Una otra manadera

Another messenger. I just finished reading this book whose subtitle is La Manadera. David Stuart lived in Guaymas in the late 60s/early 70s and fell in love with the people and the city of Guaymas. It's an autobiographical narrative with a tragic ending.

La manadera

The messenger, or errand-runner. While Dick is hard at work, I try to be supportive by cooking the evening meal, doing the laundry, and running errands usually by bicycle.

I'm increasing my vocabulary and getting to know where to go for the various things needed. You can never get everything in just one place. You can only find tornillos acero inoxidable (stainless steel screws) at a store called Sesenta y Seis. Here I'm on my way to try to buy epoxy resin:

Alas, they did not have what I needed but por el jueves, sin duda (by Thursday without a doubt). But it wasn't there by Thursday. We went to San Carlos where the price was double. Work was stalled for two days while we tried to decide what to do. We ended up buying epoxy from Francisco who does most of the work in the yard.

I even go to the Monica's panaderia (bakery) to get the best doughnuts in town. According the Dick-the-doughnut-expert: all doughnuts from commercial bakeries in the US are made from the same dough. Differences in doughnuts are the result of cooking technique and how they're dressed afterwards. In Mexico the dough is definitely different, doughnuts are less greasy and more cake-like. We've only seen them sprinkled with white sugar or with a chocolate glaze.

Trabajar en el barco - actualización

Working on the boat - an update. This is what the boat looked like 4 weeks ago:

Two layers of marine plywood now cover the damaged area and Dick is grinding down the surface. Note the open leg on Dick's protective covering. He's larger than most Mexican men and the largest-size available is not quite big enough:

Applying kevlar tape to the joints to add strength:

Rolling on epoxy:

Applying fairing compound mixed with silica:

Applying fairing compound mixed with phenolic micro-balloons:

The white part is the third layer of fairing compound, this one is mixed with glass bubbles:

And so, the work continues as we long to be in the water, and then to sail away.

Happy Thanksgiving

We send our Thanksgiving best wished to everyone.

We celebrated in the cruiser's lounge at Marina Singlar. About 50 people attended the potluck.

Phil, on the right, organized the event. He's from Rancho Cordova, CA, where he works as a painter during the summer. In winter he sails along the Mexican coastline in his trimaran, Manasea. On the left is Orasio who manages the work yard (where our boat is). All of the marina workers and office staff were invited to our Thanksgiving celebration.

Dick and I enjoyed visiting with Chris and Agnes, s/v Sulima, who emigrated from Poland to California in 1970. They are just beginning their sailing life and plan to head for the Marquesas in spring.

Paloma de la Paz

Bird of Peace. This sculpture on the malecon was created by Antonio Estrada, from Alamos, Sonora.

Toy gun and swords were attached to a metal framework:

The head is covered with tiny toy soldiers:

Desfile de la mañana de sábado

Saturday morning parade. I think this one celebrated the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence. The palacio municipal, the big building to the lef,t is decorated in red white and green. It's even better at night with its bright lights.

Mostly school groups:

Practicar en el malecon

Practicing on the malecon. A large group of students practiced their marching, drumming, and bugling today on the malecon.

As I was taking a few pictures, a few students started waving and jumping to get my attention.

This young man was particularly ready to pose:

Soon the carefully formed groups were in disarray so I could take pictures:

I'm sure their teachers were not happy with me. The part I like best came later. On the street, these students now wave and say "hi" and try out their English. The girl third from the right smiled and said "What's up?"

Shopping at the public market

Every Wednesday, a few blocks are closed to traffic and vendors set up stalls selling everything imaginable. I went today with Diane (from s/v Daydreamer) and Carol (s/v Goin' South). Diane also showed us a great spice shop (to the right):

It's best to go early. While not all the shops are necessarily up and running, the crowds are easier to maneuver through:

Food stalls send wonderful aromas everywhere:

There are groupings of shops, food in one area, tools and appliances in another, etc. This is the main area for buying ropero (clothing):

Queso fresco

"Fresh cheese" by Roberto.

Pour 1 gallon whole milk into a large saucepan. Goat milk is the best, but was not available so cow milk was substituted. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring frequently, until it reaches a temperature of 170-180 degrees Fahrenheit. Add about 1/4 cup vinegar and remove from the heat.

Ladle off the curds and drain off as much of the remaining liquid as possible.

Put all the curds into the center of a clean dish towel:

Tie up the dish towel and suspend to let most of the liquid drain away or squeeze to make it go faster:

Add minced garlic and salt to taste. Other spices and flavorings may be added, as desired. Pack into containers. Use immediately or refrigerate.


This is incredibly delicious. I had it on Ritz crackers, but you can also put it on pan tostada which means "toasted bread" - sold like a loaf of bread but the thick slices are dry throughout.

Back in Guaymas

I flew to Tucson AZ on Friday, 5 November. Since I arrived late in the day, we decided to get a motel and drive during daylight hours. Dick went back to work on the boat. Here is the starboard hull with the plastic removed.

This is a scarf joint completed with only a 4" grinder. Dick thinks Glenn, my cousin and a carpenter at the RCMP academy in Regina Saskatchewan, will be impressed by this accomplishment.

Goodbye visit with Mom

I came for a visit during the cooking class, but today that meant sitting, watching and waiting. Everyone was quite interested and content.

Everytime I leave, Mom walks me to the door and waves and waves until I've driven out of the parking lot. As I leave, I stop and turn every few steps and wave back. Mom seems to really enjoy this goodbye game.

Bon Voyage dinner

Before heading back to Guaymas in a couple of days, I needed another Sophia-dose. Oh, and Thais, Lenin, and Justin too. Her current favorite book and she can join in on the repetitive phrases.


Two minutes with Uncle Justin was plenty, back to Mama's arms quickly please.

Back to Minney's

Our first experience at Minney's Yacht Surplus percolated in Dick's head for several days. We had to go back. On Monday 1 November, we drove from Nogales to Banning where we got a motel. The next morning we got to Minney's in Costa Mesa 45 minutes before they opened. Just enough time for breakfast at a local cafe.

We knew it was the right place because it welcomed cheapskates.

One of the many storage areas inside Minney's:

I'm sure I look quite fashionable in my new survival suit.

I dropped Dick off at the Tufesa bus station in downtown LA and this horse headed for the barn. 6 1/2 fast hours on I-5 and I was back in E Nicolaus.