We all knew it was coming; I was even excited for it. Leaving the Bahamas for our sixteen-day venture across the Atlantic Ocean to Gibraltar, the Captain briefly mentions ‘the half way festivities'. There I am, imagining us all celebrating with a nice glass of wine, when veritably the celebration is on us, literally. Those who have already experienced an Atlantic crossing, get to be the ones to throw buckets of days old food onto the ones who haven’t.
Please, just no fish. This is my only request. Two days before the main event, the Atlantic virgins watch intensely as the chef takes great pleasure in pouring the ‘slops’ from each lunch and dinner into his big pot. If sweet and sour pork, curry and cheesecake wasn’t enough, he decides to add milk, cream and a few eggs, then blend it all up into an awful smelling orange mush.
The lucky five, from the total of twelve on board, line up on the swim platform ready for the inevitable. Sofia and I had previously discussed our outfits for the event, deciding on our one-piece swimsuits, but when it came down to it I decided on covering myself up a little more (for protection, warmth and the fact that I had just way over indulged in the delicious lamb kebabs that Malachi made for lunch).
Please, just no fish. This is my only request. Two days before the main event, the Atlantic virgins watch intensely as the chef takes great pleasure in pouring the ‘slops’ from each lunch and dinner into his big pot. If sweet and sour pork, curry and cheesecake wasn’t enough, he decides to add milk, cream and a few eggs, then blend it all up into an awful smelling orange mush.
The lucky five, from the total of twelve on board, line up on the swim platform ready for the inevitable. Sofia and I had previously discussed our outfits for the event, deciding on our one-piece swimsuits, but when it came down to it I decided on covering myself up a little more (for protection, warmth and the fact that I had just way over indulged in the delicious lamb kebabs that Malachi made for lunch).
Neptune, god and king of the seas has summoned you five young seamen here today to be baptized in your first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. This is law and tradition of the high seas and these commands shall now be carried out, let the ceremony commence.
Jug-fulls of slops are slapped over us, followed by handfuls of flour by the Captain, for good measure. Mark, the first mate, kindly hoses us down after this but this isn’t as refreshing as expected. The water washes away the liquid, leaving the bits stuck in all the nooks of my body. The deck becomes a pool of slush, like a pigs trough. We slide around with bits of meat, potatoes and chicken tikka masala wedging between our toes.
Neptune, It’s been a pleasure.
Neptune, It’s been a pleasure.