Imagine the different education these kids get from sailing, meeting new people, and learning first-hand about life and geography.  How cool would it be for every student to have this chance.

And then there is the one child you get a chance to connect with, and it’s a treat to have this little person around.  For us, this is Quinn.  We first met Quinn when he and his parent docked across from us on their boat, Isis.  Quinn’s dad, Burke, pulled out a mandolin and began playing while Quinn took up his harmonica and accompanied him.  I introduced myself to Quinn’s mom, Kacey, and she said, “You look like you have some music in you” and promptly ran back to their boat to bring out Quinn’s bongo set.    I was a bongo virgin and had never “jammed” with anybody although my claim to fame is 6 years playing bass drum, so when Burke said, “Drum solo!” I almost jumped in the water (and it’s yucky water!), however, I finished my first solo and returned the drums back to the proper owner.  Quinn’s harmonica was really quite good.  We got to know Quinn and his parents well while they were fixing things on their boat before heading out to eventually go to Hawai’i.

On the local cruiser’s channel (it’s like a party line phone for boaters where people call and connect to one another), someone mentioned that the next day was Pi day, so be sure to eat pie on 3/14 at 1:59 (those who know their mathematics know that Pi is 3.1459 plus a bunch of other numbers).  I was discussing this with Quinn’s mom Kacey, and we decided that we should make pie on her boat for Pi day because Thane says I am the best pie baker and Kacey was a willing student.  Another cruiser friend, Liz,  also had a great pie recipe, so great that she made if for her boyfriend–now husband–on their 3^rd date—it worked it’s magic on him.  So the three of us made 2 apple pies with Quinn’s help.  Who says you can’t make pie on a boat?!  The men brought in lunch for us hardworking women and afterwards we all ate pie and went into “pie coma”!

Before Quinn and his parents left, we had a chance to make paper airplanes, paper hats, paper boats, and pinwheels.  We taught Quinn the time-honored game of Pooh Sticks as well.  On their last day at the docks, I made a banana cream pie for them.  Quinn helped with the whipped cream and decorating the pie. 

We were sad to see them leave, but know that Quinn will grow into his wonderful personality with the guidance of his great parents.  Safe travels and fair winds to the souls aboard Isis.

It tells time beautifully—when it has not been wound too tight. And I try not to do that, but somehow it happens.   When it stops working, it always stops at 10:12.

To help it get unstuck, one trick has been to turn on the chimes to ring on the hour and half hour.  This somehow sparks the gears into action.  When the bells chime, it’s difficult to know whether it is striking on the hour or half hour because the number of chimes that toll is different each time it rings.  This necessitates looking at the clock to see what the actual time is, and while we still need to look at the clock to determine the time, at least the clock is working accurately.  But there are those on the boat, like Thane, who have a hard time sleeping when the chimes are on because the clock is about 6 ft from his head.  So, the chimes are turned off and the clock works for awhile until it eventually gets to 10:12 and stops again.

It’s always fun in the morning to wake up and move about the boat and think, “Wow, I really slept in this morning—it’s already 10:12.” But the reality is that it’s closer to 6, 7, or 8 o’clock am and lots of morning left to enjoy.  The inverse is true as well.  While working on the computer tonight, Thane asked what time it was.  Knowing that the clock was stuck, I looked at my phone and told him it was 9:05.  He said, “No, it’s not.  It’s 10:12.”  (Ten o’clock is known on the docks as cruiser’s midnight, so he was getting a bit anxious thinking that it was already time to be sleepy and in bed.)  He was glad (and so was I) to know that it was only 9:05 because he wanted to get to the showers before they closed the doors for the night.   Whew!

I realize the 10:12 time on this clock is a small matter, but a perplexing one no less.  At least it’s right twice a day!  But reality is that time is rather inconsequential at the docks.  We wake up when it’s light outside, eat when we’re hungry, and get sleepy when it’s really dark outside.  Or, at least we try to get sleepy.

Some nights sleep comes easily, other nights not so well.   Ana Bananas, a local restaurant/bar close by offers us free, live oldies music most nights.  They try to cut it off around 8:00, but not tonight.  Last night was the last night for the sailing regatta that’s been here all week.  We were in bed and asleep around 11:00 (I know—super late for cruisers) when I woke up to several loud bangs going off.   I checked the LED clock by my bed—it was 11:53—the clock on the wall said it was only 10:12, nothing to worry about.  I couldn’t quite put it all together as to why there would be gun shots going off.  Most things at the marina have been fairly peaceful even with the President of Mexico here again yesterday, and he was long gone.  Then I noticed flashes of light above my head through our open hatch, crawled up and peered out at a series of firework blooms exploding directly overhead being launched from the marina jetty!  Seriously, was this information posted anywhere to let unsuspecting snoozing cruisers know that their sleep would be interrupted?  I love fireworks, but somehow could not muster the energy to go outside to fully appreciate them.  My thoughts were on the many boaters here with children (who, though frightened at first, would most likely enjoy the fireworks once awakened), but more importantly, there are even more boats in the marina with dogs on board!  If you’ve ever been around dogs during the 4^th of July, you know it’s not their favorite holiday!  Fortunately, the display did not last too long, but certainly ended with a couple of those loud reports that shake the timbers!  It was a minor interruption in the big scheme of things, and I was able to get back to sleep fairly easily. But really…

That was last night, and now the beautiful nautical clock on the wall says it’s 10:12, and my computer agrees; so in honor of it being right, I’ll end this post.  It’s past cruiser’s midnight and the close of another day filled with good food, good walks, good talks, and time to enjoy them all.  No matter what the time on the clock says, “time” is the gift  of this trip, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to enjoy it.

Brenda

But, since almost a week has passed since Jeff’s nicely stated prodding, AND neither Thane nor I have posted anything,  the guilt trip has been planned so here goes….

Why have I not written anything?  Part of my twisted reasoning is that Jeff’s and Nancy’s posts are so witty and offer great reading, I have nothing new to offer, I find that by the time I have caught up on their posts, my limited inspiration has waned and my thoughts have frittered off into, well, “Oblivion” if you really must know!  Either I’m yawning and ready for bed (10:00 pm is considered Cruiser’s Midnight), or another cerveza has been offered, or an offer to go get something to eat and a cerveza has been suggested.  The opportunities for distraction are limitless.  There are new cruisers to meet and stories to hear.

Our latest “distraction” has been hanging out with our two Norwegian friends, Thor and Svein! Thor is sailing his boat to Norway.  He needs to be there by July!  Svein is hitching a ride with Thor down to Panama, then getting a way back to Puerto Vallarta to crew for a couple across the Pacific!  We’ve had great conversations getting to know and understand the heritage of many Norwegians we know and love.

There are all kinds of stories of how people have arrived at La Cruz and where they are going next.  That’s what tends to keep me busy!  Along with learning how to draw from my Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain book.  I actually drew a Picasso drawing of Ivan Stravinsky upside down!  Not that Ivan Stravinsky was upside down–well, he actually was, but the exercise was to look at the drawing turned upside down so that the normal mode of thinking is altered and the artist-to-be (me!) must look at shape and lines in a different way.   It really actually looked like the picture when I turned it upside right and showed it to Thane.  He was so impressed!

So, thanks Jeff for the trip.  I’ll be posting more often.  (Who knows what happens after a guilt trip?!)

Brenda

Brenda

Have fun saying this name!  Just say it as you see it with long ‘o’ sounds:  Top-o-lo-bam-po!

Thane and I have had great fun getting to know some of the people of Topolobampo.  Our first encounter was with two women serving seafood ceviche at their small—stools up to the counter—street side café.  It’s the lower level of the house which may possibly be the home for both women and their families.  We stopped and asked what they were serving and worked through the language barrier once they showed us the concoction in a cup:  shrimp, octopus, clams, cucumber, onion (everything has onions in it!), and lime juice and possibly vinegar.   It is served with crackers and, of course, tortilla chips.  While we were enjoying the feast served in a giant glass cup (think mega-margarita at Lone Star),  the female family members of one of the women came to the counter.  Daughter, granddaughter, and great-grandma.  Lots of chatter and laughter as the little granddaughter was eating her saltine crackers and begging grandma to put more ketchup on it, which she promptly licked off.   Now, as we walk by and see them at the counter, we wave and smile and say “Hola”!  We’re friends now.

Another person we have come to know is Marco at the marina.  When we first came into the slip here and secured our dock lines, it was no time at all before Marco had the lines rolled into a nice circle and was helping us get our power cord hooked up and the hose connected and nicely looped on the hook available for it at the powerpost .  Marco stopped by one day to see if we had any “libre”=books that he might use to learn more English.  Nancy and I tried to come up with something that would be helpful, but most of our books are more difficult.  After a more thorough search, I found a copy of the Klutz Book of Knots with picture directions for how to make the knots AND the “Incredible Magic Loop” trick at the end.   I made a loop and tried the trick with Nancy first, and then took the book and loop to Marco to show him and to give him the book.  It was an interesting exchange as I did not know the word for “present” or “to give,” so I said “Fleiz Navidad” and gave it to him.  He understood and smiled.  We try to help each other learn the other’s language beginning with the nouns: eye=ojo, nose=la nariz, lips=labio…. We’re friends now.

Thane and I tried another “Cocina Economica” (Economical Kitchen) street side eating establishment and enjoyed gorditas and enchiladas.  There was a little girl there, about 4 years old, helping clear the tables—a soon as the plate was clear, she was there!  Little girls are still little girls in Mexico, almost always in little dresses or jumpers and tights.  Our little bus-girl, Britannia, was no different.  She also had a little smock apron on with her name sewn on the front and a little pocket.  It was a rainy day, so if she was not busy, she would stand outside under her pink Disney Princess umbrella!   A memory I have of our own girls doing the same thing.  She was gone before we paid the bill, but we made sure that she had a little tip for her help.  We walked down the street to purchase a few groceries, and saw little Britannia come in for her tip treat!  As we were leaving, we thought we should get a picture of Britannia, so we walked back to the “Concina Economica” and asked if we could take Britannia’s picture.  The adults were helping her come closer so I could be in the photo with her, but she was not going to smile!  I don’t think we’re friends yet.  We’ll keep working on that.

(You can see all of them under “People We’ve Met” on th webpage)

Another great thing about Mexico is the weather on this side of the country. The sun is warm in the daytime, but the nights are cool and jacket worthy. Great sleeping.
Another great thing about Mexico is the Spanish that I know little of but am at least picking up nouns—mostly food words right now! And the food is good. The fresh produce tastes so great because it hasn’t traveled far and was picked at the right time. So good. Cucumbers and tomatoes, papaya, avocados, limes—all are cheap. The price at the grocery store is at least half of what it is in the US.
And here’s another great thing about Mexico—packaging “canned” fruits and vegetables in boxes instead of cans. What a great space saver! Anyone with a pantry of round cans knows that you could stack twice as many things in the same space if it was shaped in a square or rectangle rather than a circle! I think these types of things are beginning to appear in the US, so be on the lookout!
And one more great thing about Mexico—who knew that Oreos came in so many different flavors—yes, I said flavors! Not just mint Oreos, but Choco-Banana Oreos. The regular chocolate cookie with yellow banana flavored centers. And, Napolitano Oreos—Neopolitan for those who know Neopolitan Ice Cream. One cookie is Vanilla, pink strawberry center, and a chocolate cookie on top. So yummy! Perhaps Mexico is the test market, but we are big fans!
So, those are a few things I like about Mexico. There will be more, I’m sure.
Brenda

We’ve been to other lovely weather locations and have often heard “welcome to paradise,” or “it’s another day in paradise.”  But, in reality what is paradise?  Is it the ability to be anonymous and to do outrageous things you wouldn’t do at home like at the Mango bar that hosts a variety of “girls gone wild” opportunities?  But the memories will fade or be posted on Facebook for all to see.  It that paradise?

Or is it weather related?  Our family and friends back home are in the cold of winter “enjoying” a balmy 25 degrees and sun and wishing they could be in 80 degree weather and sunny.  But the winter will soon pass and the summer will return, and we’ll be wishing for air conditioning in the 100 degree swelter.  Paradise cannot be dependent upon only weather.

One of the saddest lines I know of is from Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” about his life growing up in the South with his best friend,a much older female cousin who looks forward to “fruitcake weather.”  The line from his story comes at the end after he has been sent away to military school and is no longer able to experience the joy and innocence of days gone by.  He states, “Home is where my friend is, and there I never go.”    Is “home” paradise?  For some it is, but for others it is not a place of safety and refuge.  So, the place of home is not always paradise.

When Adam and Eve were commanded to leave the garden–paradise–were they leaving a place?  Or, were they leaving a sense of safety and unconditional love. Perhaps paradise is really about relationships–when you know you are loved and accepted without condition.  Perhaps paradise is a sense of safety in the soul rather than being in a certain place.  For me, today we are in a place that is peaceful and calming and warm–a “place” of paradise if you’re freezing when you step outside, but without my family and friends (except for Thane,  Nancy and Jeff who are great to be with) my paradise is not quite complete.  There is peace and safety in my soul, but the relationships I enjoy and rely on are a part of my version of paradise.  This is an adventure, to be sure, but the realization of the importance of the relationships at home and the “sacredness of the every day” have become much clearer to me.  To change Capote’s text a bit, “Home is where my family and friends are, and there I intend to go again.”

Thanks for the encouragement of many to do this and for the opportunity to be a bit esoteric.  I love you all.  You are an inextricable part of my paradise.