Freddy Medina, "I want to rename the Christmas parade in memory of Lawrie"

2011 Elmo makes his Isla debut

This week, our good friends Freddy Medina and his beautiful wife Yadira Velazquez (Eva) stopped by our little house on Isla Mujeres.

Freddy said, "I want to rename the Christmas parade in honor of my good friend Lawrie."

I was speechless.

Freddy continued, "Without his help, this parade would never have happened, and I want everyone to remember him."

I suggested that, since Lawrie's grandsons always called him "Elmo," why didn't he call it Elmo's Christmas Caravan?

This year, Freddy has set the date to be Friday, December 21st, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The Beginning - September 2011

“Hey, cool. We’re invited to a Halloween party on October 31st, 2011, at Curtis and Ashley’s house, Villa la Bella,” Lawrie said as he read aloud an email invite.

A month later, the local postman arrived on his delivery moto at our front door with an enormous cotton sack tagged with Lawrie’s name and our address.

“What the heck is that?” I asked, oblivious to Lawrie's recent online shopping.

That was an Elmo costume shipped from the manufacturer Claudio Mascots Oficial Lima Peru; a large, furry, crimson-red costume complete with a big head and googly eyes. It was amazing. Beautifully made, and an exact replica of Elmo.

Years ago, when Lawrie’s eldest grandson was learning to talk, he thought Lawrie’s name was Elmo, and the nickname stuck. The boys were coming for a visit in December 2011. Lawrie decided he could get double-duty from the costume for the Halloween party and greeting our grandsons at the Ultramar boat.

The Elmo costume was a huge hit. In the next two years, it was used several times by Lawrie when he greeted arriving nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, sister and brother-in-law, and friends at the Ultramar ferry docks. Elmo-Lawrie was invited to Barlito’s 1st Anniversary celebration when they were still on Hidalgo Avenue.

Everyone wanted their photos taken with Elmo: kids, parents, and grandparents. Even a few of the slightly dubious characters that hang around on the street corner late in the evenings wanted a photo with Elmo.

Then, in 2013, our friend Freddy Medina asked if he could borrow the costume for a birthday fiesta for a special young boy on the island.

Freddy was so overwhelmed by the happiness of the young lad that he suggested the idea of a Christmas parade featuring Elmo and our newest character costumes, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, purchased for yet another Halloween party at Villa la Bella.

2013 Elmo-Freddy makes his parade debut

The first parade in 2013 was hilarious. There were only about eight or nine vehicles, and a dozen or so motos.

Our jefe, Freddy, was late, and the golf carts had lined up neatly, facing north. We were supposed to be facing south to head into the colonias first.

What did we know? We were all new at this parade stuff. We eventually got turned around heading south towards the densely populated neighbourhoods.

The parade bounced through the colonias on a higgledy-piggledy route that the driver of the lead vehicle had mapped out in his head.

2013 Parade route. Alexis' photo

We had absolutely no idea what we were getting into.

The excitement on the faces of the youngsters.

The grandparents and parents ran to find the kids to come see Elmo, Mickey, Minnie, SpongeBob, clowns, and the Grinch.

The noise. The confusion. The laughter.

Mickey and his driver, Chuck Watt

Lawrie and I had bought five pounds of candy, but partway through the route, we asked our drivers, Chuck and Marcy Watt, for an emergency stop at Donasusa to purchase another five pounds.

2013 was also the year that we learned not to get out of the golf carts in our costumes.

Lawrie had waded into the crowd to say hi to the kids when a group of inebriated young men thought it would be uproariously funny to lob Mickey Mouse into the air and catch him – a few times. Picture this: a full-sized man, in a full-body mouse costume, including a large head, being tossed up and down in a crowd. Only in Mexico!

Lawrie, Lynda, and Sparky

Two hours later, our tired, ragged group disbanded in Centro on Rueda Medina. Elmo’s vehicle happened to park near the assembly point for the Municipal Presidente of Isla’s Christmas cavalcade.

The Presidente suggested to Freddy that Elmo should join that parade. Freddy, who had just spent two hours dancing in the back of a pickup truck wearing a full-body fur-suit, was soaked through to his underwear with perspiration.

However, one does not say no to the Presidente. And away Freddy went, dancing and shouting Feliz Navidad for another two hours.

A new Elmo was born!

2014 parade, little Minnie Mouse

In 2014, more people joined the group, bringing the total to about twenty vehicles. Freddy arranged for the funny bus for participants who didn’t want to drive but wanted to be part of the event.

The funny bus is a two-level dilapidated vehicle, decorated with coloured lights and blasting loud music. It haunted the island streets for a few years, the operator charging a small fee to take people on an after-dark tour of the island.

2014 Funny people in the funny bus

That year, we followed a route dictated by the height of the double-decker. The low-hanging electrical wires are always a challenge in Mexico.

The typical solution is to have a person stand on the top of a truck or vehicle with a wooden broom to lift the wires out of the way.

Yep, lift live wires with a broom! Happens all the time. But when it’s a parade, there just isn’t the time to lift every low-hanging line and sneak past, while the passengers duck below the seatbacks.

It was easier to find a different route. Once again, the experience was amazing - noise, people, dogs, kids, and loud music. That year, we tossed fifteen pounds of candy to the crowds.

2015, Mrs. Claus and Santa

By 2015, and you would think we would have the routine figured out. More or less, mas o menos. The funny bus was once again available, which meant our route was similar to the previous year, heading south, staying on the main roads, and finishing in Centro near the new Muelle 7 Restaurante on Rueda Medina.

We had all of the usual character costumes in the parade, along with the addition of Batman Jimmy. Santa John Pasnau and Mrs. Claus Valerie Pasnau quietly inserted themselves in the middle of the lineup, giving the kids an additional thrill as Santa waved and said, “Ho, ho, ho.”

2015 our escorts

2015 was the first year that we had a police escort in the form of four motorcycle cops who tried their very best to keep us all together. It was like trying to herd cats, which, if you have ever been owned by a cat, you will know is an impossible task. Some of the vehicles broke down. A few drivers turned the wrong way. And still others had non-parade vehicles cut in between, causing more confusion. The laughing youngsters and their smiling parents made it all worthwhile.

2016 Participants lining up by our casa

And, then there was the 2016 parade, Saturday, December 17th, our 4th Annual Christmas Caravan.

We had trucks, cars, dozens of golf carts, two tuk-tuks, and a handful of motorcycles, but not the funny bus. It had finally died, expired.

We had Elmo, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Mickey, Minnie, and a Ninja Turtle.

There were at least four or five dogs, including our Sparky, dressed for the occasion, riding in their decorated golf carts. There were dozens of Santa hats, store-bought decorations, and handmade decorations. Music. Lights. Candy.

2016 Mrs. Claus and Santa

Without the bus, our route was more flexible. We wound south from our casa along the Salinas Chica neighbourhood, into Salinas Grande, Las Glorias, through narrow side streets along the main road, turning again into the colonias across from Oscar’s Pizza, popped out onto the main road by Chedraui grocery store, and back into Centro.

 But we weren’t finished yet. Our leader took us on a cross-hatch route along Madero, Medina, Abasolo, Guerrero, Juarez, Matamoros, and Medina again. At the end, we gathered in the square in Centro.

Wow! Just wow. Our faces hurt from smiling. Our throats were dry from laughing. The best parade yet. There were around fifty vehicles in total. Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the celebration of fun and family. You are what makes this event so special.

Elmo-Freddy and Elmo-Lawrie

In 2017, Lawrie and I returned to Canada to celebrate Christmas with his large extended family. He was having serious health issues, and we sensed that this might be his last chance to celebrate a Lock family Christmas.

Rob and Julie Goth happily stepped in to become the new Mickey and Minnie for 2017 and for any future parades.

Elmo's Christmas Caravan is usually the last Saturday before Christmas Eve, but our intrepid leader Freddy Medina sets the date. If you want to join in next year just contact Freddy or me. Don’t forget to add battery-powered Christmas lights and a music system to your shopping list. Buying them here is very hit-and-miss.

Elmo is getting his annual post-parade bath

As for the Elmo costume of the 2011 Halloween party, it now resides at Freddy’s house. It’s a good home for Elmo. Thank you, Freddy, for being the good-hearted, crazy person who thought up this event. And thank you for honoring my sweetie by renaming the parade to Elmo's Christmas Caravan.

This year, Freddy has set the date to be Friday, December 21st, 2018, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The original Elmo-Lawrie Lock will be with us in spirit.

Elmo-Lawrie and Lynda - 2011

The Halloween costume that launched a Christmas parade on Isla Mujeres, Mexico

,

2011 Elmo makes his Isla debut

“Hey, cool. We’re invited to a Halloween party on October 31^st, 2011, at Curtis and Ashley’s house, Villa la Bella,” Lawrie said as he read aloud an email invite.

Next thing I know, the local postman arrives on his delivery moto at our front door with an enormous cotton sack tagged with Lawrie’s name and our address.

“What the heck is that?” I asked, oblivious to his recent online costume shopping.  

That was an Elmo costume shipped from the manufacturer Claudio Mascots Oficial Lima Peru; a large, furry, crimson-red costume complete with a big head and googly eyes. It was amazing. Beautifully made, and an exact replica of Elmo.

2011 Elmo greets grandsons Evan & Ethan

Years ago, when Lawrie’s eldest grandson was learning to talk, he thought Lawrie’s name was Elmo, and the nickname stuck. 

The boys were coming for a visit in December 2011. Lawrie decided he could get double-duty from the costume; the Halloween party, and greeting our grandsons at the Ultramar boat.  

The Elmo costume was a huge hit. In the next two years, it was used many times by Lawrie when he greeted arriving nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, sister, brother-in-law, and friends at the Ultramar ferry docks. 

2011 Elmo making friends at Barlito's

Elmo-Lawrie was invited to Barlito’s 1^st Anniversary celebration when they were still on Hidalgo Avenue. Everyone wanted their photos taken with Elmo: kids, parents, and grandparents. Even a few of the slightly dubious characters that hang around on the street corner late in the evenings wanted a photo with Elmo.

Then, in 2013, our friend Freddy Medina asked if he could borrow the costume for a birthday fiesta for a special young boy on the island.

Freddy was so overwhelmed by the happiness of the young lad that he suggested the idea of a Christmas parade featuring Elmo and our newest character costumes, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, purchased for yet another Halloween party at Villa la Bella.

2013 Elmo-Freddy makes his debut in the parade

The first parade in 2013 was hilarious. There were only about eight or nine vehicles, and a dozen or so motos. Our jefe, Freddy, was late, and the golf carts had neatly lined up, facing north, instead of south. What did we know? We were all new at this parade stuff. 

We eventually got turned around heading south towards the densely populated neighbourhoods. 

The parade bounced through the colonias on a higgledy-piggledy route that the driver of the lead vehicle had mapped out in his head.

2011 Parade route - Alexis' photo

We had absolutely no idea what we were getting into. The excitement on the faces of the youngsters. The grandparents and parents ran to find the kids to come see Elmo, Mickey, Minnie, SpongeBob, clowns, and the Grinch. The noise. The confusion. The laughter. 

Lawrie and I had bought five pounds of candy, but partway through the route, we asked our drivers, Chuck and Marcy Watt, for an emergency stop at Donasusa to purchase another five pounds.  

It was also the year that we learned not to get out of the golf carts.  Lawrie had waded into the crowd to say hi to the kids when a group of inebriated young men thought it would be uproariously funny to lob Mickey Mouse into the air and catch him – a few times. Picture this: a full-sized man, in a full-body mouse costume, including a large head, being tossed up and down in a crowd. Only in Mexico!

2011 Freddy Medina as Elmo

Two hours later, our tired, ragged group disbanded in Centro on Rueda Medina. Elmo’s vehicle happened to park near the assembly point for the Municipal Presidente of Isla’s Christmas cavalcade. The Presidente suggested to Freddy that Elmo should join that parade. 

Freddy, who had just spent two hours dancing in the back of a pickup truck wearing a full-body fur-suit, was soaked through to his underwear with perspiration. 

However, one does not say no to the Presidente. And away he went, dancing and shouting Feliz Navidad for another two hours.  A new Elmo was born!

In 2014, more people joined the group, bringing the total to about twenty vehicles.  Freddy arranged for the funny bus for participants who didn’t want to drive but wanted to be part of the event. 

The

2014 parade little Minnie Mouse

funny bus is a two-level dilapidated vehicle, decorated with coloured lights and blasting loud music.  

It haunted the island streets for a few years, the operator charging a small fee to take people on an after-dark tour of the island.

That year, we followed a route dictated by the height of the double-decker. The low-hanging electrical wires are always a challenge in Mexico. 

2014 Funny people in the Funny bus

The typical solution is to have a person stand on the top of a truck or vehicle with a wooden broom to lift the wires out of the way. Yep, lift live wires with a broom! Happens all the time. 

But when it’s a parade, there just isn’t the time to lift every low-hanging line and sneak past, while the passengers duck below the seatbacks. 

It was easier to find a different route. Once again, the experience was amazing - noise, people, dogs, kids, and loud music. That year, we tossed fifteen pounds of candy to the crowds.

By 2015, you would think we would have the routine figured out.  More or less, mas o menos.  

2015 Mrs. Claus and Santa

The funny bus was once again available, which meant our route was similar to the previous year, heading south, staying on the main roads, and finishing in Centro near the new Muelle 7 Restaurante on Rueda Medina. 

We had all of the usual character costumes in the parade, along with the addition of Batman-Jimmy.  Santa John Pasnau and Mrs. Claus Valerie Pasnau quietly inserted themselves in the middle of the lineup, giving the kids an additional thrill as Santa waved and said, “ho, ho, ho.” 

2015 our escorts

2015 was the first year we had a police escort in the form of four motorcycle cops who tried their very best to keep us all together. It was like trying to herd cats, which, if you have ever been owned by a cat, you will know is an impossible task. 

Some of the vehicles broke down. A few drivers turned the wrong way. And still others had non-parade vehicles cut in between, causing more confusion. The laughing youngsters and their smiling parents made it all worthwhile.

2016 Participants lining up outside our casa

And then there was this year’s parade, Saturday, December 17^th, 2016, our 4^th Annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade. We had trucks, cars, dozens of golf carts, two tuk-tuks, and a handful of motorcycles, but not the funny bus. It seems to have finally died, expired.  

We had Elmo, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Mickey, Minnie, and a Ninja Turtle. There were at least four or five dogs, including our Sparky, dressed for the occasion, riding in their decorated golf carts. There were dozens of Santa hats, store-bought and handmade decorations. Music. Lights. Candy. 

2016 Mrs. Claus and Santa

Without the bus, our route was more flexible. We wound south from our casa along the Salinas Chica neighbourhood, into Salinas Grande, Las Glorias, through narrow side streets along the main road, turning again into the colonias across from Oscar’s Pizza, popped out onto the main road by Chedraui grocery store, and back into Centro.  

But we weren’t finished yet. Our leader took us on a cross-hatch route along Madero, Medina, Abasolo, Guerrero, Juarez, Matamoros, and Medina again. At the end, we gathered in the square in Centro.

Wow! Just wow. Our faces hurt from smiling. Our throats were dry from laughing. The best parade yet. There were somewhere around fifty vehicles in total.  Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the celebration of fun and family. You are what makes this event so special.

Elmo-Freddy and Elmo-Lawrie

The Christmas Golf Cart Parade is usually the last Saturday before Christmas Eve, but our intrepid leader, Freddy Medina, sets the date. If you want to join in next year, contact Lawrie, Freddy, or me on Facebook. Don’t forget to add battery-powered Christmas lights to your 2017 shopping list. Buying them here is very hit-and-miss.

As for the Elmo costume of the 2011 Halloween party, it now resides at Freddy’s house. It’s a good home for Elmo. Thank you, Freddy Medina, for being the good-hearted, crazy person who thought up this event. 

Freddy giving Elmo his annual post-parade bath

Merry Christmas & Season's Greetings

Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Tommy

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Christmas in the Caribbean, Isla Mujeres Mexico

Celebrating the Virgin Guadalupe

Yep, I know you’re going to groan and say, “Not another damn article about how wonderful the weather is at Christmas in Mexico.”  

Well, the weather is spectacular in December, but that’s not what this week’s blog is about. It’s about the small-town feeling of life on Isla, especially during the holiday season.  Many of the major religions have a special day or week in December that is significant to their beliefs, and to them we wish them all the best of the season. However, living in a country that is predominantly Christian, we are more aware of their celebrations.

Annual horse and rider procession

December is a busy time on the island with several events, including the annual horse parade, bullfights, folkloric dancers in Centro, and the magical nights of entertainment at the Casa de Cultura. December 12^th is the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico.

The Catholic churches have special masses and processions to reaffirm their commitment to Guadalupe. Coloured flags crisscross the streets in Centro and outlying neighbourhoods. Lights and decorations. Music. The delicious smells of festive foods. The island is in celebration mode.

Barefoot Santa John and Valerie in 2015 parade 

Our golf cart is all tricked out in garlands, wreaths, snowmen and reindeer for this Saturday’s Christmas parade. Starting at five-thirty, the motley crew of expats and islanders will assemble outside our casa on Aeropuerto Road, facing south. The parade ricochets around the various neighbourhoods and eventually finds its way into Centro. 

It’s a wild, silly event that entertains the island kids and their parents.  For other events, we have been amassing an assortment of toys to be distributed at the January 6^th Day of the Kings’ charity event sponsored by Ruben’s Restaurante. 

Local kids at the Day of the Kings event

We decorated our artificial tree last weekend with tiny sombreros, ocean-themed ornaments and carnival beads.

I hate to admit it, but sweating while trimming a tree just isn’t the same as decorating with Christmas music blaring, a roaring fire in the fireplace and a glass of single malt whiskey at hand. Oh, darn, a sneaky reference to our hot weather just inserted itself into this blog! 

Christmas brunch at Sue & Len's casa

For us, part of the fun is the gathering of friends who are not in close proximity to other family members.  There are annual early-morning open house invitations to drop in for a glass of Christmas cheer.

This year, two island friends have invited many ‘orphans’ to a Christmas Dinner with Friends, a potluck gathering where everyone contributes a dish or two. 

Our good friends who live just a few houses away have invited us and our almost-famous dog to their casa for the traditional turkey dinner. 

Sparky and Julie at grocery store M.Watt photo

Yesterday, I popped over to the local grocery store looking for a few more decorations. I left Sparky in charge of the golf cart. When I returned, he was entertaining two lady friends who thought he looked lonely. Small town living at its best.

Happy Holidays from paradise!

And yes, there are sandy beaches, palm trees, blue skies and hot weather, but it’s still Christmas. It’s the love and the friendship that make this a special time of year, no matter where you live.

Merry Christmas & Season's Greetings

Lynda & Lawrie, Sparky, and Thomas the Cat

Lawrie, Canadian Christmas '99

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Christmas Parades, Parties and Processions, Isla Mujeres Mexico

It’s that wonderful time of the year! The island is buzzing with seasonal activities, music, and colour. 

Early in the month, the Christmas celebrations begin with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe; many church processions and masses are held in her honor. Then, on December 16th, the Posadas started and continued until December 24th. The word posada means inn or shelter, and in Mexico, the posadas are re-enactments of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem. 

The procession makes its way to a different home on each night of the posada, and the participants sing a traditional song asking for admittance. The family inside the house responds with another song telling the group that there is no room at the inn. 

Eventually, the song changes, and the group is admitted to the home and supplied with food and drinks, plus a candy-filled piñata for the children. It is an important Christmas celebration in Mexico, where an estimated eighty-five percent of the population observes the Catholic faith.

Colegio de Bachilleres students

By mid-month, most schools were preparing to close for their Christmas holidays, and students performed songs, plays, and skits for their parents and school friends. 

The basketball court across the street from our house was the venue for the high school skits. Each group of students had choreographed their dance routine to a well-known Christmas carol. 

Colegio de Bachilleres students

It was great fun to sit on our upper patio watching the enthusiastic performances of Jingle Bell Rock, Santa Baby, and Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. 

I’m thinking someone should rewrite those songs for the tropics: maybe Rocking Around the Palm Tree? Or Riding on a Dolphin Surfboard? Any volunteers? Many years ago, I was booted out of a community choir for my lack of musical talent, so it won’t be me. 

Lupe, Yadira, and Freddy (Elmo) 

On Saturday, December 19th, we participated in the 3rd Annual Christmas Golf Cart Christmas, the brain-child of our friends Freddy Medina and Yadira Velázquez. 

It was hilariously good fun as we ricocheted through the tightly packed neighbourhoods, following Manolo Figueroa’s very changeable route. 

Sandra Buckholts and her sweetie

Many of us pondered the effectiveness of the brakes on a dilapidated party bus at the head of the parade. We faithfully followed the route up the only steep hill on the island, zig-zagging through the narrow streets, and back down the only steep hill. 

We didn’t hear of any mishaps, so we assume that everyone successfully negotiated the route. 

This year, there were at least thirty golf carts festooned with lights and Christmas decorations. About 120 excited participants dressed in costumes and a variety of Santa hats.

Valerie and John Pasnau

A surprise arrival of a golf cart driven by Santa and Mrs. Claus (John and Valerie Pasnau) was a great addition to the parade. 

Our police motorcycle escort was terrific at keeping the group together - like herding cats - as the line of golf carts and motorcycles wound its way through various areas of the island. 

Great job, guys, for keeping us all together! 

Freddy Medina and Lawrie

Everyone had candy to throw, but as usually happens, we got overly enthusiastic at the beginning of the parade, and ran out of treats before the parade ended in Centro. 

Note to self: ration the candy, don’t toss huge handfuls at every child. Love this time of year in paradise.

It may not be politically correct to wish you Merry Christmas instead of Season’s Greetings or Happy Holidays, but on this island, Christmas is an important family and religious celebration.

Merry Christmas to all.

Lawrie, Lynda, Thomas, Sparky, & Perla



On a personal note: We have a young female lab-retriever who has been living at our house for over two weeks. We have been calling her Perla, but we don't know her real name. She would like to be returned to her family. If you recognize this young lady, please send us a message. She is sweet, gentle, house-trained, and leash-trained. Someone has put a lot of love into her upbringing. I am sure there is a family anxiously waiting for her return. 

(Update: the local vet, Delfino, recognized her. Her name is Güerita, and a year ago, her owners put her and eleven pups out on the street. Delfino spayed Güerita, then found homes for her and the eleven pups. Her second owners also put her on the street. They couldn't afford to feed her. Uff! She lived with us until March of 2016, when Isla Animals found her a permanent home in Oregon. They had two large, gentle dogs, and acreage for all the dogs to enjoy.)

Female, about 2 years old, good health, spayed.

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