We are home after another amazing time on Isla Mujeres.  Here are some random reflections on our time away.

• The world’s weather is changing.  There were a number of rainy days and brisk winds.  Now because I am not a beach fanatic, I really didn’t mind one bit, but the locals commented quite often that the weather was very untypical for early March in the Yucatan.  If you are still heading away, take one of those rain ponchos that you can buy at a $1 store, pack a deck of cards or an extra book so that you can still while away the time pleasantly, even if the weather doesn’t co-operate 100%.
• Even though we were there for peak season and the island was at 0% vacancy, there were some restaurants that were empty or had only a couple of tables occupied even at peak times. So in addition to the current high restaurant turn over, we predict even more.  Upon reflection, we are wondering if more visitors are dining at home now that places like Chedrui have opened and have so much to offer.  Islaholics, what are your thoughts?
• There are so many property for sale signs on the island, by our accounting, more than previous years.  Perhaps this is because even more land has been surveyed, parcelled and available for sale or maybe it is because economic times have created a bit of a glut.

• The locals are still working from dawn to late night.  Most of our friends have 1-2 and even 3+ jobs to try to make ends meet.  But they continue to work diligently, without complaint and are very appreciative of the tourist business.
• There have been some more municipal improvements like the new illuminated walkway on the south Caribe side.
• The Police presence was even more noticeable with a funnelling of traffic to single lanes just south of the navy base.  We wondered about their strategy, but in the mean time, I felt very safe and secure.
• The day-trippers have an impression that Isla is a great place to get liquored up and menace the roadways.  Something tragic is going to happen and then perhaps liquor will not be freely sold directly to golf cart drivers (who didn’t even get out of their golf carts to be served-as we witnessed).
• Being on Playa Sol feels a bit surreal.  It is still my favourite piece of beach on the island.  I loved the ever present cool breeze and the shade of a lone palm tree.
• Best orange juice anywhere in the world with the possible exception of Israel.
• Hotel staff remain the most helpful people I know-Jill at Casa el Pio and Isobel at Luna d’Meil especially so.

• The most beautiful sunrises.

• The most beautiful sunsets.

• The food was simply amazing but that story will be told many times over in the upcoming weeks.
• Families still flourish on Isla.  We saw so many babies, born to locals and brought by the tourists.  I still get a little freaked out when I see infants held by one arm as their parent drives a scooter with the other.
• With all the speed bumps all over the island, I am not sure why the traffic is allowed to race along the airport strip.  It seemed noisier to us than previous years and once again, I hope that the speed of the traffic, does not come to a bad end.

• The water is still the most amazing colour I have ever seen.

• The sea-glass picking was exceptional.
• Villa Bella really does serve “beer so cold that your teeth will hurt”.
• Many travellers are content to lug their own chairs to sit in the natural shade.  This produces a familiar and social atmosphere like the one that we enjoy at our summer cottage.

• Islanders still love colour.

I’ve got emails to catch up on, assignments due, unpacking and laundry but I just wanted to record these reflections while they are still in my consciousness.  We’ve already booked for 2014!

Hola from the Winnipeg gang!

Kath’s quote: “They say I’m old-fashioned, and live in the past, but sometimes I think progress progresses too fast!” – Dr. Seuss

Love-that is all.

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