As you may have noticed, recently we have been posting more recipes and fewer pictures. The reason for this change has been our time here on the ship. It has proven to be quite difficult to upload photos using the internet connection provided. So until we get back to New York next week pictures will be somewhat sparse. On the upside, our demonstrations and cooking classes have forced us to actually sit down and write recipes which we are happily sharing with all of you. It's a trend we hope to continue as the year progresses.
Many situation have come up over the last week forcing me to ponder the nature of partnerships and teamwork. We have been congratulated on the entertainment value of our "schtick" during the demonstrations. Little do they realize that's it's actually the way we tend to relate to one another. Fortunately we both have equally twisted senses of humor and so things usually to work out in the kitchen. Sea kayaking turned out to be something a little bit different.
For those of you who have never been out in a two-person kayak let me tell you that communication will make or break your experience on the water. The person in front, in this particular instance me, is supposed to be the navigator, letting the person behind know which direction to move in and when there are obstacles ahead. The person in the back, Alex, is supposed to be the pilot, setting the direction with the rudder and actually steering the course that the kayak will take. The guide jokingly referred to them as divorce vessels and after a couple of hours on the water we could understand why. A few snippets from our afternoon:
"Go left, left! We're going to hit the other kayak."
"Could you please wait until I actually run into something before freaking out. I know what I'm doing back here. Have a little faith my abilities"
"Could we move closer to shoreline. I can't see anything from here."
"But all the people are over there."
"Well it's a guided kayak trip, there are supposed to be other people with us."
"That doesn't mean we have to kayak near them."
"Look at those goats!"
"What goats?"
"Over there," pointing toward the distant shoreline dotted with yellow kayaks "those black specks moving in the grass."
"Stop paddling! I'm braking back here. You're working against me"
"Oh really, somehow I couldn't see that with the eyes in the back of my head. You might want to tell me what you're doing back there."
"I'm telling you, stop paddling!"
"Why don't you just enjoy the scenery and let me paddle? It's much easier that way."
"Could you slow down. They told us not to get to far ahead of the group."
"So what? I'm enjoying this."
"But it's supposed to be a scenic cruise. I can't see anything when we're paddling like this."
"But it's fun."
"Could you just slow down!"
"Why?"
"Because-"
"HEY YOU, OVER THERE, STOP! WAIT FOR THE GROUP!!"
"I knew that was going to happen."
"What was that??"
"Um sorry about that." Waving to the people in the next kayak. "We just ran into that kayak."
"Why didn't you tell me we were getting that close?"
"Because you told me not to give you directions until you hit something and you hadn't yet!"
We did survive the kayaking trip. The area that we visited was quite beautiful, although strangely there were no fish in the water at all. I saw one sting ray, many birds and the distant goat family on the hillside. When we were done we had a mediocre lunch, a rip roaring argument and then all was right with world. Every once in a while you just have to let loose.
