We're finally settled after an incredibly busy 2011. It's taken a long time to organize the boat and ourselves into a more 'regular' routine. Larry has been busy since our arrival with identifying and fixing as many boat problems as possible. Now we're taking a break from boat work to get into the busy social whirl of Christmas.
We've been hearing some terrific festive music around town - our own less professional event takes place aboard Traversay on Wednesday the 14th. Starting at Ko Olina Marina in Hawaii in 2001 and with a few missed years, it has now turned into a tradition. So the invitations have gone out to all the "Cruisers" moored here. It's for our 6th Annual Christmas Party and Singalong. In other years, we were in Nelson NZ: 2006, Ushuaia Argentina 2007, Puerto Williams Chile 2008, Auckland N.Z. 2009, Capetown S Africa 2010.
The party has changed a little over the years - it's now a potluck. With Traversay supplying main course, plates, plastic-ware, cutlery and our friends bringing either a self-contained dish of salad or plate of goodies for dessert we've been able to fit as many as 18 people in! The main purpose (other than having fun together) is to SING! Larry is an enthusiastic singer ... I supply the piano accompaniments (Traversay III is piano-equipped) and participants are equipped with song sheets - including carols in a few other languages. Lacking a tolerable voice is no impediment (lip-synching is allowed) .... our lack of musical skill is offset by a feeling of Community fostered within the few short months, weeks or even just days we've shared together so far away from our own families and countries. We have an abiding memory of the heartfelt 'Silent Night' which flowed out from Traversay in English, French, Spanish and German when we were in Ushuaia.
The old tradition of making music on small boats is one we don't want to see disappear from the "cruising"community. So - not just at Christmas - but quite often during the year we indulge in Singalongs! Carols, however, are ONLY sung in December. We remember the dictum: "Carols out of season bring troubles without reason!" posted by Mary Anne
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