Wayne and myself to stop over for cocktails, so we can see how the other half lives...she did say that she had never even thought of this kind of adventure before and that her family and friends are shocked that she is still out here on the ocean after 15 months. Just next to me is a strikingly beautiful German lady named Jutta in fantastic shape. She comes to Yoga and Pilates and is active in everything. There are folks from the UK, folks from the USA and folks from just about everywhere here in George Town. It is a model of how so many conflicting cultures and interests can get along in a reasonably small space. With the future of our country - and perhaps the world -hanging in the balance of the next Presidential election, we hope that we can learn to do the same on a global scale.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Greetings Isabel and Wayne,
Have been keeping up with your blog and enjoying it tremendously. March 01 was my birthday and I was remembering the one I spent in the Bahamas snorkeling in Thunderball cave at Staniel Cay.
Recently returned from FL and time with Claude sailing. We enjoyed each other's company along with favorable winds and warm sunny days.
Your vivid description of Georgetown brings us right back there! Thank you for the pictures. The "Computer Station" must be a most welcome addition.
If you continue "blogging", we'll keep on reading. Take care and enjoy.

Cathy