We're back on Isla Mujeres, me many times since 1979 and us since 1996. First night was a power outage, talk about Candles in the Wind! Second night was full moon. First several days, pouring rain. (No complaints --- back home was snow and record cold...) Eventually the big Caribbean sky appeared.
It's still possible to find some Mexico in Mexico, if you stay in a colonia (neighbourhood). Look at the picture ---- which one is The Blue House, and which is The Crayon Castle?? Duh. The kitchen is workable, the tv shows dozens of soccer games. The terrace is pleasant with breezes and a dipping pool.
The fridge gets loaded in with a trip to the newish mega store. You can get everything from donuts to motorcycles under one roof. No, I didn't get either :( Good news --- the island has banned plastic bags. Bad news --- we forgot to bring our reusables the first time; that was a pile!
Sights along the 5-mile length of Isla include a bigger cemetery, a renewed acknowledgement of indigenous history, rainbow steps of diversity, and a sleepy military presence.
Much of the charm of the early visits is gone, overwhelmed by day trippers and the shops devoted to taking their dollars. Out-of-scale hotels and condos are going up in bland "international style". For me, a blatant symbol of the devolution is the three generations of ferry lined up together. That's my iconic and classic ride in the middle, like a DeSoto sandwiched between a Suburban and a Hummer. We're back, but what's the future...
It's still possible to find some Mexico in Mexico, if you stay in a colonia (neighbourhood). Look at the picture ---- which one is The Blue House, and which is The Crayon Castle?? Duh. The kitchen is workable, the tv shows dozens of soccer games. The terrace is pleasant with breezes and a dipping pool.
The fridge gets loaded in with a trip to the newish mega store. You can get everything from donuts to motorcycles under one roof. No, I didn't get either :( Good news --- the island has banned plastic bags. Bad news --- we forgot to bring our reusables the first time; that was a pile!
It's great to be taking long hikes in the morning again. The wild east side is pounding surf and winds. No blazing sunsets on the calm west side yet, humid clouds always build up by then. Night walks are cooler and the locals live al fresco.
Sights along the 5-mile length of Isla include a bigger cemetery, a renewed acknowledgement of indigenous history, rainbow steps of diversity, and a sleepy military presence.
Much of the charm of the early visits is gone, overwhelmed by day trippers and the shops devoted to taking their dollars. Out-of-scale hotels and condos are going up in bland "international style". For me, a blatant symbol of the devolution is the three generations of ferry lined up together. That's my iconic and classic ride in the middle, like a DeSoto sandwiched between a Suburban and a Hummer. We're back, but what's the future...
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