Location: Underway to the Caribbean
Hi!! Emily again. We woke up this morning bright and early for watch (at least watch team 2-6 did). It was extremely peaceful and calm, and I quite liked sitting and looking at the clouds with no land to see. Teo was playing music, I was fishing, and I was propped up against the main sail sheet, which I decided was my designated spot on watch for the rest of the trip. Before lunch we had a fire drill, everyone came up to the cockpit and we went over what each watch team should do in the event of a man overboard, a flooding, or collision. For lunch, Sam was a chef, and Rachel and Nick were sous chefs, along with Charlie being the breadmaker. We were a bit worried, considering how Sam’s stint as head chef turned out last time we were on passage, but thankfully, it went very well. His chickpea curry, with just the right amount of spice, turned out perfectly. Nick also informed us that later on, there would be another drill keep that in mind. After lunch, we had marine bio and seamanship, where we then went over some studying for the following exams we have coming up. While we were in class rachel walked to the bow to take her towel down from the lines, she mentioned wondering about the next time we would see dolphins. Moments later, a massive pod of dolphins showed up near the stern, and even more in the distance on the horizon (editor note: the dolphins came out of NOWHERE. THERE WERE SO MANY. LIKE AT LEAST 200. CRAZYYY). Ben said, “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Later on, more towards dinner, I was patiently awaiting the next drill, wondering which one it would be. I was actually talking to Rachel (my watch team leader) about what specifically is different compared to my old watch team, clarifying that what I had read on the station bill was correct. 2 seconds later, I see Rachel chuck a buoy with a bucket on it into the actual middle of the Atlantic. I remember vividly saying, “Ohh, okay, Rachel, you think you’re slick,” not comprehending what was happening one bit. It took me a minute to realize, but the buoy was supposed to be a person, and the drill had already started. At first, everyone started flailing around, not knowing what to do (including me), and then we all locked in and went into man overboard mode. My job was to keep my eye and finger on the buoy. You’ll be shocked, I lost it. In my defense, the white buoy and crashing of the waves look relatively similar when you are staring off into the distance and have poor eyesight. At least that is what I told Nick, that I had poor eyesight, because I was embarrassed. Moving on, the rest of the drill went very well.
Aiden jumped into the water to save the “man overboard,” from which the quote derived, “I hope I look good for the fish”. He was extremely concerned about showing off for them; if I remember correctly, he wanted them to see his abs glistening. Anyways, Meg made some delicious dinner, and I honestly have no idea what it’s called, but it tasted like an egg roll. I asked my squeeze a question, “What would you consider a life well lived?”, and got answers consisting of love, making others smile, feeling fulfilled, and Matt and Luca, of course, mentioned doing boat checks with each other. We had a cleanup, and I decided to do some more fishing by myself, and here on Argo, there is a serious rivalry between everyone who fishes about who catches the fish, reels it in, and who gets to filet it. Well, I caught a fish. I also lost the fish because I wasn’t reeling it in properly; however, I consider that a win in my book. I am now going to shower, cozy up in my bunk, and watch a movie from one of the 500 movies Meg has downloaded on her giant flash drive, await my 4-8 am watch, and then do it all again tomorrow. Hopefully, the fish will stay on the line this time. Also, Charlie wanted me to mention that he wants me to tell everyone that he is the best and awesome. Thank you!! See you in a month.
Ty, Alana, and Carrie Mae, I miss you lots! Give Rueben some extra cuddles for me.