It is the fission of fear, the feeling of
being a part of something dangerous, but not actually in danger that stokes the
internet wildfires. The desire to be a part of the news as it happens: I was there. But I’m safe. I was close but
nothing happened. I have a friend who was there and he said …..
 |
| TV Isla Mujeres photo, Cancun January 17th |
When the recent shootings happened in Cancun
the internet blazed with news, comments and speculation. The official reports
maintain that the attack was a response to the new governor's anti-crime initiatives. The police headquarters were stormed by cartel soldiers who were unhappy
with the authorities. One police officer and three bad guys were killed, and another five were captured. The police and gang members took the fight into a
high-speed movie-style chase through the streets of centro, scaring city
residents and the customers at Plaza las Americas’ shopping center into
thinking they were under attack.
 |
| Local kids enjoying peaceful time on Isla |
It’s a heartbreaking news story
that will affect many of our island neighbours who are trying to eke out a
living, to live a happy life, to watch their children grow and have families of
their own. This area relies heavily on tourism. Millions of visitors from many
countries in the world as well as from other parts of Mexico visit the Cancun-Riviera Maya
every year. The stories of fear and danger will dramatically slow or
stop altogether the flow of tourists to this area.
 |
| Lawrie & Lynda 1991, Switzerland with group of Brits & Europeans |
We have vivid memories of 1991, the year of
the first Gulf War. Americans were advised by their State Department not to
travel to Europe, it was too dangerous. We, as Canadians, were not affected by
the travel ban. For six months we explored Scotland, Northern Ireland, Erie,
Wales, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Andorra, and
Portugal with our pick of accommodations, even the ones that were typically booked two years in advance. In the six months of traveling we met dozens of Canadians, hundreds
of Europeans and eight Americans.
 |
| 2001, empty Intercontinental Hotel in Bali |
In 2001 a few months after the bombing of a
night club in Bali, we spent a delightful two weeks in a charmingly generous
and gentle culture – when hotels were nearly empty, and restaurants closing due
to lack of tourists. Every Balinese national that we met said, “Thank you for
coming to Bali.” Their small country was nearly destitute from the drop in
tourism.
This isn’t a Mexico problem, it is a
world-wide problem. Whether it is some crazy person shooting up a school, or
bombing a cultural ikon, or gangs involved in turf wars – it isn’t going to go
away. Please don’t let this stupidity control your life.
And other happenings in paradise.
On Sunday night the underwater electrical
feed, a cable that runs between the mainland and Isla Mujeres was damaged by a
yacht anchoring near Playa Norte, leaving the entire island without power for
fourteen hours as the electrical company scrambled to make repairs. Then again
on Monday night right around supper time – the power was cut to make additional
repairs. Okay, bad timing for the
intentional power outage but when the crews are working non-stop they do what
they have to do to fix the problem.
 |
| Traffic jam on the water - Sunday Funday at North Beach |
We started to think about the funny and slightly
annoying things that happen during a power outage. Money that can’t be
dispensed by ATM’s. Gasoline that can’t be pumped into motos and vehicles for a
community that habitually purchases small amounts of gas daily. Or the lack of
cold beer.
 |
| Providing lights for dinners - Ruth Lacey photo |
One very inventive owner of a local taco eatery
brought an operating moto (motorcycle) inside the restaurant, using the
headlight as illumination for his customers. It was a two-walled restaurant
with lots of open space for air circulation - probably not the healthiest
solution but certainly inventive.
And then there were the teenagers, deprived
of the internet or phone texting, who were forced to communicate verbally with
family and friends. OMG fourteen hours without updating their Twitter,
Facebook, and Snapchat accounts, it’s a teenager’s nightmare.
 |
| Wind-proof lanterns came in handy during power outage |
During the power cuts we realized we were actually
well organized. We had propane for cooking. Fifteen wind-proof candle-lanterns normally
used for romantic evenings on our patio, plus a dozen spare candles. Six
flashlights stashed in various locations around the house, and extra batteries.
Bottled water. Food in the cupboard for us and Sparky our short-legged mutt. A hand-operated can opener. Wine to drink and
books to read.
Avid readers we stopped purchasing paper
books ten years ago due to the lack of new material available when living in a
foreign country. E-readers are amazingly
handy to have, as long as we remember to keep them charged and at least one or
two un-read books downloaded and ready to go. Otherwise, they are just another
useless electronic device when the power and the internet are out.
 |
| Beginning of another warm and sunny day |
We certainly weren’t going to freeze to death
in temperatures hovering around the mid-seventies F, or mid-twenties C. Life was good. We were all set for the current
situation.
~
And one final thought regarding the recent
incident in Cancun - an interesting quote from an experienced authority.
"Chicago has had close to a
1,000 shootings in the last year," said Walter McKay, a former Vancouver
police detective who is an expert on security issues in Mexico. "I
still don't see a travel advisory on any websites for Chicago."
"The drug cartels
are business entities," McKay said. "They're there to make
money. And if they start shooting up and doing this all the time and all the
tourists flee, well, what's the point of having the Playa del Carmen area under
your control?" Quote taken from Article
by Nicole Ireland
Hasta Luego
Lynda & Lawrie Lock
 |
By Amazon Customer on
December 11, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Lynda Lock invites the reader to join the exciting
adventures of Yasmin and Jessica as they search for buried treasure on Mexico's
beautiful Isla Mujeres. Those of us lucky enough to have already experienced
this magical destination will enjoy reading about some of their favorite
places. I enjoyed the book's fast pace and I actually learned a thing or
two about the Mexican culture that I so dearly love. On my next trip to Isla
Mujeres, I plan a treasure hunt of my own - finding that frozen ginger
Margarita!
Free downloadable app to read on any electronic device.
|
.JPG)
