Day 56 A stormy day at sea

Making way to Tahiti
Our plan had us in Tahiti today so I could call Jack and wish him happy birthday. The weather is still beating us up so I hope to make the call tomorrow.
It has rained on and off all day. We are making slow progress south against the wind and sea but this feels like a good day to curl up by the fire with the dog and a good book. I guess I have to put up with just the book.
Two days ago during our taxi excursion, we met a woman named Beatrice (don’t know her last name) who is one of the two representatives to the French Assembly from French Polynesia. This is the time of the French national elections and she is visiting her electorate to campaign. She lives in Tahiti but must fly to Paris every month. She made a point of telling us that she flies first class. I guess that can’t be too bad.
One of the issues of the election is the independence of French Polynesia from the French Republic. This was promised in 1977 but has yet to occur. Of course, there are two sides to the issue. Beatrice’s party wants a slow separation to maintain the financial support from France. The more radical elements want rapid separation but do not seem to have a plan for economic independence. How many times have we all heard a similar tale?
We are looking forward to Tahiti tomorrow for boat repairs and a laundry.
As a follow on to yesterday’s complaints, here is a list of wonderful things:
• Sunsets - Even Arizona cannot top this. Every night is a light show that goes on for an hour. Fantastic.
• Creatures - The flying fish, the boobies, the glowing jellyfish and especially the magical dolphins... You can’t get that at home.
• The sea - Watching waves is like looking into a camp fire. You can’t stop. The color is truly spectacular. Even the temperature is right.
• People - We have been delighted by the local people, especially in the Marquises. The other “yachties” are all really neat and here on Southern Star, we have developed our own little family.
• Food - Although we have all lost weight, we have done pretty well in the food department. Each of us is able to whip up an adequate meal when the boat is calm and we are doing a better job of planning foods that do not need cooking for those times when it is too turbulent to safely be around boiling water. It may not be gourmet, but it is nourishing and tasty.