The First Things You Notice
On almost every landfall I can remember–if not all of them–the first thing I undoubtedly notice is the smell of delicious food–and usually some kind of open fire. Now, if you’ve read any passage story, you know that we don’t skimp on eating. In fact, I usually eat better on passages than when I’m at home cooking for myself. Everything tastes better on a boat. Similarly, after weeks at sea, everything tastes better NOT on a boat.
After all the necessary boat things like securing and checking the dock lines, slogging through customs & immigration check in, and of course general tidying up of certain offshore disarray, the first order of business is almost always securing local food and drink.
Necessity:
The Mother of Invention.
Without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, and moribund.
— Anthony Bourdain
Everything You Need at Your Fingertips
As we work through giving our sea legs back a land-lubber’s gait, walking the nearest town in any port plays a a big part. It’s not uncommon to be able to find great food and often anything you could possibly need right off the boat along the main street of any port town. Vendors take to the curbs on the streets of their stores peddling their wares and fighting for your attention amongst thick competition. It can be fun, while it can also become quite overwhelming quickly.
Just Go Three Blocks In
Go three blocks in. That’s what I always say–go three blocks inland from the main street. Here is where you’ll leave all the touristy flair behind and quickly become immersed in the true vibe of a place. This is exactly where the commonplace of familiar and repetitive touristy offerings slips into the delightful unknown of the actual place you’ve never visited. It is where the locals are comfortable in their place and are sure to give you a twinkling “you’re not from around here” second look as you wander by. More often than not, if you answer that second look with a word or two of your own in the local language, the pure magic of travel instantly begins to unfold.
