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From the City....

"The Second Municipal Drill Team Contest 2018-2021"was held at the Isla Mujeres Colegio Bachilleres high school with 12 schools participating, which included seven primary schools, three middle schools and two high schools. This included four schools from the Continental Zone on the mainland. All participants were given a day pass at Xcaret as a prize for sharing their patriotism toward Mexico and their extra effort to promote these values. The winners were awarded passes to tourism parks such as Dolphin Discover & "Sama". (Zama?)
Rossana Martínez Cen, Director of Education in the municipality,said, "The homeland we all enjoy has been the product of great battles defended by national heroes, without a doubt, the Mexican flag is the most important national symbol where freedom, justice and democracy is reflected. Since 1940 the president of that time, Lázaro Cárdenas del Rio decreed the commemoration of our Patriotic Lábaro and we must encourage it in our new generations " The Mexican Flag is celebrated annually on Feb. 24th.

TVisla Mujeres

With the intention of publicizing the effects of excessive alcohol consumption, a Forum on Alcoholism will be held in the Community Center in colonia La Glora on Friday, February 28, ar 7pm. LINK During a press conference about the event, the history of Alcoholics Anonymous was related and it was noted that there are 50 spaces available for this forum. This event aims to raise awareness among medical professionals, companies , associations and social organizations of Isla Mujeres, so that they can provide information to those who have problems with drinking.
The Alcoholics Anonymous organization hopes to gain allies among the hotel managers, unions, cooperatives, associations, workers' bosses and government institutions. This event provides them with this opportunity to hear specialists talk about the consequences of the disease of alcoholism in society, in the workplace and physical and mental damage and how to facilitate directing people toward help from AA groups.

From Por Esto :

Isla Mujeres will host the National Open Water Championship 2020

Isla Mujeres, será sede del Campeonato Nacional de Aguas Abiertas 2020

About 600 swimmers are expected to participate in the National Open Water Championship 2020 which will be held in Isla Mujeres on March 27 & 28. The winners of the 10 kilometer competition will represent Mexico in Tokyo during the pre-Olympic match for the Olympic games. The top 20 swimmers in the categories of 14-15, 16-17, and 18-19 divisions, in the categories of 5k, 7.5k and 10k will qualify for the National Conade Games 2020.

Increased surveillance by Navy

Refuerza vigilancia la Semar

   The Ministry of the Navy (SEMAR) has increased surveillance at the Maritime Terminals, which are tourist entry and exit points, since last November when business owners and residents requested greater coordination between the three levels of government in term of security, in response to increased incidences of thefts at homes and businesses.
      Personnel with the National Guard also arrive frequently, who work in coordination with the Naval personnel. This has generated increased confidence among the residents, in addition to the installation of security surveillance cameras, which is in progress, for the prevention of serious crimes, and for improved investigations and containment of organized crime.

Ash Wednesday celebrated

Celebraron el Miércoles de Ceniza

On Ash Wednesday in the four Catholic chapels of Isla Mujeres under the responsibility of father Raúl Sánchez Alonso, seven masses were scheduled to serve the hundreds of families seeking the ash cross on their foreheads. The masses took place at 8am and 3pm at the Guadalupe chapel in Salina Chica, at 10am and 7pm at “Inmaculada Concepción” downtown, at 11am at “Caridad del Cobre”, and at 8pm and midnight at “Sagrado Corazón” in La Gloria.
During Lent, some Catholic families will restrict their diets and avoid eating red meat, substituting white meat, especially seafood. It is also recommended to eat a lot of vegetables and fruit. The 40 days begin with Ash Wednesday and end before the Mass for the Last Supper on Holy Thursday. During this time, Catholics are encouraged to change their lives and adopt more Christ-like attitudes and to work harder at avoiding sinning. They may participate in days of fasting and penance in memory of the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the desert, with spiritual exercises and times of reflection.

Port reopened for small boats on Wednesday

Reabren puerto a la navegación menor

Small boats under 40 feet were no longer restricted to port on Wednesday, when the strength of the southern winds decreased. The calm before dusk preceded the turning of the winds which came from the north with the arrival of Cold Front #41. It was anticipated that the port would be closed for small vessels on Thursday. (Wednesday night & Thursday were quite windy.)

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This blog is brought to you by....

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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 out of the pic at left.

"Reverse Sunset" (looking east from MVC)

Free amenities include hammocks, portable beach chairs, beach towels, washer & dryer, loungers, shared bikes, BBQ grill, and safes. Panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Large sliding doors open to a patio & the white sand backyard-beach, overlooking the Caribbean sea. Downtown is ~ a mile away; we're on all four bus routes or flag a $3 taxi. Off street parking. You can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then return to the quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres and sleep to the sounds of the sea.. $275/$325/$425 wk $40/50/$65nt Monthly Discounts

Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk, including Mango Cafe, Mike's Pizza, Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Coco Jaguar, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery Chedraui & the local craft brewery. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a couple villas away at Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a variety of other stores.

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Full moon rising over the Caribbean

February 9 7:21 (sets 7:45a)
February 10 8:26
February 11 9:30
February 12 10:32
February 13 11:31
This is the first of four supermoons for 2020. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.

Sunset ~6:38-6:51p (beginning vs end of month)
Sunrise ~7:24-7:08am
Painting by Pamela Haase at MVC

February Events

Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events

Thursday afternoons ~3p-8p Artist Fair on the Paseo de la Triguena off the Town Square at the malecon by the food trucks.

Sunday's at 1p there may be baseball games at the stadium in front of Chedraui. There are two teams, the Pescadores & the Cockteleros, who are in Category A & Category B of the same league, which is currently having the playoffs for the season championship..

Some Sunday evenings 8p on the Town Square "Noches Magicas" performances

Fishermen in this region are banned from catching grouper and octopus during February LINK

The Thor Heyerdahl traveling school-sailboat visits in late January-early February with about three dozen high school students on board. Under the tutelage of the experienced crew, the students learn to work together, sailing and navigating, as well as receiving their normal lessons. They sail from Germany to the Caribbean, departing in October and returning home in May.
The ship is named for the man who sailed a hand made raft "Kon Tiki" from South America 5000 miles across the Pacific to the Tuamotu Islands in 1947, to demonstrate that ancient people could have made long sea voyages, creating contacts between apparently separate cultures. LINK

Sunday, Feb. 2 Baseball at the el Pescador field at 1p. The playoffs begin and the Cockteleros will play the Astros of Tulum.

Monday, Feb. 3 is the day off for Constitution Day and an official holiday.

Monday, Feb. 3 On the first Monday of each month, there is usually a civic ceremony in the morning, often on the Town Square around 8am.

Feb. 4-8 The Island Time Music Festival benefits the Little Yellow School House and has two free events for the general public--on Tuesday and Friday at 7:30. LINK LYSH provides education and therapy for special needs kids on the island.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 Constitution Day

Friday, Feb. 14 Dia de Amor y Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship) The City provides a free Collective wedding event including the ceremony, cake, and paperwork for residents.

Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8p the Isla Mujeres Cahuameros will play the Agharta Sports Academy at the Convention Center

CARNAVAL Feb. 21-25

All events are free, and it's a good idea to have change & small bills to tip the dance troupes when they dance in the streets and at businesses. They spend weeks preparing their costumes and choreography & show incredible stamina dancing for hours day after day.

FRIDAY--8p Town Square--Coronation of the Kings & Queens, Dance Troupes, ~~Dance to the music of Master Kumbia~~ Rescheduled to Saturday 11:30am due to rain.

SATURDAY CUBAN NIGHT--8p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Dance to the music of MegaBoom

SUNDAY--BEACH CARNAVAL--3p Playa Centro--DJ's
**1st PARADE--3p--Rueda Medina
AFTERNOON OF FANTASY--5p Town Square--Children's show & Inflatables, Dance Troupes, Kid's Costume Contest
NIGHT OF FANTASY & DIVERSITY--8p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Comedy w Silvanna Show

MONDAY--BEACH CARNAVAL--3p Playa Centro--DJ's
**2nd PARADE--3p Rueda Medina
REGIONAL & COMEDY NIGHT--9p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Costume Contest, Tila Maria Sesto Comedy Show

TUESDAY--BEACH CARNAVAL--3p Playa Centro--DJ's
NIGHT OF JUAN CARNAVAL--9p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Burning & Will of Juan Carnaval, Dance to the music of Alberto Barros & his band

>>The Parades on Sunday & Monday at 3p on Rueda Medina will start at the Naval base, going north to the roundabout at the Fishermen's Monument & back to the base--see map.
>>The Bus routes will be modified between 1p and 8p on Saturday, Sunday, Monday & Tuesday & won't be traveling along that section of Rueda Medina. Passengers get on & off at the vehicle ferry terminal (Ultracarga), on the edge of town during those hours. They'll run their normal routes before and after those hours.

Lobster season ends Feb. 29th (Lobsters kept in captivity continue to be available).

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
LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation)
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres

BUS INFORMATION
The ten 31-passenger buses travel on four routes, from 6a to 10p, turning around near the Convention Center, behind the downtown Mercado, and going south thru El Centro on Rueda Medina. #1 & 2 are the "Colonia" routes and #3 & 4 are the "Tourism" routes. The overhead digital display & cardboard sign in the windshield provide the route information. The bus numbers don't indicate the route, they are numbered consecutively, 1 thru 10.
At the edge of town....

Route 1 goes southward down the western side of the isle on Rueda Medina and returns northward on Jesus Martinez Ross to town. Its west-east transit is Paseo de los Peces in colonia La Gloria.
Route 2 goes southward down the eastern side of the isle on Jesus Martinez Ross** and returns northward on Medina to town. Its east-west transit is also Paseo Peces.
Route 3 goes southward down the western side of the isle on Medina, then in & out of the Sac Bajo peninsula. If there are passengers for Punta Sur, it goes there & returns northward to town on the Caribbean Coastal road. If not, it returns east on Peces and returns northward on the Caribbean Coastal road to town.
Route 4 goes southward down the Caribbean Coastal road directly to Punta Sur & Garrafon, then northward in & out of Sac Bajo, then returns northward on Medina to town.
**Routes #1 & #2 aren't exact opposites--#2 takes J.M. Ross northward all the way from Peces thru Salina Chica, but #1 going southward turns left/east off JM Ross before entering Salinas, taking the Caribe Coastal road thru Meteorologica, and I've heard it turns right/west back into the colonias by Madera Food & Art. All four routes go thru Bachilleres, past Maravilla Caribe Bed & Beach and all four routes go past Chedraui.
The map isn't a bus route map, it's a street map, showing how Jesus Martinez Ross follows the Caribbean coast until becoming the main street of Salina Chica and going on to La Gloria, while the Caribe Coastal road (aka Payo Obispo) follows the coast. The east-west transit, Paseo de los Peces, is shown, but not labeled, at the edge between colonia La Gloria and the Mundaca Hacienda. Its east end intersects the Caribbean Coastal Road by the Cemetery & its west end intersects Rueda Medina by the Mundaca Hacienda.
Downtown the main bus stop is at the parking lot just south of the passenger ferry terminal, and across the street. You can flag them down anywhere you see them outside of town. Chedraui is on the west side/Medina. Tortugranja & DD are in Sac Bajo. Garrafon is at Punta Sur. Bachilleres is on the eastern Caribbean coast, north of the colonias.
The 10p rate is for state residents & the senior citizen rate is for INAPAM card holders.Tourists pay 38p/$2usd per person per ride and can purchase an all-day pass for $9usd/175p. You pay as you board and exit thru the back door. The front seats are for seniors, disabled & pregnant women. The buses are air conditioned.