April 16, 2008 -- Layover day at Marina de La Paz

This day was dedicated to a few chores and further exploration of La Paz. After breakfast we walked out to the weaver's shop, which happens to be on all the tour bus routes. They have some beautiful things on display, and in the back room about 10 wooden looms are set up, with rugs and other weaving projects in various stages of production. One of the looms was being operated, producing pleasant sounds as the hand operation took place. We bought a few small items there, and then hiked over to the CCC, a large supermarket store. Many rows in the parking lot are provided with shade covers, and in the heat of La Paz, that is a real blessing. We bought a back pack load of provisions, grabbed lunch in a small cafe across the street, and then trudged back to the boat. It was a very hot day (we later learned that it reached 96), and we were relieved to reach the shade of the boat cockpit.

I wanted to wash the salt off the boat that afternoon, but when I tried turning the dock hose bib on, there was no water. I inquired at the office and was told they were having plumbing problems. Even the restrooms and showers were out of service. The big hole on the far side of the parking lot told all. While digging to fix a blocked up drain line, the back hoe operator managed to snag and break the water line. So, while we waited for the plumber to make his repairs, we walked over to a sports bar that had WIFI. We caught up on e'mail for a hour or so. I checked the utility work, and the plumber pointed to the new copper water line he'd spliced in, and gave "thumbs up" for water service. That cleared the way for us to go back to our slip and give the boat a thorough cleaning. We felt much better about the boat after the wash job, and it's been nice not having to turn down washing offers from the local boat cleaners any more. Once the boat was clean, we turned attention to ourselves, grabbing showers and taking an evening stroll into town for dinner.