MERRY CHRISTMAS
24 December 2009 | Mazatlan
Gabriellas grandpa
A Very Merry Christmas to everyone. I was talking to my Princess Gabriella last night via Skype and I was duly admonished for not posting on the blog. She told me that Grandma Pat checks everyday for a new post from me and was getting a little frustrated that I didn't post as frequent as I promised to do. How sweet, her doing the bidding of Grandma Pat without being prompted. Grandma Pat....take special care of that precious part of my life. I left Guaymas in the company of 2 other boats as a nice weather window presented itself. The first 2 days was a glorious downwind sail to Topolabampa. Spent the night anchored in the town area and was amazed at the peace and quiet of that night.....I needed the sleep. Normally in Mexico, the nights in all the populated areas are filled with music and general louds noises of all descriptions. You either get used to it or leave country or only anchor in secluded areas. We left Topo for another overnighter to Mazatlan, this time with little or no wind. The only good thing about little or no wind is the flat seas. So I put my trusty new Yanmar through its paces. The engine ran great but the alignment for the prop shaft was off and it sounded like about 10 wheel bearings grinding at the same time plus the vibration. I anchored for one night in the old town anchorage next to the city sewage plant and Club Nautico. Took a bus over to the Singlar Marina and sweet talked Alma, the manager into giving me a slip that was being reserved. They have no idea when the boat will show up. So now I'm spending the last of my marina time (until I head north) getting my shaft aligned and a few other minor upgrades. I feel like the sailor who has a girl in every port. In Guaymas it's Ariana at the Singlar facility and here it's Myriam at this Singlar marina. Actually, it's just the people of Mexico are so welcoming and generous with their smiles and helpfulness. Maybe Obama has a master plan that will destroy the economy and no one will have money and we can all get back to the basics and be nice to each other with our new found Manana attitude. Nope, don't think so! Tomorrow I will go to Heathers' Place restaurant in hotel row and have a traditional Christmas dinner with a bunch of other gringo cruisers and try to watch my San Diego Chargers win another game. In my old age I really love the Christmas season and it is the toughest day of the cruising season for me because Gabriella is not here or I'm not there........I should leave about Tuesday or Wednesday for San Blas and all points south to Barra De Navidad.