Sailboat Racing!

I was invited to go Sailboat racing on Saturday, definitely something I have never done and honestly never really even thought about. I was so excited and didn't really know what to expect. I kind of thought, oh sailboats are calm, the wind blows them gently through the water, it will be a relaxing day in the sun…haha, I was wrong. I got on the huge sailboat (36 feet) but had pictured more seating area actually. I watched the other people fix the sails and hook things up, tracing the colorful lines and ropes until they converged at the front of the boat and climbed up the poles gleaming in the sun. Ally was there too which was cool because at least I wouldn't be the only clueless American, but then she told me her family has a sailboat, oh well. We were in charge of the rail, so basically we just moved to either side of the boat when told to, I was very fine with that job. So the sailboat took off and I swear I thought it was going to tip over, I held on so tight afraid I was going to dive head first over the other side of the boat. I was a little freaked out and reconsidering my choice to join the adventure, yikes, pus I had no idea how long this little ride would be. Oh well, I figured hopefully I wouldn't die and it was definitely something I may never have the opportunity to do again. Things got better once we picked up a little speed, it was completely beautiful to look out across the transparent teal water glittered with white sails on tiny looking ships. The race would begin soon, so Ally and I sat in the middle of the boat with out legs dangling over the edge, separated from the water by only a three thin steel wires. With the boat on its side, the opposite edge from me skimmed the water and I just about freaked out when they said I had to climb over the top of the boat to the other side in a few minutes, head first is best…yeah right. Get ready to jibe, my stomach flipped as I clamored over the top, grabbing ropes and clamps and whatever I could find before the boat tipped quickly to the other side. I tried to relax once I made it to the other side, but I had goose bumps from the ocean splattering water across my skin and every muscle in my body was clenched trying not to slip out of the boat, anxiously waiting for the next cross over. The next was worse. I tried to scramble over the top but didn't move with the rhythm quickly enough, my legs flailed over to the other side, trying to hold on with my toes, crawling blindly to the other side, someone pulled my leg over and I practically rolled over the top of the boat, making it just before the boat flipped on its side. I really almost fell out of the boat, terrifying and I was dying laughing. I was dreading the next time, but determined to do better. I was so relieved that it wouldn't be for awhile though. Oh and it didn't really feel like racing, it didn't seem like we were going too fast. The worst part was the turning and that people kept yelling about the tweeker, spinnaker and the boom and all these other crazy words I had no idea what they meant. I felt sorry for the girl and guy up front who looked so confused and stressed, attaching and reattaching huge heavy beams, lifting sails and adjusting ropes, I think they had sailed before but weren't totally comfortable with what they were doing. I felt a little calmer and was able to make it to the other side more comfortably each time, I just zoned out and watched the waves as we coasted through blue. We definitely didn't win the race but it was fun. I was drained when we finally pulled into the harbor, so tired from being on edge for four hours. What an amazingly terrifying experience! I think I would have more fun if I went again because I would know what to expect, but I definitely would not want any more responsibility than a rail person. All nine of us collapse into the white plastic chairs around a table on the patio of the sailing club, sipping beer and laughing at our adventure. Amazing day! So cool, I am so lucky I can't believe it. I am in Australia, coated in sunshine, laughing with cool new friends and I had just helped race a sailboat through the Indian Ocean waves. I walked home exhausted, hair twisted into windy knots, skin coated in a salty crust. Sarah, Grant and I sat on the front porch in the sunset, eating pizza and trying to decide what movie to see later. We walked down to the movie theater, past the bars vibrating with people in strangely dressy clothes for this town. In the theater I sat in every position possible, shivering from the airconditioner, trying with every bit of energy I could gather to keep my eyes open for more than five minutes. I had been wanting to see Up in the Air but the pieces I caught weren't that great, kind of depressing really, basically saying hey you can't trust anything or anyone but that's life so you either expect it and deal with it orconstantly get hurt. I got an uncomfortable $17 nap. Yeah, I thought $9 was expensive for a movie in Indy, but $17 is ridiculous, insane, I don't think I'll go to another movie here ever. I took it as a learning experience and couldn't wait to get back and go to sleep. It seemed like a long walk back, past the girl who puked as her boyfriend stood back in total confusion, past the two girls in really tight, cheaply, made short black dresses, I tried to eavesdrop on their drunken conversation about boys or some other gossip, i passed the homeless lady who smiled sideways and said hello, the streets became empty and I ducked under the branches near the path to the door and fell onto the mattress on the floor a few minutes later.

I could feel the anxiousness creep over me as the light of Sunday morning trickled through the cracks in the ceiling above me, I quickly shoved the nerves aside and just tried to relax in the warmth of sun and conversation at Aubergine Café. We rode Sarah's old refurbished bikes down to the beach, towels piled in the front basket, the bell lightly ringing with each bump, I tried not to go too fast since the brakes didn't seem to really work. The sun was so hot and the breeze hadn't moved in yet, I stepped quickly across the burning hot sand to sink between the cool ocean waves. I tried to relax in the sun but I kept wondering what time it was or if I was getting a sunburn since I didn't put on sunscreen at it was really hot outside. I was annoying myself, I didn't need to do anything but cram my suitcase together and zip it before leaving for the bus at 1:45. I was kind of sad to leave the people I had met, kind of jealous of the American girls who would get to have more fun times in Freo with everyone. But I was excited to see where I would be living and excited to start my new job, I was just ready to go. So I hugged Sarah goodbye and listened to Bella & Sebastian as I watched trees pass by out the window on my way to Busselton. It was exciting, I was finally almost to a place I had been planning to go for so long now; I had already had so many adventures before the main adventure had even begun.