Shoes?

I have to wear shoes? After three weeks in Las Perlas Islands we have returned to civilization and are feeling some culture shock. When was the last time you were able to go three weeks without putting on shoes? I am betting for the vast majority of you that it has been a very long time, if ever. The downside is our feet complaining bitterly about being confined again. We have also enjoyed three weeks without wearing a mask. These two things alone are enough to drive me back to a quiet anchorage.

Our return from Las Perlas was delayed by a few days due to the outlying winds from Hurricane Iota situated in the Caribbean. We had planned to leave on Monday but Panama issued a decree that all boats were to remain in port until noon on Wednesday. So, being the obedient types, we waited, mostly. Wednesday morning we pulled anchor. The seas and the weather were both calmer than they had been on Tuesday, but it was still a brisk sail back to Panama City. The waves were up to 10 feet and the squalls were passing through. It made for a bumpy ride, but the good news was that there were no other boats out there making the same trip, all the fishing boats and the charter boats were all staying in port. There were very few birds out flying but no dolphins or whales graced us with their presence. Where do they go in the storms?

The only boats out were the tankers at anchor outside the canal. We had to weave our way through them to get into the marina.

I spent a good portion of the trip back monitoring the boat on autopilot and making lists of all the things we need to do when we return to the city. Finishing the repairs from the lightning strike, replenishing our groceries and general maintenance. I find that making the lists is relaxing. If I don't write it down it sits in my head and causes anxiety because I am afraid I will forget something. Writing it down lets me release it from my consciousness because I know I can access the list when needed. Bob says that he finds it depressing, the list is too long and there is too much to do. Different approaches to dealing with things.

So, now we are back in the city, away from the Covid-free sea. Pull out the shoes, pull out the masks, pull out the lists, playtime is over.

And now: this week's art: