Happy Lucky Friday The 13th! (OK, Posted Late So Happy Pi Day!)

Our Friday the 13th started off with a bit of excitement. Apparently a man tried to steal/borrow our kayak just after 6:00 a.m., but our neighbor's dog barked so loudly that she disturbed the crime in progress. The crook managed to get the kayak into the water, sans paddle, and he was seen paddling around behind our boats using his hands. But either he decided it was too much trouble, or maybe he was thinking to steal the paddle on the back of our neighbor's boat (which he boarded!), or too many people were poking their heads out of their boats thanks to Pancha the wonder dog, but he parked the kayak, climbed back onto the dock, then eventually departed empty-handed. Dumb Crook. We're all going to keep our eyes open though, and lock our stuff up, just in case. And our kayak is now tied to the side of the boat that faces the water. And Pancha got a chicken dinner as a reward.

Pancha is on duty 24/7!! She's sweet, but can be a bad-ass.

I met a woman last week who asked me if I live in La Paz. 

"Ermmmmm, yes. Yes, I live in La Paz." 

I guess so, since we've been here over three months, save for a couple of road trips. Tom and I were feeling like a couple of lazy loads for dragging our feet and never making it over to the mainland. But Tom really wanted to improve his kiteboarding skills, and he has been having a blast doing it. That's our excuse and we're sticking to it! Anyhoo, it's fun here and the weather so far has been mostly fantastic.

OK, so maybe we've had a few rainy days.

But check out this sunset that same evening!

La Paz is still recovering from hurricane Odile. Many lights and cell towers remain bent, crunched, and inoperable. A bunch of boats in the marina's boatyard blew over, and it is the responsibility of the owner to get them upright again. So as you can imagine some of them just remain tipped. So sad.

Boat likely damaged beyond repair.

However on this day the lovely boat Indara was being put back into the water after her bottom job. She looked like a gem compared to some of the wrecked boats in the yard. I was fascinated by how the yard splashed her, using a tractor to ease the trailer down the boat ramp. I took quite a few pictures which are in our January album (link below).

Indara gets lowered down the boat ramp.

La Paz is a hub for people traveling from far away places, and going to and from mainland Mexico. There is always someone interesting passing through. In January this couple rolled into town, literally, on their home built bamboo bicycle, looking to hitch a ride on a boat to the mainland. They had ridden through Europe, flown to Oakland and rode all the way down to La Paz!

Nico and Marki became popular very quickly.

They were absolutely charming, she from Czech and he from Argentina, and they had no trouble finding a boat willing to take them and their bicycle to Banderas Bay, where they will continue riding through Mexico bound for South America.

Unlike all the media hype, Mexico is generally a safe place to travel, but even La Paz has seen an increase in drug-related crimes. Fifty new police cars were added to the force in January, and it is very common to see Police and Military trucks patrolling the city.

Our favorite bartender and now friend, Conchita, was held up at knife point outside her house early one morning. She escaped with her life but the thief stole her money and her smart phone. She had worked long and hard to earn the money for that phone, and was always using her English translation app. We felt terrible for her, so Terry from the boat Cetus talked about starting a collection, and we all thought it was a terrific idea. A representative from each dock gathered a few pesos from each boat and we ended up with quite a lot of pesos, more than enough for a new smart phone! We decided to present the money to her a few days before Super Bowl Sunday, so one afternoon we all started trickling into her bar one by one. 

The ladies Mexican Train group starts off the gathering.

Conchita was a bit confused, because we don't ALL normally go there at once, unless there is some event going on. Finally, Terry presented the card to her, with a message written in Spanish by our neighbor Lola, explaining that Conchita is like family to us, and family sticks together, and by everyone putting in a little, it ended up being enough for her to buy a new phone. 

Terry (left) presents our card to Conchita.

Conchita (and friends) with her new smart phone!

Later, Conchita and two other victims were able to identify the perp, and he is now in jail for 5 years! 
Album: Surprise for Conchita

More pictures from January (yes I know we are already in March, but so what?). Album: Starting 2015 in La Paz


And yes, I know that it is now the day AFTER Friday the 13th, (also unlucky in Mexico). In fact it is Pi day! 

Pot pies and quiche for sale at the marina every Wednesday.

And tomorrow will be the Ides of March, "Beware!!" so maybe we'll go out and have some Caesar salad somewhere.

Coming Soon: Road trip to Cabo, Red Lips, Foggy hike to the cross.