Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Looking for Doughnuts

Yesterday B and I headed back over to Cancun for the fourth time to see if our applications for FM2 status had been approved yet. Even though B had submitted his paperwork minutes before me, mine had been approved but his, not yet. Raul, the INM guy at the window, took pity on us and gave us the secret number to call so we don't have to make another wasted trip over to INM to see if B's is ready or not this Friday.



Normally, he should have scheduled my interview right then, since I was approved. He must have figured out that we are a couple because he wanted to wait and schedule them both for the same time. He must be very confident that B is going to get approved too.



After our ten minute visit to INM, we decided to walk over to Ave Tulum and catch a bus out to the Hotel Zone! If you knew how much we hate that area, you would be gasping right now that we did that. But I had an agenda. I had heard that there was a Dunkin' Donuts at Plaza La Isla and I wanted me one! Or a dozen.



I normally despise big shopping centers and only a pointed gun or the promise of a donut will get me near one. But I must say, I enjoyed this shopping center. Since most of it is outdoors with gigantic tarps over the walkways, you never get that "I'm at the Mall" kind of feeling.



See how light and airy this next picture feels? That's the feeling you get throughout.







Everything is done so creatively. Even the mural outside this toy shop.






One of the special things about this place is the canals that run all through it. Sort of a take off on Venice.






There are some really fun stores. Not the typical touristy kind, even though we did see a few of those. I really like this Ferris wheel. It is available as a kit.






My regular readers will remember that I like jigsaw puzzles a lot. I told you that they are expensive here and I never buy them though. Look at this one. $30 USD!








One store had duplicated this Diego Rivera mural from Mexico City on it's wall. A piece of culture right there in a shopping mall!






Can you find Diego and Frieda?




I always tell B that if I should ever die, I want my ashes stored in a Talavera urn. So that he can keep me around always. He says he is just going to give them to a fishermen to take out to sea and drop overboard. The thought sends chills down my spine. I told him that this one would do nicely!







This plaza is built on a former mangrove swamp that was filled in on the lagoon side of Cancun.






I soooooo know so many people that I would like to buy this shirt for!






Who can tell me what the name of this restaurant is?






The decorations, statues and fountains in this plaza are incredible. This was in the floor.





See what I mean about the statues. I suppose these are for sale.










One of the many covered bridges that go across the river.






You can go on a river ride in these boats. More like San Antonio than Venice if you ask me.






I found this statue interesting in so many different ways. Romanesque? Statue of Liberty? And look at those arms! Drag queen?






You will rarely hear me saying you should visit a shopping plaza. But I'll make an exception for Plaza La Isla. Don't go there to shop. Go there for the beauty of the place.



Oh. I never did find a donut shop. Damn.

11 comments:

K.W. Michigan said...

I love walking thru La Isla! But you need mucho money to shop there. Those expensive stores are way out of my league. I do enjoy a Starbucks latte sitting by the lagoon. Thanks for the lovely pics. Wish I were there now. Weather is getting cool here NOB.

jeanie said...

Wow that place looks really interesting. If ever I find myself in Cun I would definatelycheck it out. The statues are fantastic !! Really a Vegas feel to the place.Sorry you didn't find the donuts.

Brenda Maas said...

Sorry you didn't find your donuts; but looks like you had a nice time hunting for them.

Life's a Beach! said...

Wayne, I wonder if the arms on the Statue of Liberty are a political statement -- the long clubbed fist of the U.S.! Just kidding! You made me so hungry for a donut this morning! Dunkin Donuts is a trendy place again. Everybody's buying their coffee. Costco has it right alongside Starbuck's.

Anonymous said...

Some of those statues have to be done by the same sculptor who did the ladder people piece on the malecon in Puerto Vallarta. Same triangular heads ... my favorite!

Dee

Anonymous said...

The Perfect Donut search is not far removed from The Perfect Cole Slaw search.....

My standard for TPCS (as referred to above) was set by a place called The Pam Pam East in San Fran in the late 60's.

I can appreciate Your Quest.

On the other hand, there is no such thing as The Perfect 10.

(Wow ... this could get really intense, if ya think about it ... this is far beyond Palin's abilities...)

On the other hand, maybe you're not looking for perfection ... just a rush ....

Go For It.

Regards,

Robert

Anonymous said...

I am not a Shopper but loved walking through that mall with you. But I really liked the statues. Those flying/swinging people were great.
Surely you can find better pastries than Duncan Donuts? Do I have to bring some Kripsy Kremes or Voodoo Donuts (http://voodoodoughnut.com/) down with me in December? Could I even get them through customs?

Islagringo said...

kw: you hit the nail on the head. That mall is expensive beyond belief.

jeanne: as I said, I am not a fan of malls but this one is certainly worth a look see.

brenda: I guess if a nice time can be had in the hotel zone, then I did have one.

dee: I totally forgot about those triangular heads in PV. They do look like the same person.

Robert: huh? I do not think perfection is attainable. But a quick rush, anytime!

jackie: what a sweet offer! (no pun intended!) I can really live without donuts. Just thought it would be a nice treat and I wanted to see that mall anyway since I had heard so much about it.

Islagringo said...

kw: you hit the nail on the head. That mall is expensive beyond belief.

jeanne: as I said, I am not a fan of malls but this one is certainly worth a look see.

brenda: I guess if a nice time can be had in the hotel zone, then I did have one.

dee: I totally forgot about those triangular heads in PV. They do look like the same person.

Robert: huh? I do not think perfection is attainable. But a quick rush, anytime!

jackie: what a sweet offer! (no pun intended!) I can really live without donuts. Just thought it would be a nice treat and I wanted to see that mall anyway since I had heard so much about it.

Isla Deb said...

You are right about the river ride boats...much more like San Antonio's Riverwalk than Venice. A friend and I were just there this weekend. Difference is the boats don't have covers and there are LOTS of deciduous trees lining the walk. I'll have to do a post on that one of these days.

I don't have much desire to spend a lot of time in Cancun, but the mall looks like kind of a fun place. Like Jackie, I like the flying triangle-head statue.

Babs said...

A beautifully designed "mall"! They built a beautiful "outdoor" mall with walking areas and covered seating areas, etc. here. Guess the "mall designers" have learned. I "redesigned" a mall in Dallas back in the late 80's - it was a far cry from this beautiful place.
The lzst time I was in Cancun - 1978 - there were two hotels. I KNOW I wouldn't believe it now....
BUT I am feeling a "pull" to come see Isla. What are the chances of finding a tiny inexpensive rental the end of January or first part of February when it is still cold in San Miguel?