2/19/2015 Thursday:

Big event this morning: Ann came over from Dream Dancer to help me program a new channel for the local cruiser net and after about an hour it worked. So I am receiving and transmitting on VHF and SSB. More importantly, I’m getting more comfortable with the systems each day. Seminar yesterday on boat power systems, tools and the ZARPE to exit Mexico.

3/2/2015 Monday:

Still attending seminars; meeting people and asking lots of questions. I am now focusing more on "weather" information. And I am comforted by finding that I am not alone. This retirement is just trading one job for another. And it’s great to be fully occupied—although it sometimes feels like a race to get it all down before time runs out and we have to leave.
Ciro and I repacked the chain plates. Though most of the scrapping and digging was pure Ciro. His wife, Sally, came in a day after Wendy returned last Tuesday. She is enjoying a short vacation in the sun and probably comforting herself that Ciro will be safe on the trip. We took her sailing yesterday. Great light breeze here. It always blows about 15 knts in the afternoon in the bay here.
We dingyed up the river two days ago for a couple of miles. Wendy spotted 2 crocadillos (a little over 2 feet long) and a couple of bigger iguanas sunning themselves on the shore.

We’ve had some good meals here. Last night, we were at a restaurant with Tom and Brigette (IP 40) where we stood in line and pointed out the cut of steak we wanted and the thickness. The butcher cut it right there marking our name, table and weight in kilos (grams for us), and cooking instructions. We went down the line and picked our sides and then paid for it all. They then packed it up together and ran it to the BBQ for cooking as we enjoyed the wine we brought (they don’t have a liquor license or don’t want one) and fully expect everyone to bring in what they want. The food came out to our table flawlessly. And everything was delicious—meat and sides. It could have been the best New York I ever had. If not I cannot recall a better one. And you have to love the price – ranging from $7 to $10 for fine aged beef.
Today is a study day for me, laundry day for Wendy and a beach day for Ciro and Sally. With guests, I’m falling behind on my studies.

The fleet has set up it NET for communication across the pond. Very organized; all very helpful. We are to be reporting in each afternoon at 0130 UTC (:1630 our time) each night to work out any kinks and practice using our radios.