Pretty much as Alex described in the last blog is how our crossing turned out, except we landed in Cape Canaveral because part way across we had a weather update that called for thunderstorms and high winds along the shores leading to St Augustine. So here we are in Cape Canaveral at a marina next to NASA's famous home. As a matter of fact, a satellite was launched just a couple hours ago (not the bigger shuttle, which has been cancelled numerous times and right now is scheduled for May 10th).

We'll be here for a bit. Right now we are waiting to meet up with friends who are heading to the Bahamas on their catamaran. They asked us if we wanted to hop on & it is very tempting.

The picture above taken on Man O War Cay in the Abaco Islands really captures much of the reasons why I miss the many Bahamian islands. What does it say about a place where the bank is only open one day a week for 4 hours!

What is more important to Bahamians than the need for instant & multifaceted access?
- family
- the time it takes to lead a natural life that rolls with the indigenous offerings of the islands
- activities in a social life that cares not to match the gargantuan momentum of the north american continent looming large & loud to the west
- keeping clear waters (that turquoise delight)
- knowing who everyone is on your island (other than places with populations of quantity - Nassau & Freeport's islands and maybe Grand Abaco)
- taking the time to warmly greet people, to help them, to find your own place & responsibility in the order & flow of life.

It says it all that I was overwhelmed by my first trip to a Publix Supermarket here in Florida. The choices flying at me as soon as I crossed the threshold were instant stressors....even though I was glad to see my favorite apples and 52 dessert options!

But I miss elderly Mrs. Smith in her wee blue store with her one-choice-of-each-fruit&vegetable every Wednesday after the inter island freighter comes through. She had the staples fresh & ready even if it took her awhile to add your total in pencil on the corner of her crossword puzzle. And you could smell Rhonda's fresh coconut (from her coconut trees & hand grated) bread coming out of the oven next door where you'd head next. Then it was a trip to the dock to see what the island's fishers might bring in that day. All that wrapped in warm, fresh salt air as you walked to your destination. Healthier for sure.

Taking your home with you, in our case the amazingly-obliging iolite, allows this experience to unfold island after island until it becomes your new norm of lifestyle without realizing it.

Thus the shock of super-size me......I'll re-acclimate for sure but let me languish in the imprint of the islands just a little longer.