(by Ann) Position: Fulunga, Sandspit Anchorage

I am writing this blog midday so that we don’t miss another night of posting. Life can be busy in paradise. There are not only the interactions with the villagers but time spent with the other cruisers around. Right now we have seven boats from the US (four from the Bay Area) and a British boat in this anchorage . Lots of people to meet or catch up with, which means we get back to Charisma late and crash. So no blogging.

Bob went fishing outside the reef with two of the newcomers, fellow Americans Adam from Bravo and Brian from Persephone (Brian was here 20 years ago in a Tayana 37 similar to Charisma and has many stories to share), this morning. I hope they are catching too. But either way they went off with big smiles and big dreams of catching a big fish.

Yup, we caught a couple good ones (in the rain). We gave them to the village they feed US so much.

I went into the village, hitching a dinghy ride with other cruisers, for church on Sunday and again yesterday for another quilting lesson. At the picnic the other day the girls let me know they were ready to learn how to assemble the blocks. Fast learners!

I guess we'll have to come back next year to see how this quilt came out.

You can never go in and out of the village quickly and we have learned to go with the flow and just enjoy full days in the village. Sunday church service is always magical. The voices lifted in prayer and song really fills my heart. I was a bit surprised when one of the locals invited me forward, by name, to tell the congregation why we came back to Fulunga for a second year. It was very difficult to fully explain what Fulunga and these lovely people mean to us but I tried. And those of you who know me well know that included tears of emotion. The Fulungans also were misty eyed. Such a great connection with these lovely people.

Monday’s quilting lesson was full of giggles and silliness. They brought out their hand-cranked sewing machine. Not the best stitch but it works.

Hand cranked sewing machine. An Indian knock off of an old Singer.

Unfortunately the blocks they are working on are hexagon shaped and hard to piece on a sewing machine so I redirected the sewing machine to learning to do half-square triangles. I brought in a quilting ruler/square to help them trim their new creations and they all wanted to try. I sure wish I had an extra cutter and board to leave behind. But for years our great grandmothers quilted by hand with no cool tools so I am teaching them the old-fashioned way. I have gained a new respect for the vintage quilts I have seen in museums, quilt shows and homes. So much work. (Sure hope my quilting babble hasn’t bored you sailors out there!)

There is a kava party with music and dancing being planned. Because we are in Fulunga that means that no one knows the exact time or location…not even the villagers. But that’s part of the fun…we’ll see!

I am off to bake some cookies to take in to share…whenever it happens.

P.S. Bob came back from the great fishing expedition. Alas only a couple trevally which the villagers enjoy, but we don’t really care for so fish for the village from the trip but no tuna for us. Maybe next time (as they say).