 |
| Ribbon cutting - photo via Municipality of Isla Mujeres |
At
last after many false starts and delays dating back to December of
2013, the new ferry terminal was officially inaugurated by a large
group of dignitaries on Saturday October 4th.
 |
| Guillermo Ruiz de Teresa & Roberto Borge Angulo |
Every level of government was represented from our own Municipal
President Agapito
Magaña Sánchez, to the Governor of Quintana Roo Roberto
Borge Angulo, to the Federal General Coordinator of Ports and
Merchant Marines Guillermo Ruiz de Teresa, the President of Cancun,
the President of Cozumel, our Naval Vice-Admiral Juan Ramón Pigñol, plus a host of other
dignitaries.
 |
| Waiting for the event to start |
A
good crowd of islanders were on hand for the celebration. A large
white tent was quickly erected in the new parking lot. It sheltered
two massive video screens and convention-style raised platform for
the honored guests plus dozens of white slip-covered chairs for the
general public. It was a classy event.
 |
| Appreciative crowd listening to Agapito Magaña |
But,
you know, everything runs on Mexican time. The event was supposed to
start at 10:30 in the morning, but didn't get started until the last
dignitary arrived via helicopter around 12:30 in the afternoon. And
as always, everyone waited patiently for the commencement. The only
people checking their wrist watches with mild irritation were us, the
ex-pats. (We are learning, slowly, very slowly, not to fuss over
start times.)
 |
| Governor Roberto Borge & Presidente Agapito Magaña |
Finally
the event started. Municipal President Agapito
Magaña Sánchez called it “an historic day” for Isla Mujeres to
have this new 700-thousand square-meter terminal. The new structure
is fantastic, with plenty of room for the two plus million visitors
that Isla Mujeres will host this year. Of course the smaller
vendors, eating establishments, and tour operators will take a little
time to settle into the new facility, but be patient, eventually it
will happen.
I
know some of you will say that the old quaint facility had character,
befitting the island, however, in our opinion, one visit to the
washrooms or the waiting area would have put paid to that idea. Isla
Mujeres is a world class destination - funky, quaint, rustic, fun,
beautiful, romantic, or hip - but it is that first impression that
grabs the newcomer, creating a yearning, a compulsion to return again
and again to this beautiful little island. This gleaming white
facility, with it's Mayan architectural influences is a dazzling new
entrance to paradise.
 |
| Governor Roberto Borge |
Governor
Roberto Borge also promised in his very popular speech, the
completion of the Cultural Centre, completion of the on-going
hospital project, more utility services on the mainland portion of
Isla Mujeres, upgrading the car ferry terminal at Punta Sam, and last
but not least the repairs and upgrading of the popular Isla Mujeres
baseball field.
Whew! That's a big list, hope it happens.
Congratulations
to the many levels of government that created this handsome new
facility. Great job!
Hasta
Luego
Lawrie
& Lynda
You
can also find us at:
Animals and Family Members is a collection of stories
about critters we have known:
AND
The
Adventures of Thomas the Cat is our first book, written in Spanish and English, for young children to enjoy:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Adventures-of-Thomas-the-Cat-Las-Aventuras-de-Tomás-el-Gato
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