12/10/03 Early AM We awoke to a huge bang. I sounded like something ran into the boat, but the twang sound meant something in the rigging. The forestay and backstays were all quite loose and it appeared that the forestay parted at the top of the mast. It was still dark out, so we put an extra halyard to support the mast and went back to bed. There was nothing to do until light. Later we decided to motor over to Ixtapa Marina where we had calm water to go up the mast, power and a dock to work. I went up the mast and found that the stemball eye fitting, that holds the forestay to the mast, broke in two. We called Kosta and described the part to him and had him call Svendsen’s to see if they had one. Luck was on our side in that Svendsen’s had the part, Wendy could pick it up and Simone and Lynda were coming down the next day to deliver it.

12/11/03 Meet up with Simone and Lynda for some food and lots of drinks. The part arrived and looked to be a match.

12/12/03 Went up the mast to install the new stemball. Everything went very smooth and we are back in the business of being a sailboat. I can’t express enough thanks to Kosta, Wendy and Simone in getting this part so quickly. Thanks amigos and amigas. Getting rare parts from the states can be a nightmare.

12/17/03 Most of the days are the same. We go into town, meet people, go to the beach, swim, back to the boat to clean up and then back to town to party. Tough life! There is music most nights at Rick’s Bar. Josie Kuhn started playing at Rick’s this week. She is from Nashville and really good. She brought along a bass player/boyfriend named Bobbie. You never met a nicer guy. Turns out he is PHD Associate Professor from the University of Southern Mississippi. I got to know them quite well and even found myself on stage playing guitar and singing a little backup for Josie. I was so drunk, I must have sucked.

12/19/03 The town is really ramping up for Christmas. They erected a huge Christmas tree near the basketball courts on the beach. Everyday, you see more and more decorations and each night is a huge celebration of some sort by the tree.

12/21/03 The first day of winter….sure doesn’t seem like it down here. The number of boats here and Mexican tourists increases each day. There are about 40 boats now in the bay. When we arrived, there were only about 12. I called Wendy today and she is still sick. She went to doctor and the doctor told her not to go to Mexico! You can imagine my heartbreak. Talking to her later, she is doing much better and is still planning on coming down for Christmas. Yea….a very nice Christmas present for me.

12/22/03 Well, I finished all my Christmas shopping today. The town has now erected a huge nativity scene under the Christmas tree. Feliz Navidad is near. I hear the 49ers are playing tonight, so I’m going to wear my niner shirt and watch some football. I still have to decide what to do Christmas Eve. Rick is having a full-blown turkey dinner at the bar and some cruisers have organized a Mexican type dinner at one of the restaurants on Las Gatas. Both are relatively expensive by Mexican standards, but may be worth it.