Very International

Before traveling to a new area we try to learn as much as we can from a cruiser's perspective. This has become easier now with blogs and other internet articles. One source we found very interesting and helpful for this area was written by Sharon on 'Rose of Sharon' describing their journey from Guanaja to Bocos del Toro. One comment that Sharon made that really puzzled me was that in arriving at Providencia she described the anchorage as crowded with cruisers from every country. Up until now we have seen a preponderance of American and Canadian cruisers, and occasionally a boat or two with another flag. Every country may be a slight exaggeration, but clearly we are finally out of close proximity to the United States and Canada so we no longer dominate the anchorage in numbers. One evening since arriving here, for example, we were invited aboard a Swiss boat 'Anna' along with other cruisers in the anchorage. Besides our Swiss hosts, there were couples off two Dutch boats, a family of three off a German boat, a Canadian couple from Vancouver Island and a French Canadian couple from north of Montreal. We were the only Americans.

We are going against the general flow. Most boats, especially European, arrive in the Eastern Caribbean and then come across the coast of Venezuela, usually stopping at the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, to the arrive in the Western Caribbean. Others arrive here from the North American west coast by coming through the Panama Canal.

Leading up to Christmas, they constructed a stage near where we land our dinghy.  We were not sure exactly what and when the event would be but knew it would be around Christmas.  Christmas Eve they had live entertainment and much partying.  At midnight they set off fireworks and we had perfect seats on Ariel.

To clear into Colombia, one must use an agent.  Here in Providencia the agent is Mr. Bush.  We all get to know him as this is not a fast process to clear in so there is a lot of sitting and waiting and talking.  One of the boats in the anchorage decided to organize a traditional Christmas dinner and Mr. Bush was instrumental in getting the resources needed, namely someone to cook the turkey and ham and a place to have it.

We are really enjoying spending time with cruisers from so many different places.  On Christmas day, there were ten boats in the anchorage.  Of these nine boats attended our Christmas potluck.  The one other boat was asked by a local family to spend Christmas with them.  The turkey and ham  was prepared by a local lady with help from friends.  Originally we were to have dinner at her house, but she felt the house was too hot with the baking so it was moved to a pavilion at the Port Captain's facility.  This turned out to be the perfect place.  Anyway we placed the dishes on the tables which had been placed in a long row so we could sit together.  The turkey and ham was still back at the house and they left to retrieve them.  Mr. Bush asked the French Canadian women to say grace.  She said she would feel uncomfortable saying it in English, so we all agreed French was fine.  The turkey and ham had not arrived and suddenly dishes were being passed and plates filled.  No one listened to my protest and not to be left out I filled my plate.  We all started eating and after the plates were pretty much cleared, the meat arrived.  Later I found out that in Holland, it is normal to have the meal in courses and for the vegetables and such to precede the meat, and since we had three Dutch couples at the tables, all was very normal to them and we just had  involuntarily adopted a different way of eating our meal.   It was was a wonderful and memorable Christmas

Our Lovely Cook Bringing The Turkey

Port Captain Stopping To Visit

Agent Mr. Bush at End of Table