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!)

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?

Las Mañanitas, birthday song...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukxXkmUzUE8&feature=related

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!! 

ahhh....morning walk on Isla...

am in training, as I plan to do a loop around the island on El Dia de Guadalupe, Dec 12th, my b'day!
here's some lovely fotos from my morning South End walk & to La Gloria & back...

This is looking from the overlook by Garrafon.
You can see the Mexican flag flying across the bay, on the Cancun mainland.



and this iguana is looking out to sea, over the cliffs on my return loop.

I think he is sending birthday wishes across the sea to my mom ;)   Her birthday is today.  Happy 89th!

 

A new Chedraui department store opened in Isla Mujeres just this week.
I made it there today, just a couple days after the opening day on Wed., and must say, it is impressive.

I've always loved shopping at the Chedraui in Cancun....and below are photos I took there on my last visit.  Now, I can save the ferry fare and the time, & the lugging of groceries back to Isla.

I will continue to shop at the small shops on Isla.
What I may not do as often is eat out in restaurants, though I still will.
I got some very decent ceviche here today, and while it does not rival what I got yesterday at Justicia Social Cooperative downtown, it's fine.
(I daresay I saw at least one restaurant owner shopping here too.)

It seemed there were plenty of islanders enjoying the store too, many school kids, in uniform, who no doubt have little time to get away and must appreciate having things at their disposal.   Although it is a shock to see a store of this size on the island...well...change happens. 

I remember not long ago, I could not get internet, or even make a phone call easily from the south end.
Now I can.   I appreciate that.   And I will appreciate shopping at Chedraui here vs. in Cancun.



I cannot wait to have Sofia ride the elevator with me when she comes, as we bring our cart up and down.

(sorry, no foto of that
as the Cancun store, being in the Mall,
does not have that...)

And.....being a bargain shopper.....I can't wait until I see a display labeled
                                         'Zona de Oportunidades! '

which will be bound to surface sooner or later....

whirlwind....

whew...
ever since Thanksgiving it has just been a whirlwind for us.
The perfect storm, with everything happening it seems...     just a hodgepodge of stuff....
Steve's mother moving off the farm;  my mother needing more care; Sumi starting a new job and needing our help in picking up Sofi from daycare daily & taking her to YMCA swimming lessons; a new septic system needed at our place...3 baptisms coming up, and a move to China down the road for Abe & Angela;  oh, and Abe's book is out (I helped edit :)     www.BeNorthDakota.com
     --here's a promo--   

Abe Sauer

My book of jokes about North Dakota and the Midwest is now available. $8.95. If anyone knows anyone who would like to review it, let me know and I'll arrange for a review copy to be sent.

How to Be: NORTH DAKOTA: A Guide to the Plains (Volume 1)

www.amazon.com

A book for everyone who has looked at the vast expanse of Ole and Lena jokes and asked, “Is that it?” How to be: NORTH DAKOTA offers regional history and culture through lessons and activities about becoming "North Dakotan." Local humor with universal appeal...

Well, I made it to Isla... luckily blew in on a late flight & made the very last ferry.  I sat atop, by myself, enjoying the wind and all...came to pay the taxes & take advantage of the Dec discount!

But....
 Here's a reminder of what I'm missing back home
no snow right now         that stuff melted
super cold temps right now tho....    
snowman in front of our barn
and gram's barn & old milking parlor which will soon become a dog grooming & boarding kennel run by her niece...      lots of memories there, & hard to think of the change for all of us...
(less hard though in winter...    :)

the snow always makes it a pretty sight...

I love taking Sofia to her swimming lesson at the YMCA and look forward to her coming back to Isla as more of a swimmer...
I plan to check in at Hernandez de Cordoba school here to see if she can return for a short session...
She still remembers her classmates and teachers from last year and likes to talk about them.
I want her to be able to keep her Spanish ability and it's such a good experience for that.    Kids have a way of keeping you in the moment.
I need that right now. 
 
 here's an old photo from the farm when our guys were young....  let's see...30 years ago?
It's great they got to grow up on the farm & have a close relationship with grandparents & nature.
I'm afraid it's nostalgia time.   I am caught in a time warp. I need a time toggle switch in my brain.
Sitting on an island in the Caribbean;  reminiscing about old days, that seem not that long ago...
how life changes.
Gram's latest saying --  "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off."
A whirlwind at home....and just plain windy here on Isla.