2011 Hola Mexico - Missive 8

January 1, 2011: We are still recovering from our La Paz to Mazatlan passage and craziness of New Year's Eve here at the marina. Life moved rather slowly but we did manage to get a few chores done which included washing off salt and grime outside the boat and mucking out dust bunnies from inside the cabin. Yuck what a dirty boat! That's the best I can offer you for excitement starting off the new year.

January 2, 2011: On the cruiser's net this morning they announced a get together for horse shoes, drinks and burgers at one of the palapas nearby the marina. It was a fun afternoon meeting folks and enjoying the lovely day. Later we walked to Fonatur Marina where we would haul us out on Monday. Luckily there staff on duty to inform us of our time and what paperwork they needed.

Every since arriving on Friday, we have been adopted by the dock kitty cat name "Slacker". She has been sleeping in the cockpit - and doesn't really care if we are on the boat or not. Of course, I didn't help matters by feeding her leftover chicken and pork. However, I did leave it in her bowl which resides on the dock but it just so happens to be next to our slip. She is pretty funny to watch while attempting to slide the cockpit cover back so she can jump into the cabin. As the story goes, she really does belong to a cruiser on a boat name "Slacker" but they are back in California working for a while. Nothing like leaving the poor cat behind, so she gets fed by all the people on the dock including us! Big ole sucker that I am.

January 3, 2011: I indulged myself by taking our dirty clothes to the laundry lady this morning. I have to admit it is a nice luxury. Even though we are hauling out, the boat yard is just a short block away and I could retrieve my clean clothes later in the afternoon.

Our haul-out time was scheduled for noon but it didn't happen until about two o'clock. The large powerboat just before us had a very cruddy bottom and it took forever to power wash it; our first real lesson about living within Mexican timeframes. Oh well, that is why we have no schedules or agendas anymore. But the crew that handled the haul out was very pleasant and apologetic for the delay.

We are staying on the boat while it is in the yard so no cooking. Yeah that is the good news but I have to climb a ladder to get home, which is the bad news. It gives me the willies!

January 4, 2011: No sleeping in for us, the work crew was climbing the ladder and prepping the boat by 8 am this morning. They going to sand the bottom which meant a very messy dusty dirty day and we didn't want to be around. Our challenge was figuring out the bus system and getting ourselves down to "old Mazatlan". Our first mistake was listening to a fellow cruiser who assured us the bus we were getting on would get us there ... not! After a long journey we found ourselves the only ones left on the bus while it parked at the "transit center" ... aka dusty vacant field. At least another driver took pity on us and directed us to the correct bus.

We managed to exit the bus at that central market place and toured the stands filled with fruits, veggies, meat and just about everything else you can imagine. The meat and fish were iced for the most part so it didn't freak me out too bad. I am working my nerve up to shop at the open market. Thanks to the local cruiser guides I have a list of English/Spanish names for the meat, cheeses, veggies and fruits so I hold my own trying to describe what I want. Just seeing what was available eases the anxiety of trying to shop.

The good news about taking the wrong bus was that we found all the grocery stores, ie Mega Store, Walmart, Sorina, etc. So I guess things happen for a reason. Mazatlan is divided into three districts: old Mazatlan (original downtown area), the Golden Zone (beach, hotels & tourists) and new Mazatlan (most recent developments & marinas/cruisers). While downtown we visited the Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepcion build in 1890, the Plaza de la Republica, Plazuela Machado (a small tree lined plaza surrounded by restaurants) and the old Rubio theater (built circa 1869) now known as the Teatro Angela Peralta.

The church's architecture was magnificent with its stained glass, wooden pews, statutes and beautiful alter. We relaxed on shady benches in the Machado plaza, enjoyed an outdoor lunch and found the right bus to get back to the marina yard. The infrastructure in old downtown is extremely run down and at times it was hard to see its beauty and charm. I am working on keeping an open mind.

I did, however, feel my life was in danger ... not from criminals or gangs ... but by the bus drivers! Oh my god they drove like mad men! I don't ever want to rent a car and drive these streets. First you can't find a street sign, secondly "alto" or stop doesn't really mean stop and third, the streets are so narrow you barely can get thru with parked cars and oncoming traffic. I am sure there was some logic in today's bus riding experience but I will be darned if I can figure it out. Guess I survived to ride again!