Under the Sibarian Sun

Sibari, Italy---Surrounded by mountains by more than 180 degrees, the tiny town of Sibari (Sea-bar-ree) is in a valley safe from the harshness of Winter, but not excluded from the winds that howl through with gusts up to 50 knots.

There is a distinct routine on the Sailing Vessel Juno, I have learned. And it was this wind that whipped our dingy around and drenched us as we returned on “rowing day” (as opposed to ‘Biking Day’ ”). A daily trip to the beach rowing a dingy through the marina harbor was not as easy as the other younger crew members. After exploring the beach overlooking the Gulf that will be our escape to Greece, we walked to the end to check on the dredging progress.

This Marina entrance fills in over the winter and as the seasons change, it is dredged of the sand and farm soot that has locked us in. It seems the Italians are in no hurry.

Tuesday’s and Friday’s are Market days, when the Marina staff give a ride into town, about 5 miles away. On Tuesday I thought I bought creme rinse (Crema Fluida di Bellezza) when I actually bought intense body lotion. Today I thought I bought plain honey (Mielbalsamico) only to gag over eucalyptus infused honey that tasted like a cross between Nyquil and Ben Gay. Yes, Yes…I should have learned Italian.

Everyday is work on the boat day. So far I’ve had boat hydraulics lessons, including being up close and personal with the centerboard which you can only view with your upper torso hung over the bilge to view under the galley floor and literally the bottom of the boat. We also took the Windlass apart to solve the starter’s problems. (This is the electronic anchor wench, a must with a 70 pound anchor and hundreds of pounds of chain.) This is not solved yet as the captain is waiting on an email from New Zealand, since the opinions that came from Britain and America were in conflict. It also meant spending an hour with out heads in the aft locker (front of boat where chain drops in to) that is the size of a small dorm refrigerator.
Soon we are to be hauled out to be “on the rack” for 4 days. During this time, Juno’s bottom will be pressure washed by the Marina staff, and painted by us. Oh boy.
Sunday is Pizza day I’m told, where we dine at a local Restaurant. Yes!