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We awake at 6am but sleep till 7am, and with the air conditioner
running at night ( it is a unit that fits into our aft cabin hatch) we
wonder if it has rained. Oh yes, the electricity here at the
marina is not a constant thing to rely on, so you awake during the night sweating, wiping sweat from
your eyes and turning on the 12 volt fans that blow a breeze
only a fly would notice. Since we are plugged into shore power
(110v), but only when it is working, do we begin to make
coffee, otherwise it is hitting the button to turn on the
inverter, which then will run off of our batteries if the
electricity is off here at the marina, (if we were anchored, I
would start the generator in order to get power) Do you get the
morning drill?, all before making coffee!
So, we listen to the river net
which comes on over the VHF radio at 730 (M-Sat) informing all of us
cruisers on the river what the latest happenings are: that is,
any emergencies, any clue on the weather (it's either hot and
rainy or just plain hot), anyone trying to sell" treasures of
the bilge" those items that you thought you couldn't leave behind
but have carried with you and now you don't know why. A reference
to Boat to boat contact for those who don't have phones and need
to get in contact with fellow boaters and advertisements for
the local businesses. This is where you find out where the best
lunch can be had and also the best happy hour. On M-W-F, at
8am, I go walking with the ladies ( a group of 4-6
women and Doc, a rotweiller owned by Kaija and Gary on Kaija's Song) on a road
which skirts the tiny village directly behind the marina . This
is usually over an hour long, and a wonderful way to get to know
fellow cruisers and share valuable information that we each have
learned throughout our personal journeys. Tips such as great
recipes to try, boat cleaning tips, places to see, places to
avoid, practicing our Spanish and just a wonderful camaraderie
that I believe helps each of us grow stronger. I must say, that
I am in awe of the women I have met along the way on this
adventure. Each one of them are just incredible people, and I
feel blessed to have befriended them and to have shared such a
unique experience with each and every one of them..
After our hour long of perspiring at levels beyond measure, we
take a dip in the pool. Then after a refreshing 10 minutes, it
is off to start a project on the boat. You work on the boat
until you cant take the sweat and heat anymore, and wearing
swimsuits as the usual attire, you just go cool down in the pool
which is covered by trees that keeps the temperature at such a
cool level that when you first enter it takes your breath away.
It is a godsend, but can become quite comical, if you would take
a recording of all the sounds that are emitted from persons
first entering the pool , you would think that something kinky
was going on from all the AHHHHSSS and OOHHHHHsssss, and Oh My
God This Feels Great.

Well, a dinghy ride to town to
pick up supplies is usually needed every other day and it is not
something we look forward to. It is so hot in town, no breeze, and
lots of traffic and people, that we try to make it as fast as possible.
Then its back to the boat, finish projects of the day,
but the thing you need to complete the job is somewhere on the
boat and it is a hide and seek game as to where it may be
hiding, pulling out all items in a locker only to discover that
it is not there, but discovering to your frustration that a leak
has occurred and mold and mildew has now turn something
recognizable into one that is not! (Back to the pool) Then it's
thinking about what's for lunch and dinner.

At 2pm on M-W-F, I
attend Spanish class, taught by fellow cruisers. It is a great
way to learn and to speak the local language is such an
achievement, as we get to practice our Spanish with the
employees. At 4-5pm, its poolside with drinks in hand, some with
coolers, to share with other marina residents our days
experience or whatever one needs to know from others. I have
learned so much in the four months here, not only Spanish but in
myself, Aaron, others, Guatemala, Mayans, the F@@@&king
computer, updating our website, viruses that come into the
computer via elsewhere and parasites that we have ingested from
our travels inland, the tests needed to detect them and the
pills that kill them. But are most treasured our always the
friendships that develop and the ways that they do, and how they
then become those lifetime friendships that you hope continue
throughout all of our cruising journeys. We are usually in bed
by 9pm, reading, or watching a DVD on our computer, (we do not
own a TV). It is a day of routine here, somewhat like the
movie, "Groundhog Day" , but it is yours to do with what you
like, and to make it different than the day before, and
hopefully progress better as a person with each passing day.
Believe me, it is not easy for me, I struggle some days, and so
does Aaron. But, after you have taken your frustration out on
the one you love the most, we always unite at the end of the day
and kiss each other goodnight and say I love you. |
| Walking, sweating, boat projects, learning espanol all in a
day here at Mario's |
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