I was half awake idly going over the dream in my head, it was a familiar dream. I can clearly remember that I’m on a train but where am I going and who am I with? the details are frustratingly elusive. Each time I have this dream it ends the same way, in my dream I’m telling myself please, please don’t wake up just yet! I am with someone I know very well and we are going to see someone or going to stop something?There is an urgency of some sort, but it always ends the same way. I wake up in the middle of the seemingly important mission with a feeling of …………regret? or maybe failure?
My eyes flew open abruptly and I quickly sat up and looked through the porthole. We were moving! I scooted off the bed and headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I could hear the anchor chain rattling as it was being wound up on the winch. I hurriedly pulled on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and went up the short flight of stairs to the galley.
I love boats and I love the sea. I love the sound of the waves slapping the sides, the sound of sails buffeted by a brisk wind and the clink and creak of rigging. Despite my love for everything nautical, I am not a strong swimmer nor am I a good sailor. Luckily here on Eagle Dancer I’m a guest, I’m not expected to do anything! I had flown here to St. Vincent from Antigua yesterday afternoon and we were going to start our leisurely 5-day journey back to Antigua with plans to explore the islands along the way, I was super excited!
I saw that the Chef Claudia was busily packing stuff that is normally on the kitchen counter into the sink in preparation for open water. Buongiorno! I said in greeting, Claudia is Italian and although she speaks heavily accented English, I like to think I can manage simple greetings in Italian. She looked up and me and smiled buongiorno! she said in return. Claudia is model slim and petite with warm brown eyes and long blonde hair piled casually on top of her head. I had yet to see her wear anything other than a tiny string bikini.
“I put your coffee in the cup, here” she said handing me a stainless steel thermos. “Great! thank you” I said. I didn’t want to ask but I hoped that she didn’t make my coffee herself because she didn’t know how I liked it! as though reading my mind she looked up from her task and grinned, brown eyes dancing “He made it himself” she said. I laughed, Claudia was totally cool, I liked her the instant we met, shes the kind of easy going person that anyone would like. I turned and walked out the sliding doors unto the deck.
To be continued…
