I am very far from being a local, but I don’t fit with the turistas either.  I had dinner with my friends from SOEL again tonight.  Liz and I picked up an incredible dinner of roast chicken, beans, rice, and sauce for 80 pesos or about $6.50 that easily fed three of us.  To supplement dinner I added a bottle of Bacardi Anejo for about 98 pesos or 9 bucks.  Liz and Oscar called it quits at a respectable hour, but I couldn’t help myself from going on a brief walk about. 

The American tourist were obvious on all streets being the loudest people on Isla and I was one of them only two years ago when here for a friend’s wedding.  Somehow, having crossed here as I did, I couldn’t bring myself to jump into the merriment in the same way.  Perhaps somewhat inhibited knowing I wouldn’t be flying out when the weekend was over.  On the flip side, the cruising community is a bit more closed than I thought it would be.  That’s not to say I wasn’t extremely warmly welcomed and shown more respect than I deserve for my single handed crossing when I first arrived.  However, other than SOEL, I’ve really yet to connect with the other cruisers here.

Some of the sweetest moments have been the most simple.  Such as connecting with the beautiful young woman who was rocking out to Gun’s N’ Roses at a small Mercado.  A simple, “te gusta GNR?”, from this gringo brought a huge smile to her face that was priceless.  I’ve forgotten more Spanish than I remember, but it is slowly coming back.  Between the iguanas in the marina and scooters carrying a family of five I’ve remembered how much I love Mexico.  I still cannot believe I am here.  It’s strange to be asking, but after six years of planning, how did this happen?

Lee Winters
Phone: (281) 336-0855
Satellite Phone: 8816-316-59853

Web: www.SailingForSOS.com
Email: Lee.Winters@SailingForSOS.com