Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Thursday, Dec. 21

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CHECK OUT THE NEW DECEMBER EVENTS SCHEDULE!  (scroll down)

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From the Municipal Facebook site.....  (  FB page link)


There is a video and article about the distribution of scholarships in the mainland part of the municipality.

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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)


The Isla Mujeres baseball team "Pescadores" are a step away from the playoffs in the Quintana Roo Baseball League, and need to defeat the Dorados of Playa del Carmen on Saturday to continue. LINK    
  The Isla Mujeres Pescadores are in fourth place, and will qualify for the playoffs if they win Saturday's game against the Dorados of Playa del Carmen. Isla Mujeres baseball promoter José Balbino León Paredes said, "I would have been pleased if both island teams had gotten into the finals, but it was a very close competition, and all the municipalities were well equipped. Thank God we made it into fourth place." 
     The Ejidatarios of Kantunilkin are in first place. This Baseball League of Quintana Roo began in August of this year, with an inauguration that took place in Isla Mujeres, a municipality that has deep roots in the practice of this sport, which continues to be promoted and supported by the authorities.


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From  por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos



HIV prevention campaign  
Campaña de prevención de VIHVer masFull article at this link
  
This took place on the mainland part of the municipality.


Tiburoneros close the year with a victory 
Tiburoneros cierra el año con triunfo [+] Ver masFull article at this link
    The Isla Mujeres Tiburoneros soccer team closed the year with a victory against the Atlas team from Mérida, Yucatán, with a final score of 4 to 2. The coach expressed his enthusiasm and satisfaction with this result, saying he expects things to continue this way during the first week in January, when they resume competition in the Fourth National Soccer Division, in the category under-17 "Scotiabank National Youth League". Members of the Tiburoneros are from both the island and the Continental Zone.


Isla Mujeres news briefs  

Breves de Isla Mujeres [+] Ver masFull article at this link

     For the seventh consecutive year, the Isla Contoy National Park closes the year with about 70,000 visitors, which is about twice as many as a decade ago. In the 1990's there were about 30,000 visitors, when there were only two boats larger than 40 feet, the Asterix and Rudolf Bittorf's boat.
   The factor behind this increase is that permit holders of smaller boats came to an agreement with owners of boats over 40 feet. Now those boats leave Isla Mujeres nearly every day for the Reserve, often exceeding the limit of 200 visitors per day.

      Wednesday was the last day of school for thousands of students in Isla Mujeres, who will return to school on Jan. 8.

Most businesses have paid the year end bonuses 
Mayoría de empresas pagó el aguinaldo+] Ver masFull article at this link
    Román Maldonado, leader of the CROC labor union, said that the required year-end aguinaldo bonus payments have been made by most of the 20 companies with whom the union has contracts. The deadline is Dec. 20, and the other companies plan to pay them by Dec. 24th. The labor union has accomplished that its members receive up to two fortnights of salary and others receive one fortnight and other benefits. (An annual year-end aguinaldo payment is required by law, which is generally equivalent to the salary that worker receives in a 15 day period.)
       Some hotels have avoided this requirement by hiring casual workers when Christmas approached, with increasing numbers of reservations, especially at the three, four, and five star hotels.
    
    CROC will be negotiating new contracts with the companies in January and February, seeking improved benefits and pay for its members.


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 Noticias de  Diario de Quintana Roo's Isla articles & photos LINK
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  This blog is brought to you by....

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.   

 Kitchen in a large studio. (Sur & Norte are identical)

Kitchenette in small room, Medio. There's a table & chairs across from it & a double bed.

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.

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

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. Within ten minutes walk are the restaurants Mango Cafe, Brisas, Manolitos,  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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December Events
Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events

Nov. 28-Dec. 8 Annual Festivities honoring the Patron Saint: Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
  Which include a small carnival, a bullring, nightly performances on the Town Square (which start at 8p), and a boat procession on Dec. 8th, as well as private celebrations by the 20+ groups involved in the festivities.  The horse procession is scheduled for Dec. 2, starting at 1p going to the colonias & the Sacred Heart Church, and finishing at the ring at the north end of the runway, where there will be cowboy-horse performances. Events at the ring begin at 6:30 except Nani Namu.

 
 The comic bullfights with matadors of diminutive stature are Tues. 5th & Tues. 12th. There's a Lasso tournament on Sun, Dec.10th. All events at the ring at the north end of the runway start at 6:30p, except Nani Namu & the horse procession.

Fri & Sat. Dec 1 & 2  M.C. Mala Noche will celebrate their first anniversary this weekend at the Casa de la Cultura starting at 11 am on Saturday and at Playa Centro on Sunday with live music, competitions, and other fun activities.

Sun. Dec. 3 Noches Magicas 8p Town Square with the DIF Senior Citizen Dance Troupe and singers Rebens Garcia and Aldahir Davila

You can drop off donations of toys at Rueben's restaurant, across from the Mercado on Guerrero. Kids in Mexico receive presents on King's Day/Dia de los Reyes on Jan. 6

Full moon Sun. Dec. 3

                                                                    Sunset ~6p

Dec. 3  6:30
Dec. 4  7:30
Dec. 5   8:33
Dec. 6   9:37
Dec. 7  10:39
Dec. 8  11:39

 Wed, Dec 6 at 5:00 p.m. Casa de la Cultura   Zumba class for 1 Billion Rising to Prevent Violence Against Women

 Thurs. Dec. 7 Artist Fair Casa de la Cultura 3-8p

Fri. Dec. 8 at 4:30pm Christmas Youth Lightning Tournament on the Comex soccer court for Futbol Rapido soccer, in colonia Salina Chica.

 

Thurs. Dec. 14  at 9am Public Audience with the Governor at the El Pescador baseball field

 Sun. Dec.10 Noches Magicas 8p Town Square

Mon. Dec.11  There will be a gathering in the evening at the coastal chapel dedicated to Guadalupe in Salina Chica, probably with Mariachis, to sing Las Mañanitas and honor her. 

Mon. Dec. 11 Town Square 6p. Lighting of the Christmas Lights and performance by the Academy of Jazz, Passion, & Dance

Tues. Dec. 12 Dia de Guadalupe, the Patron Saint of Mexico.There is usually a run in the morning from the downtown church to Punta Sur to the Guadalupe Chapel.There is usually a procession in the afternoon with children dressed up as Juan Diego, shepherds, and shepherdesses, probably between the Chapel Guadalupana and the downtown church,

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). 

Thurs. Dec.14 Artist Fair Casa de la Cultura  3-8p

Dec, 16-24 Posadas Navidenas
During the Posadas, there is usually a dance on the 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'.
 
 Sun. Dec. 17 You're invited to join the Christmas Caravan on Sunday with your decorated vehicle, starting in front of the kindergarten "Enriqueta Camarillo" at 6p. (That's where the road is very wide by Casa Ixchel hotelito prolongacion Aeropuerto, just north of col. Salina Chica. & just south of MaraVilla Caribe B&B & the Bachilleres dome.)


Sun. Dec. 17 Boxing Event Sunday at 7pm at El Pescador 

Sun. Dec.17 Noches Magicas 8p Town Square the final Noches Magicas performances for 2017. You are invited to enjoy Christmas dances performed by the students of the Women's Institute of Quintana Roo, live music by Hiraldo & his Cuban Big Band, and a comedy show. Free.

Thurs. Dec. 21 Artist Fair Casa de la Cultura 3-8p

Thurs. Dec. 21 Winter Solstice  

Sat. Dec. 23 5:30p - 8:30p Golf Cart Parade with residents tossing toys & treats to children

Sun. Dec. 24  Christmas Eve  Usually the last ferry is cancelled and some businesses may be closed, especially in the evening, while families celebrate together.Noches Magicas is suspended.

Mon. Dec. 25 Christmas Usually the first ferry is cancelled.

Thurs. Dec.28 Artist Fair Casa de la Cultura 3-8p

Thurs. Dec. 28 Wednesday  Dia de los Santos Innocentes A day of practical jokes, similar to "April Fool's Day"

Sun. Dec.31 New Year's Eve celebration on the Town Square. Tables can be purchased in advance, details TBA. The last ferry is usually cancelled.Noches Magicas is suspended.

Jan. 1 New Year's Day People observe the sunrise at Punta Sur The first ferries are usually suspended.

 Celebrating New Year's in Isla Mujeres
   To celebrate New Year's Eve, some 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.
  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" (it used to be in my blog margin, until Blogger became incompatible with it).
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres