Date: Saturday 05/28/2011
Location: St. Georges, Bermuda
Weather: Light breeze, Sunny

This morning everyone slept in and it was nice to get a full night's sleep for a change.

The only boat work we did was to replace the genoa halyard shackle and re-install the genoa.

After that we went ashore to do laundry at the yacht club and then into town for the afternoon. We all split up and went our separate ways which I think is necessary after being in such closed quarters for so long.
I went on a search for a local bar which appears to be one of my favorite things to do. I must have looked like I was looking for something because a local gentleman asked me if I was looking for something in particular. He directed me to a place called the Mini Yacht Club. I followed his directions and within 20 minutes I was at a large pink building right on the waterfront. I walked inside and ordered a beer and was immediately welcomed by the manager, a heavy set woman named Patty Cake who took a liking to me and wanted to know all about me.

When I finished my first beer, another one appeared in front of me. I asked the bartender who bought it and he nodded toward Patty. I thanked her and she said that I was her friend now and I could feel safe here, which I did. Then she started introducing me to everyone in the bar. "Jake, meet my new friend, Tom." Jake was an old bearded man. Then there was Red Man, who true to his namesake, wore a red jersey and a red beret. Then there was Sam Bucco, named after the drink that his Father loved. His real name was David and he had quite a story to tell about a recent divorce. (I spared him mine!)

Without exception, everyone I was introduced to was very friendly and sincere. After my 2nd beer was almost finished, another one appeared! I asked the bartender who bought this one and he said the Sargent and pointed toward the balcony. I started to get up to go thank him and everyone told me don't bother. Evidently, he was still drunk from the previous night and wouldn't know why I was thanking him. I struggled for about a minute with why he would feel motivated to buy me a drink. Then I just accepted my fate.

Then I told Patty that it was too bad they didn't serve food here because I was feeling hungry. She said, "We take care of you. We take care of our friends.". And then she broke out a big block of cheese and a box of crackers and started filling up plates for the bar!

I had to meet the others at the dingy dock at 5pm but I assured Patty that I would be back. At the dock I told Barry of my experience and he said it sounded like his kind of place. So we went back together and spent the evening there telling sea stories to each other and listening to the locals carry on.
After several drinks it was time for a change. We took the dingy over to the Yacht Club and was surprised to find that it was closing. I managed to check my email and whip off a quick response to my lovely wife who was having plumbing problems.