B.O.A.T - Acronym for Bring On Another Thousand !

Cruising - Doing Boat Repairs in Exotic Places.

Genesis was hauled out, bottom painted, zincs changed, new water muffler flaps put on to prevent surge water from entering into the engines. Ken painted the boot stripe and the white from the rub rail down to the water.

Faye cleaned the teak and cleaned the stainless steel. She looks all new and sparkling. The boat not Faye.

Our boat is old but so is her crew. Old age comes with costs. The boat seems to have a slow leak in the water tank. Lots of depends could work BUT there is a product that can be sprayed in the water tank and seals the tank against leaks. We feel in the long haul this would be cheaper than depends. Luckily the crew doesn't need depends yet either. Ken is down cutting a hole in the floor to get at the inspection plate to be able to put the product into the tank. In the wisdom (pun) of the tawainese that made this boat, they put the tank in first then put the floor on top with the hatch in the wrong place. Imagine. No thought for any future repair.

We will be here for probably the 2 weeks so that the DREADED Root Canal can start tomorrow.

We have had lots of time to source out items we may need for future fixes, fuel changes etc. This allows us to walk, walk and walk. Yesterday alone we walked 53 blocks in total. This would be great exercise if you didn't have to stop for a cerveca or vino. We have seen way more of La Paz than we did in Dec.

We took our time and discovered some history.

1548 - The city of La Paz was founded by Spanish settlers on the pre- existing site of Choqueyapu, an ancient Aymara village. It was founded as Nuestra Senora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace) by Alonso de Mendoza, commissioned by Pedro de la Gasca, to commemorate the "pacification" of Peru. It was started as a commercial city, lying on the main gold and silver route to the coast. The Spaniards came for the Bolivian gold found in the Choqueapu River that runs through present-day La Paz. At this time of year the river is more of a trickle. In July - August we have been told the rains in the mountains begin. The Spaniards took the gold mines away from Aymara people and made them work as slaves. The primarily male Spanish population soon mixed with the indigenous people, creating a largely mestizo, or mixed, population. The people here seem to have less a tan than us. It is very apparent the Spanish influence here. The land was transfered to Chilean and spain with many wars in between.

There were many uprisings between the wealthy land owners and the indigenous people. With rights being given back to the original people of this country.

1964 - Military revolution, with the help of the US, that established the dictatorial rule that would remain until 1980. The last dictator was General Hugo Banzer. He held elections in 1980, although, suspiciously, Banzar's candidate won and was president until the year 1982. Amazing just how much influence the US seems to have everywhere in the world.

La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur. Before becoming a state in 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. This area is abound with historical towns and villages that we will be visiting when we finally get to leave North.

The capital buildings are built around a plaza with the history carved into the stone arches.

The weather has been a warm 95 during the day, but at night the winds called Cozumals blow and can drop the temps to 59 at night. COLD. So much for putting the blankets away. This is just a phenominon around La Paz. As we go North it will be hot.

The saw down below has stopped. More importantly no swearing seems to be coming from below so I think it is safe to go see what an empty water tank looks like. Deséeme la suerte en la dentista. Wish me luck at the dentist (female).

Until next week.

Hasta la semana proxima.