Yesterday we both got up for sunrise (here that happens at just before 6 AM, so I hope you're impressed). We walked along the Malecon from our place, near its north end, to the central isthmus of the island. Then we turned back onto the road to walk back home. Late breakfast at the Mogagua, where we bought some coffee for home, as well as a t-shirt for Darlene. And we had bought already a wonderful Mayan-style mask, at some cost, a bit further along the street.
(As an aside, the art of bargaining is not so easy. While in Valladolid,at the market there, we got a wooden carving of the Mayan calendar for about 60% of the asking price. This was with the help of our B&B host, who bargained in Spanish. Here, we got the mask for 75% of the asking price, using our English and being ready to walk away. We might have got it for less, but it seemed a fair price. The wooden mask was carved in Valladolid, transported to Isla and bought by us there. But we are happy, and I think the seller was happy. You don't want to be taken as a mark, but you also don't want to deprive the seller of money he needs for living: a balance.)
We also discovered a new power of Darlene's. There are a lot of dogs during the day and early evening in the town. Some have collars, many do not. By late evening, they are replaced by cats, but for much of the day, the dogs rule (in my opinion, that's how it should be). So when we were out for dinner, and Darlene had pork chops, she saved the bones to give to the dogs. Somehow, this had the effect of making the dogs disappear. We have hardly seen any dogs since she got the bones. Don't know how she does it, but it's a powerful skill.
An afternoon nap after our hard morning, then off to a swim in the ocean, then watched the sunset (which happens here about 5:00),
followed by supper at Lola Valentina's Restaurant. Ceviche for me, yum.
And today, Darlene got up earlier than I and went up on the roof of the hotel to catch the sunrise. We were then on a mission to walk out to Barlito's, a restaurant which is known for its breakfast meals, used to be downtown, and is now a ways out. The island along the way decreases in width to about 100 yards, and most of that width is taken up by an airstrip. I got a nice shot along the way:
Those are fishing boats, mostly (one yacht). Isla Mujeres still has a real fishing culture. When we were on the dock watching the sun go down last night, three Mexicans were there throwing their nets to try and catch fish.
We had planned to walk to the far northern tip of the island after our leisurely breakfast, but we got back into town (about a kilometer), and the heat got to us. Decision was made to stop by the market, where a little "abuela" who appears to be over ninety peels oranges and makes the best juice. We bought a large bottle and came back to the hotel.
Darlene had booked a Mayan Massage today, and has just come back as I write this. She is floating about six inches above the ground, wants to go back tomorrow for a touch-up before we get on the plane. We'll see if we have time. We will need some reinforcement to go from the warm, sunny skies of Mexico to the cold, dark skies of Hamilton.
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1 comment:
That second picture (of the sunset) is damn impressive!
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