Newsletter July 2002

"Where the Hell Did All The Money Go? "

Were baaaack. Much to our chagrin we have left the decks of Pipe Dream and have traveled back to the United States for a family visit. The trip consisted of an 11 hour tour in an iron chariot (bus) across El Salvador, Guatemala, to Tapachula
Mexico. After a two day stay in Tapachula to feast at every taco stand we could find, we boarded one of those iron birds (airplane) and flew to Tijuana, Mexico. After a short cab ride, and an hour wait to cross through U.S. Customs, the weary crew of Pipe Dream was standing on American soil. As you can probably guess, the U.S. officials had no idea who the international celebrities were that passed through their hallowed barbed wire fences. We should have had them on our newsletter list! Jutta and I were subjected to the usual barrage of questions. What are you bringing back from Mexico? How long have you been there? Where were you born? Do you know how expensive it is to visit the United States? We answered all the cross examination questions correctly, submitted to a body search, and took a breathalyzer test. We were then allowed to enter American soil. I did smuggle something across that went undetected: A case of Montezuma's revenge that I passed through totally unscathed. We were met by Jutta's daughter and her roommate and they whisked us off into an awaiting SUV.
The closing of this season’s cruising escapade left Pipe Dream, our home on the water, at Bahia del Sol, El Salvador tied to a mooring buoy. Pipe Dream is being looked after by our good friends and fellow cruisers on "Lanakai"and "Terazed". As of the writing of this newsletter (July 25) Pipe Dream was doing fine and still afloat. This year’s journey through Central America ended with a two months’ stay at Bahia del Sol,
Hotel Marina and Yacht club. The beer was cold, the pool was hot, and the food was so-so. We were having such a great time taking inland trips, we just decided to plant our feet in the mud and play the last few months.
My good friend in Costa Rica, Nancy Iwaan, had been anxiously awaiting our arrival on Pipe Dream. We e-mailed her and gave the bad news that Pipe Dream would not make the voyage, although Jutta and I would visit by bus. The crew of Pipe Dream again boarded another iron Chariot (bus) and left for the Paloma Blanca Bed and Breakfast in Jaco, Costa Rica. Our bus trip took us through Nicaragua with an overnight stay in Managua. I would not call Managua a garden spot. In the section of town where the bus depot was located we were told not to go out at night, it was very dangerous. After that comment I felt more at ease, it was like taking a trip to Los Angeles.
The next morning we boarded the bus and pushed on to Costa Rica. Naturally I had left the phone number and address of Nancy's Bed And Breakfast on the boat. It isn't easy getting old! I found an internet connection at a local hotel and pulled up Nancy's website. We arrived at their door in a torrential down pour. I hadn’t seen Nancy in 18 years and she didn't recognize me. I get better looking every day. Nancy and Pierre graciously put us up for a week and gave us a local tour of Costa Rica. It was nice renewing old friendships and meeting Pierre. By the way, Pierre makes a killer breakfast!
At the end of the week our brief tour of Costa Rica drew to an end and Nancy and Pierre gave us a ride to San Jose, the capital. When we return in October to Costa Rica we promised to take Nancy and Pierre cruising down the coast. I forgot to mention Nancy has salt water in her veins and I am sure we can con Pierre into a few more of his gourmet meals. For those of you who have wondered about Costa Rica, everything wonderful you have heard or envisioned is true. The people are friendly, and they are very concerned with their ecology, and the education. Since Costa Rica does not have an army, they spend their money on national parks, education, and social programs, what a great concept! San Jose, the capital has over 50,000 Americans living there. Next season we plan to spend a lot more time traveling around the country.
We returned to El Salvador and stripped Pipe Dream's decks of anything that could be removed, sails etc., put her to bed on a mooring buoy, and left for the U.S. of A. She looked like a plucked chicken tied to a stick! What a depressing sight. We told her we would return in October, put her clothes back on and head south,. Costa Rica here we come.
Thus the curtain falls on the second cruising season of Ferdy and Jutta on Pipe Dream. Jutta and I are back on American soil planning our next adventure, a month long adventure to Europe, I need to meet Jutta's Mom, oh-oh. This time we will go by plane and I hope the captain hasn't been drinking. You will hear more of the European adventure in my next newsletter. By the time you receive this
newsletter our website will be updated with pictures of our Central America trip. The web site is as follows: http://pipedreamers.tripod.com
Since I e-mailed our last newsletter I have noticed a lot of you are remiss on sending your money to the "Help Ferdy Cruising Fund". It's never too late, give till it hurts. Remember the more you send the longer Ferdy will stay away.

From the Decks of Pipe Dream
Ferdy and Jutta