Archive for the ‘sailing’ Category
99 miles from the Atlantic
We’re going sailing soon, but not soon enough. While it’s snowing and sleeting here in New Hampshire, it’s warm, balmy and perfect in the Bahamas. Piper says, “It’s not perfect in the Bahamas!” but I think from the vantage point of New England in February, listening to the hard pellets of sleet hit the roof, it is perfect. I agree to disagree. Piper has now changed her mind. Ok, so it’s perfect.
The last time we went was a year ago. We sailed out of Nassau towards the Exumas. Crossed the Yellow Banks, those treacherous shallows of reef heads, to the incredible chain of islands called the Exumas. I don’t know where the name came from. I’ll research that.
Quick research. There’s: exhume, exalt, exuberant. The prefix -ex means out of.
Exhumare: Middle English, humus = from the earth.
Exaltare: ME, altus = high
Exuberare: ME, uber = fruitful
I like the last one best. Though, the Exumas are actually dry and rocky. I wouldn’t call them fertile. This is most likely an impression taken from always seeing these islands from the coastline. I read that they produce onions, tomatoes, mangoes, papayas, pigeon peas, and guavas. Some of those things I haven’t eaten. Guava. I remember a grown up jam that we weren’t allowed to use in the fridge. It was pale, yellowish, and we didn’t want it anyway. And pidgeon peas? I think they’re like a black eyed peas. Last year I got so excited about some fresh tomatoes, but I would have killed for some apples. Kiss that one goodbye. No apples, I mean, no reasonably priced apples that far south. I guess it’s like buying a mango in New Hampshire. Expensive, not for everyday, hide them well. I think in Highborne Cay, I saw and touched a 5 dollar cucumber. I’m such a yank. It’s just that having kids, I get used to finding the foods that they’ll eat. Cukes, apples, carrots, lettuce and don’t forget the ranch dressing. I miss that vegetable wealth when we sail. The food is generally heavier than we eat at home. I have to find a way around that.
We’re going to the Exumas again. Did I say that? It is still sleeting and blowing a gale here, 99 miles from the Atlantic.
