Eating

In my haste to leave, I forgot to prepare for a few aspects of long term ocean travel. I won't go into some of the more embarrassing ones (toilet paper), but the main one and the one I'm thinking about right now is food. Contrary to popular rumor, I am not a seafood guy. I'll tolerate an occasional coconut shrimp on special occasion. And it needs to be heavy on the coconut. I'm talking plenty of exocarp, mesocarp, and coir dust. Here is a handy chart called "The Anatomy of a Coconut" if you need to acquaint yourself with the specific components of a coconut. Most people just know about the outside hair and inside water. Such a shame.

I love little quiches. I also like your basic, garden-variety American breakfast foods. Cereals, both healthy and sweet, are a staple. Yogurt is acceptable. French toast, pancakes, waffles, and eggs prepared any style are what fuel me. Mentally, spiritually, and nutritionally. I hope to find a supply ship where I can stock up on batter and syrup soon, but eggs might prove to be much more difficult. Chickens cannot cross oceans. They faint at the sight of an endless blue surface that stretches all the way to the horizon. Have you heard of chicken hypnotism? If you draw a straight line in the sand in front of a chicken, they freeze when they look at it. Being on a boat has the same effect. I'll figure out some way of bartering for eggs with passing freighters and cruise boats. I really wish I'd had the forethought to keep all my magic tricks and bring them with me. That would be a surefire way to score some eggs. As for quail eggs or the ones from sea turtles and other creatures, I prefer to let them lie undisturbed in their nests and develop into living beings. Cracking them in a pan, adding Old Bay, and whipping them up into a delicious eggy froth is tempting - but easily avoidable if you have a conscious. Unless you're stranded somewhere. Then, it's "anything goes" time. Survive how you need to and don't tell anyone what you had to do. That's also how most religions work.  

Speaking of sea turtles, 9 people died and 78 were sickened on Pemba Island after eating sea turtle meat. Read about it here. The nautical world is abuzz with the news and it has sent shivers down the masts of every sailor/sailorette who has ever entertained the notion of eating a sea turtle. My advice - don't do it. It's too risky. Licking their shell or eyes for moisture is okay. Even sucking the flavor of their flippers is acceptable. Do not eat sea turtle meat. Thank you.

The photo above is my feast aboard a neighboring vessel. They invited me aboard when they noticed me frantically waving my arms and hands at them. I also shot off all my emergency flares. The food was all shades of yellow and light brown. I ate plenty, but I was not allowed to take any food. I politely asked, but was refused. They have a long journey ahead and their stance was understandable. However, I am one to leave a memorable impression when met with any degree of resistance when it comes to borrowing food. I excused myself to the men's room, took a hefty "upper decker", washed my hands, moisturized them, and left their company. I shall not be dining with them again!

- Don

P.S. Still hooked up to "Spotify". Here is what I'm listening to. Thanks for the recommendations.