Better late than never, eh? February was another expensive month! I’m gonna go ahead and blame the engine fix this time around. We decided to procure all new parts rather than scrounging around for used spares (turns out a friend had a spare coupling…two actually, just lying about – darn). Jeff really wanted to re-purpose a rusted coupling, but I like shiny things and I don’t need any more reasons to distrust our engine. The parts we bought for the fix are as follows: a new output coupling, a new lock nut, new flexible feet and a flexible coupling (it didn’t have a flexible coupling before). All told, the engine fix (which was much more involved than it needed to be, but in a good way) set us back about $600. Man does she purr! It greatly helped with the “vibration problem” we didn’t know we had…
Other than the engine we pretty much kept on budget (though we borrowed from some pots while other pots floweth over). Groceries were a bit expensive because we were provisioning for a month in the Sea of Cortez, and because we have a refined taste in food (ie. I can’t get enough peanut butter and chocolate and Jeff can’t get enough snacky foods, all of which cost a premium in Mexico). Snacking has become a full-time hobby on our boat.
Our friend Jill came to visit during Carnival, which means that we splurged a little bit on fun things. I rode the bus to and from San Jose del Cabo to meet her at the airport and we treated ourselves to some nicer than average meals out and about, in addition to street fare: churros, fresh-made potato chips, the most gigantic cotton candy you have ever laid eyes on and upside down rides…almost in that order. All money well spent.
The shortest month in the year…but not necessarily the cheapest.