Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Wednesday, February 12




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Electrical service will be suspended today, Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 3p to 4p while CFE does some work.


Today's "Lunch with the Children" at the Little Yellow School House will be a Thai night market featuring traditional Thai red Massaman Chicken Curry. This a delicious Thai curry from the south of Thailand with hints of Indian influence. . Serving from 11:30 till 1:30. LYSH is on Paseo de los Aves in colonia La Gloria.


The graphic says "Foreigners in Mexico", and indicates that according to the statistical agency the conducts the Censuses and Surveys, INEGI, there are 1,074,752 people residing in Mexico who were born in another country, of whom ~75% are from the US.
     Three out of four foreigners residing in Mexico were born in the US, according to Census data. The 2010 Census & subsequent Surveys found about 3/4 of a million US Citizens living in Mexico. Current estimates from officials on both sides of the border are between one and 1.5 million Americans living here.
      Meanwhile, the INM (National Migration Institute)'s end of year report for 2019 says they have 77,000 registered residents from the US. They have a total of 537,699 foreigners registered, That means only one in seven registered residents are from the US.
If you use the statistic of 3/4 million American residents, only one in ten Americans residing in Mexico have resident visas. If you go with the 1.5 million estimate...that's one in twenty!
      There have been increasing reports of INM agents warning travelers against residing in Mexico on FMM Tourist Permits.
      Graphic from 2018 National Survey of Demographic Dynamics of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), posted by CNN espanol & there's lotsa sources for INEGI's stats.
INM data source-https://www.debate.com.mx/politica/En-Mexico-residen-mas-de-537-mil-extranjeros.--LINK  
From the City....
Personnel with the municipal Department of Parks & Gardens were weeding, pruning & removing trash from the green areas and parks in the colonias of “La Gloria”, La Caribeña”, “El Cañotal” and “Ampliación La Gloria”.

VIDEO with caption that says--We continue to promote sport with the municipal boxing school and we invite children and young people to attend classes. It's totally free.
      Boxing classes began in August 2019, taught by former world champion, Quintanarroense, Rodolfo 'Rudy' López,  Monday to Friday from 2:30 to 7p, sharing his knowledge with children and young people from 11 to 25 years of age, at the dome " La Jaula"  in colonia "Salina Grande". He said boxing is a method of personal defense and a discipline that helps you develop physically and mentally. There are 20 students divided into two groups.


February is the last month when property tax discounts are available. The discount of 15% is available until Feb. 29th.

Feb 8  Isla Mujeres commemorated World Wetlands Day with a series of activities which included a conference on Bird-related tourism featuring a talk on Isla Mujeres & Bird Watching. It was attended by students, members of fishing cooperatives, the general public, and personnel from municipal departments including Ecology and Tourism. The presentation was given by Barbara Mackinnon, who is considered a pioneer of birding in the Yucatan Peninsula. It was titled "Isla Mujeres & Birding Tourism: History is born in the future".


The classes have been well-received that are taught by CECATI, coordinated by the municipal government, to provide career training in nursing, gastronomy, tourist English, spas, and high school equivalency. The Certified courses take place at the Community Center in colonia la Gloria.

TVisla Mujeres    
Notice for the Navy and the Habor Master and other authorities advising caution in the area of the harbor near the Whale Shark Monument & Comejen restaurant, because the sailboat "Kiva" is anchored there in a wrecked condition, with its fallen stern mast partially in the water.

Aguakan said its services will also be affected by the electrical suspension
this afternoon 3p-4p.


The Director of the Community Hospital said training of the staff in the diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus began weeks ago. LINK  

Islander Victor Cruz Bermudez was involved in a motorcycle accident on December 19th near the Maritime Terminal, and his family is complaining that the charge from the "Life" ambulance of 6960 pesos is excessive. He suffered injuries that required an urgent transfer to Cancun. The company says the charges are appropriate because he was taken to a private hospital.
    The transfer was made my boat, not by ferry, and the paramedics in charge of the patient at the Isla Mujeres Community Hospital transpered him to the APIQROO pier and they were waiting in Gran Puerto with another ambulance, which transported him to the Victoria hospital.
    His family said he was taken to the Community Hospital from the accident by a private person. When the nature of his injuries required an urgent transfer to Cancun, there was no other option besides the "Life" ambulance.
    They explained that at first they were told the charge would be 3600 pesos, but there would be some discount, but in the end he was charged 6960 pesos. One of his relatives said, "We told them that the insurer already had an ambulance ready for us at Gran Puerto, so they just had to take care of the transfer from the Community Hospital to the boat, but they said the charge was the same either way."
    It is noted that the "Life" ambulance began operating in Isla Mujeres in May 2019, although the Red Cross was already providing this service, however the Life ambulance made agreements with various hotels and other companies. It is said that there is an agreement with the Isla Mujeres Community Hospital to handle all transfers.
   Mr. Cruz Bermudez works as a boat crew member in the Adolfo Lopez Mateos cooperative
LINK  
  (A comment explains that by law ambulances can't charge for transfers from the accident to the hospital, but they may charge for transfers between hospitals, which are considered "scheduled transports".)

Feb. 9. The President of the state Fishing Federation, Galtazar Gomez Catxin, said he hopes the weather improves so the fishermen will be able to work and provide seafood for the Lent season which begins February 26th. LINK 

Foreigner Ronny Wilson, who owns a home at the southern part of the island, complained about an overflow of sewage, which he said comes from a neighbor's septic tank. His neighbors are also foreigners, and have been notified. He said he has also complained to the Ecology Department, without result, despite this going on for two months.
   He said that for a payment of 5000 pesos, for labor and materials, the leak could be repaired, but his neighbors don't want to take care of it, so he complained to the City.  He said this not only affects himself and his property, but also damages the water table since the wastewater ends up in the subsoil.
      It is noted that the homes in the area of Punta Sur, which are mostly owned by foreigners, have not had sanitary sewer service since the first ones were built about 30 years ago, so all of them have their own septic tanks. (photo) LINK 

  Photo of complaint about an overflow of wastewater near Soggy Peso, tagging Aguakan, with a comment saying the business is responsible because they aren't connected to the wastewater network.

Public audience with the Governor tomorrow at 10a. 

   Noti Isla Mujeres     

Dates when INE (Voter registration) module will be on the island...Feb 11 & 12, March 2 to 4, March 24 & 25, April 16 & 17 and information about required documents. (photos)

Feb. 10  CFE is ready to not affect the supply this Wednesday (photos of generator and fuel storage trucks).

   La Tertulia  

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All the above links have videos and photos of the boat fire and it being extinguished.

From  Por Esto :

More lifeguards on beaches  

Más guardavidas en playas privadas

     More Federal Zone concessionaires have hired lifeguards, since this has become a legal obligation in 2020, according to the municipal Department of Civil Protection. The recent injury to a tourist who was swimming by the islet of El Yunque (where Mia is located) by the propeller of a small boat led the Department to intensify its advice to the concessionaires to prepare their staff to meet this requirement during the current annual renewal of their consents. The Director of Civil Protection noted that the tourist wasn't inside the buoys and swimming area, that the tourist had gone into the area for passage of boats.
   She suffered injuries to a leg and an arm from the propeller, and the Hotel Mia did not yet have lifeguards.
    The first private lifeguard began working in January at the Na-balam hotel, and others are being added as the weeks go by. The Director said this is progressing well and he expects it to reach 100 percent before the end of the first half of the year. Meanwhile, the Civil Protection lifeguards continue with their responsibilities on the two main beaches of the island.

Fire causes total loss of sailboat "Kiva"

Pérdida total del velero “Kiva”

Velero arde en llamas

    The sailboat "Kiva" was a total loss in the fire that occurred around noon on Sunday, which was attended by personnel with the Navy and Civil Protection who extinguished the flames with no injuries and no crew on board. The name of the owner hasn't been released. There was no spillage of fuel and it continued to float since the hull was intact.

Isla Mujeres news briefs  

Breves de Isla Mujeres

Feb. 11  On Monday at noon there was a  wastewater overflow near the cesar Mendoza Elementary School, on Jesus Martinez Ross Avenue, which was attended to by the neighbors who removed the garbage from the sewer, although vehicles spread some of the foul water on the pavement.

The two baseball teams of Isla Mujeres, the Cockteleros and the Pescadores, have both qualified for the semifinals of the regional league, eliminating the Astros of Tulum (8-4) and the Pericos of Bonfil (7-3), respectively.
   In the Group A division, the Cockteleros next opponent will be the Ejidos of Bonfil, in a series of three games, to see who wins two.That winner will compete against the winner of the Group B division for the Fourth Championship of the league.
   The Pescadores are waiting to see who their competitors will be, between the Rockies of Cancun and the Ayuntamiento of Lazaro Cardenas. 

Thousands of tourists visit the island 

Miles de turistas visitan la isla

  On Sunday, the pleasant weather on Sunday allowed thousands of vacationers to carry out all types of recreational activities, while the eastern wind reduced in strength during the day, which remained sunny. Nearly a hundred luxury boats and crews arrived throughout the day, from Puerto Juarez to Playa Norte. By 9am, the ferries were filled to capacity at their various docks in Cancun, PuertoJuarez and Punta Sam.
   Among the nearly 30 golf cart and scooter rental agencies, about a thousand vehicles were rented to tourists, who visited the points of interest around the island. The boat tour operators reported they were working at 60 percent.
 Don't Litter or Dump
    Municipal authorities have banned clandestine garbage dumps. Volunteers who provided a clean-up are conducting a campaign that includes posting banners which say "Our Tourist Success Depends on Our Image". They are urging the community to cooperate and to avoid habits like depositing rubble, old furniture, and other trash in vacant lots or on sidewalks. They seek to raise awareness and encourage residents to avoid littering and to report incidents.

Tourist activity resumes  

Se reanuda la actividad turística

 Feb. 9  Saturday dawned with pleasant, stable weather, allowing all types of tourist activity to resume. The two main beaches of the island were filled again and many recreational boats arrived. The winds from the eas at 30kph allowed the small fishing boats to work to supply fish to the local restaurants. Sports fishing boats went out into the Yucatan Channel, north of Isla Contoy National Park, in search of bill fish such as swordfish. The boat tour crews said they were doing well,  while some tourism businesses within downtown and at Punta Sur complained about low sales.

Installation of security cameras has begun  

Inicia instalación de cámaras de vigilancia

   The first tower with a camera could be seen on Saturday near the cargo ferry terminal on Rueda Medina. The cameras will be monitored by the municipal Department of Public Safety and Traffic, as well as being connected to C-5, under the control of the State Police. Each site will have a ple that can hold u to four PTZ cameras, one of them with 360 degree rotation.

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"Reverse Sunset" (looking east from MVC)
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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.


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

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. 

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 a couple months 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

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--Burning & Will of Juan Carnaval, Dance to the music of Alberto Barros & su Orquesta














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.
 


















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