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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
Working together for quality education
Por educación de calidad
Representante de SEyC destaca labor conjunta de gobierno de Juan Carrillo
Lanrry PARRA
ISLA MUJERES, 1 de diciembre.-
ISLA MUJERES, 1 de diciembre.-
On Thursday the Municipal Council of Social Participation in Education in Isla Mujeres was sworn in to improve education via active participation of teachers, authorities, and, above all, the community. The director of Municipal Education, Rossana Martinez Cen, explained that this council is an instrument of consultation, guidance and collaboration in support of education; strengthening social participation and integrating the school community and the community in general, with the goal of improving the quality of basic education.
Names of the council members are given, who were sworn in by Mayor Juan Carrillo who has said that it is important for the three branches of government to work together, and above all, the community, because in this way children and young people can receive the tools they need to have high quality lives.
City stops ecological damage in response to complaints on social networks
Comuna frena un ecocidio
En atención a denuncia en redes sociales
Lanrry PARRA
ISLA MUJERES, 1 de diciembre.-
ISLA MUJERES, 1 de diciembre.-
Red caution tape was also placed around the property and the City Treasurer issued a citation. It is noted that the property owner is Manuel Adame Sanchez, nephew of former mayor Paulino Adame Torres.
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From the Municipal Facebook site..... ( FB page link)
Isla Mujeres is lit up for the December holiday season
En esta temporada decembrina #IslaMujeres se ilumina.
Congratulations to Adrian Ceme May-who won first place proudly representing #islamujeres. in the state public speaking competition "Niños Heroes de Chapultepec" which took place in Playa del Carmen,
Muchas felicidades a Adrián Ceme May quien ganó el primer lugar de la oratoria estatal "Niños Héroes de Chapultepec" que se llevó a cabo en la ciudad de Playa del Carmen, representando orgullosamente a #IslaMujeres.
Este jueves se llevó a cabo la Instalación del "Consejo Municipal de Participación Social en la Educación de Isla Mujeres" para fortalecer la educación mediante la participación activa de los maestros, autoridades y sobre todo de la sociedad para juntos forjar mejores directrices académicas.
A cordial invitation is issued to the Island community to register for the Children's and Youth Winter Rapid Soccer Tournament 2016. Contact information is given on the announcement.
Se hace una cordial invitación a la comunidad isleña a inscribirse al "Torneo de Invierno 2016 Fútbol Rápido Infantil y Juvenil".
Para más información comunicarse a los números que aparecen en esta convocatoria.
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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)
Closure of property in Federal Zone for damage to the Mangroves
Terreno en Zona Federal es clausurado por daños en el Manglar - http://www.tvislamujeres.com.mx/terreno-en-zona-federal-es…/
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From por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos
Closure seal placed on property
Clausuran relleno de un predio. [+] Ver mas
This has the same information as the article translated above, noting the property is located near the Naval housing.
Controversy over tax discount
Ilegal aprobación en el Cabildo .. [+] Ver mas
Councilman for the MORENO party, Roberto Martinez, opposes the City Council's approval of property tax discounts of 50% to members of unions, including the sindicato municipal, FTSE, the magisterio del Colegio de Bachilleres, Sepomex, de Telégrafo, and others. He says it is not legal and he will report it to the Legislatures Enforcement (Fiscalizacion) Department to make the City comply with the law. He also says the discount of 25% should be given in January, and not in December.
Festivities begin with horse procession
Con una cabalgata inician las fiestass.. [+] Ver mas
A procession of horses and riders traveled from Punta Sur to downtown to initiate the Patron Saint Festivities for the Virgin of Immaculate Conception. The riders held a presentation of their horses in the bullring, which was blessed by parish priest Raul Sanchez Alonso at 3:30. The procession got a great deal of attention from tourists as it moved from the south end, thru colonias including La Gloria, Meteorologico, Salina Chica, and downtown.
At noon, the fishing cooperative "Isla Blanca" organized their traditional party at the headquarters of their cooperative. The rest of the schedule of celebrations of the different guilds is given. It says the Las Mananitas will be sung at 10pm (on Dec. 7), and the First Communion will be on Dec. 8 at 10am, and the boat procession at 3pm.
Controversy
There have been complaints about the lack of parking in the area where the bullring (Plaza de Toros) was erected. Mechanical games (carnival rides) were set up on the runway. Protectors of animals have expressed concerns on social networks that animals should not be allowed to suffer in bullfights, which has ignited debates between those who are in favor and those who are opposed.
Restaurants under a magnifying glass
Restaurantes, “bajo la lupa”e.. [+] Ver mas
The representative of the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS), Leonel Garcia Povedano, reported that the sanitary inspections took place at 70 gastronomic establishments to ensure the quality of the food consumed by tourists in the upcoming winter season. They are ensuring proper sanitary measures at establishments where there are a large number of tourists and where large banquets are held.
At these facilities, they monitor and supervise the areas where food is prepared, and where it is stored, and they ensure workers have their health cards up to date. If anything irregular is detected, a deadline is given to comply, so that all sanitary measures are at 100 percent, on the eve of the start of highest season for tourism. He estimated inspections were carried out at 60 to 70 establishments, with special attention to those serving larger numbers of domestic and foreign tourists, to avoid any experiences of contamination of food by carelessness or negligence. They requested that any litter nearby be removed to prevent vectors such as animals or insects.
The official was asked if COFEPRIS would eventually sanction the City if the accumulated trash is not removed from the Trash Transfer facility before the holiday season begins. He responded that the property is far away from the tourism businesses at the southern part of the island and it is unlikely to contaminate food. However some business owners complain about unbearable smells at certain times of the day, when the direction of the winds change.
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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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The holiday period in Mexico from Dec. 12 to Jan. 6 is called Guadalupe-Reyes. 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). |
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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
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
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. 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 |
Dec. 15, Thursday
4-9 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. 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.
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 Dia de los Santos Innocentes A day of practical jokes, similar to "April Fool's Day"
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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Día de Guadalupe is an important holiday in Mexico
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 also appeared to his sick uncle.) 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.
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 twice a month, on the First and Third Thursdays, at the Casa de Cultura, 4-9.
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