Paint the bottoms, install a wind generator, build a custom table, fix the depth/wind gear....it's a list that is paramount to our world. On land, in a house, what tasks would compare to these? Hmmmm, refinish the hardwood floors, add ducted air conditioning, build a custom table, and fix the software in the thermostats (that were built in France and must be returned there for a tune-up). It's not too bad, but when it's all happening at the same time, in a world that works on GMT, it can be larger than life. GMT is a wonderful term our friends on s/v Cataway, the Reymann's, came up with: Grenada Maybe Time. Tom, for all who worked with him, know he works on RNT, Right Now Time. He's been haunting the marina workers, brainstorming with German metal engineers, adjusting specifications with French electricians and negotiating with Grenadian painters. You can just about hear the cacophony of boat techno lingo being flung about Zen. But, damn, that husband of mine is productive!

What are the 3 of us other crew members doing while all this is happening onboard? We spend the mornings cranking through 6th and 4th grade curriculum. Afternoons are varied. They include provisioning, swimming, befriending puppies and geckos, emailing, bill-paying, and reading.

Carnival was happening when Zen arrived in Grenada. The pictures are pretty clear as to the colorful display the locals gave to onlookers. Music was blasting out of speakers, dancers boogying down the streets and food vendors littered the sidewalks. We tried some local fruit, Skin-ups. Totally delicious and addictive. The afternoon was loud, fun and sensory overload. As we mazed through the crowd to meet our cab driver, we failed to find him at our planned meeting point. A rasta, sitting in a car, was kind enough to let us use his cell phone to call our taxi. After a little conversation, we learned our good Samaritan is a lead singer for an international reggae band in London, works as an EMT, and is a licensed air pilot. As we enjoyed hearing about his "story", he marveled at our journey to his native island. Great ending to our colorful day. Saturday was not so colorful. All we saw was white, with a stripe of blue, about an arm's length away. Team Zen attacked a major project full-steam-ahead. After 9 hours of "wax on, wax off", we cleaned the boat's hulls from top to bottom. Believing it was going to be a 2 day event, Tom and I were surprised to hear that Cammi and Cole voted amongst themselves and determined it would be condensed to one. True to form, it took all day, but Sunday we got the whole day off. After a lazy morning, we piled into the rental car and zoomed up to Belmont Estates. Learning about the 400 acre working cocoa and spice farm was fun and educational. Mostly, it was delicious since tasting the organic chocolate was included in the tour.

Then, it dawned on me, we've been living on Zen for a month straight. Chocolate cake is in order for such an occasion. The cake was a little lopsided, a little too warm for the frosting, but so darn tasty. As I awaited for the 2nd layer to bake, I read the cake box. Brownies....all you need is 1 cup of margarine, 1/2 cup of nuts, 1/2 cup of raisins and a cup of rum. Yes, rum. What kind of brownies do these islanders make? While Tom was in the marina today, he smelled the "other" brownie ingredient wafting out of the marina bar. Between the rum and the reefer, no wonder it's called GMT.

COMMENTS:

mary

Nice photo. Wow, a month already. Time is flying by. Miss you all, Auntie Mary

20 Aug 2008

J

send me some of those brownies sounds like the vessel will be tip top

20 Aug 2008

Lisa "G"

Missing you all and loving your stories. After a month, I can now read then without the constant welling up of the tears...Enjoy the GMT time while you can! PS just obtained passports for all so you will definitely be seeing us! Love, The Hornings

21 Aug 2008

Denise

Mops and en famille! Hi, How are you? Wow, what a trip, I am completely jealous. Hey I just got a new passport maybe I'll come and meet you along the journey. Good luck, I'll keep reading the blogs and checking in with you guys. Have a safe trip and I wish you nothing but calm waters. xoxo, D-

21 Aug 2008

Sparky Jan

Wow, you're adventure is SO incredible. Thanks for sharing your stories. My husband and I are going to retire on a cat in 3 years and we can't wait to start our adventure, too. God Speed... Jan 'Sparky' Garrett Sparks, NV