Italy for a moment, back in France.

Barely two days in Sardinia, why only two? The itinerary is all up to the owners. Personally I would spend a lot more time in a destination than it took to get there (10 hours there, 2 nights anchored off land, and 10 hours back to Corsica). I didn’t get to land while in Sardinia, I did have a nice afternoon paddling the kayak around a private resort bay and then I had to move the tender (small dingy boat) following the yacht, to a calmer bay.
Next day: we are in Corsica again! I love this island! We are on the other side form before, in the tiny fishing village Maccinagio. The weather in the Med is still very spring-like, frequent rain and a chill in the air, it is still very nice! Today is wonderfully sunny, but I see dark clouds out over the sea.
I went for a long hike, up to a nearby town, 4 kilometers uphill to a picturesque village with a view of the place I just came from.
Tonight to village is having a carnival in the supermarket parking lot, just like small town America!

Bronchitis update:
It’s still here and I finally broke down and asked the doctor for antibiotics. Now I am taking Cipro every day, hopefully it will be gone soon. I still feel like crap, my lungs and all the muscle surrounding them are very sore. The captain confessed he was really worried about me, said I had gotten pale and recognized my energy level was low. He is right, but I said it was only because I needed a day off.
I am enjoying the Mediterranean too much, I expect to gain about 10 pounds this summer, and I am working hard to do it. How can I not eat all these yummy things in the shop windows? Croissants, mini cakes and tarts, foccacia, fresh wheat baguettes, gelato, and the wine- oh, the wine! Corsica also has a really nice beer: Pietra.
And I have convinced myself that the new red splotches on my thigh must be skin cancer. They showed up almost a month ago and have not changed or moved, I would like them to go away. I will post a photo and take a poll.

Bronchitis, more fun than a punch in the head!

If you wish me ill for having a charmed life, you will appreciate this:
I have had a horrible case of bronchitis since Florida (April 28). It’s that horrible cough my mom calls “wall rattling”. It gives most people the creeps and they assume I have been a dedicated smoker most of my life. My abs are sore beyond what any personal trainer could inflict, my lungs are bruised and scarred, my head is sore from the sound echoing in there, I have muscle spasms in my lower back, and when I cough it feels like Chuck Norris is karate chopping me in the sternum. It feels like I have titanium cob webs in my lungs. I think long walks help, at least it makes me cough up a lot of stuff, but scares the people within ear shot, and I estimate that to be 2 kilometers.
The worst is over. For about 10 days I would have coughing fits and my esophagus would go into a spasm and it was impossible to in-hail, causing terrifying fears of passing out in the worst places (public toilet in Spain with a line of tourists). I got that under control by holding my breath, I am not sure if that is better. During the worst o f it I was barely sleeping, and to sleep I had to prop myself up on 3 pillows, laying flat was impossible. I almost sleep through the night now, only wake 2 or 3 times coughing. But now I have a snotty nose along with the cough. Thankfully the yacht owner is a doctor, so it doesn’t bother him too much. Everyone aboard says the cough sounds better, they are used to it by now, it is part of my charm.

Reality sets in

It has hit me: I am in the Mediterranean! It is amazing! The first week was a blur, I had my heart set on Alaska and the Med was second choice. Now that I am here I can’t believe how silly I was to not be insanely over excited!
We barely spent any time in Spain, just Mallorca and Menorca Islands then to France. Villafranche is adorable! It is a fairy tale setting. History says they built the village with meandering zig zaggy streets to confuse pirates. Cool. Just few days in Italy, towns I have never heard of, Iperia, Oneglia, Menton (that might be France- the borders are fuzzy). the chef Venetia and I took a day trip to Monaco, soooo cool! Just days before the Monaco Grande Prix, so the country was hopping! Three countries in one day, via train.
Now we are on the Island of Corsica, France- more pirate stories! And lots of history about how all the Med countries wanted Corsica. A few days in beach resort Calvi, and now 5 days in Bonifacio, the southern tip of the Island. Every stop is better than the last; so far my favorite is Bonifacio! Today I hiked following the coastal cliffs, to see how far I could get: I got very far and sunburned and windblown. I passed two light houses, lots of historical ruins, and found a desert beach, weather sculpted and wild. I climbed all over and got good and sandy! I had sand in the corners of my eyes and my molars. It was an ideal day.
And I am working, but the great owners know I need time off to see and play.
My usual work day:
· up to serve breakfast by 7:30 am and tidy salon/ day use area
· service to rooms as guests rise, aka: beds and heads
· lunch for me @ 12:00
· laundry /ironing
· set up for dinner
· usually a nice break between 3pm-6pm, and clean myself up for dinner service
· dinner served around 7pm/8:30
· off by 10pm

The guests and owners are usually away most of the day sightseeing, which is great for me to have them out of my way. Often the Mrs. has fun errands for me to do in my work day if we are in a marina, like look for new table center pieces/flowers, find out the village’s culinary specialties, and see which restaurant has the cutest waiters (true). Bad days are when the owners/guests lack the energy to go out and look to me for entertaining. So far everyone on the boat has been lovely, making my worst day at work better than most. In Menorca the Mrs. wanted me to go shopping with her, all day walking around the charming island village buying pastries and flowers- life is cruel.
If we are “underway”, cruising from place to place in the boat, we have light snacks and I watch movies, take a nap, or stand at the helm if the Captain wants to watch a movie or take a nap. And I get run around the deck securing lines when we dock or anchor.
In two days we go to Sardinia, Italy. About 6 weeks spent in Italy. Then, almost 2 months in Greece. I landed in a great situation; this is going to be an incredible summer.

Palme de Mallorca, Spain

May 11 2008, Mother’s Day, day after McKenzie’s 2nd birthday party (actual birthday May 6th)
I have been in Palma De Mallorca for 5 days… and it is still very weird. The day I arrived was beautiful and sunny, I slept off my jet lag on the beach. Day 2, a bit overcast- spent the day window shopping and dodging drunk Germans. I would not have guessed that needed to know German for a trip to Spain; it must be Germany’s spring break. Day 3- Started work! The boat is lovely, 112’ Westport. I have a tiny cabin, but it is good. The owner’s are lovely grandparents, I have yet to meet the grandkid’s (that could change everything). Since the first day, it has been cold and rainy, long trousers and a good jacket, cold. poop.
Tomorrow we set off for Menorca. I have read it is smaller and much less developed, it should be exactly what the owners like, and me.
there is a constanly changing itenerary, but roughly: France for the rest of May into June, Italy June/July, and Greece until November?? lots of tim ein Greece.
We were going to Cannes! but after securing a spot at the Marina, the Capt. discovered it was around $5000 US a day, we will be anchored a bit off shore ( i will see it, probably not touch it).

what i have seen/done in Palme de Mallorca: great coffee! amazing old cathedral (learned nothing on the german lead tour), everything is closed noon to 3pm/ Siesta, everything of use is closed on Sunday, no one is ever in a hurry- no matter how long that cashier's line gets, she will answer the phone and chat, the waiter will not bring you a check until you ask for it, and no one seems to be too upset that i can barely communicate, it is all calm and leisurely.
lots of yachts: John Deacon's boat, of Queen (the rock band) fame is just next to us! who know's what other "once celebrity" I will see this season. Does "M/Y Melody Maker" have any connection to the Marley family?

Things i can now say:
"Ich spreche kein Deutsch" - I do not speak german
"Ihr Haar macht mir Kopfschmerzen" -Your hair gives me a headache ( i found this helpfull in getting the drunk german teenagers away)
"donde se encuentra un Internet Café" - Sapnish/ where is an internet cafe?