Each time I found it necessary to approach someone for help with directions or something they were at first a little nervous, it seemed, but as soon as I spoke they came nearer and were friendly chatty and helpful!
I think their initial reticence comes from how we look! Although we are aware they say we cruisers have a certain genre about us, we tend not to notice! Every now and again it is brought home by a comment by people we meet. Like the lady I met in the marina laundry! She and her husband and an old friend of theirs cruise in the winter months! While we were chatting she said her biggest fear when she started cruising was to start looking like a live-aboard! Sun faded clothes, no make-up and messy wind blown hair and dark tans! I had to laugh as she described us to a T. She said however it wasn't long before that's exactly what she was doing!
So that's how the non sailing/cruising world sees us as we traipse around their towns. Who else walk around with heavy packs on their backs (usually groceries in our case, their worldly belongings in theirs) disappear to places unknown at night (our boats usually at anchor or in marinas unfamiliar to non boating locals, night shelters or doorways or wherever to theirs) yes you have it, homeless or as they seem to call them, and us, here 'transients'. We are usually greeted warmly but with curious looks by the street people in towns we visit. They hardly ever ask us for anything and probably spend the whole day debating where the 'new people' are sleeping. No wonder the towns folk are a little cautious when we first approach them but we have had nothing but kindness from everyone.
So we planned to leave Fort Lauderdale on the Monday morning as the weather window was one day only and if we missed it we would have been stuck there for another week at least! Our first delay was when I 'kissed' the pavement goodbye but took it too literally and ended up in ER with four stitches!
Although I am sure he won't read it kudos to the young paramedic who first attended to me! He was efficient, professional and did a great job! I am sorry in my state I didn't ask for his name! The second thank you goes to the young lady who, on hearing I didn't want to call 911 and needed a taxi to take us to the hospital volunteered to drive us there, despite being a visitor to the town too! No comment about the person who sutured my face! We can only assume he saw the sun faded clothes, wind blown hair and lack of makeup and decided he didn't need to do his best work as an ugly scar would give me street Cred anyway!
There was an art exhibition on the go with various entertainment. It was while watching the people performing yoga balanced on their partners hands and not watching my feet that I did a spectacular no hands flat on my face display!
Two days later on the Monday we got up bright and early 0500 to set off only to discover the new Inverter we had just had installed was not doing what André wanted it to! So we had to sit around until 0800 to call the installing company to come and fix it! All done it was midday and we had once again about to miss a window! Captain decided we would leave anyway or would be stuck there for another week! So we set off, arriving in Bimini at 0300 hours! Awoke to a gentle roll and clear blue water! Sweet agony as with the hole in my head I couldn't indulge and dive in!
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