Techie DUMDUM

Man I feel stupid today. I’ve been stressing about buying a $70.00 3G (SIM) modem since I got to Panama 4 months ago. I’ve been using the internet at my friends house in town but it’s not always running and she is not always home. It’s a pain to hike up there every time I want to check email. I can also go to Panamarina and use the internet for $3.00 an hour, but wow, that is expensive. Well as it turns out there is a sim modem built into my little aspire one, and baddabing, I have internet on the boat! The Sim card was a buck, and the service $1.00 a day, or $15 a month. It isn’t too fast but good enough. I’m soooo happy :)

The boat in the picture is a little boat ( about 30’) with a family on it. They anchored next to me a few days ago. I really enjoy seeing cruising families like this. The two little kids are swinging from the halyards and in the water all day. In the morning and evenings the sound of a small flute resonates from the little boat as well as a good vibe. I haven’t met them yet but will probably swing by to say hi today. I know my “family” situation didn’t work out but this really is such a beautiful way to raise your family. Their boat is really simple and when they go to shore they row. The father usually goes to shore alone to get food, water, and supplies. I always hear him singing or whistling to himself as he rows by. The contrast of life is so amazing to me. I believe in living a simple and humble life. Right now somewhere in the world, someone is justifying killing someone else.  Governments are murdering people for oil, land, or whatever and I am so very perplexed by this kind of behavior. What is it that makes people so hostel? Is it just the “human” condition, I don’t think so.

Anyway enough bad JUJU. I don’t like talking about this for the same reason I cant watch the news. We all just need to find peace, eah?

I cant quite tell if having internet all the time is a good thing or not. I’m on ebay more and I think the internet wants my money :( It is amazing how cheap some things are in the States. I have been looking/dreaming at enduro / dual sport motorcycles on craigslist there are some good ones for about fifteen hundred. I’m told in the free zone here you can buy a new Chinese 125cc enduro for about twelve hundred. They are kind of crap but will last for a few years.

In the end I’ll just ride the bus but what a pain in the ass (8 hrs RT)! I’m off to Panama city later in the week to pick up a package and buy a few parts. Raymarine came through for me and donated a Type  2 long linear drive for my autopilot. I haven’t had an autopilot since 100 miles south of Jamaica. The sponsorship thing is funny. I made all my relationships almost 10 years ago. So many people have tried to get sponsorship recently for things and the companies just don’t do it anymore, I’m lucky!

I’m going to clean Splendid’s bottom today. I have good sun which will be enough power to run my sea breathe compressor. The job usually takes a few hours and I have to put cotton in my ears to keep the crabs out. When I was in the Las Pearlas I learned this lesson the hard way. I couldn’t clear my ears after cleaning Namaste’s hull. My friend Cassy put some rubbing alcohol in my ears and gave a good scream when the little crabs emerged. They make a clicking sound in your head that is enough to drive you mad!

I updated my position yesterday so if you want to see where I am on the chart click on “current position” under the members menu. The island to my north in Linton.

Also if your into storm tracking and weather don’t forget to check out our weather page, it is quite nice!

I’m also hoping to shoot a fish later in the day. My woman (Splendid) demands some time and attention.

Peace, Love, and Coconuts.

Sail far and live slowly.

Alex