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| Delivering vegetables to Hidalgo Avenue |
The maleteros, bellboys, or
bicycle couriers are a hard-working bunch of guys who meet all of the arriving
and departing passenger boats. They
offer their portage services to everyone.
On this particular day, two of the maleteros have been hired by a local restaurant owner to cart his heavy purchases from the passenger boat, a few blocks to his restaurant on Hidalgo Avenue. Boxes of ripe tomatoes and aromatic peppers are stacked on top of sturdy cartons of supplies. Sacks of green cabbage heads and crisp white onions are balanced to one side – the bright red diablitos are loaded and ready to go. Both maleteros are wearing the sponsored t-shirt of the day, this one from Casa España. It’s a clever way to identify the legitimate porters.
On this particular day, two of the maleteros have been hired by a local restaurant owner to cart his heavy purchases from the passenger boat, a few blocks to his restaurant on Hidalgo Avenue. Boxes of ripe tomatoes and aromatic peppers are stacked on top of sturdy cartons of supplies. Sacks of green cabbage heads and crisp white onions are balanced to one side – the bright red diablitos are loaded and ready to go. Both maleteros are wearing the sponsored t-shirt of the day, this one from Casa España. It’s a clever way to identify the legitimate porters.
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| Bellboys (porters) loading packages on UltraMar |
On the other side of the bay at
the UltraMar docks in Puerto Juarez, the white porters’ tunics with navy trim,
and “Bellboy” embroidered over the pocket, strive to create a hotel-resort
atmosphere. This subtle visual reference
is presumably designed to ease the concerns of tourists, as most travellers will
have encountered a bellboy in a safe and familiar hotel situation.
To complete the resort illusion, the porters use
a traditional hotel cart to move packages, not the bicycle-cart diablito. They will offer to transport heavy bags and purchases
down to the docks, stacking luggage in piles for easy loading onto the boats.
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| Puerto Juarez hotel-style uniforms for porters. |
Embarking passengers wait
sheltered under large canvas sunshades – chatting amiably with friends if they
are familiar with the routine, or eyeing their luggage fearfully if they are
new to the island. On the Isla Mujeres side of the water, the procedure is
similar, but we have noticed that people are less worried about their
possessions on the return trip now that they know the system.
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| Passengers waiting to board at Puerto Juarez docks |
It is always a bit amusing to
see a tourist react with suspicion at the suggestion that they turn over their
precious baggage to a stranger. Although, to be fair, the first time we arrived on Isla, we didn’t feel comfortable enough
to let someone walk off with our suitcases.
Now, we are so accustomed to the service, we gladly let someone else cart our heavy items. Disembarking on Isla, we hand over our goods, describe in Spanglish where our vehicle is parked and part company. We walk out the passenger exit, while the maletero must go around to an exit for the diablito. We met up again a few blocks down the street, where we indicated the golf cart was parked. For just a few dollars, it’s a nice treat, especially for my shoulder and knee joints!
On Isla, there is the added
service of the bicycle-couriers transporting heavy items directly to hotels in Centro,
or the customers’ place of business, or to a nearby vehicle.
And as with every form of transportation on Isla, people become very inventive about what will fit on a diablito: 50-inch TV, propane tanks, groceries, large pails of paint, pet carriers, lumber, mattresses, and of course, suitcases. Some enterprising operators also use their diablito to transport family members when it is not being used to earn a living. Mom and the kids pile in the cart portion, and Papa provides the pedal power on the bicycle.
Now, we are so accustomed to the service, we gladly let someone else cart our heavy items. Disembarking on Isla, we hand over our goods, describe in Spanglish where our vehicle is parked and part company. We walk out the passenger exit, while the maletero must go around to an exit for the diablito. We met up again a few blocks down the street, where we indicated the golf cart was parked. For just a few dollars, it’s a nice treat, especially for my shoulder and knee joints!
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| Diablitos - bicycle/cart combination |
And as with every form of transportation on Isla, people become very inventive about what will fit on a diablito: 50-inch TV, propane tanks, groceries, large pails of paint, pet carriers, lumber, mattresses, and of course, suitcases. Some enterprising operators also use their diablito to transport family members when it is not being used to earn a living. Mom and the kids pile in the cart portion, and Papa provides the pedal power on the bicycle.
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| Maleteros - use hand carts as well as diablitos |
Maleteros, bellboys, and
bicycle couriers work for tips. Be
generous. It’s a hot and physical job.
Lynda and Lawrie
Murder. Mayhem. Revenge. Romance.
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