Friday, November 2, 2018

Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Friday, November 2


This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte. 
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 Isla Mujeres History on Facebook or Website 

CHECK OUT THE NOVEMBER EVENTS SCHEDULE!  (scroll down)
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News from the Municipal Facebook site.....  (  FB page link)


Enjoy this long weekend in Isla Mujeres

In 2008, UNESCO declared Dia de los Muertos/ Day of the Dead in Mexico as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.


The caption says: Information about the Mayan customs and beliefs of Hanal Pixan
The graphic says: Hanal Pixan means "Food for the Souls"
Oct. 31 is known as the day of the arrival of the children
Nov. 1 is for the arrival of the adults
Nov. 2 is for the arrival of everyone, including those who are no longer remembered
The food on the altars should include hot food because the souls consume the essences of the foods
On Nov 1, 2, and 3 it is customary to put liquids on the altar such as soups, broths, and relleno negro.
For 8 days, "to go" foods are offered, such as pibipollo (tamales), oranges, tangerines, and other items.




The Pink Month concludes with positive results in Isla Mujeres LINK   
  There was a "Pink Month" closing event in honor of those who have suffered and fought against breast cancer by the municipal government with the lighting of pink candles. Activities during the month included providing free mammograms and collecting personal hygiene items for women of limited resources, as well as donations of hair for oncological wigs, among others. The honorary president of the DIF social service agency, Paola Orrico de Carrillo, said they will continue working for the benefit of the citizens with workshops, programs, assistance, and forums.


The state and city governments join forces for the benefit of the islanders LINK  
  In addition to being able to communicate with the Governor and the Mayor on Wednesday at the Bicentennial dome, islanders had the opportunity to request advice and perform procedures with at least 30 state agencies and five municipal agencies. This was the second "Talk to the Governor" event during the current Mayor's administration.

Candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the Pink Month Wednesday at 7p on the Town Square

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 FB News Sites about Isla Mujeres

  Tvisla Mujeres    



In 2019, Isla Mujeres will be at 100% coverage for wastewater treatment  LINK 
  Work is being done on the last stage of the wastewater treatment plant in Isla Mujeres and is expected to be completed for next year, providing enough capacity to meet the current needs as well as for future growth. The work has been done in several stages, at a cost of about 40 million pesos. They have provided 100% coverage for water treatment for some time, and the pending work involves construction of the sanitary drainage network in some areas.

Municipal government is providing security at the cemeteries LINK  

Request for increase in taxi rates is justified: IMVEQROO LINK  
  Jorge Pérez Pérez, director of the new State Mobility Institute (IMOVEQRoo) said that the increase in the rates requested by the various taxi unions around the state is justified, since many have not increased their rates in many years, while gasoline and the parts have gone up in price. He was interviewed at the Governor's public forum, and he said the requests are still under review

Governor working closely with the people of Isla Mujeres  LINK 

The Association of Golf Cart Rental Agencies donated eight computers

Interviews with officials on Video:
 Director of Mobility

Secretary of the State Government
 
State Secretary of Tourism   


Isla Mujeres Al Dia    


 Photo & article about maintenance being done on public spaces of Isla Mujeres so islanders and visitors can enjoy them in optimum condition. The workers of the Departments of Parks and Gardens are working to keep the public areas of the colonias clean, including the streets. They are sweeping, collecting litter, pruning, and weeding throughout the island. The Director of the agency said that during the rainy season, there is more plant growth and they have a schedule they follow, and they ask for understanding from the islanders, giving assurances that they are working hard.


Article with photos about Hanal Pixan altar elements  LINK  

Various photos from different family altars, and a sunset photo

Photos after an accident between two motorcycles in colonia La Gloria which resulted in one person being transported to the Community Hospital for treatment of injuries. The accident is explained, which is related to a lack of visibility due to a van being parked on a corner, so that one motorcycle pulled out without seeing that the other one was coming. The vehicles were taken to the impound lot and responsibility will be determined.

VIDEO from the downtown cemetery today (Friday).

Photos of altars at Cesar Mendoza grade school

VIDEO about Hanal Pixan

Photo with caption about complaint regarding trash left next to FOVISSTE apartments

Graphic says Isla Mujeres al Dia is beginning an "Isla Limpia" (Clean Isla) "FotoDenuncias" (Photo Complaints) "Send photos of people damaging the image of Isla Mujeres which will be published anonymously"

The first complaint photo is of a discarded mattress. 

Announcement about a contest for photos related to Dia de los Muertos, whose prize is an interview with Isla Mujeres al Dia.

Cemeteries have been cleaned and maintained and are ready for the holidays Photo & VIDEO

Article about security being provided by the municipal government in the cemeteries. photos. 

Public audience with the Governor VIDEO   VIDEO

Results of the citizen consultation in Isla Mujeres about the new International Airport in Mexico City (NAICM): 134 votes for the continuity of Texcoco airport and 220 votes in favour of the extension of the airport of Santa Lucia.

Photos from cemetery with caption noting there will be a Mass at the chapel there on Nov. 2 at 3p, which occurs annually


Noti Isla Mujeres   

Videos of interviews with two state officials 

IM Noticias   

VIDEO saying "Telemedicina" is coming to the island to provide medical care at a distance, without having to leave the isle.

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 Link to Por Esto's Isla Mujeres section
Click on Spanish headline for the original article & photos


Cemeteries open around the clock
Abren cementerios las 24 horas 

Nov. 1On Thursday and Friday, the municipal cemeteries will be open around the clock so that families can visit the graves of their loved ones. Although it is not a custom in Isla Mujeres for massive numbers of people to visit the graves, especially at night, those who come from other parts of Mexico maintain these customs and one or two families spend part of the night, according to Jorge Trejo, who is responsible for the downtown cemetery.
  At noon, a few people could be seen cleaning the graves and replacing flowers, but on the side where the children's graves are located, although their celebration is today, not many people were seen and some of the graves were in need of attention. Masses are scheduled in the evenings at the cemetery chapels. Families are asked not to put water in the vases because this causes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can cause tropical diseases.
  Mr Trejo said that during these days, about 100 people have come to the cemetery to see the empty tomb of the pirate Fermin Mundaca or to observe the Mexican traditions of this time of year.


Hanal Pixan: Food for the Souls  

“Comida de las almas”

  There was an altar contest at the Middle School, and the important components of the Hanal Pixan altars are listed, which includes food, drink, and the smell of incense to help the souls find their way to the offerings. This celebration has its roots in the towns and cities of the region, to remember loved ones with a colorful party and delicious foods, when the dead, in essence, visit the world of the living to enjoy the food put out in their honor, which is called "tomar la gracia" (taking the grace), and everything is a mixture of nostalgia and happiness.  These traditions are promoted in the classrooms, and each one created an altar in coordination with parents and advisors. The teaching, administrative, and other staff also constructed an altar to remember those who are gone but who led the way, and gave much of their lives to educating and transforming the young people of the island.

Activist "Mucaro" doesn't have a tomb

Múcaro no tiene cripta

Gaspar Gómez Tuz, better known as "Múcaro", was a social activist in Isla Mujeres who passed away four years ago, and shares a grave with a relative in the downtown cemetery. On the back of the crypt is written:  “Comandante Múcaro. Nadie te venció maestro, hermano, amigo, líder, compañero. Dios te bendiga”. "Comandante Múcaro. Nobody beat you teacher, brother, friend, leader, companion. God bless you", without his dates of birth or death.
    He was active in the formation of colonia La Gloria and colonia Guadalupania, and was imprisoned by a former Governor for his protests and demonstrations against the government, and his foot was injured during his incarceration. He passed away on Jan. 12, 2014, at his humble home in colonia Guadalulpana at the age of 64, from cancer, and he was buried in the downtown cemetery. He and his brother were also imprisoned in the municipal jail for several months in relation to a protest about the concession of a public beach being given to a former Governor, until they were released by a judge's order. He was elected as a City Council member in 1987. He worked to enable local people to have land to live on and build their homes, and he protested against politicians and other people who monopolized those assets. His friends were generally people of meager resources and now they lament that he doesn't have a grave that is worthy of someone who fought to improve the conditions of his people. 


Long weekend begins with a good number of people at the beach 

Buena cantidad de gente en las playas

  There was an abundant number of people enjoying the beaches at the beginning of this long weekend in honor of Dia de los Muertos. There were many visitors to the National Marine Park and to Isla Contoy National Park. Hotel occupancy was at about 60% and the diving agencies reported their business was also at about 60%. However, the smaller hotels who don't work with online agencies reported that some of them have less than 20% occupancy.
  Nearly 100% of the fishermen were active, catching lobster, fish and other seafood during the good weather, to provide for the island's diners. The weather is expected to allow them to continue working at sea in the upcoming days, despite the arrival of Cold Front #8, which is expected to be mild and diminish in strength. It is expected to arrive on Friday afternoon and Saturday.


Yesterday........

Navy rescues an ill captain 

Semar rescata a capitán enfermo

  The captain of the ship Uasc Bubiyan, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, located 20 km east of Isla Mujeres was provided with a medical evacuation by the Navy on Tuesday. He is 53 years old, of Polish nationality and was suffering from vertigo and a high fever. He was taken to Puerto Juarez by a Naval boat with medical personnel aboard, and put in an ambulance to receive specialized medical attention.

Trash Transfer site will be converted to a green area  

Área de transferencia se convertirá en verde

  The Director of Public Services, Pablo Moreno Povedano, said there are plans to convert the surroundings of the Trash Transfer Facility into a green area. It is located at the southern part of the island, and at present only 30% of the trash remains, compared with two months ago.  He said they plan to remove all the junked vehicles that are at the northern part of the property to create a green area, as well as at the southwestern area where the site has already been prepared. He said they removed 2400 tons of garbage in the past 45 days.
   He estimates that before Dec. 8th, when high season for tourism begins, the area will be completely clean and they will plant the green area. The garbage that is collected daily is no longer deposited in the open air; the use of the pergola has been resumed so that each load is placed in the trucks to be transported to the regional landfill in the Continental Zone. The trash it transferred in three vehicles (un tractocamión y dos góndolas) for a total volume of about 60 tons, crossing two or three times daily, now that there is more space with the two Ultramar boats in operation. On average, 100 to 110 tons are transported to the mainland daily, he said.
  Mr. Moreno Povedano said that the new four trash collection trucks, with 1.8 ton capacity, should be 'formalized'  by the Mayor at anytime now, ensuring daily service on the six routes of the island. (Two of them are going to the mainland part of the municipality, according to a previous article.) These trucks will permit the separation of trash and he encouraged residents and businesses encourage awareness about the recycling of plastics.
   In 2019,  one more truck (camion) is expected as well as two more estaquita-type trucks (a large pickup with high sides) which will be used to remove junk, mattresses, washing machines, etc on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Residents are reminded not to leave trash in the streets, their yards, or the beaches.

Entrepreneurs request reversal of CFE rates  

Solicitarán echar atrás alza de CFE

 Local entrepreneurs plan to organize with other municipalities in the state to reverse high electrical rates by making an application to the Chamber of Deputies. (state congress), according to one of their leaders, Baltazar Maldonado. They are concerned changes relating to the elimination governmental support in the form of consumption subsidies as a consequence of the Reforma Electrica.
      An explanation is given for some of the electrical rates and changes which has caused increases in some users bills, with the increases for October and November, compared to late 2017, as follows: Energy consumed in Kwh. was at 4.405 pesos; in October it went up (53) centavos to 4.458 and in November it will be 4.591 pesos. There is also the fixed DAC charge of 105.17.  In late 2017, the rate for Basic consumption (the first 75Kwh used ) was 0.793, then the Intermediate level for the next 65 Kwh used was 0.956 and Excess consumption level was 2.802 pesos per  Kwh, for all additional Kwh used.

Isla Mujeres news briefs  

Breves de Isla Mujeres

The first brief is about downtown residents asking local authorities to intervene concerning a foreign visitor who may be ill and was seen lying in the shade of a business on Hidalgo Avenue. They are concerned that she needs medical attention and she seems to have mental problems, and say she has been a frequent visitor to the island.
   The second brief is about a mainland event and the third says the Association of Golf Cart agencies donated six computers to the Community Hospital and two to the SINTRA agency, while the Governor was visiting. They expressed their concerns to the Governor about the appearance of new rental concessions granted by the former Governor's administration, noting that the current number of rental cart concessions and those in private use exceed 1000, with many of the private ones also being used by tourists.  (SINTRA regulates the rental agencies and therefore, it is their responsibility to identify and fine/impound carts that are being rented without a concession.) They also expressed the associations commitment to collaborating with state and municipal authorities.


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Photos from Halloween downtown on Wednesday evening  (by Bruce)





Day of the Dead festival at the Casa de la Cultura Thursday evening (by Bruce)


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 Kitchen in a large studio. (Sur & Norte are identical)
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Large studio (Norte), I'm standing in the kitchen. A queen & single bed.

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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 neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. Within ten minutes walk are a variety of restaurants including Mango Cafe, Brisas, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery , Chedraui. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend 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. It takes 20-30  minutes to walk downtown.
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Full moon rising over the Caribbean 

Oct. 24   6:39
Oct. 25   7:21
Oct. 26   8:07
Oct. 27   8:58
 Oct. 28    9:52
  Oct. 29   10:51 
 Oct. 30   11:52
Painting by Pamela Haase
Sunset  ~6:30 to ~6:10p (beginning vs end of month)
Sunrise  ~6:40
November Events
Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events

Plogging events to clean up the island are held on Saturdays LINK  and here's the Accion Isla LINK  who are having events associated with project RESCATE.

Thursday, Nov. 1 All Saint's Day   Dia de los Muertos
Festival for The Souls of the Dead with Dance, Music, and traditions. The procession will begin at 6pm beside the downtown Cemetery, going down Hidalgo, and ending at the Casa de a Cultura. There will be an exhibition of altars from different states of Mexico and a presentation of a Un Tzompantli (rack of skulls), performances by artists from the schools of dance and music, and a competition of Catrina costumes. Coordinated by Jean Piaget school. Most of the participants in the procession are in catrina makeup or wearing regional clothing, and the rest are in white, and they carry candles.


 

Friday, Nov. 2  All Soul's Day   Dia de los Muertos

At this time of year, Mexican families remember & celebrate their departed relatives. Hanal Pixan is the name of the Mayan celebration. Altars are made with photos of the deceased, where offerings of favorite foods and items are placed, copal incense is burned, and marigold flower petals are often used.
        All Saints Day & All Souls Day, Nov. 1 & 2, are the Dias de los Muertos...one for children, one for adults, when families visit graves & clean & decorate them. On the island, these are private moments in the cemeteries, not public celebrations like in many parts of Mexico.
Try some seasonal Pibi Pollo tamales & Pan de los Muertos pastry.

Saturday, Nov. 3 Plogging event 8a-10
Saturday, Nov. 10 Plogging event 8a-10

Friday, Nov. 16-Monday, Nov.19  Buen Fin weekend (sales)

Saturday, Nov. 17 Plogging event 8a-10

Monday, Nov. 19 Observance (day off) for Revolution Day

Tuesday, Nov. 20 Revolution Day

 Saturday, Nov. 3 Plogging event 8a-10

Wednesday Nov. 28 thru Saturday Dec. 8- Patron Saint festivities for Our Lady of Immaculate Conception  

Saturday, Dec. 1 Inauguration Day 

  Sources for Weather Information:
LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin  (Spanish)
LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish)
 LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service (Yucatan peninsula is under Satellite GOES Este, I recommend "Animacion")
 LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation)
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres     
LINK to Tropic Watch (in English)
LINK to NHC in US (in English)
LINK to Tropical Tidbits (in English)


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