The sailboat was launched yesterday into the Rio Dulce, after more than a week of intensive hull work: sanding, painting, and preparing. She floated just fine and we were all ecstatic to be back on the water again! Steve (our family friend and captain for this trip) motored her smoothly up to the dock and we quickly moved our belongings onto her. Then came the challenge of finding good storage for all of our things! This project took a bit longer, but it was pretty much complete by the evening.
Brian fell asleep early but the rest of us went to dinner at a local "Guatemalan truck stop" across the street from our marina. Mom and I had freshwater perch fried lightly with spices and Steve had ocean shrimp fried lightly with spices. Each meal was delicious and served with salad (thoroughly cleaned and disinfected), beans, rice, garlic bread, and pickled/ spicy veggies. Then we happily went to sleep on the boat with the very gentle motion of calm water.
This morning mom and I began the day by going for a nice walk in the rain and mist. It was quite comfortable without a rain jacket since it was so warm. Then we did some shopping in the big Saturday Market in town, getting mostly breakfast and lunch supplies for a few days. Saturday the town is bustling even more than other days in town. People come from up and down the river as well as by land to buy and sell food, clothes, house wares, and other things. The Guatemalans dress in what appears to be their best clothes for market day, since they are not only conducting business, but they are also socializing and promenading. It’s like going to the fair, on a weekly basis! It is very colorful and entertaining to walk the streets on market day, even if it is raining!
Mid-day today Daniel and June (Steve’s wife) arrived in Rio Dulce. Now our crew for the trip is complete! We were all very happy to see them and show them our recent boat projects. We have several more critical things to do to prepare the boat for sail then we have to buy lots of groceries as well as practice sailing with the boat in the Rio Dulce Lake a few times before we head out to the ocean! Maybe we can head for the ocean mid-week.
As I write another wave of rain came in with a strong wind. For about 5 minutes it poured, and then it stopped completely and was calm again! Ahhh the tropics!
May you all be warm and dry!
Love, Us
