It is absolutely amaziing how the cruisers generosity can grow. It all started with my granddaughters gift of her clothes to a local orphanage. Then Ariana and I thought about going a little further having a Pizza party at the Ranchito that is the home of the orphans in Empalme. Then Jared, the manager at Escala Nautica(Singlar marina and boatyard) said it would be nice if we got the kids off the Ranchito and brought them to the marina for the party. So Ariana did some calling and got it all together. In the meantime I told a few cruiser friends about what we were doing for the kids and they started to chip in. I was ready to foot the bill myself because Dominos Pizza said they were going to give me 2 for 1 after I mentioned to them that the pizzas were for the orphans in Empalme.....Very nice of them to offer.....You see, I'm not a very good fund raiser. Then Club Nautica(the restaurant I eat at quite often that is located in the marina) offered their outdoor bar area and said they would supply the drinks(manzana) for the kids. Then Gail from a power boat on the docks said she would hit up the cruisers on the docks if I would collect from the cruisers in the boat yard. She is tenacious with fund raising. I didn't have to work too hard in the boatyard because everyone heard about it and came up to me and offered money. Bottom line is, it did not cost me half of my cruising budget. So we got 12 Grande pepperoni pizzas, halloween cupcakes, Ice cream, and these cute little skulls filled with candy. Arianas' mother made spaghetti for 50 to add to the pizzas. So Sharon, off of Cast Away, and I drove to the Ranchito in Empalme and picked up the kids and delivered them to the marina, while a bunch of the ladies from other boats set up the goodies. Needless to say, the kids stuffed themselves and enjoyed being waited on by all these Gringo boaters. Then they went on a tour of the boatyard and Oracio was thrilled to fill them in on what everybody does in the boatyard. He demonstrated the big travellift and the kids were amazed at the big boat boat being lifted. Jared had secured the Pirate ship for a very pleasant and fun filled cruise in Guaymas bay. The Pirates on board did a good job entertaining the kids. I don't really know how to explain the joy we cruisers felt over the joy of the kids and their constant smiling. We know that they will remember this for at least a year from now, because we are planning to do it again next year. We are thinking this will be an annual event. The crew of Cast Away donated a pick-up truckload of clothes, school supplies and bedding. They are driving home for Christmas and bringing back a lot more...I think they are bitten.....I could tell, by the way Sharon coddled one of the 7 month old twins. Needless to say, I slept very well last night...Thank you Gabriella, for getting this party started.

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With the old engine out and the 2 ton of backups off the boat, I have now cleaned the engine compartment and am ready to install the new Yanmar. I have to add a little to my old stringers and put them in with epoxy and through bolts and then I'm ready to bolt down the engine. I already dropped the engine in today to check for alignment and positioning and couldn't be more pleased. Susan, check my photo gallery for engine room pics. The looks of the engine room and the old engine compliment each other. On the Ranchito Los Ninos situation....I ordered the cupcakes which were chocolate with orange frosting and a spooky plastic character stuck into the top. I also got these skeleton baskets(plastic) that will be stuffed with candy. Fellow boaters next to me had a truckload of wonderful clothes and school supplies that we are going to take out in the morning.....Boy, did this orphanage strike it rich.

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These are the little treasures that make cruising and my life worth living. My wonderful and gracious granddaughter Gabriella wanted me to give her outgrown clothes to kids down here who really could use them. With the help of Arianna(Admin assistant in the boat yard/marina) we found an orphanage in Guaymas and delivered the clothes with a couple bags of Jelly-Bellys. They were really appreciative and that went well. Chatting with Arianna about the recent donation, we both concluded that the orphanage was doing quite well with plenty of supplies and a nice facility. So she told me of an orphanage that she visited with her high school class around Christmas time. They had a little fiesta of sorts. It is located in a town (Empalme) next to Guaymas. So I decided to drive out there and take a look myself. It's out in the boondocks, but a cute little compound. I talked to Veronica, the administrater through a young lady who works there and translated for us. They have 40 kids there and what a difference from the upscale orphanage in Guaymas. These kids were poorly dressed and I could tell that they didn't get the support that the city orphanage got. So, Arianna and myself started scheming..... We are bringing the kids to the marina next friday for a pizza fest and a boat ride on a pirate ship. I dropped off a load of laundry soap, dish soap, and other cleaning supplies today. We wanted to get school supplies for them but this is what they requested. The word is spreading and all the other cruisers are chipping in for the fest and other goodies. I think we will make this an annual event. I will post a blog and pics after the event. Mucho Gracias Gabriella, your generosity grows!

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