Often Pi saw what he thought were lights in the distance. Just in case they were ships, he set off a flare each time. One of his most vivid memories from his time as a castaway was the smell of the flares. To him they smelled just like cumin, which instantly transported him back to his hometown and a better time and place. His flares were never seen and to this day the smell of flares reminds him of the ocean and no longer.....
