i try (and so, we try) to do something in late October/early November to ward off the seasonal depression that starts for me abut this time of year. November is far worse for me than February, and I want to get through it. So we looked at going to San Francisco, or Santa Fe, where we had been before. Santa Fe was booked where we wanted to go. And San Francisco didn't appeal a lot to Darlene at this time. So we looked, and the flights out of Hamilton to Cancun began November 1. Perhaps go to Isla Mujeres, where Darlene had been previously and I had never been? Sounded intriguing, and when we looked further, quite inviting. So we booked and began to explore a trip for two weeks on the Yucatan. We settled on two weeks, with a trip into the main part of the peninsula to explore the Mayan culture (for me), and a lot of time by the ocean (for Darlene).
And the flight from Hamilton left in the afternoon, which made it much more civilized leaving home.
Unfortunately, in spite of our best intentions, we got to the airport too late for the plane. Suffice it to say that a combination of slow traffic (where did all those cars come from, anyways!), and Bob's pig-headed belief that it only took fifteen minutes to get from Dundas to Mount Hope, conspired to make us too late, not for us but for our bags. And they won't let us on without our bags.
So we put the cases back in the car, drove home again with our heads down (but eyes on the road), and spent another night in our own beds. We were now to take off from Toronto the next morning. And this turned out to be a predictable experience: airport not bad, lines terrible, with a thirty-minute line to get through security.
Then, on arrival, we had arranged from Canada to have transport to the ferry. Another long wait while they got together a full taxi and then a drive to the ferry docks through the hotel strip of Cancun. And that was an experience. A way to be in Mexico without experiencing it, seems to me.
The vacation began when we got to the ferry docks. Lovely mix of Mexican and gringo folks, all going to the island. Wind in our hair, ocean nearby, friendly people helping out, and music on the boat. Quite a different experience from my ferry trip in Cuba, and quite lovely as we approached the island after a twenty-minute ride. We walked with our bags the six blocks to the hotel, and were greeted by name at the Hotel Francis Arlene, and shown to our basic but very appealing room.
This is the view from our window looking east. By the time we were settled, it was late afternoon. We went right out and explored. And one of the places we wanted to go to was the Cemetery (Panteon in Spanish). November 1st and 2nd in Mexico are the days of the Dead, a celebration of those who have died before us. They believe that their spirits are with us again on these days, and use the time for family and celebration, and for attending to the graves. We wanted to see it, and had missed the all-night celebration of the previous night. But we still had some the days left. This photo is of the Panteon:
Most graves were cleaned and there was a candle or two burning in the small "house" on the top of the grave. It was quite magical.
And after that, a walk by the beach and a supper at the Sunset Grill, all very pleasant. But the travel day had had its effect: both DArlene and I were in bed before 8PM and sound asleep.
This morning, we woke early, of course, and were on the streets just after sunrise. Walked the Malecon, and through the streets now quiet and cleaned after last night's activity. Not much was open, and we wanted to eat at Lola Valentina, so waited until eight for them to open. There is a lot of new development on the island from when Darlene was here some years ago. Fancy condos and new hotels and homes. Still a flavour of the old fishing village, and not the stink of Cancun's resorts, but some movement towards gentrification. Pity!
A lovely breakfast at a place we will go back to. Some shopping, for more money, for some food, and for some wine. And now back to the hotel. People here are talking about how nice it is to be cool; for us, the temperature of 28 degrees is not so cool, but they have had a very hot and humid summer.
More soon.
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