Wild Dances and Pick-up Drives
18.11.2016 - 28.11.2016
We left Tenerife under sail, only using the motor for a second to prevent the dinghy from hitting the dock. And that was the end of our unexpectedly long stay on Tenerife, with a new mate and a teacher that left last minute.
Our watches and cabins were switched, I now live in cabin five with the 5-9 watch. We bake bread and cut the trash. My first time baking bread on the ship took way too long and both of us were seasick; not exactly successful, but well. Washing and cutting the trash went better, and is especially nice when people aren’t used to throwing organic waste overboard anymore. Oh, and coffee pads. Open coffee pads. One of the best things in life.
I also lead raising a sail for the first time, the schooner, totally random on a school day, I believe. My first reaction to being pointed out (because I was standing in a good position) was, shit. But I did it, and it went rather well, I think. Most of it is positioning people and then shouting, “Peak, throat, raise, a little less peak, slack the sheet, keep that preventer tight, yes, keep going. Ok peak stop, give that throat a good pull. Yes, thrice more, just once, yes! Fasten it. Ok peak keep going. Etc etc.”
We took six days to reach São Vicente, Cabo Verde. The first thing we did there? Hang a fender from a line and use it to swing into the water. I won a bet, that I could throw Alexander in the water, and got a bar of chocolate. Next up was cleaning the ship and free time.
During the latter Emilia, Amelia and I accidentally found ourselves involved in a capoeira performance meant for a group of elderly Germans. The dancers were incredible, the drums beating in your chest, and my little group of three was invited to dance twice. We had so much fun, I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.
The next day, Saturday, was half school and half pick-up tour. In the afternoon my half of the group piled into two small pick-ups, and drove off at high speed. Out of the town and up a mountain that gave an incredible view of the bay below. Down again, to a small beach where a few of us spontaneously jumped into the waves, clothes and all. The second thing on Cape Verde that just happened and was amazing. Those things in life are simply the best.
That evening, our first mate Julius left us, to spend Sinterklaas with his family. In his place came Sam’s girlfriend, Jet, and Jelle’s (the cook) girlfriend joined us too, to help where needed.
Sunday was divided in half too, but with everyone at the same time. First school tests, then chilling at the beach for the rest of the afternoon.
On Monday, around noon, the lines were thrown loose, and the helm turned 90° starboard. We were off.
