Back in France...(for Christmas!)

Rascal is spending the month of December at a marina in Martinique--a part of France (much like Hawaii is part of the US.)

Thus, fresh baguettes and croissants every day from the local boulangerie and wonderful French restaurants everywhere. It is the most civilized of all the islands it seems and, of course, French-speaking. Bon jour, bon soir, merci, baguette and toilette are the limits of my vocabulary.

We befriended a French couple (Patrick and Frederica) who have lived on their boat for the past five years (going back to France for two or three months a year). Frederica promised us a traditional French Christmas Day and dinner for the American crews of Aloha (Steve, Liz and Sara), Rascal (Rick and Linda), La Bella Vita (Ben and Gayle) and Django (their boat)--and it was a feast! Aloha hosted and it lasted from noon Christmas Day until 7pm.
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Steve Davis

Sara Wolf and Liz Davis

Sara is a Peace Corps volunteer currently working in Zambia but visiting her Aunt Liz on Aloha. Sara's mother is also visiting but missed Christmas because she broke her wrist the day before and is in a Martinique hospital...!

Gayle and Ben Driver

Liz Davis and Linda Grimes

Frederica (Fred) and Patrick

We will be sailing north from Martinique about January 7 to continue island-hopping. By the end of January, we expect to be in Guadeloupe--another island that belongs to France...