Written Jan. 9th '11
Despite several warnings about stormy weathers we had to dig into it. The 1st Mate who is accompanied with his family, have to be back in Belgium by Monday. Mugia could not supply them with an airport, therefore we had to leave for a town further South.
Thursday around noon we pulled up the anchor and headed straight into stormy weathers. It only took us 10 min. before we once again, were surrounded by waves as high as 4 meters. Once we were further from shore the more powerful the wind got, this resulted in waves reaching 5-6 meters. I looked at the time; 12.30 pm and knew this would be a journey I would never forget.
As soon as 12.35 pm I surrendered to my room. Feeling like someone had stepped on my stomach, face and mind. Knowing my seasickness pretty well, I figured this was not a journey I could stay up for. The same second I reached my cabin I desperately grabbed a plasticbag and "coughed up and inner storm". This made me feel much better. Despite the fact I do not longer crave anything near toast and jam, which was the menu of my breakfast that day.
As I was lying there for hours, trying to calm my stomach down, it got worse. The wind came from South and we were heading front first into the waves, so the boat was rocking up and down. After a few hours we were "riding the waves" which means we broke the waves from front and after riding them, this resulted in the boat going up, down and from side to side, in what felt like 30-40 degrees. I felt terrible.
After a couple of disgraceful sessions of emptying my stomach, Lizz came to my room
"Giz! Are you alive? " she yelled.
I somehow managed to spit out the words " I think so".
" The Captain wants me to tell you, you are on night watch tonight"
I effortly opened one eyelid and saw a smile on her face. She was joking! She asked if I had eaten something and would therefore bring me some dry crackers. Though the thought of food made me feel worse.
"Lizz, no food! When everything came up I finally felt better" I weakly told her.
"Oh my dear, did you vomit?"
"Yes Lizz, three times and it was beautiful Lizz".
She laughed and told me I was a good girl. She left only to come back with crackers and water. After she left a kiss on my forehead she said outloud
" You are a HERO Giz" I managed to pull a smile and tell her I sure as hell did not feel like one.
" We will be in port in a few hours, hang in there." were the words from her before she left me to my missery.
After staring at the crackers I pulled off my fourth session of visiting the bag. She also told me I was not the only one onboard who had to surrender during the bumpy ride, no one were enjoying the yoyage, which made me feel a tiny bit better, to be honest.
As I once again cuddled my face in my pillow, killing time by digging my brain for thoughts to think I started to feel the weather calming down.
I managed to fall asleep with the delight of waking up in port.
Once the boat rests, the belly settles real fast.
After 10 min. and 5 crackers I was able to stand up and throw the remains of my body to the Brigde where I heard the Captain laugh. As he saw me pulling myself up the stairs he yelled:
" Ohhh looks who's up" and laughed outloud.
" You look beautiful tonight Giz, did you have fun?" I told him he really broke me this time and that I had an amazing time, of course.
We all had a laugh and shared stories of our seasickness and selfpity, ate some crackers and drank some coke.
1.30 am was the time we arrived, after 13 hours of battling with wind, weather and a bitchy stubborn stomach.
This was truly thee ultimate test. A test I definetely failed. However, considering the cruel conditions, I don't think I need to beat myself up . This was weather the Captain do not usually explore, mainly cause he sees no point in doing so. But when there is a deadline to make, you just gotta loose some to gain some, I reckon.
We are now anchored in beautiful settings. A small Spanish town with several beaches and bays, smiling people and great atmosphere, Baiona. It is time to relax and appreciate the Spanish tunes and tones. As well as saying bye to the Belgish family which will soon leave for Antwerpen after 10 days of pulling robes.
The town is a cutey. Small narrow streets that go back to 1201. An old town with soul and history, a beautiful castle right in the Bay which Lizz and I eagerly explored today for some exercise and chick flick talks while enjoying the desperately needed sun.
I need to write more about Lizz, she is worth writing about. The person she is, effects me in thee most positive way. A personality that, despite she is double my age, already strikes me as a friend for life. Age really does not matter in a diversity of fields, it all depends on the view of life that exact person got. And Lizz, she is the youngest 51-year-old woman I have ever met. Tends to throw dirty jokes with a very honest and somewhat always unfiltered mind.
She is originally from Holland but as 19-year-old she stormed to India where she met her Jewish husband from Melbourne. There she moved after spending severel years in India, exploring and becoming the person she is today: Free-minded, tolerant and with a perspective of life I learn a lot from. She has 3 kids from 20 to 26, two boys and a girl which does she connects real wel with young minds.
The most funny part of it all is; she has worked 3 years at thee same "Hippie Hostel" in Byron Bay where I lived and worked for almost 4 months, 5 or so years ago. We know the same people and the Byron Life, which is a frigin grand life to live. Feeling quite lucky having her onboard, she just make that little difference that creates this journey to be PERFECT!
When we have thumbs up regarding wind and weather we will leave Baiona. From then on we are only three onboard. Three people to bring the boat to Las Palmas, a boat that demand at least the double. Lizz, the Captain and myself. We all know it will be an effort and a tough job, so it is lucky we all have time to make time.
In Las Palmas new crew will join before we head to the crystal blue waters of the other side of The Great Atlantic Ocean.
Till then a lot of robes needs to be pulled and wind, weather and the basics need to be carefully studied. Definately fields worth learning, I'd say!
Thank You
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