American Spirit II - Day 124; Two Doctor Visits Today, Got Laundry & the Movie Tonight was a Bust; Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Up at 6:30 AM; left boat at 6:45 AM for a 7:30 AM doctors visit to change my bandage. Arrived at the doctor's office at 7:15 AM, second in line. At 7:50 AM I met with the doctor and he changed my bandage, but not after squeezing more you know what out of the abscess he'd lanced the day before. No Novacain this time. The doctor seemed happy with in infection battle's progress; and that he was confident that I wouldn't have to be admitted to a hospital. How lucky can a guy be?

I was back at the boat by 8:45 AM, and had a coffee and breakfast. We then dingied over to the laundry, but it was closed. Returning to the boat, I laid down in bed from 10 AM to 2:00 PM. Went back to the laundry, and found out it had been delivered to the yacht club the night before, probably when we were there during happy hour.

I had to go back to the doctor's office at 4:00 PM because my bandage was falling off. After getting a new bandage on, a much larger one, I went to the pharmacy and bought the sticky tape and bandages so I could put a new bandage on myself if necessary. The doctor's office was closed tomorrow due to it being a holiday. VE Day (Victory in Europe Day). The day World War II was declared over in 1945. The day the French people celebrated their freedom again from Nazi occupation and enslavement. I hope there's fireworks tomorrow night. I've always liked the French because without their help during our Revolutionary War, we might still be speaking the King's English instead of the Americanized version. I'm sure my United Kingdom friends in Rally Control are going to like reading this passage.

On the way back to the yacht club I bought some groceries. One bag's worth. Just essentials, really: coke for Joel (Captain Morgan and Coke); wine; butter; chicken; and a new device to stack washed dishes in. Paul or David, who just departed the boat a couple of days ago, remarked that the (non-plastic) mat we were setting washed dishes on might be a bio-hazard. When we get good advice from a visiting crew, we react to it.

Left the yacht club after happy hour, after renewing our acquaintances with Nexus and Folie a Deux, both boats of which had just made it to our anchorage.

Dinner on board was blackened steak cooked on the grill by Joel; baked potatoes; and an orange.

At 9:15 PM we went to watch a movie, but the wire that runs from the TV to the DVD recorded had been broken by the person who disconnected it from the TV a few nights before. I'll have to take credit for that 'fumble.' I know where a store is to buy a new cable, but it will probably be closed tomorrow due to the national holiday.

Joel went to bed at 9:20 PM, while I caught up on my logs, email and reading.

Lights out at ...

I forgot an item from Monday. I got a haircut. In doing so, there was apparently a communication's problem between the barber and me, for my hair was cut really, really short. Not US Marine Corp short, but close. And like at Hiva Oa, the cost was 3,000 francs or about $33.00. And like in Hiva Oa, I got a shampoo before the cut. I didn't want one or ask for one. Must be standard policy in French Polynesia.

Theft update. I learned today that one of the rally boats had their dingy stolen (later recovered?); and apparently there have been other thefts in the fleet. Too bad, because we haven't had this problem in the rest of French Polynesia.

360 Days until home.

Brian Fox