Captured! Small dogs and fishing nets don't mix.

It's early in the morning and Sparky and I are ambling along the malecón on the western side of the island. 

We are poking along at Sparky-speed. Sniff. Pee. Sniff. Pee. And then he added a bit of vigorous dirt kicking to clarify the situation. 

"This is my mark." 

I have my camera with me and stop to take a photo of the fishing nets strung across the beach.

Looking for the 'Lady Fish' run

For some reason my eye is always drawn to the boats and nets, probably because they represent a way of life that is slowly disappearing from the island. 

Until tourism started to boom in the 1980’s the traditional way of making a living for islanders was catching fish, or diving for lobsters and conch. 

The open deck panga-style boats and crews head out early in the mornings to pull in the hopefully-heavy nets. 

If they are lucky, four or five fishermen per boat will be needed to haul the catch into the boat.  

Cleaning and repairing nets

In the evening the reverse happens, the fishing crews return to their favourite locations and reset the nets hoping for a successful night.

When the weather turns grumpy the Port Captain closes the port, restricting the size of the boat that can leave the harbor until he gives the all clear.  

The good thing about a port closure - it gives the fishermen time to repair and clean their equipment.  

Weaving a new net

They string the nets between palm trees searching for rips, pulling off bits of seaweed that have been snagged in the weave.  

On very stormy days the mending takes place under covered basketball domes.  

Watching the fishermen repair tears in the netting is very reminiscent of the folks who weave hammocks.  

Holding a wooden bobbin in one hand and a tough nylon line in the other their hands weave in and out, neatly filling in the torn area.  It’s a beautiful skill.

But what happens when a small inquisitive dog investigates the nearly invisible webbing?

Nothing good, let me assure you.

Captured, and not happy!

This morning he followed his nose into the small tunnel created where the mesh was lifted off the ground. Then he tried to get out by walking straight through the tough nylon filaments. 

Thankfully I noticed his struggles and was able to calm him down, long enough for me to crawl in the same small space and untangle him without damaging the netting or hurting my pooch. 

Life is never dull with The Sparkinator.

Sparky - happy to be untangled and free.

~

Murder and mayhem. Revenge and Romance.

Join Sparky and his human friends in paradise.

Available on Amazon in e-books or paperback.

Unusual jobs – not available in Canada

Trimming palm trees and harvesting coconuts

Thwack! Thwack! Swinging the sharp machete hard, he lopes off a bunch. Tying a rope around the stems of the coconuts, he slowly lowers the payload towards a friend on the ground. 

The worker is harvesting coconuts from the palm trees on the public beaches, clearing the potential hazards before they tumble down on the heads of unsuspecting sunbathers. 

Turning the fresh nuts into beverages

He has climbed a ladder instead of romantically shinnying up the tree to pick the harvest.  The freshly harvested coconuts are sold to the vendors and restaurants for six pesos or about fifty cents each, to be turned into nourishing beverages. 

A job harvesting coconuts? Sorry, it's not available in Canada.

A little further on the same beach a group of fishermen are busy repairing nets, weaving new stands into the broken pieces, and clearing out the debris entangled in the nets. While they work the tang of salt, and fish, and seaweed floats on the air. 

Weaving a new net

Another fisherman holds a wooden bobbin with fingertips covered in adhesive tape to limit friction injuries. He is creating a new nylon net. His actions are rhythmic, smooth, and familiar. The movements remind me of a time in the mid-seventies when I owned a loom, and fancied myself an artisan - weaving place mats, scarves, shawls and wall hangings to gift to unsuspecting friends and family members. “Uh, what is this?” was unfortunately a frequent response to my gifts.

Cacahuates!  Cacahuates!

Closer to the northern end of Rueda Medina a beach vendor strides past, carefully balancing a tray of peanuts and snacks on his head. 

“Cacahuates! Cacahuates!” His posture and graceful movements are enviable. 

Watching him brought back more memories; memories of when my sisters and I were teenagers. Our parents frequently admonished us to walk with confidence; stand tall, head up, shoulders back, and smile. 

At times smiling at everyone I see has been a bit troublesome. In some cities if you smile at strangers you are perceived as being a bit looney. In my case I am channeling my parents instructions, and compensating for being somewhat short-sighted.

Eloy also known as "Dollar" selling his snacks

Meanwhile all around us on the streets of Isla Mujeres, mobile vendors ply their trade selling newspapers or popcorn, Oaxaca cheese or pastries, shoes or tamales, cold drinks or clay pots. Each vendor announces his products with accompanying shouts, whistles, bicycle bells or horns. The sounds, the movement and the colours all add to the allure of living here.




If I was still working, my job of choice would be to deliver the thousands of wriggling recently-hatched baby turtles to the beaches. I would like to be the person who starts them on their arduous journey to freedom.

2013 thousands of baby turtles about to be released

Turtle release specialist? Another unusual job not available in Canada.

Hasta Luego

Lynda & Lawrie