four-strand line and other miscellany.
Yang here. We woke up this morning to find a 'severe' dusting of the boat. Turned out that it was volcanic ash from the volcano inland ... winds were just right. Don't have any news as to whether it was just a wind shift or a larger eruption. We'll get to the internet in a few days. (A few days to the internet ... doesn't that just boggle your sense of time and priorities? What's the rush? We can't see any lava headed this way.)
Update: Just talked to someone who went into shore today and the Ecuadorian papers are saying a significant eruption, one village buried up to the eaves of the homes, and 'much death'. Sorry to report.
We also needed to replace the polypropylene painter on the dinghy. Most standard (cheaper and low-tech) rope is made with three strands, often nylon, and all splicing instructions are for three strands. And polypropylene is really cheap rope ... but it does have the advantage of floating. But for some unknown reason here in Ecuador, their cheap polypropylene rope is made with four strands. So I can now add 'splicing four strand line' to my nautical resume. (For you land-lubbers, splicing is where one puts a loop at the end of a line by braiding the free end back into the line itself.)
Good news on the engine and transmission: Ran it with and without the prop shaft connected and no noises, no stopping. All sorts of rpm's. We dodged the bullet on that one. One good thing is that we got the new engine mounts installed. Much smoother and a little bit quieter. We continue to get projects done so that we can go inland in September to visit the Quito area. Then get ceilidh ready in October to head out on the high tides in early November.
August is the prime month for vacationers in Bahia. Lots of new people in town. On Saturday night they close the main street, rig up sound systems, and just have a party. One tradition is that ladies set up tables and sell cakes they've been making during the week.
One thing that takes getting used to here is having exact change. Hope went to the bank yesterday to get some change and they would only give her so many 5's, some 10's, and no 1's. Shop keepers have a hard time making change if you whip out a $20 bill and sometimes have to refuse the purchase. Of course, the ATMs dispense $20. Another thing is that most things are sold for $1. Want a dozen roses? $1. Want 3 roses? $1. Want 25 limes (limons)? $1 Want 5 limons? $1. Want 3 pineapples? $1. Want one pineapple? You guessed it.
And, yes, I seem to be completely recovered from my illness. Not as energetic as I recall, but then that was a matter of opinion. I was describing the illness as salmonella. Well, the official name for the bug that got into my system was salmonella typhii. So in the common parlance I had typhoid fever. Ooops. R-E-A-L-L-Y glad Hope got me to the doctor. So just a little correction there. Are you glad you're sharing this cruising experience 'virtually'? With a 3-day to 2-week incubation period, no way of telling where I got it.
There is a vendor in town each night. They sell a 'health' drink. If we're translating the Spanish correctly, it'll cure whatever ails you. They start by cutting an aloe vera pod in half and scraping out the clear goo into your glass. A little echinacea, goldenseal, yerba matte, honey, and possibly comfry and colt's foot (if Hope's Spanish was up to the translation). Water to top it off. Then using a knife to break down the aloe vera gob they stir it. Then they start pouring it from one glass to another to test the consistency. But the one glass ends up over the pourer's head with the other glass down on the cart. Five or six times, then some more knife stirring, then some more pouring/testing, then it's yours to slug down. The show alone is worth the 50-cents. My liver never felt better, how's yours?
Well enough for now. Enjoy!
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