Catalina Wine Mixer

It’s a perfect Tuesday, and I have the day off work. The weather is a little overcast which creates a gentle cool breeze in the warmer air. The fan is on I am snuggled up in the doona I bought on my second day in the United States. Perhaps I paid too much for it at the time given I didn’t have a job and rent in San Francisco was far higher than I budgeted for. Nevertheless, being snuggled up in this quite opulent and lavish doona; the way it smells, its crunchy yet soft feeling, the ruffling sound it makes when I move, make me feel completely content and at ‘home’.  My home now, as you well know, is a dream paradise. My room reminds me of a hotel in Bali with a king size bed, furniture to match and of course a balcony with an ocean view. I live, work, play in the same place with the same people every day, and have done so for just over two months now. I have found stability, excitement, passion, knowledge to be learnt and challenges like learning to drive boats. My peak hour traffic to get the mail in the afternoons are dolphins and sea lions with a sunset that lights up the mountainous ridges of the island creating a glowing golden shine to everything light still touches. When I get to Toyon Bay to pick up the mail I am greeted with smiling faces, dear friends and I feel part of a much greater community.

This weekend all the different Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) bases joined together for a big party of wine-tasting. Not to be confused with the fabricated Catalina Wine Mixer from the movie Step Brothers, but something similar. The event was held at Toyon Bay (one base) and those of us from Fox Landing (my base) and the other base Cherry Cove all came and joined in. Friends from Avalon, the town on the island, and the Catalina Island Conservancy were also invited. There was wine, food, music, dancing and an incredible time had by all.

The best part was, is that Diogenes came out and enjoyed the weekend with me. This was not only great for our relationship but was, of course, great for me personally too. Being out here on this island, away from all of my family, old friends and generally everything has often stirred homesickeness within, but all in all has been amazing. It wasn’t until Di came out that I put myself in the bigger picture though. It’s really easy to get absorbed with life here and think that this island is the whole universe. Which, for me at the moment this place is unequivocally my little ‘world’. Everything beyond has seemed like a distant fable. Of course in some ways Di’s visit made me incredibly homesick, it also had a positive effect of grounding me and allowing me to see my role here much more objectively and in a more unbiased way.

We had a truly magical time when he was here. He caught the ferry over and I picked him up (in a boat) at the ferry terminal in Avalon. We drove back to Fox Landing and relaxed and played guitar together (yes, I learnt to play guitar!), went for a little hike so he could see camp from a higher elevation, then he met everyone and we had lunch. After lunch the weather was to die for so we went for a snorkel and explored the kelp forest and recent wreck in our cove; there were invertebrates and fish everywhere and the water was SO clear. We then kayaked around the island a little bit and the water was like silk we just glided through. I showed Di all the places I go and what/where I teach the school children who come out. After dinner we enjoyed some wine on my balcony and had a super relaxing evening together. The next day we hiked to the airport (a good two hour hike each way). The weather had taken a turn and we felt blessed we had enjoyed the water so much the day before. It was overcast, windy and cold. So we enjoyed the weather and hence we hiked! However, we hiked well above the clouds and found ourselves in warm, sunny weather. Neither of us unfortunately had thought to put sunscreen on so now my skin is peeling from sunburn! Dang. We came back, had a shower, napped a bit and then headed over to Wine-Tasting. The next day we went into town, Avalon, and relaxed and ate glorious seafood, ice-cream, coffees, etc. We explored the shops a little but mostly just regretted that we had to say goodbye, again. It never gets easier, but you do get used to it. However, I know in a few weeks I will be going to visit him so at least we do not have so much time apart this time! All in all, Di’s visit was like a magical holiday even though I never left. Everyone loved him and welcomed him into the community.

Today? I am feeling super snug in my pyjamas and might literally ‘take the day off’ (normally I am always doing something on my days off) and read a book and really, really relax!