Saturday there was a big band 'La Sonora Dinamita' in town for Guatemalan Independence Day.  It was very entertaining- a huge crowd showed up, even in the rain.  It was a chance to see all the locals, the cruisers, and the backpacker volunteers together in one place.

I switched hammocks

We've been without internet for about week- though at times it reappears for a few minutes, just as a come-on.  But now it's up- yay!  In the interim, we've lazed through some very hot weather, and watched some impressive yachts dusted off for Labor Day weekend (some towing their kids behind in plastic watercraft.)  The marina denizens put together a Labor Day feast, with lots of lavish eating.  And now we're sitting around the palapa trading info on hurricane season.  Most of us need to renew passports or cruising permits to stay here another month- so an excursion may be in store.

This is the view from my hammock, where I have spent the last six weeks. Pot goes for $12 a lid and everyone here at the marina is a hard core stoner. Makes for some very lazy days. We consume hours figuring out which pineapple to cut up next, when to go for our swim, what to have for dinner, and watching the thunderstorms blow by. In a few weeks we will head back out to the Bay Islands for more snorkeling and diving and then maybe on to Columbia, or not. Some of the best reef is right here off Belize, but almost everyone says the people are real dickheads. When you're on a boat it's tricky because they can always throw a chain on it and demand a $5000 fine for wearing the wrong color shorts, or whatever excuse they want to come up with. Not a problem in Guatemala and Honduras, the folks here are very pleasant, a regular lovefest.

We had a big rainstorm on the river Wednesday night, with some minor damage to the docks here and at the marina next door.  The boats were all fine.

Yesterday we were back at Casa Guatemala to volunteer.  As usual we spent most of the time standing around chatting.  Local people manage the place, augmented by young volunteer teachers from other parts of the world.  

Lorenzo's been able to help out by doing little construction projects- patching up plumbing and carpentry.  But most of the buildings are threatening to fall on their heads, so he's always uneasy.

The kids are pretty undisciplined, so it's hard for me to just walk in there and do art with them.  Whatever you're saying to them, they'd rather be playing ball! 

Back in Rio Dolce yesterday, an easy trip.  The ride from Guatemala City is lovely.  Customs wasn't too hard on me- even though I looked like I was about to open a marine parts store, they only charged me $15 duty.  Another woman here sailed through last week with all sorts of pricey electronics for her boat in her carryon, which she explained as GPS.  Theoretically you aren't supposed to pay duty at all, since your boat is in transit- but it's pretty painless.


I miss New England- never realized we live in such luxury!  Picture yourself in the sixteenth century, just as a fun exercise.


more pix!

A rainy day in R.I.


Ann and the girls came down fom Maine for the weekend, and did some fun things. We toured the historic sites of Providence: 30 Benefit, the Indian grocery, LORRAINE MILL. Saturday night was a sleepover with Bridget, Pippa and Kate. All girls- girl cats, girl mosquitos (yuh, Jas). Lots of cooking, too. Not sure how I'm going to get all these ingredients back to the boat.