It’s been months since I have made the time to write about all my current adventures. Reflecting on the past few months, much learning, growth, struggle and just plain fun has occurred. When I first stepped onto Catatonic January 10th, I couldn’t have been more excited. Overwhelmed with the unknown, excited for adventure, I naively believed I knew a lot more than I did.
The galley, pantry, and overall organization of my new territory scared me but, I quickly got to work labeling and alphabetizing the spices. I stayed up most of the night organizing and preparing for our passage down island to St. Martin. Owen and I left Christmas Cove around 5 p.m. As we headed around the corner into “Seasick Alley,” I had no idea what I was in store for. Three hours into the adventure, as I was puking into the trashcan in the cockpit, I questioned my motives for wanting to pursue a job in this field. I tried to hold myself together because I didn’t want Owen to think I was incompetent. With our nose directly into the wind, we motored pretty much the whole way. I slept mostly and tried to keep Owen company when I could. Numerous pots of coffee, a few rain showers, nearly loosing Kittytonic (the dinghy), and 18 hours later we approached Port Marigot. In our zombie state, we took the dinghy into customs, grabbed a bite to eat, and hooked up with Paul and Carolyn (friends of the owners). They took us provisioning for some last minute produce. At this point I still had no idea about proportions, keeping food fresh on the boat, or the concept of menus not going exactly as planned.
We then had to sail around the east side of the island to Oyster Bay where we were rendezvousing with our guests Chuck and Marie the following afternoon. All we knew about them was that he was a nudist that worked for the pentagon and they were returning guests. After living in California, this information did not intimidate me. I was just thankful that I was only cooking for 4 people instead of the max of 8.
Looking back on this passage I can only laugh. I honestly couldn’t have asked for better guests or a more beautiful location. And nothing went too seriously wrong.a Since January, I’ve gotten my menu on lockdown. I’m comfortable handling the lines. I’m making friends with the locals at all our BVI pit stops. I’ve had 6 charters and each one has become an extension of my family. Honestly, Catatonic has become more of a home to me than Lloyd’s Place, my studio Up De Hill.
