We walked the flat 4 km to the old cargo ferry yesterday morning. I've been taking that same old ferry for about 30 years now! It takes a liesurely 45 minutes (C$1.75) to cross the 5km channel with cement trucks, bread deliveries, building materials, and local cars. And maybe 5 or 6 pasajeros --- people on foot. So great to be on our beloved Isla Mujeres, even though condos are going up and others have been abandoned. Still a working fishing village, with day tourists laid on. Did some snorkelling in the very calm clear lagoon called La Piscina del Rey --- the King's Pool. Took the faster ferry (15 minutes, C$3.40) back to the mainland. Bought some fish "moro" (sea bass) and had yummy dinner with rice. Fireball sunset at about 6:30 and the whole neighbourhood goes quiet and dark. Great for stargazing from the open roof.
This morning walked before the sun got too high south 4km to Playa Ninos ("Kid's Beach) and back. No sidewalks or shoulders and a lot of speeding local colectivos (shared minivans), so a lot of stepping off the pavement. Also a lot of apartments for rent --- economic turndown?? Fully furnished beachfront places in 3-storey walkups start at C$670, or US$600 a month. If you're wondering, ours is C$575 and includes all utilities.
Of course, it had only a plastic table + 4 chairs, double bed with sheets and pillows, 4 propane burners to cook on (no oven), and a fridge. We knew that so we brought a microwave, coffee maker, tea kettle, and kitchen utensils etc. It's working out fine; we've travelled with a lot less.
But an hour ago it poured rain for 30 minutes. Nice cooling effect and it washed the dust off our Venture van. But there's no drains or sewers so there are huge pools of water everywhere, including on the roads. I wonder how long it will take to seep away or evaporate?
Oh--- yesterday we realized it was Orthodox Christmas (12 days after ours). The whole country celebrates by having a Rosca del Reyes in their house. It's a rounded fruit-and-nut-topped cake that marks the 3 Wise Men (=reyes, or "kings") bringing gifts. Every shop has mountains of them, all identical in size and box. Problem is the shelves are all taken up with these cakes and there is no regular bread or other baked goods! Man can only live on Roscas so long.
The rain has stopped and we'll go back out to walk in the soft sand --- it doesn't heat up in the sun. Less quartz I guess.
Tomorrow is grocery shopping again, to compare stores....Our new and unavoidable sunburns will mark us as Locos Gringos --- Crazy Americans/Canadians.
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