Disney comes to Isla; a Christmas golf cart parade!

A group of twenty motorcycles parked along the curb with front wheels canted at a forty-five-degree angle to the left.  Several golf carts with decorations fastened to every available surface gathered on Aeropuerto Road – pointing north.  

A large decorated pickup truck, complete with a Christmas tree and a generator powering the Christmas lights, swung into place at the head of the line!  It’s a parade!

And then Freddy, el jefe, arrived to tell us we were heading south first, not north.  Oops.

With the assistance of a local policeman, SpongeBob (Jimmy Picuri) in his too-wide costume was stuffed into the back seat of his decorated golf cart, and then the parade participants were directed to turn their vehicles around and head south.  

The Christmas tree truck and Santa lead the way.  Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Elmo, SpongeBob, two Santas, elves, a red-haired wood nymph, a pretty Disney princess, a reindeer-dog, dozens of kids and the motorcycles set off in a cloud of exhaust, with horns honking. 

Surprisingly, we weren’t very late getting started – about fifteen minutes behind schedule instead of the normal one to three hours. 

Weeks before the parade date, Freddy Medina asked us if we would like to participate in the parade being organized by the dance troupe - Algeria y Pasion Carnavalesca.  He asked us to wear our Mickey and Minnie costumes.  He would wear our Elmo costume, and find two other friends to be SpongeBob and Spiderman.  We readily agreed.  

Then I started obsessing about the route, the timing, and finding more friends to join in.

Daily emails to Freddy asking: “Do we know the route yet?  Everyone is asking.”  And the response was: “Not yet, or soon, or we have a meeting tomorrow. Don’t worry.”   

In the end, I stopped fretting and just trusted that someone would know what the heck was happening.  I worried for naught. As it turns out, the honking horns and backfiring motorcycles were all the notice that people needed to find the parade.  And find us they did.  The kids and adults came streaming out of houses and side streets, laughing and calling out to the various participants.  Handfuls of wrapped candy tossed towards the crowds created giggling pandemonium. 

Those of us who were in costumes could not see very well. I had to keep asking my friend and driver, Marcy Watt, which way I should be looking and waving.  Most of the time, she couldn’t understand what I said; my words were muffled by the large padded head, sounding much like a mouse squeaking – or as we called it, mouse-speak.  But we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Marcy repeated over and over how this night would always be a favourite Isla memory for her.

The kids were everywhere, shouting: Minnie, Minnie, Minnie.  A few vehicles back, Mickey Mouse was experiencing the same reaction as we wound through small, crowded streets.  One small girl shouted Mickey’s name until he hopped out of the golf cart and walked towards her, then she turned and ran screaming into the house.  I guess the thought of a very large rodent hugging her was too much to contemplate. 

As we turned the corner onto the larger road that passes the Super X-press in the colonias, a group of thirty-something men having a pre-Christmas celebration near Zina’s Guest House, shouted Mickey’s name. Mickey decided to get out of the golf cart and meet some of his fans.  Oh, oh. Mistake. They wholeheartedly embraced Mickey Mouse, tossing him into the air.  Fortunately, they caught him before he slammed onto the concrete.  A hundred or so little kids watched in horrified suspense, wondering if their hero was going to be hurt. 

Then the route turned back towards the north end of the island, winding through the tight one-way street system in Centro.  We finished up on Medina Avenue, lined up along the street, posing with locals who wanted to be photographed with the characters.  

Eventually, the parade participants disbanded.  We were exhausted, thirsty, hot, and soaked in perspiration.  Our right arms ached from two hours of waving to the crowds. 

However, Elmo (Freddy Medina) was convinced to stay in costume and participate in the city parade, starting immediately after ours finished. Poor guy, he was in costume for four and a half hours. He likely lost ten pounds in fluids. 

Freddy, my friend, you are a rock star!  

Thank you again for a memorable experience, allowing your Disney friends to meet your Isla friends. 

Happy New Year to everyone

Lynda, Lawrie, Thomas the Cat, Sparky, and Princess Chica

Thanks to Darren, Alexis, Deb, and Marcy for letting us use your photos for the blog this week.

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It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. A beach mutt decides to move in!

My favourite photo of the garbage truck

“Basura, basura, basura!”  A deep voice disrupts the early morning quiet - shouting garbage, garbage, garbage - reminding us that Christmas is coming.  It’s time for the traditional propina for the garbage collection crews.  

We slip a few pesos into envelopes and hand them out to the individual guys.  Our first year on Isla, we printed our own Christmas thank-you cards, but our attempts at creativity were quickly tossed into the trash as nimble fingers emptied the envelopes and folded the currency into secure pockets. Now we just use plain white envelopes to hold the money. The end result is the same.  They smile. We smile. We get great service for another year. Everyone is happy.

2012 Santa Claus parade.

The week before Christmas is also when the municipality of Isla Mujeres hosts its annual Santa Claus parade.  Perched on top of a decorated truck, Santa and his entourage of elves are escorted by a flotilla of cars, golf carts and motos. The cheerful beeping and honking of horns can be heard over the loud, thumping Christmas music as the group stutter-steps its way around the island.  

Stop. Go. Stop. Go.  

Evan and Ethan, candy from Santa parade.

Eventually, all of the vehicles pass by our house. Most years, we stand on our upper street-side balcony, waving and snapping photographs while the participants toss candy towards us.  

Last year, our two grandsons, Ethan and Evan, were at street level and gathered up an armload of treats.

Yep, just what they needed to rekindle their overactive energy for a few more hours. 

Restaurants and music on chaotic Hidalgo Avenue

Walking through Centro in the evening, we notice the increase in visitors to the island. They are wisely escaping the chilly northern weather.  Hidalgo Avenue is active and chaotic with music - from singers, performers, and instrumentalists - spilling from several restaurants.  

Hucksters call out, attracting your attention for a minute or two: “Check our menu. Here’s a coupon for a free Margarita.  Come in.  You’ll like our food.”  

Students heading home from class

As the schools prepare for the holiday break, there is the inevitable flurry of concerts, dances and parties.  Students and teachers are free until after the Night of the Kings in early January.  In the school yards, public address systems, turned up to full volume, allow passers-by to eavesdrop on the pre-holiday ceremonies. Our home is situated between a kindergarten and the High School. We listen to the laughter and giggles as the students disband for the holidays. Judging by the number of high-pitched squeals and shrieks, I am fairly certain Shrieking #101 is a mandatory school subject for female students. Inevitably, the shrieking girl is being followed or teased by a giggling boy.

Algeria Y Pasion Carnavalesca 

This year, we have been asked to participate in another boisterous event. Weather permitting, a parade on Saturday, December 21^st, will feature several of the Halloween costumes that we’ve purchased in the last four years.  Elmo (Freddy Medina) is the star, with supporting cast members to include Mickey (Lawrie) and Minnie Mouse (Lynda), Spiderman (Darren) and Sponge Bob (Jimmy P).  The Carnival troupe Algeria y Pasion Carnavalesca that Yadira Velázquez (Freddy’s wife) dances with is organizing the parade as a fundraiser for the group, and to entertain the island kids.

The Christmas Season on Isla is always a noisy, chaotic time, and we enjoy every minute.  But for us, the very best sounds of Christmas are made by friends and family, sharing a meal, or snacks and drinks. It’s a time to reconnect, to remember why we love living here on Isla.

The day after we returned to our home on Isla, this little dude decided to move in with us. The cats decided to let him stay. His name is Sparky. We adore him!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings,

Best Wishes to everyone for a safe and Happy Holiday Season

Lynda, Lawrie, Thomas the Cat, Princess Chica, and Sparky

Murder. Mayhem. Revenge. Romance.

Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

Death in the Vineyards Mysteries

The Adventures of Thomas and Sparky

Silly fun and sacred rituals: Halloween and Día de Los Muertos

Sponge Bob and Spider-person

Halloween: it’s the one time of year when perfectly normal people happily make fools of themselves playing dress-up!  

Lawrie and I love costume parties, especially when there is enthusiastic participation of other friends in the zany fun. 

In previous lives, we have worn some unusual outfits.

One year, I was an armless pumpkin requiring assistance to sip a drink through a straw.  Lawrie, on the other hand, was fetchingly attired in a green gingham dress.  Another year, I was a bruised-up accident victim, and he was the attending doctor.  More recently, we were a pirate wench and a headless butler, followed by Miss Piggy and Elmo. For the third year in a row, Curtis and Ashley Blogin hosted their annual costume party for invited guests at Villa la Bella.    

Sponge Bob and Spider-person who didn't have a clue!

This year, my date was a very handsome SpongeBob, while I was attired as Spider-person. I had a slight costume failure, arriving at the party wearing my costume backwards. Apparently, getting dressed without the aid of a mirror or without looking at the end result before heading out to a party is a very bad idea. 

SpongeBob was of no assistance with wardrobe advice as he couldn’t see his own feet, never mind what I was wearing. 

SpongeBob also had a slight physical challenge; he could not reach his mouth with a beverage container, so he cleverly inserted a length of clear plastic tubing up his arm and into his mouth to aid with the consumption of a beer or two.  

 

Richard and Linda Grierson

Halloween or All Hallows Eve is still a relatively unknown tradition in Mexico. The dress-up, trick-or-treat customs originated in Europe and the British Isles and were brought to North America by settlers. Eventually, the traditions found their way into parts of Mexico via television and stores like Walmart, Sam’s Club and Costco. Immediately following Halloween are two very important Mexican national celebrations. 

 

November 1^st, Día de Los Inocentes honours children, and November 2nd, Día de Los Muertos, honours adults. In Mexico, the rituals and celebrations venerating ancestors can be traced back about 3000 years to the Olmec, Aztec, and Maya civilizations.

The Día de Los Muertos celebrations include building private altars using sugar skulls, marigolds, favourite foods and beverages of the departed.  Some families leave a pillow and blanket outside the door to provide a resting place for their loved ones. In many settlements, people have picnics at the gravesite of their family members, including the departed in the feast. 

The holiday is celebrated joyfully with food, music, or parades with elaborate costumes in the bigger cities. The emphasis is on honouring the lives of the dead, rather than fearing evil or malevolent spirits.

Flowers being delivered via UltraMar for Day of the Dead

Our traditional North American Halloween merriments are small in comparison to the Día de Los Muertos celebrations – but various North American and European symbols such as witches, pumpkins, vampires, bats and black cats are slowly permeating the Mexican festivities. 

 

We have recently started to participate in the Día de Los Muertos rituals. We have a small altar in the kitchen, decorated with photos of our parents, flowers and candles and mementos. Just something to remind us of those special people. 

It is a fun time of year with the costume parties, and a contemplative time remembering our family members.

Hasta luego

Lynda & Lawrie

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