Yes, here we are; still. The winds continue... some days less, most days more. The seas go on and on and on... and still we wait.
Now, you might think crossing from Mazatlan to La Paz sounds pretty simple... but let me tell you... it's not really. The course is pretty simple, but the preparation and the doing are something quite different. And so, for now, we are just "livin' on a boat in Mazatlan" as the days roll on.
It's not all bad mind you. In fact, life here is pretty sweet. We wake at about 0700 and make coffee, like you would. Then we check out all the available, and credible, weather forecasts... and make copious notes for future reference. By the time that's done we sit by the VHF radio for the morning net (Channel 72 at 0800). This is when we check in with all the other boats, and listen to yet another weather forecast, and collect all kinds of information... from what's happening nearby to what's coming up. There's the (once a month) Art Walk and numerous musical events about town. Then on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday... the veggie man (red pick-up with mounds of fresh fruits and vegetables) and the fish man (white van filled with fresh fish and camarones ) come to the nearby parking lot and, if you're lucky... the donut guy comes by at the same time... OMG they're delicious.
And of course there is Spanish lessons by the pool at 1100 and Happy Hours from 1300-1400 (at the beach across the way), 1400-1500 (at the pool nearest to the docks), and 1500-1600 (at the quiet pool with the hot tub... our personal favourite... furthest from the docks but near the point with a good view of the ocean). Sigh... it's hard to keep up with it all.
Then there's domestic chores...like lugging the laundry to Alexandria, a delightful woman who runs a lavenderia three blocks away. She greets us with a big smile and hugs and then does the best job, ever, on our sack of laundry. There's also grocery shopping which requires an eleven peso bus ride, a wandering of the Soriano aisles, and a taxi ride back (not so bad really). The hardest part is stripping all the packaging off upon arrival home (no corregated cardboard allowed on board).
We also have a list of chores and projects that, as the time wears on, is becoming shorter and less critical... but there's always something to do if you're bored. But, hey, who has time to be bored.
With the winds and currents mis-behaving, we've kept busy helping boats come in. The newbies don't have a good understanding of the forces they're up against and there's nothing like a runaway sailboat to test your metal as it goes out of its way to miss the dock and/or confound it's skipper who's trying to slide it serenely into a slip. We're there to help when we can and, otherwise, we have no trouble keeping ourselves busy.
Strangest thing happened today though. We realized we actually had time to down tools and kick back and spend some time with our books. Seems like once you give up trying to keep to a schedule or serious plan, life gets simpler...
So, for now, we live life on this boat in Mazatlan... and we bide our time... waiting for the 'green light' to head across to La Paz.
Hope your plans are unfolding as you intended... adios for now.... from our Mazatlan residence... sigh. CJ
Posted by: Carolyn (via Kathy's Google mail profile)
