Its a crazy, funny, exciting, scary pit in my stomach kind of feeling.

Will I be able to work shoulder to shoulder with my team!? How will the waves and wind affect me out in the ocean!? I've not been seasick yet. Will this be when i discover what that feels like. Life at 45 degrees will take some getting used to.

I packed my bags a week ahead of time in anticipation of my visa. Then repacked them when I got my visa. Every thing is in zip lock bags for what Alan, one of my First Mates on training said would be a wet and wild leg. With 4 pairs of footwear and assorted warm clothing the bag still weighs just 15 kgs. It sure feels good to be told I show signs of being a typical sailor gal.

So here I am on the adventure thats sure to shake me out of my comfort zone, rattle every bone in my body, show me the ocean in all its glory, reveal the mysteries of the stars out at sea, make me new friends and learn me new skills. Woo hoo!

Seredipity threw this at me, in an airport magazine..."Every year...I am flooded with indelible recollections from that period, and time, memory and life are suspended. As if, ..., I had tosssed a bottle into the sea, which the endless surf washes up evey year, on an ideal beach"

And here I am, a few short hours away from Punta as I wait for my connecting flight. I would not have made it so far, literally, if it had not been for all of you:

Dilip, who made it sound so simple. This one's for you
Alok, who thinks its the most adventurous thing I've ever done. (It's not, having you was and continues to be my best adventure yet kiddo)
My Mum and sisters, Yashodhara, Shalaka and Pallavi, quizzical, worried and completely supportive cheerleaders
My brothers-in-law, equally quzzical and supportive
Suniti aunty, my mother figure, always looking out for me and a new book handy to gift everytime I visit
Sanjay, Shampa, Sandy, Bhawani, Archana, Ajay and the rest of the Taverners that I know is cheering me on and already planning a celebratory Tavernalia
The Sahyadri School folks, Jaya, Gulzar, Kailash, Nina, Chitra et al, who are still trying to fugure why exactly I might want to do such a hare brained thing, at this time in my life.
Mohan and Shaila, who create a protective force field for my charmed life
Karen and Shiv, may the force always be with you, my Goan good luck charms
Sunil mama, my flight facilitator. That upgrade on my flight back after training helped me create an impression of super womanness by being as fresh as a daisy, a very tanned one at that, on arrival. And again he ensured my passport made its way fron Delhi to Bombay so i could make it to the start line in Punta
Vasu and her man Friday, Prabhakar, who extricated the visa from Delhi and sent it on its way
Ratnakar and Mona, quiet, poised and always there.
Tomy wi his surprisingly patient explanations of all things sailing and his updates of his Little Man
Pratibha, Vartika, Aishwary who inspire me and help me learn and grow
And ofcourse, my little munchkins, especially Shayaan. He is my Sunshine.