Friday, February 3, 2012

0756, Fri, 020312.     La Paz.     Another busy day in these parts.  We were headed for the boat yard to get an idea what the cost of a bottom paint job would cost.  Abel Berkovich runs a yard out at the entrance to the channel to La Paz, right next to Costabaja Marina.  But first was coffee time at the club house.  There is some sort of tradition where cake is consumed on the Feast of the Epiphany (Jan 6) where the person getting the Baby Jesus in their piece of cake gets to pass out breakfast 40 days after the birth of Christ (Feb 2). This all has something to do with the circumcision of the Christ Child, ouch.  Somehow Russ and Janet were present at the cake eating and Janet got the prize, so yesterday was the day to serve breakfast at the coffee hour.  They served some yummy tamales and some sort of strange drink at no cost to the customers. 

Once Janet was done with her duties we took off for the boat yard.  We had a plan.  We walked to the bus station, found the free bus to Costabaja and snuck a ride out there.  The bus driver looked at us kind of funny and asked which slip we were in where Sue piped up and said we wanted to go to the fountains.  He said OK and we were off.  Dropped off right at the fountain, we headed down the road to the yard.  Boat yards are notoriously messy, but Abel's yard was pretty well maintained.  Lots of dogs were lounging around, soaking up the sun, as we headed into the office.  The guy at the desk was working on a remote control truck and said we could go into the inner office with kind of a chuckle as he said, Good Luck.  Abel was a nice easy going guy saying that he usually gives out good prices except when two boats are involved.  He gave us the quote, showed us around the yard, and then even got his brother (the guy with the RC) to give us a lift into town.  He dropped us off at the Chedraui grocery store where we picked up a few things and then headed by foot back to the marina.

After getting settled into the boat, Russ and Janet converged, as well as Scott for an evening of cards.  My luck was absolutely miserable. 

After cards we watched a movie, Bait, of which I could not keep my eyes open.  Oh well, a good night sleep was had…..more later..