Fort de France

June 13

It was noticeably sweltering in Fort de France this morning waiting for laundry. Nearby chandlery with AC was convenient refuge after patronizing next door pastisserie. Felt badly about abusing their hospitality, so found more stuff to buy without which life would be meaningless.

This place must have more pharmacies per capita than any other on earth, one per corner. Worse than Starbucks in PNW (Pacific Northwest). Profusion of medicine apparently ineffective as "Diary of Anne Frank" sirens are constantly blaring all over town. Saturday (Samedi) is apparently "go to town and create chaos" day in F de F. Biggest city in Lesser Antilles at 130k+. Bye, bye.

After finishing city bidness, motored around to other side of fort (called St. Louis, not France - go figure) for diesel and gas at horrendous prices (U.S. has dollar stores, here there is a 10 Euro store (about $14)), then close reach with yankee in 20+ wind at 4.5 kts. across to Anse Mitan for the night. Seven escapees boarded Beach House for sundowners and solving of critical world problems. Lack of progress in this endeavor became less significant as evening progressed.

Major effort at breakfast this morning (eggs, bacon, toast, jam, juice and coffee) will not be repeated tomorrow. There must be more pastry shops here than all of U.S. Buttery croissant and pain aux chocolat with high test coffee (cafe) have, no doubt, significantly attenuated lifespan. C'est la vie.

Jack