A Day at the Races

On another beautiful day in St. Lucia. I take a break from teaching and head down to the Rodney Bay Marina.  The Boardwalk Bar is literally on the boardwalk across from over 300 berths that offer safe harbor to ocean crossing craft.  It's the wrong season for the Trade Winds that cool the island in the winter months, and the water is Monet tranquil.

Three 26-foot sailboats approach the starting line to gently fill their sails with the tiny bit of wind that eases across the water.  Balletically, the boats  ease around a short course of buoys and luff lightly before the crowd of bar patrons and onlookers.  Through the bar PA system, a relentless commentary provides a uniquely British perspective on the slow motion race and Captain's personalities.  Insults and heckling cut across the water much faster than the wind as the three vessels inch across the finish line.

Meditative movements of the sails and fractal imagery of sky and water offer a relaxing respite from the rigors of music education.  Now, back to work!