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| This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte. HERE is a timelapse version, that you can set to slow or fast (fps-frames per second). It takes a few seconds to load. |
Follow Isla Mujeres News & Events on Facebook for highlights of news & events, and more photos & videos
Both issues of The Isla Mujeres Magazine are here,
featuring a variety of talented writers and photographers!
featuring a variety of talented writers and photographers!
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From Noticias de Diario de Quintana Roo ....
link to their Isla articles & photos
Rowdy taxi drivers will be punished
Darán de baja a taxistas rijosos
Además que serán denunciados penalmente
Lanrry PARRA
ISLA MUJERES, 13 de diciembre.-
ISLA MUJERES, 13 de diciembre.-
The leader of the taxi union, Eduardo Peniche Rodriguez, said that those responsible for the violence at the union party will be sanctioned or discharged from the union, and in addition they will face criminal prosecution. He said the culprits have been identified and he blames one of his political opponents, Miguel Angel Chan, as the brains behind this activity, saying he incited the taxi drivers who were already drunk.
The leader said it is important to clarify that this is a traditional, annual event held every year for the benefit ot the union members and drivers, and will continue to take place in the future. He said he deeply regrets what happened and they are conducting a thorough investigation in order to punish those responsible and assure that this does not reoccur.
Opposing candidates for leader of the taxi union, , Miguel Angel Chan, Julio César Osorio, Darwin García, Juan Manuel Valdez and Marcelino Cezal said they regretted that the violent events occurred and distanced themselves from the violence, which resulted in injuries and arrests. They asked for intervention from the State Governmental Secretary for the election on Saturday Dec 17, when all the union members are expected to attend.
Darkness ends after Mayor reactivates street lights along eastern coastal road
Se acabó la oscuridad
Juan Carrillo reactiva alumbrado público en Oriente de la ciudad
Lanrry Parra
ISLA MUJERES, 13 de diciembre.-
ISLA MUJERES, 13 de diciembre.-
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From the Municipal Facebook site..... ( FB page link)
Art Fair tomorrow 5-9p with tamales, a children's folkloric dance troupe, art, and craft beer at the Casa de la Cultura.
Helping people with disabilities...there is a link for citizens to give their input to the municipal government.
When you go out for a walk with your pet, remember to bring a bag with you to pick up their feces. Help keep the island clean.
Al salir a pasear con tu mascota recuerda llevar una bolsita contigo para recoger sus heces. Ayuda a mantener la isla más limpia.
The DIF is collecting coats and blankets for people who live in Rancho Viejo, Francisco May, and the Agricultural Zone (on the mainland part of the municipality of Isla Mujeres).
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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)
Union leader blames opponent
http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/habra-castigo-para-quienes…Full article at this link/
Taxi union leader Eduardo Peniche Rodriguez condemned the violent events during the 50th anniversary celebration of the guild, which he blamed on one of the candidates for his position, Miguel Angel Chan Mena, aka Fishman, and ten of his followers
Wato's opponents ask for state intervention in the upcoming election
http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/opositores-del-wato-piden-…Full article at this link/
The violent events that occurred on the evening of Monday, December 12 at the taxi union lodge during a party for the union members and their families, where several people were hospitalized, injured and arrested, was caused by excessive consumption of alcohol and a lack of control on the part of the organizer, the union leader, Eduardo Peniche Rodriguez, according to his opponents. They say this clearly demonstrates that there is a risk and the lack of guarantees for the conducting of the upcoming election Most of rest of the information in this article has already been translated.
It notes that in regard to the violence on Monday during the party organized by the union leader, the five candidates, as well as the leader Eduardo Peniche, publicly welcomed the members of the group Tiburones Rojos (Red Sharks).
Endorsement for reelection of union leader
http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/eduardo-peniche-recibe-tom…/Full article at this link
Ten leaders of taxi unions in the state, who are members of the FUTV (Frente Unico de Trabajadores del Volante) union, endorsed Eduardo Peniche Rodriguz ("Wato") in his bid for reelection as leader of the Isla Mujeres Taxi Union. The names of the Secretary Generals who endorsed him are given, who are taxi union leaders from Tulum, Chunhuhub, Bacalar, Nuevo Xcan, Dxiuche, Leona Vicario, Kantunilkin, Majahual, and Holbox.
Port Authority investing 68 million pesos in upcoming year
http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/invertira-apiqroo-68-millo…/Full article at this link
The Quintana Roo Poart Authority (APIQRoo) announced an investment in the upcoming year of 68 million pesos, of which 31 million are federal funds and the rest are state funds.
In Isla Mujeres, ~2 million pesos will be invested. This will include maintenance for the second stage of the wooden pier and the construction of a pier for the nautical tour boats for 400,000 pesos, a public boat ramp for 150,000, 'adequacy' (adecuacion) of a small boat dock for 250,000, and a waiting area for the car ferry for 150,000 pesos.
Regarding the justification for the large amount being invested in Isla Mujeres, the director of APIQRoo, (former Isla Mujeres Mayor) Alicia Ricalde Magana said it is not because she is from this location, it is because the statistics indicate major numbers of passenger moving thru this port, with more than 4 million visitors passing thru annually, who require quality services and the best facilities. (This appears to include both arrivals and departures).
In Puerto Juarez there will be 400,000 pesos invested for maintenance on the fishermen's pier and 350 ,000 pesos to modernize the facade at the access of the Maritime Terminal. There are two projects in Puerto Morelos that will cost 750,000 pesos, while 2 million pesos will be invested at Cozumel, and 1 million in Chetumal.
Streetlights along eastern coastal road
http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/ya-no-habra-mas-colonias-e…Full article at this link/
Young Emiliano Cordova will represent Isla Mujeres
http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/emiliano-cordova-garcia-de…/Full article at this link
Emiliano Alejandro Cordova Garcia, 9 years old, who attends the 5th grade at Cesar Mendoza Santana primary school, will represent Isla Mujeres as a legislator in Mexico City in February. He was chosen as the best speaker during the tenth Parliament of girls and boys of Mexico, with the theme concerning violence against women. He will be in Mexico City from Feb. 12-18 representing his school, his municipality, and District #1 of Quintana Roo.
He won the oratory competition on Dec. 9 in Playa del Carmen competing against 15 other students, where his winning score was 16 points, while second and third place had 11 and 10 points. He said he is very proud to represent Isla Mujeres, where he was born, because it is an incredible town.
He said he loves the beaches best, which are so beautiful, and he loves the sea. He said the competition was a great experience and an opportunity to communicate and express your thoughts. He also talked to the reporter about the need for society to end violence against women. He said that men have responsibilities to open doors for women that have been closed upon their professional careers, and as a male, he wants equal opportunities for women
The Governor swore in the Council for Island Development in Quintana Roo for the islands of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Holbox
http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/historico-acuerdo-para-for…Full article at this link/
The Governor said, "This initiative will provide more and better opportunities for development for the inhabitants of our islands, in unity, which will necessarily result in better infrastructure, opportunities for development of employment, health and education, as well as integrated projects to protect the environment."
The Mayor of Isla Mujeres, Juan Carrillo thanked the Governor for the maritime ambulance, which will help inhabitants in case of medical emergency and he said the island lacks adequate medical infrastructure, which is a concern of the municipal government.
The Mayor of Lazaro Cardenas said this council will be a big help regarding the development of Holbox, which is an island that has conserved its natural environment for over 120 years.
The Mayor of Cozumel spoke about this accord as an opportunity to take measures to mitigate climate change and to form agreements between the islands and to establish a fund with governmental participation for an initiative involving universities, society, individuals, and others.
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From por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos
Tense pre-election period for taxi union
Animos caldeados entre taxistas [+] Ver masFull Article at this link
Some attendees of the festivities at the taxi union lodge on Monday, said it was a pretext to celebrate the Virgin, which became a political event, claiming the raffle of gifts was done to influence the election scheduled for Saturday. The five candidates who oppose the current leader's re-election blame him and say the union leader got members drunk.
The police arrested 11 taxistas for disturbing the peace, who remained in their cells until they saw the judge at noon on Monday (sic). No complaint of injury was filed with the Public Ministry. However, Sra Teresa Bamboa suffered a leg injury and received stitches at the Naval Hospital and was discharged.
The head of the taxi union, Sr. Peniche says the incident was provoked, and there have been no such problems in the past 12 years at the celebrations for the Virgin. He said an investigation would be made and those at fault would be held responsible.
His political opponents, Miguel Ángel Chan, Julio César Osorio, Darwin García, Juan Manuel Valdez and Marcelino Cezal, say this shows "Wato" is unable to even control a simple family event. They say the violence occurred because of a lack of control and because alcohol was distributed in excess. They have asked intervention from the state Governmental Secretary, Francisco Lopez Mena, and the municipal authorities, to ensure the safety of the union members when they participate in the election on Saturday, which will be preceded by a General Assembly meeting which begins at 4pm.
Videos were circulated on social networks showing Sr. Peniche leading the event and holding a microphone, while he hands out appliances to attendees, as well as two motorcycles and a vehicle. The violence may have been provoked by a raffle ticket, and by the effects of alcohol, when people began to fight and intervention by the municipal police was required.
There is no room for more taxis or golf carts
No hay espacio para más taxis, ni carros de golf[+] Ver masFull article at this link
Isla Mujeres does not have space for more taxis or golf carts, because of its nature, and this is a huge challenge that will have to be faced by the municipal and state governments to regulate transportation.
According to preliminary figures there are more than 600 rental golf carts, which is a figure that has tripled in a decade. There are more than 250 taxis, about 150 rental scooters, and a smaller number of rental bicycles. The number of private vehicles has also grown exponentially, making it difficult to travel the main street downtown during peak hours.
There are complaints about plates for taxis and for golf carts having been granted as political favors and not in compliance with the legal guidelines. Some say the SINTRA representative should apply the laws and repeal the concessions that are not in compliance. They say there are people who have been given taxi plates who do not even know how to drive a car, which is not in compliance with the law. A list of names is given, who are all women, from a list of 500 or more names. They say the real workers are the drivers, but the plates have been awarded to relatives. Those who spoke requested anonymity.
Streetlights on the eastern coastal road again
Vuelve la luz al Circuito Perimetral Oriente [+] Ver masFull article at this link
After five years in darkness, a kilometer of street lights were put into operation along the eastern coastal road. The Mayor, Juan Carrillo, noted that during the first 100 days of his government they have put two kilometers of lights into operation, and will be doing more work of this type in January, when the first 100 days will be completed.
This work included repairing 14 lights between the Skate Park (by colonia Chiapaneco) and the Guadalupe Chapel, after five years in darkness due to lack of maintenance, despite this being a busy area. Several traffic accidents have occurred in this area, including the death of a youth and a serious injury to a former manager of the taxi drivers, who was hurt a few months in an impact when he was in the back of the trash truck, which had broken down.
The Mayor said during the rest of the year and 2017, efforts will be intensified for the benefit of the citizenry, seeking results that benefit all sectors of the community, as a result of teamwork between the three levels of government.
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Animos caldeados entre taxistas [+] Ver masFull Article at this link
Some attendees of the festivities at the taxi union lodge on Monday, said it was a pretext to celebrate the Virgin, which became a political event, claiming the raffle of gifts was done to influence the election scheduled for Saturday. The five candidates who oppose the current leader's re-election blame him and say the union leader got members drunk.
The police arrested 11 taxistas for disturbing the peace, who remained in their cells until they saw the judge at noon on Monday (sic). No complaint of injury was filed with the Public Ministry. However, Sra Teresa Bamboa suffered a leg injury and received stitches at the Naval Hospital and was discharged.
The head of the taxi union, Sr. Peniche says the incident was provoked, and there have been no such problems in the past 12 years at the celebrations for the Virgin. He said an investigation would be made and those at fault would be held responsible.
His political opponents, Miguel Ángel Chan, Julio César Osorio, Darwin García, Juan Manuel Valdez and Marcelino Cezal, say this shows "Wato" is unable to even control a simple family event. They say the violence occurred because of a lack of control and because alcohol was distributed in excess. They have asked intervention from the state Governmental Secretary, Francisco Lopez Mena, and the municipal authorities, to ensure the safety of the union members when they participate in the election on Saturday, which will be preceded by a General Assembly meeting which begins at 4pm.
Videos were circulated on social networks showing Sr. Peniche leading the event and holding a microphone, while he hands out appliances to attendees, as well as two motorcycles and a vehicle. The violence may have been provoked by a raffle ticket, and by the effects of alcohol, when people began to fight and intervention by the municipal police was required.
There is no room for more taxis or golf carts
No hay espacio para más taxis, ni carros de golf[+] Ver masFull article at this link
Isla Mujeres does not have space for more taxis or golf carts, because of its nature, and this is a huge challenge that will have to be faced by the municipal and state governments to regulate transportation.
According to preliminary figures there are more than 600 rental golf carts, which is a figure that has tripled in a decade. There are more than 250 taxis, about 150 rental scooters, and a smaller number of rental bicycles. The number of private vehicles has also grown exponentially, making it difficult to travel the main street downtown during peak hours.
There are complaints about plates for taxis and for golf carts having been granted as political favors and not in compliance with the legal guidelines. Some say the SINTRA representative should apply the laws and repeal the concessions that are not in compliance. They say there are people who have been given taxi plates who do not even know how to drive a car, which is not in compliance with the law. A list of names is given, who are all women, from a list of 500 or more names. They say the real workers are the drivers, but the plates have been awarded to relatives. Those who spoke requested anonymity.
Streetlights on the eastern coastal road again
Vuelve la luz al Circuito Perimetral Oriente [+] Ver masFull article at this link
After five years in darkness, a kilometer of street lights were put into operation along the eastern coastal road. The Mayor, Juan Carrillo, noted that during the first 100 days of his government they have put two kilometers of lights into operation, and will be doing more work of this type in January, when the first 100 days will be completed.
This work included repairing 14 lights between the Skate Park (by colonia Chiapaneco) and the Guadalupe Chapel, after five years in darkness due to lack of maintenance, despite this being a busy area. Several traffic accidents have occurred in this area, including the death of a youth and a serious injury to a former manager of the taxi drivers, who was hurt a few months in an impact when he was in the back of the trash truck, which had broken down.
The Mayor said during the rest of the year and 2017, efforts will be intensified for the benefit of the citizenry, seeking results that benefit all sectors of the community, as a result of teamwork between the three levels of government.
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| View from the rooms. |
MaraVilla Caribe Bed & Beach Three rentals with large glass doors overlooking our white sand beach and the beautiful Caribbean sea, with kitchenettes & free WIFI. In the coastal neighborhood of Bachilleres, among upscale villas & boutique hotelitos, convenient to downtown or the colonias, yet separate. Quiet & Private.
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| Kitchen in a large studio. (Sur & Norte are identical) |
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| Kitchenette in small room, Medio. There's a table & chairs across from it & a double bed. |
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| A large slider opens from each of the 3 rooms onto the patio where each has a table & chairs, hammock & clotheslines. The BBQ is behind the pole, and the outdoor shower is outa the pic at left. |
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| Large studio (Norte), I'm standing in the kitchen. A queen & single bed. |
Free amenities such as hammocks, bikes, outdoor shower, portable beach chairs & beach towels, washer, loungers. Breathtaking panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Upstairs room also available. Downtown is ~ a mile away; if you don't feel like walking or biking, flag a $2 taxi. Parking. You can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then come home our quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres where you'll sleep to the sounds of the sea.. $275/$325/$425 wk $40/50/$65nt Monthly Discounts
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| Large studio (Sur) with Queen & Single bed. Slider door & view are behind me. |
Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the traditional neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. Stroll five minutes southward down the coastal sidewalk to Mango Cafe, Bahama Mama, Brisas, or Manolitos. Walk less than 10 minutes southwest to shop at Chedraui or to dine at Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, or other options. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Our guests recommend the Yoga classes a couple villas away at hotelito Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a variety of other stores and small local restaurants.
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Today is Día de Guadalupe
According to accounts published in both Nahuatl and Spanish in the 1600s, the image of the Virgin Mary appeared to the indigenous peasant, Juan Diego, in the hills of Tepeyac in the outskirts of Mexico City on December 9, 1531, when he was on his way to the city from his village. (Later she appeared to his sick uncle also.) The dark-skinned young woman was surrounded by light & spoke in Nahuatl, telling Juan Diego that a church should be built in her honor at the top of Tepeyac hill, where there had once been an Aztec Temple to the goddess Tonantzin.
But when Juan Diego related this to the Spanish archbishop, the cleric didn’t believe him and told him to go back to Tepeyac and ask the Virgin for a miracle. The Virgin told Juan Diego to gather roses from the top of the hill (unseasonably and in an area of cactus & scrub). She helped arrange the flowers in Juan Diego’s tilmátli (cloak), and he carried them back to Mexico City.
When he arrived on December 12 and opened his tilmátli in front of the archbishop, the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe had been imprinted onto the cloak. The tilmátli with the imprint is still on display at the Basilica de Guadalupe, one of the most visited shrines in the world.
The holiday period in Mexico from Dec. 12 to Jan. 6 is called Guadalupe-Reyes (from Dia de Guadalupe to Dia de los Reyes/King's Day). In Isla Mujeres, this is preceded by patron saint festivities Nov. 28-Dec. 8.
Festivities for the Patron Saint the Virgin of Immaculate Conception
On the Town Square
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| Nov. 28 Opening at 8p with the band Los Marlins . Nov. 28, The Mestizas de Agua Salada; Nov. 29, Folkloric dance troupe: Son del Caribe at 7:30p; Nov. 30th, Academy La Isleña; Dec. 1 Cavalcade (Horse procession) in Honor of the Virgin, noon; Dec. 2, Dance group Añoranzas; Dec. 3, Dance group Entorno and musical group Mar & Arena Dec. 4, Dance Studio Renatta and Academia La Isleña; Dec. 5, Mestizas de Agua Salada; Dec. 5, Dance group Entorno; Dec. 6 Caravan procession at 6:30, Dec. 7 Yucatan band Picante Plus will perform and “Las Mañanitas” will be sung to the Virgin Dec. 8 Boat Procession of the Virgin in the Bay 3pm Dec. 8 Day of the Virgin of Immaculate Conception |
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| Thursday, Dec. 1 Horse procession (12p), and a performance by horses & a band (4p). Friday, Dec. 2 Bullfight (4:30) Saturday, Dec. 3 Rodeo with a band (4:30). Sunday, Dec. 4 Bullfight (4:30) Thursday, Dec. 8 Bullfight with dwarfs (8p). Friday Dec. 9 Bullfight w little people 7p |
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December Events
Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events
Dec. 1 Thursday
12p Horse procession
4-9p Artist Fair at Casa Cultura w live music, craft beer, food, & art.
5p Anti-AIDS/HIV march & Health Fair at Bicentennial Dome La Gloria
6p Horse performance & live music 6p North end of runway.
Dec. 2 Friday
4:30p Bullfight at North end of runway
7:30p Dance group Añoranzas at Town Square
Dec. 3 Saturday
4:30p Rodeo & live music at North end of runway
7:30p Dance troupe Entorno and band Mar & Arena at Town Square
Dec. 4 Sunday
7:30a Charlie & Friends Marathon 5 & 10km Garrafon/P.Sur along Caribbean coast
4:30p Bullfight at North end of runway
7:30p Dance Studio Renatta and Academia La Isleña at Town Square
Dec. 5 Monday
7:30p Mestizas de Agua Salada dance troupe at Town Square
Entorno dance troupe at Town Square
Dec. 6 Tuesday 6:30p Caravan procession for Patron Saint
Dec. 7 Wednesday 8p Yucatan band Picante Plus at Town Square
“Las Mañanitas” will be sung to the Virgin at Town Square
Dec. 8 Thursday Day of the Virgin of Immaculate Conception
3pm Boat Procession of the Virgin in the Bay
8p Bullfight with Dwarfs North end of runway
4-9 Art Fair at Casa de Cultura
Dec. 10 Saturday 8p
Dec. 11 Sunday Celebration in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe at the Chapel Guadalupana in Meteorolgocia (which overlooks the Caribbean, across from Mango cafe), with singing of Las Mananitas before midnight, possibly with Mariachis.
Dec 12 Monday Day of Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron Saint.
People honor her with pilgrimages and efforts of endurance, such as the annual run around the island, which will probably be held in the morning, usually from the downtown church to Punta Sur to the Guadalupe Chapel.
There is a procession in the afternoon with children dressed up as Juan Diego, shepherds, and shepherdesses usually between the Chapel Guadalupana and the downtown church, and sometimes there are horses. Juan Diego saw the vision of the Virgin of Guadalupe on the hill at Tepeyac, 485 years ago. There will probably be an evening event on the Square. See article below. I will update this info when it is available.
Sunset ~6:05p
Moon rise over the Caribbean
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| Dec. 13 6:12 Full Moon Dec. 14 7:13 Dec. 15 8:15 Dec. 16 9:16 Dec. 17 10:14 Dec. 18 11:10 Painting by Pam Haase |
5-9 Artist Fair Casa de la Cultura Art, music, food, craft beer
Dec, 16-24 Posadas Navidenas.
During the Posadas, there is usually a dance on the t\Town Square, featuring regional dances & costumes from different states of Mexico. The schools may have Posada plays, which are reenactments of Mary & Joseph being refused shelter. Posada means 'inn'.
Dec. 17 Saturday 5:30p Resident parade of decorated golf carts thru the colonias, tossing candy & toys
Dec. 21 Wednesday Solstice
Just before Christmas, the government has a procession of decorated carts and vehicles with a Santa, which goes thru the colonias playing music tossing candy and small toys, There is also one by the residents, foreign & local, that is planned again this year. Dates TBA. There is a decorated boat parade annually at Cancun.
The DIF (social service organization) collects toy donations for a big give away, as does Rueben's restaurant, where you can drop off donations now. Dates TBA. Kids in Mexico receive presents on King's Day/Dia de los Reyes on Jan. 6. Currently the DIF is collecting blankets, coats, and other warm items for residents in need in the Continental Zone on the mainland.
Dec. 22 Thursday Artist Fair 4-9 Casa de Cultura. Art, music, food, craft beer
Dec. 24 Saturday Noche Buena / Christmas Eve
Ultramar ferry is usually cancelled after ~11p, as well as the first crossing Christmas morn. Some businesses are not open in the evening, because families are celebrating together.
Dec. 25 Sunday Dia de Navidad / Christmas Day The first ferries may be suspended.
Usually around this time the annual Quinceaneras event and Mass are held at the Church of Immaculate Conception for young women who turned 15 during 2015 and who wear beautiful gowns. More info TBA when available
Dec. 28 Wednesday Dia de los Santos Innocentes A day of practical jokes, similar to "April Fool's Day"
Dec, 29 Thursday 4-9 Artist Fair Casa de Cultura. Art, food, craft beer, music.
Dec. 31 New Year's Eve Festival on the Town Square with live music and fireworks. Tables can be reserved in advance, with information TBA. The last ferries are usually suspended.
Jan. 1 New Year's Day People observe the sunrise at Punta Sur The first ferries are usually suspended.
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Celebrating New Year's in Isla Mujeres
To celebrate New Year's Eve, some Isleno families set up tables in the side streets with pinatas strung overhead, and dine on turkey stuffed with seasoned ground meat, while others crowd the Town Square for live music, dancing, and fireworks. Each neighborhood brings in the New Year with a bang, and the skies explode with color in all directions.
During the NYE countdown, there is a tradition of eating twelve uvas de buenas suerte (grapes of good luck), each representing a month, with a toast of champagne or cider. The party on the town square continues all night long. At the other end of the isle, people gather at Punta Sur to greet the first rays of the sun at the eastern-most point in Mexico.
Other customs include cleaning your house on New Year's Eve & sweeping out bad luck. Wearing red underwear could bring you love in the New Year, or your white undies may bring you peace, while yellow represents wealth. Those who hope to travel should grab an empty suitcase and carry it around the room or the block, and set it by the door. If you drop a shoe on New Year's morn and it lands "boca arriba" (face up) you will enjoy good luck in the upcoming year.
The old year is represented by a life sized character called El Viejo, The Old Man, who is later filled with fireworks and set ablaze. He may resemble a politician, and he is usually holding cigars & tequila. Fireworks are everywhere, and their names are metralletas (literally "machine guns" – but it means fire crackers), cañones (larger fire crackers), voladores (rockets in many different sizes), chifladores (whistlers), and barre pies ("foot sweepers", that spin on the ground & shoot sparks).
Kids receive toys on Dia de los Reyes, January 6, when families, friends, and coworkers share rosca de reyes. King's cake, usually with hot chocolate. If you get the Baby Jesus,it means you'll be hosting a party & providing the tamales on Candlemas Day, Feb. 2.
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The Artist's Fairs are scheduled
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