2/15/2011 - Follow up to the Mañana blog

Henry the Diver arrived at the boat bright and early. He was in the water to install the prop by 8:30. By 9:20 he was all done. This time we have a nice new stainless steel cotter pin installed that will hopefully keep the nut from backing off again. And, the Loc-Tite I smeared on the threads ought to help as well.

I worked on reinstalling the transmission but by mid afternoon I was just frustrated. I could NOT find the sweet spot where everything just slid together. I took a break for awhile in the afternoon when Owen (s/v Que Tal) hauled me to the nuts and bolt store to get some special bolts I needed. Followed that up with a stop at Ace Hardware to buy things that neither one of us really needed but couldn't continue to live without.

When I got back to the boat I worked on the transmission install again. It didn't go any easier but eventually I did manage to get the stupid thing in. Tomorrow I have to rebuild the water pump as I can't test the transmission/prop fixes until I can start the engine up.

Lulu spent the day working on the settee cushions. She's re-covering them as the original fabric we used didn't wear well at all. I'm waiting until she's all done to post a picture. Should be just a few more days.

We decided we earned dinner out tonight so we walked up Avenida 5 de Febrero to Señor Azucar's ("Si ud. conoce Sr. Azucar, su conoce La Paz."). After going over and over the menu, Lulu decided on chiles rellenos de camarón (chiles stuffed with shrimp) and I had Almejas Chocolates Rellenas (chocolate clams stuffed with bacon, cheese and mushrooms). We started with an order of guacamole. When they brought it, we got a bowl of guacamole as well as a bowl of smoked fish dip that tastes exactly like Lulu's smoked salmon/cream cheese spread. It was so good.

Both our meals were excellent. While we were relaxing over another round of cervezas, the owner, Marcello, brought us complimentary shots of tequila. It was very smooth. Later in the evening, he brought us another complimentary tequila. He was a very nice guy. Originally from Acapulco but he's been in La Paz for 36 years.

Eventually it was time to wend our way back to the boat where we watched a couple shows on DVD and then went to bed. It was hot today (mid 80s) and probably will be again tomorrow. What a shame, huh?

Oh yeah, while Lulu was getting in shape with an hour and a half of Yoga-Lates at Club Cruceros, I was hoofing it downtown to the organic market to get some sausage. A guy named Ace was selling both breakfast sausage and Italian sausage. Now, I love chorizo but eventually a guy just wants something else. However, at the price Ace was charging, I think we'll learn to make our own sausage. On the way back to the boat, not having had time for breakfast, I stopped at 2 roving taco carts. At the first one I had a taco de "carnitas de res horneado". This should have been some sort of oven-cooked beef, but, in truth, it tasted and looked an awful lot like pork. Very good, though. Then I went back up the street to have a taco at a stand that has been in business since 1951. Since that's also the year of my birth, I felt a kinship. I had no idea what kind of tacos these were as there was no sign. Turned out they were fish tacos. They were very good. I asked what kind of fish and he answered that these were "de tiburón" (shark), Mako tiburón. They were quite tasty.

Tomorrow I'll rebuild the engine's raw water pump and Lulu will continue sewing cushions. And it'll probably be 80+ degrees again. Ahhhhhh.......