September 9, 2010 |
| Slow Days....sometimes! |
We remain up the Rio and find ourselves in temporary doldrums so to speak. For the second time this year we find ourselves sitting long term in one place. As you know, we were in Jonesville, Roatan for several months earlier in the year. Now we are sitting stationary in the Rio Dulce. That’s not a bad thing. It’s just that when “cruising” you sail from island to island which provides a “change up” with regard to the local scene. After all variety is the spice of life (right?)! Here, now, there’s not really much new to post so we’ll simply comment on an aspect of our daily lives about which we are often asked. The economics of the cruising lifestyle .
Life aboard a cruising sailboat is relatively inexpensive when compared to a terra firma based lifestyle. Each new country brings, with it, a vastly different experience and economic situation. Cruising, here in these third world environs, has provided us with a truly diverse and fascinating experience. The sheer beauty of the environment often contrasts with the living conditions of the local indigenous population. It is especially true here in Central America with their weak economies. One has to take stock in that we, as westerners, are largely immune from the struggle required simply to get by in our daily lives. Mind you; the local population is happy, helpful, gracious and very friendly even in the face of these difficulties. Obviously, in such an economy, the cost of living is very low compared to more developed regions. That, then, brings us to the cost of living and traveling here in Guatemala. It’s very low!
Guatemala has, thus far, proven to be the least expensive (by far) place to live in that we’ve encountered. Our average weekly cost is running around $300.00. This includes all food, entertainment, nightly “happy hours”, slip rental and electricity. The low cost of living, combined with it being a “hurricane hole”, makes it a popular place for cruisers. How could it not? Honduras was only slightly higher in general costs. As in all things there are, obviously, different levels of cruising budgets. There are typically three broad levels. I’ll call them “Spartan, Comfortable and Excessive”. We operate within the bounds of the “Comfortable” level.
All that said; these extremely low costs only apply to Central America and the more remote islands far from cruise ship ports. As an example; the cost in the Bahamas was considerably higher and nearer to that which we see in the states. On the other end of the spectrum are places like Key West were the “daily” slip rental was $150.00 per night. Go figure! Easy to understand why cruisers seek out the less traveled Caribbean locations with their inherent beauty and low cost! We forego many “conveniences” in order to experience this diversity and low cost of living. No Wallmarts, super grocery stores, fast/safe/convenient transportation etc. etc. Sometimes, when unable to find even a basic grocery item, we question “Why we are doing this?” These, however, are fleeting thoughts. It doesn’t take long to recover and realize just how lucky we are to be able to do this. Besides; we know we’re going back to terra firma one day soon enough.
So there you have it! It took me a nearly three hours to write this. What? With breakfast, my morning cigar and a quick dip in the pool “where does the time go”? Guess we will survive these “doldrums” afterall!
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2010
September (2)
Slow Days.......