The West Indies-Wind Writing Chapter 4: The Captain of Us

     Now that everyone had their sea legs on our passage from the surf spot to the next harbor went smoothly.

    The boat sailed gracefully over the waves and I thought back on waves from my surf session that I rode without falling and the incredible satisfaction that came from discovering a surf spot we dreamed of finding in the West Indies. Scott and I had surfed it alone; the colors of the sunset looked like sherbet ice cream and the winds were perfectly offshore and warm.

   I apologized for inconveniencing anyone with my surfing and kept most of my pouting to myself. As time passed my failures seemed smaller and less important just like the islands we sailed away from. New things came into perspective and it was time for me to focus on what was before me. The next night was the last of the year.

On New Years Eve we enjoyed a buffet style dinner at a bar in the harbor we anchored our boat in. The night passed as most New Years Eve night’s do- checking your watch how much time was between this year and the next and swallowing various drinks while dancing to various songs.

    I enjoyed the freedom the alcohol gave my feet, the multi-cultural crowd we celebrated with and the warm island breeze that seemed to kiss us all. But the thing I would remember most was the look of pure satisfaction on my dad's face during the firework show at midnight. He had worked so hard to get us all here- both working at his office to pay for the trip and at home during his free time planning it. This look on his face told me his dream had been realized and even though I was watching him through rum punched eyes the moment was so clear.

Trip Tale Index:

Chapter 1-The Start

Chapter 2-This Isn't a Vacation

Chapter 3-Perfect Failure

Chapter 4-The Captain of Us

Chapter 5

Chapter 6-The Fight

Chapter 7-Departure