The Caribbean is now basically closed and boats cruising there for the winter are hunkered down somewhere whether they like it or not and waiting for the pandemic to run its course. A lot of folks right now are in quarantine for 14 days aboard their boats and trying to fill days with projects. Luckily, in this day and age, with satellite communications and extensive Wi-Fi in most popular harbors, it is possible for cruisers in the Caribbean to stay in daily touch with family and friends at home. And there is always Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and popular blogs to occupy oneself. What with politics and so much advertising now on social media, it seems years since we have seen so many goofy animal videos or so many feel-good music clips being shared. We all share the same deep concerns and uncertainties about the immediate future as the surge in infections approaches. But we also need to go on living and laughing as best we can.
My friends Bob and Brenda Osborn are in Antigua right now quarantined aboard their 47-foot sloop Pandora in Jolly Harbour. Bob is an avid blogger and being cooped up for two weeks has given him time to write (sailpandora.com). In Tuesday’s blog “Trying to Feel Connected” he painted a good picture of what life is like in the Caribbean community right now. And he came up with this amusing quote that is circling social media that made me chuckle.
“One thing I have been focused on, to pass the time, is finishing things that I have needed to get to but somehow have overlooked or put off. To that point, I ran into this bit of timely advice shared by a fellow cruiser from an authority on such things…”
“Heard a Dr. on TV say to get through the boredom of self-isolation we should finish things we start and thus have more calm in our lives. So I looked through the boat to find all the things I’ve started but hadn’t finished…so I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bodle of Baileys, a butle of wum, tha mainder of Valiumun srciptuns, an a box a chocletz. Yu haf no idr how feckin fablus I feel rite now. Sned this to all who need inner piss. An telum u luvum xtherIn”
Stay safe wherever you are and stay healthy. This too will pass.
Just Cruising Image. Caribbean cruiser Bob Osborn took this sunrise over the hills of Antigua from the deck of his sloop Pandora anchored and quarantined in Jolly Harbour for 14 days.
