Local People and Tasty Dishes on Isla

Hola!! As we near the end of our vacation on Isla Mujeres, we agree everytime we visit our best experience is meeting and getting to know the local people. There seems to be such a sense of contentment and happiness in teh faces of the Mexican people here. Life is slwo paced on the island but with a purpose. Hopefully you can get a sense of this in my photos.Ricardo (who works at the hotel) and his girlfriend Patti. He is such a nice young man. His girlfriend Patty goes to university in Cancun and is doing a business internship at the City Hall here on the island. We took them out for dinner on our last night.

This is Johnny Cash a favorite waiter at The Soggy Peso. I asked him one night where he would go for his vacation. He looked at me puzzled and said - ¨Fishing¨ He said he has only been to one other place in Mexico. All his family and friends live on the island and he has no desire to leave!! The interesting thing is everyone works 6 days a week, 8-12 hrs a day. I don´t think there is such a things as holidays from your job in Isla Mujeres

Alloyd (The popcorn man). I buy from him everyday 10 pesos

Ricardo on his scooter

Victor the Basket Guy

A favorite waiter at the Tequileria (We call him Darcula)

Javier (plays live music everynight at Faynes)

Roger our favorite server at the beach.

Roger on his day off!

The rooster next door, that crows all day long!

The coconut man - What a load!

2 month old Chiwawa (sp?) Betty from the hotel raises them

Betty who works at our hotel

Senor Mariano (makes the best jewelery)

Monica from Chilie Locos

Maria Lopez (75 years old and has been selling peanuts on the beach since she was a young girl

Margaritas!!

We certainly have had some tasty dishes this past 6 weeks. Her are a few samples

Fish cooked in a salt clay container (So good!!)

Seafood Soup

Pork Taco

Black Bean Soup

Shrimp Ceviche

North Beach

The local cemetery. Quite amazing!

Sunset

Sand Art

Friends from hotel from Winnipeg and Vancouver

We leave for Margarita Island today so I will update you soon from there. The weather has been quite nice. We had 4 days where we couldn´t go to the beach. The wind has been a bit stronger than other years and the evenings have not been as warm, but we can´t complain. We suspect it will be hotter in Margarita!! Adios for now!!

Places and Businesses Around Isla

The island of Isla Mujeres has a thriving economy at least during the winter tourist season. It is quite intruiging to observe how everything operates - usually very slowly but with a friendly Mexican smile and minute. From the man on his bike blowing a horn to sell his tortillas to the family who squeezes fresh orange juice down the street, it is very resfreshing to see. Rene Renees- a favourite restaurant

A few margaritas at the tequileria

As I ride my bike down one of the streets in the colonials (neighborhoods), it kind of reminds me of Sesame Street with all the services and workers within a block or two.

There are some business that are owned by Americans and Canadians that employ Mexicans but we try to support the Mexican owned businesses and restaurants of which there are many and varied. Most places offer fresh seafood, Mexican food, pastas, burger, soups and salads. It is rather funny in some of the smaller places after you order, they may run down the street to get the ingredients or the drink you ordered!

Hope you enjoy the pictures I took of some of the places and businesses around town. Until next time, Hasta La Wago!!!

Mallory and Warren

Laundry

Butcher

Fresh Orange Juice

A Fun Spot

Vendor on the Street

Mexican Rotisserrie Chicken

Passanger Ferry From Cancun

Navy Speed Boats

Car Ferry

Ferry Dock

Taxi Stand

Traffic Police

Ferry Stations

Taxis

Beach Vendors

Confectionary

Blog #4 Friends Arrive and Carnaval

Hola Again Los Amigos




Our friends Gary and Carol from Edmonton arrived on Feb.7th. Since then we have had a lot of fun enjoying delicious food, tasty cocktails, dancing, lots of walking and fantastic beach days. The odd day when we have had some rain or clouds, shopping is in order. We can always find something to look around for!

North Beach

Monica from Chilie Locos

Mexican Skin

Our Beach Bar ¨Sergios

Migel who own a cool restaurant and bar. Sorry my eyes are shut!

We have a slick method of choosing the restaurant of the day. At breakfast as we eat our toast and fruit we draw from a hat of favorite restaurants for the evening meal. That way we never have to make a decision - oh the joys of a stress free vacation.

Gary and Carol enjoy the same things as we do, so it works out well. Here we are drawing for the daily dinner restaurant.

The Sol Store (The local cervasa)

The Soggy Peso ( a fun bar and grill on the way home

The Main Street

Valentines Day for Senora

Valentines Day for Senor



We experienced a fast and furious storm the other day. We were on the beach, it was very hot and sunny. Within a few minutes the sky across the ocean turned pure black but the sun continued to shine on the beach. About 10 minutes later the Mexican people and servers started yelling¨Now¨! They no sooner yelled and a wild wind blew in. There were umbrellas, plates, bottles and food flying all around. Luckily we ran back in time into the restaurant and waited out the storm. They let down the big canvas sheets to block out the wind. Next it started raining and within a few hours the sun was out again!!

Calm Before The Storm

Carnaval has begune!! We´re not exactly sure what it all signifies, but it is defnately a celebration of some sort!! We think it is connected to the religious aspect of Easter and of course the Mexican culture.

The town is decorated with a huge stage, flags, neon lights, dancing and blaring music. There are parades and rides for the kids. The streets are lined with food stands. Everything goes on until late for 5 days. The whole community gets involved.

During the day, families get dressed up and drive around in trucks with blaring music and decorations. They will just stop anywhere in the street or beach, get out and dance. What fun!!

A highlight is the crowning of the king and queen and prizes for the best dance groups.

That´s it for blog #4. Take Care Everyone

Mallory and Warren