Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year!!




End of year  photos.     Must post before 2012!

  
The Santa parade (a mixed mode of transports...loved the golf carts, though) happened in mid December. Probably were others, but  I came upon this after a day at the beach, following my walk. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR...AND MAY THERE BE MANY LOVELY SUNSETS IN 2012!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Guadalupe kids

It was definitely a photo opportunity, during El Dia de Guadalupe, to find any number of photogenic kids....













Before the procession, in the town square, during the procession on the way to the Guadalupana Chapel, and around town, you could see boys and girls in their colorful outfits...the same elements, arranged and displayed differently on each child. I bought a set of girls' clothes for my 5 granddaughters, and hope to get them attired and photographed sometime during their upcoming holiday visit.  These kids seemed pros at knowing this annual ritual, and I loved watching them go through the day (Dec. 12)  as their families prepared and supported them through the day's events...downtown church visit, procession to Capilla Guadalupana, children's mass & festivities.            (I want to get these photos posted before Christmas is upon us!  I'm still reliving this holiday...)

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Malecon, Isla Mujeres...

I LOVE WALKING THE MALECON OF ISLA   (in the background, is the old 'Perla' where we first stayed on Isla)
The waves crashing close to the East side of the island puts one in the middle of drama and energy and beauty all at once...
Again, the old 'Perla' (scheduled for condos, I heard...) Though it was going down, I miss how it used to be....



The malecon is scheduled to be lengthened to add more seaside walking space along the eastern side of the island.  I did enjoy being as close to the sea as I could during my island loop walk of a week ago.  I tried to be as near the sea as I could at all times. The malecon makes that possible, and I appreciate that.  



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Walking around the Island

I did it. It was a goal I had to accomplish on this birthday.  So, now it's a 'fait accompli'  - a done deed.
I would say I covered 11-12 miles.  
I started out with the procession from the church to the Guadalupe Chapel...so that stretch was different.




I walked with the masses, food carts, strollers...etc.
At least I wasn't carrying a 30# statue or wearing heels, like some.  But it was good company.
Then, after the mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe, my birthday sharer...and 'Las Mañanitas' birthday song,
I walked home in the dark, but there were many other walkers, several going to the Guadalupana settlement, in my direction.


Once I reached Casa Colibri', I settled in for a good night's sleep.  Next morning, I did the eastern ocean walk to South Point, snuck onto the Garrafon Park area and went down to the 'Cliff of the Dawn,' the easternmost point of Mexico & enjoyed the area by myself.  Continuing on the narrow pathway, I rounded the southern & easternmost point of Isla (Mexico, really).  Then, back down the western side....
(a brief stop/rest at the house)...and back on the road....

This time, a very very very long stretch.... all along the western side of the island, until I came to the part where our procession had crossed the island the night before...Since I'd already covered that eastern segment of road, I crossed over and came out on the eastern side, and continued on north, along the ocean side.   I did make it back to the Guadalupe Chapel, where I'd been the day & night before.
They were having yet another mass...on this, the actual feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.










Just coming into town, I met the caballeros who were in town with many horses, for a parade, & would later give rides to kids down near La Gloria where a carnival was set up.  We had a good chat, & I was given the oppty to actually buy a horse... hmmm--I did have to think about it!


Anyway, we had some nice horse talk & a good photo.  Pedro, accd to the other guys, is the best horseman in the Yucatan. (That's Pedro, on right.)
I really would like to go to their ranch & watch him perform sometime  (not far from Cancun airport area).





So, from there...it was continuing on down the eastern side of the island....then, a bit on the malecon....
(It will be great when they add even more malecon--boardwalk--for walking)...until hitting the beach at Media Luna...then, onto Avalon...(which is actually on its own little island), crossed the wooden bridge...walked through the hotel and to the back and ended up in the King's Bath...a natural pool formed by a ring of coral, with the ocean crashing over   (some other guests were there, & offered to take my photo!)
 














Tuesday was recovery day. I rewarded myself with lunch at Alex & Geovanny's--guac & garlic fish--then, beach time at Playa Sol--the other tip of the downtown area, western and southernmost.


So..over two days--17 hours-- I walked a loop around the island!


Next year (if I choose to repeat) may opt for 12 hours.
It's doable... (especially if you have have Maria, Virgen de Guadalupe on your side).





(photo from Avalon, looking back down the island to the southern end, where I began that morning!)

Monday, December 12, 2011

Goin' to the chapel....


...and we're..... gonna see Ma--a---a---ry
cannot get that song out of my head now, & wish I'd been humming it last night on the ambling trek 
from the downtown church to Our Lady Of Guadalupe Chapel.... (1  1/2 hr. walk)
instead there was chanting & cheers....'dame un eme...   dame una ah... etc.etc....and slow movement.
(I positioned myself in the procession near the Navy wall, which is an interminable length of 
concrete &  pipe......providing good support!)

here's me in my walking attire...I chose the black t-shirt...matches my jogging pants. 
However, no jogging...only walking. After I saw the 'antorchistas' jogging along at quite a pace (seemed to be groups of MS and HS students), I knew that wasn't for me, or my knees...
Saw these other 'antorchistas' (torch bearers...for Mary V de G, on bikes, & wished for a bike...
I later learned they'd come all the way from Campeche, & were very celebrated upon arrival here...

Can you see the statue of Maria, Virgen de Guadalupe, positioned in the stroller? (before staring out on the long procession to the chapel....)                                                             there were hundreds of statues of her, images & figures adorned with flowers on the procession...
I wish I had better pictures of the actual procession.  It began after 8:30, and didn't arrive at the chapel until 10pm or later. 
Manuel did answer, 'muy poco' when I'd asked him how many foreigners participate...
More likely, none (except yo misma), from my vantage point last night.. 
It was a happy all-night scene in the street below the chapel, as many could not fit into the seating or standing-room only space around the chapel... 
Anyway, everyone sang 'Las Mañanitas' at the very end, close to midnight...
so, I felt I got my birthday song as well, and continued on my personal trek home. 
Haven't decided about next year...but it will be 12/12/2012!!   Anyone care to join me?




Sunday, December 11, 2011

Looping the island...on El Dia de Guadalupe

Arriving last year just in time to witness the island run/walk/jog last year in honor of the Virgen of Guadalupe was memorable. So much so, and especially since it falls on my own birthday, I wanted to partake in it this year myself, and decided to combine this event with paying the taxes, another annual December event.

So, in preparation, I looped the island today on my golf cart....(if only it were that easy, on foot).
I stopped at the chapel devoted to Our Lady, the Virgen of Guadalupe , just up from Mango Cafe.
It was peaceful (except for workers, setting up for the impending huge event) & I had some quiet time.



I can't imagine a chapel in a more beautiful place. Looking past the altar, one is looking right out to sea.
I have been to Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in Mexico City. It's impressive, but I like this better.



Even from the pews at the rear of the chapel, one has a view.    The pasta tiles are lovely.
It is all simple, serene and stunning.














Downtown, there were T-shirts, kids' clothes and all things for the V of G feast day tonight & tomorrow. 

I bought some cute embroidered skirts, some with poinsettia patterns, to take home for the little girls.
Got a T-shirt for my mom (always her request) and one for myself.
Everyone seemed in a good mood.

I guess little boys can dress as Juan Diego.

My great nephew John does share my birthday, so I really do need to get something for him... 
So, all that is left is to do the actual run, which for me, will be more of a walk. Manuel & his wife stopped by to ask me to join them, & I believe I'll do that. Nice to be part of things & I was very gratified to be asked to join them.  Hope I can find them in the crowd tonight!  I just have to decide which T-shirt to wear.  (and maybe take some aspirin....)      Wish me luck!!