La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

While I had a great time with friends in La Cruz, there was also a note of sadness this week.  I was finally contacted by the daughter of a friend who went missing in May while attempting a singlehanded voyage across the Pacific.  I had not heard any news since May, and began fearing the worst.  An extensive search for Richard turned up nothing, and no one had heard anything from or about him.  He has been declared legally dead and a memorial service has been held for him.  Richard was a neuro-psychologist and fascinating to talk to.  He was the kind of man who did not suffer fools lightly, so I was honored to be considered a friend. He will be missed.
On a happier note, I spent a delightful couple of days with friends Bob and Maureen in La Cruz.  They had rented a lovely little casita overlooking La Cruz and Banderas Bay while their boat was in the yard and invited me to spend the night.  First time in a long while that I've slept in a bed that didn't rock me to sleep (unless there is a special dispensation for couch surfing).  Dinner at the yacht club and coffee and eggs benedict served in the morning wasn't bad either.  After breakfast, we went to the first public market of the season in La Cruz.
And of course there were a few boat projects back on Circadian.  But the projects are pretty minor now: mostly cleaning and taking care of annoying little details.

Richard in La Cruz in April before leaving on his final voyage

Walking into La Cruz from the bus stop

My first new acquaintance

The town square

Marina Riviera Nayarit, the marina in La Cruz

Tropical fish swimming around the boats in the marina

Looking at the anchorage from the breakwater

Sunset dinner at the yacht club

The full moon rising as seen from our table.

Sunrise from the casita


The public market is right on the waterfront


It had a large assortment of foods and crafts

 
A left-over from the Day of the Dead celebration

Free music from this excellent group, a smaller version of
the Gypsy Kings.


A 'personalized' poster on a public bus.
It says "Queen of Mexico and Empress of America."

Refinishing the port cockpit seat (that got the most traffic).
Center section cleaned and coated twice with Primo Teak Sealer.
Outside sanded.

Two coats of Epifanes RapidClear on the outside finished the job.
Still have to do the starboard side, of course.

Cleaning the deck awning.

Although it was filthy, because it was a coated fabric,
it was pretty easy.

 


Halloween and Day of the Dead

The highlight of the week was Halloween and Day of the Dead on the malecon.  My friends Bob and Maureen came back this week, and it was fun getting together with them.  Tony and I went back again to Titi's just because it's such a great place.  Even managed to get a bit of boat work done.  Still haven't gotten back the settee cushion that's supposed to be getting a zipper replaced.  Went back to check again today only to find it's still not done!  They put in a call to the lady who's doing it and put me on the phone to talk to her.  She sounded freaked that I was concerned and talked so fast in Spanish that I got only a small fraction of what she was saying.  I think she was trying to explain she had been away on vacation, so that's why it wasn't done.  It would be done 'tomorrow.'  I've heard that many times before....

In Titi's Restaurant in Jarretaderras


This trio was playing for a large party.

This second larger mariachi band had to wait for the first group
to finish before they could play for their party.

We were told the party was a group of wealthy Mexicans
who paid the band $9.50 per song!



Friends Maureen and Bob on Circadian.  I met them in
Cabo San Lucas a year ago when I had to side-tie to their
boat.  Great folks!

The big event this week

The afternoon bus into town on Halloween was packed.

The later return:  empty!

At the major bus stop at Walmart, this fellow has peddled
in his food stand on a tricycle.  Actually pretty common.


La Catrina, a traditional figure in Day of the Dead





If you look carefully you will see this couple
is holding ping-pong paddles.  
Humor is part of the lesson of Day of the Dead.
Life is short; have fun!








La Catrina rendered in pebbles on the sidewalk.

A more contemporary serious message

Getting candy from gringos on Halloween is serious and/or
a bit scary for Mexican kids.








Day of the Dead fiesta in the plaza in front of the church

On-stage music.  Free and open to all.




But be careful: the church is among the spectators!

The church was open during the festivities.

Local clubs put up decorations to attract customers.


Some also put up displays.  This one says
"I'd rather be dead than losing life."

No fiesta is complete without a parade!
This one appeared to be a youth group.

It was a lively night on the malecon!

But it wasn't all fun!  There's still a boat to take care of....

The locker doors behind the settee were lighter than the
rest of the woodwork, so I decided to stain them to match.
(It's what you do when you're near the end of  'the list.')

Sanding the surrounding woodwork.

A coat of Epifanes RapidCoat

Before and after

Stain rubbed on three times plus a coat of RapidCoat
made a big difference.

All the woodwork in the main saloon has now been refinished.

The first item in getting the boat cleaned up
after sitting for the summer:  getting the grime
and mold off the pilothouse sun screens.
Here they are soaking in biodegradable soap
and bleach.

Back up after a thorough scrubbing.  Much better!

Just another sunrise

This iguana has unusual coloration.
Seems to match his rocky environment.

Art on the malecon

Part of a Bustamante bronze sculpture