Taking Flight

December 13, 2013

Last night in Fort Lauderdale couldn’t have been anymore relaxing with the two true friends I met there. Portia who I took my STCW class with and have been looking for jobs together ever since I got to FL and then Anton, who I lived with as well as helped me find smaller jobs and gave me a lot of insight on the industry. Sushi for dinner and drinks at a small local bar in rocking chairs and by the fire was the consistency of my night. We sat for hours just telling stories about our lives and where we all thought we would be in five years. We actually all had about the same thoughts on five years from now, none of us pictured our lives as they were today so we figured it would completely different in five years. They both are in their 30’s and still don’t have a life plan so I don’t feel that bad.

Early morning wake up call to catch my train down to Miami to then catch a flight straight to Antigua. Miami seems to be becoming less and less like a part of the USA, I can’t believe the amount of international people here. The English language was 4^th or 5^th language being spoken among the mass herds of people. Culturally this is what I strive to be apart of every day, learning new things that really do interest me and excite me. Don’t know how much Miami, FL would be an option later on in life living in but defiantly a culture shock if you come to Florida thinking it’s going to be like the laid back life we had in Bonita Springs.

Three hour flight to Antigua, one hour ahead of New York time (Indy time) and off we go.

Leaving Miami heading to Antigua

Nelson Bay where Big Eagle is located

Made it to Antigua. Greeted by my Chief Stew (Abby, American) by a beer. Cheers to a good flight and everyone else being hung over. I was greeted by the Chef, Tolan (Aussie) Bosun, John (Scotland) and Abby. Took a cab to the other side of the island. The island is 14 miles long, they drive on the wrong side of the road and pretty much everyone walks or takes cabs everywhere. Very much an island feel even since the boat show was here last weekend. Came straight to the boat to get unpacked. I have a room to myself until Monday but I'm sharing a room with the new deckhand from North Carolina once he arrives on Monday. Off to dinner with the crew to an island, local type food. Loving everything so far!

Cheers 

Getting a little stir crazy around the house. No more work for me and most of my friends are on boats already. I'm ready to get on the boat meet everyone and start working. I told Anton I wanted to go now and he said live out your vacations as much as you can because you will be working your ass off and not to wish away from your days off!

Went to Ferretti today to pick up a check and say goodbye to everyone. Surprised to pick up a check for about $600 for 3 days of work! Happy Holidays to me I guess. Last day of my Orange Theory (workout class) things are starting to wind down and I'm very ready to get to Antigua and see a new country for me. Antigua boat show just ended so most of the big boats will be there. I also have been keeping in touch with one of my friends from Zimbabwe who is also a yachtie. He met in France and he contacted me letting me know he would be coming to Antigua mid-December and we needed to go out in Antigua and party. (just what I need) His boat is called Lady L another big boat if you can follow on Marinetraffic.com

If you haven't heard about marinetraffic.com it's a site where you can find any boat underway in the world. My boat is called Big Eagle and you can see exactly where I am at all times, it's free to sign up. You can find any type of vessel as well, cruise ships, cargo and even small fishing boats. It shows pictures of every boat and lets you know coordinates of where the boats are in port as well if anyone wants to know exactly where I am at all times. (creep)

Friday morning I am taking the train down to Miami and then flying out of Miami straight to Antigua. Fun adventures ahead of me, excited to keep everyone in the loop on my next trip!

Photo from Marine Traffic underway to Antigua

Towing tender 

Cheers

Last few in Laudy

Sunday December 8, 2013

Four days until I take off to Antigua to start my new journey as a stewardess on Big Eagle, 172ft (50m) yacht. I have only a few more days in the crew house. Started off in a crew house living on the top bunk bed with a South African man sleeping bellow me, snoring all night long. Then come to find out my food was being eating not by me but the rats that had made a home in our home. After figuring out that there were nicer accommodations out there I finally moved into an all female crew house that was recently redone inside and newly furnished. I met some amazing people in my last crew house and have seen them here and there but only stayed friends with one guy and he was a South African named Anton. He's been in the industry for a year or so and just came to Fort Lauderdale around the same time I did. He took an 87ft (29M) catamaran from the tip of South Africa to somewhere in New York. 37 days at sea. He then flew down to Fort Lauderdale and started looking for work after that. I have learned so much from him and he is a genuine friend that I will keep in touch with along my entire journey.

After moving into my new house I met more amazing people. Living with two South Africans, Danish, Americans, New Zealand, and Australian girls all living under one roof and ALL searching for the exact same job. We all are new to the industry, (green) stews and looking for "big" boats. A big boat is considered 50m or bigger and those are hard to get on. Even though we were all rooting for each other it was hard seeing others get interviews over one another but everyone stayed positive. We got along great and the best thing about being in this industry is everyone keeps everything very clean and cleans up after themselves. No dishes ever left out and everyone loves making beds and doing laundry. Always a plus. 

I've made great memories as these two months have flown by. Been on the beach plenty and have learned an amazing amount of new things. I thought I knew some about boats and could keep up but I learn something new every single day just from small stories that are told. Everyone has an interesting story. 

Can't believe I'm already off onto the next chapter of my life, we will see how everything pans out on Big Eagle.

Until then...