 |
| Still standing in 2010. |
A formerly intricate statue lay in a pile
of unrecognizable rust.
We had first seen the still upright structure in September
2010, when we visited the sculpture garden located at the southern tip of Isla
Mujeres, Mexico.
Reading the plaques at the base of each
statue, we had noted the artists were from various European countries as well as
Mexico.
In 2010, many of the statues had
weathered the abuse of salt, water, and wind, but two or three had already collapsed.
 |
| Same statue September 2018 |
We were told the garden was
created a few years earlier with the intention of showcasing metal sculptures in the first year, wooden statues in the second year, and glass creations in the third year.
But according to my local source, the original artists were not paid, and the
entire project came to an abrupt halt.
A few weeks ago, I decided to take Sparky
for a walk and see how the sculptures were holding up. Not well in many cases.
 |
| Sparky September 2018 |
Neither have the wooden railings that line
the pathway leading down to the famous, if somewhat battered, sign declaring the
location as the most eastern point in Mexico.
This is the first place in Mexico where the rising sun strikes. The location where still-partying New Year’s Eve
revelers toast the dawn of the new year.
I have photographs of the railings,
painted a brilliant turquoise blue, then black, and then a muddy brown. Now the
railings are almost non-existent, broken, or missing altogether.
 |
| Punta Sur railings - 2012 |
This is Mexico. You are responsible for your
own actions. You can’t sue anyone if you get hurt. I repeatedly remind visiting family members
not to lean on railings, any railings; there is no guarantee that they will hold
your weight. The inside of the wooden
railings could be hollowed out by termite infestations, but painted to look
pretty.
This country’s safety standards are back in the 1940s or 50s, as far as most North Americans are concerned.
Weirdly, I find it refreshing as opposed to the over-protective, litigation-prone
society that we left behind.
 |
| September 2018 statue garden |
The southern tip of the island is also the highest area in the exceptionally flat
State of Quintana Roo, and contains an authentic Mayan ruin possibly used as a lighthouse
or watchtower structure.
The centuries-old ruin has survived storms, salt, and
water far better than the modern-day metal sculptures.
 |
| May 2018, Mayan ruin in the background |
A big thank you to one of my favourite authors, Jinx Schwartz, for her review of
Tormenta Isla, Book #3 in the Isla Mujeres Mystery series:
Jinx Schwartz
Author @JinxSchwartz Click here to connect to Jinx
Recommended
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed, Easy-to-read, Entertaining Page-turner
Action-packed, Easy-to-read, Entertaining Page-turner
 |
| Photo credit - Linda Madden |
Tormenta Isla:
Murder and mayhem on a tiny island in paradise
(Isla Mujeres Mystery Book 3)
Lynda L. Lock
.Crime Fiction, Action, and Adventure
A mysterious disappearance of a local man and the looming threat of hurricanes headed towards the peaceful Caribbean island of Isla Mujeres create havoc in the lives of Jessica and her rescue mutt, Sparky.
