Turk's Heads, Knots and More

I love knots. The trouble is that I am not very good at them. My friend, Roy, helped me do a lovely Turk's Head for the Kingpin on the wheel. Trouble was...I didn't do it on the Kingpin. Heck it has been on the wheel for over seven years. We got use to it.

Well today Geoffrey offered to have a class for Kim and I and I made sure I had the knot on the correct spoke. Several demonstrations later suddenly Geoffrey is offering to do my entire wheel in lovely French Hitches and each spoke with a Turk's Head and the Kingpin with a special 5 bight four bend Turk's Head. Yea...I am just as confused as the rest of you, but it will look great when it is finished.

So I am not sure if I passed the class. I promise I will practice. But in the end I will have a lovely wheel and we had a great morning looking at different knots and projects.

Pirates, Pirates Everywhere

Morning Coffee conversation has turned to Pirates. Pirates the game that is...now we are playing a computer game where we are the pirates.

It is great fun and we have all become quite addicted. Naming your pirate is a big deal. I must admit that I picked a name that is lacking in luster and doesn't fill you with dread when you hear it, Jamie. But I wasn't sure that I was going to like the game and now I am addicted and am playing daily and he is kicking some serious butt out there on the Caribbean.

So conversation focuses on type of boat and upgrades, how your dancing and fencing skills are, who you are working for and you various ranks with the various countries. It is important to gather not only information but upgrade your vessel(s) and keep that crew happy or there will be a mutiny, but gather up specialty items that make your life easier.

Currently I am focusing on fencing. Figured after I got my butt kicked by the Captain of the Guard that I needed some lessons. Oh and dance with the attractive Governor's daughters. If you don't step on their feet they offer you cool gifts.

So avast me hearties we have gold to capture! See you soon...Captain Jamie is calling me.

Public Out Cry

I am saddened by recent events on the Rio Dulce of late. The regular dinghy and outboard motor thefts are the norm, but lately we have had murders and boardings, local villages searched, suspects arrested and the list goes on.

The forums are full of vigilantly justice when it is the gringos being killed, but not so much when a Guatemalan is murdered. No outrage at the “Cleansing in Seja”. I am confused when told by a marina owner that Raul (the Guatemalan agent when you check-in to the country) had warned incoming boats that they should NOT anchor on the river at this time and gave them the name of a marina that they could reach before dark and have security. They chose to anchor and they were boarded.

I believe that we all have the right to our own opinions. Everyone has one. But I am dismayed that a friend of mine has received a death threat via a local forum. In my estimation she was attempting to have people look at another side. COULD there have been a drug element. Events following the murder did have that flavor. She did say that because Dan smoked pot that he was a drug abuser. She did say that it is illegal to have in your possession pot in the USA and in Guatemala. I know that the enforcement of the Drug laws is different in different jurisdictions. She did NOT say that he was murdered because he smoked a joint in New York or that he was murdered because he may have or may have not purchased pot here in Guatemala.

What concerns me most is that when a Guatemalan is murdered there is no out cry in the gringo community. Most of us are not even aware. When a death threat is made on a forum against a gringo there is NO OUT CRY! The forum, however, was full of cries for lynchings and local forms of justice, such as burning people alive etc.

The cruising community on the river is divided. This is not a new thing. It is just in our faces now. The cruising community as I see it is divided into categories.

1. Cruisers who live on their boats year round and this is a hurricane hole.

2. Cruisers who live on their boats part of the year. Leave the boat for hurricane season.

3. Cruisers who may or may not continue to live on their boat, but are active in the local community. Some marry or live with Guatemalans.

4. Cruiser Missionaries that may or may not live on their boats and I am not sure of their impact.

5. Cruisers who live here year round and no longer take their boats out if they still have them until they have to because the law states that every 2 years the boat must leave the country. You can get around this by paying a bribe.

6. Cruisers who are here for the first time.

7. Cruisers who come back season after season.
We are divided by social, financial, political, geographical, and religious differences.


Bottom line…As long as I agree with you then everything is cool. If I ask you to look at something differently then I become a social pariah. I would hope that we could have dialogue, even heated dialogue, but at the end of the day and we are facing ourselves in the mirror I want to know that I did the best I could.

I may not agree with you and what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

I want to write about Happier things

Sorry to say that the river has not calmed down.  More boats were boarded, no one was hurt.  Things were taken.  They were anchored in a bad part of the river that the cruising guides warn you not to over night near.  Outboards were stolen from some locals and that raises eyebrows.

Everyone is a little hypervigelent which is a good thing.

The National Police came today by the boat and pickup truck load to search the village of La Esmeralda.  This is were most of the workers in the marina live.  This is were I worked for two years at the health clinic.  I know most of the people there.  I have birthed their babies, cleaned and stitched their wounds, helped their dying and helped bury a few.
It has made me think about my friend in the States who's son was involved in a robbery in which a murder was commited.  I don't know if he actually pulled the trigger it doesn't matter.  He has a life sentence.  So does his family.  It is hard to ask about him and how he is.  Part of me is embarressed for her and part of me is embarressed for me because I don't know how to ask her.  I know her heart is broken over and over because her son the child she carried in her body and gave birth to walked away from all she had tried to teach him.  Even after what he has done...he is her son, her child, her little boy.  He is also a convicted felon.

I want justice served.  However I don't want us to forget that it is the innocent on both sides of the crime that suffer.  For every criminal there is a father, mother, brother, sister, and friends who are hurt by the crime.

I heard today that Nancy is flying with the body of her husband, Dan to Guatemala City for cremation.  She is healing physically.  From what I was told  she and the family are planning on SAILING the boat.  That feels right.  I am also sure that Dan will be with them in spirit as they continue the dream.  Fair Winds and Following Seas  you deserve nothing less.

Sometimes I should keep my big mouth shut

Well this morning there was a section reserved for discussion on the Murder on the Rio Dulce on the morning NET.  I still am having difficulty on a personal level about the robbery and murder of someone that I knew.  I didn't know them well, but I knew them.

I usually have strong feelings on issues and more times then not I speak my mind.  I am concerned that some people new to the river feel as if the "old timers" kept a secret from them about anchoring out on the river.  I know that if I know someone is going to anchor out we usually go through the list of  "have you thought about..."  Actually I had had that discussion during Spanish Class with Dan earlier in the week.  Mel, another classmate wrote one of her stories for class about the security issues that they faced when anchored up on the lake and what steps the boats in their group took to keep themselves safe.

If you read the State Departments warning on Guatemala you would be hard pressed to want to come and visit.  I will restate, that yes it is a dangerous place!  So is Tucson, Arizona and Fargo, North Dakota.

I am reminded of when I was active duty Army and stationed in Korea.  I extended my tour so that I could have my children with me in country.  It was hard to leave and 18 month old and a 6 month old in the care of friends while I flew half way around the world to serve my county.  Because both my husband and I were active duty we had to have plan of who would take our depenedents out of the country if something should happen.  The reality was that if "the balloon went up" a phrase that meant war had broken out, all the dependents were to go to Osan AFB and they would be evacuated out of Korea.  It was a joke, but it made people feel good.  Reality was that the highways would be closed to land plans on them and would be so choked with so many Korean Nationals that NO ONE was going to get off the "ROCK".  I knew that when I brought my children there.  I use to worry how I would deal with it if they had been killed because I wanted them with me instead of in the States growing up without me for a year.  Bottom line...I wanted them with me and hell be damned I wasn't going to let fear stand in my way.

So the Rio Dulce is a dangerous place.  A marina is a "safe place" on the river as we do have a weapons toting guard, however, safety is an illusion.  I am not leaving the country or river that I have fallen in love with...I and my family are staying.  We will be a little more cautious. 

Tragedy on the River

We had a tragedy on the river last night.  A boat was boarded, the people were robbed and the husband was killed and the wife seriously injured.  We know the people on the boat.  As a matter of fact, they were in my spanish class and I had had lunch with them on Thursday.

They were excited about the purchase of their boat and  had just completed fixing it and getting it ready to cruise.  This had been a dream for theirs for almost 20 years.  They told me on Thursday that they were going to start taking the boat out and anchoring out so that they could familiarize themselves with the systems and get use to the boat.

Sadly, their dream ended in tragedy.  There is much talk on the river this morning about what should we do about this incident.  How dangerous is the river, should you have weapons on board, and what if anything will happen between the Guatemalan Government and the US Embassy.  Based on past history not much.

I am sure that some boaters will now think that the river is too dangerous a place to be and there will be an exodus from the river.  The Rio Dulce is a dangerous place.  So are most major cities in any country and I know of a number of boats that were robbed and people killed anchored in Florida.

We aren't over reacting.  We are trying to do our best to be vigilent and not spread rumors.  I am sure that the Rio Dulce Chisme  will have the full story as soon as Roy can get more details.

Bad things happen to good people.  We mustn't rush to judgement on Guatemala as a whole.  Please keep the wife and the family in your thoughts and prayers.

IS The Love Boat is Calling?

Jumping to conclusions is something that most of us have been guilty of at least once in our lives.

I am not sure if when you read my blog you read the comments posted. It seems that some concerned friends read my blog about a trip to Guatemala City to shop for the tienda at the marina started speculation that I am going to be the Activity Director. I then wrote the Exclusive tongue in cheek response.

Now I am wondering if it is I that have jumped to conclusions…were they pulling my leg and did I fall hook, line, and sinker for their tongue in cheek comments.

Sources close to me have stated that I have been falling into old habits lately and am only steps away from jumping back into my old ways and previous job.

So… after ordering the above book and getting certified as a Professional Activity Director you make up your mind.

EXCLUSIVE

Rumors are flying at Mario's Marina and in the United States that Cindy off the S/V Dragonheart has agreed to be the Activities Director once again at the marina for an undisclosed amount of cash.

Our reporters were not able to catch up to Ms. Miller, however, our sources in the know state, "We have heard rumors that she will be returning in her capacity as Activity Director. We can neither confirm nor deny any such claims."

Our efforts to talk to Jim Ellis owner of Mario's Marina have been unsuccessful. Marco Linares, dockmaster at Mario's will only offer a "No Comment".

Speculation began that Ms. Miller would once again be the Activities Director after a non scheduled trip with marina staff to, "do some shopping for the tienda." Anyone familiar with the politics of the marina are well aware that one seemingly innocent trip can be and often is a cover for much more sinister activity.

We will continue to cover this breaking news event as further details become known.

I had a good day

Yesterday, Marco the Dockmaster, and I went to Guatemala City to do the tienda shopping. We started out at 0400 because on a good day it is a 5 hour drive one way. We had a fairly good trip considering the mudslides, traffic and rain. Coming back was a little more difficult, but more on that later.

Riding along with us were 2 virgin cruisers to Guatemala. After being here off and on for four years I have learned a little about the country, the people and the politics. So I got to show off yesterday and be the tour guide. It had been awhile since I had driven to the City. Lots of changes and progress, that double edged sword is visible everywhere. The new four lane highway through the mountains (in partnership with Taiwan China) that crowds out small tipico homes. The new lean-tos that dot the side of the road selling illegal diesel, fruit, drinks, and other commodities. The tree branches placed like flares to let you know that there has been an accident. The painted rocks that are fading…they carry the political parties endorsements of the last presidential campaign in Guatemala.

Arriving in the City you are accosted with fumes from the trucks and buses, the cacophony of noise, goats being herded and the occasional clown driving to gig. Then you arrive in Zone 10 the Zone of Life and the shopping, fine dining, and hotels. You realize that you are away from the river.

For me the best part of the trip was being with Marco. He is a warm friendly guy that I consider a good friend. He lets me practice my Spanish and doesn’t laugh too much when I say something wrong. He talks to me about his country and how young it is in a democratic sense. He talks to me about how horrible it was as a school boy to be stopped by the soldiers and even though he was in a school uniform he had to be able to show his school ID or face arrest or possible worse. (It reminds me how lucky I am that I was born in the United States.) We share our lives with each other. Marco and his family are part of the reason that we love Guatemala.

So we drove back home to the river after a good shopping trip. It rained. It rained hard and there were waterfalls and mudslides that weren’t there on the way up. There were 6 accidents all involving 18 wheelers. We made it home after dark, but the pontoon boat was waiting to take us to the marina with our stuff.

It was a good day…I spent it with my friend, Marco.