For Terminal Patients?

While in Huatulco, I developed a nasty rash and decided I better visit a local doctor. While waiting for the doctor to arrive, I poked my head into an adjoining waiting room.



And saw this:








Only in Mexico.

Carneval On Isla - Part Two

I wasn't feeling to well last week. Congested chest, headache and horrible dry cough where you cough until you gag. Fun. I blame it on the tourists bringing their NOB germs down here to infect we hapless natives. All that to say that I did not get as many pictures of the dancing troupes or the parade as I would have liked. But I got some!


I loved this float. Unless you live here, you won't get it. Should I tell you why I think it is so funny?





These girls, as my Mother would say, "get around". But in the good sense. I saw this troupe everywhere. They were a hard working bunch.





I love how there is always one or more not paying attention to the task at hand. The rest were smiling, shaking their ample booties and waving to the crowds.





Look! Here they are again. This time they swamped this tourist and forced him to dance with them. Great fun as he kept up with them and was only mini-seconds behind them executing their moves better than they did!





A look of happy determination if I've ever seen one.

As always, the girls sewing skills and ability to make something that fits is questionable. But they're happy so who cares.

This is definitely a "Senora" troupe. I love the older gals. They put as much heart and soul into it as the younger girls. Sometimes even surpassing the younger gals. The guy in the picture is a tourist who stepped into my frame.

Does anybody else think the bra straps distract?

"Just step out! I don't care which foot you lead with!"

"Just watch the girl next to you!"

That's it. There were a few more troupes around. Including one that was wearing black face and dressed like Aunt Jemima in feathers and sequins. They were supposed to be Cuban. Yikes.

Hopefully next year I will be feeling better and can do my roving reporter photos.

Carneval On Isla - Part One

Unless you've had your head buried in the sand, or don't read any other blogs coming out of Mexico, you will know that we just passed through another Karneval season here. Since I'm not Catholic, all it means to me is.....Party! But all over Mexico, it was celebrated this past weekend with a fever and gusto by the populace. Our local populace was no exception.



I noticed something totally new this year. Evidently somebody solicited sponsors. These banners were hung all around the square.








I expected the ones from big corporations, like Coca-Cola and Superior Beer Products (the makers of Sol!). What surprised me was the amount of local businesses adding their names to the sponsorship list. It was almost like seeing civic pride.



The big stage is set up in front of Municipal Palace. Chairs were everywhere to accommodate as many people as possible.






I loved this sign on the Sol beer booths. Mexican economics at its' finest.










Something else I have never seen during Karneval.










These things are set up all around the island and, for 3 pesos, you can avoid a ticket for peeing in public. First time ever that I know of.










The square was pleasantly lined with about 30 different food vendors. Tacos, empanadas, pizza, marquesitas and flan were among the favorite foods. There were also some grease wagons set up on the malecon. Doesn't it look appealing.







There were only three game booths set up. They drew a crowd though.










Many people were wasting their money, trying to get a ring around the neck of these.










But if they were successful, they got to win one of these beauties.










Notice the crowd checking out the grease food and cheater game alley.









On to the midway! Take a look at this guy on the Tilt-a-Whirl.

The actual platform that the cars sit on did not go around all that fast. To make up for that, this guy ran amongst the moving cars and gave each one an extra spin as he passed. A very dangerous job if you ask me.

And I know personally how hard he would spin each car. That's my pal Ivan next to me.

The above picture was taken just as we were starting up. After the ride, Ivan could not stand still long enough to have his picture taken. I have never seen such a white face as he had. People, that ride lasted 12 minutes! Even I had about had enough of spinning by the time we were done.

The other strange thing was that the guy who did the running around also collecting cash money from you before he started. He came around to each car and collected 25 pesos per person. I wonder why they don't just sell tickets? Did he get to keep all that cash? Does he own this ride? Questions, questions.

I didn't go on any other rides. I figured I had pressed my luck far enough. I did walk around and get some shots of the other rides that I showed you last week.

The merry-go-round.

Bumper cars!

The Dragon roller coaster for kids.

Don't know the name of this one. It travels backwards though.

Tomorrow we will take a look at the dancers. Oh, the dancers!

Second Annual Blogger Meeting Coming At Ya!

Theresa, of What Do I Do All Day? blog, has announced the dates for the next annual Blogger Meeting.

It will be held in Merida, Yucatan this year on April 17 and 18. She has put together a fantastic range of meetings and events.

From the list of people who have said they are attending, it looks like this years event will be even bigger and better than before. Which is as it should be!

So hit the link above, go over and read about what she has up her sleeve, and you bloggers that haven't done so, get your response in to her!

Looking forward to seeing my fellow Latin American bloggers all together in April!

My Kind Of Ride

When I posted about the midway being set up here on the island, somebody asked in Comments what was my favorite kind of ride. Here you have it.




I was actually in one of those seats when this picture was taken. I doubt that I would get on a ride like that in Mexico though.

A Special Ice Cream

While in Huatulco, I saw this car driving around a lot. The slogan translates to "A New Concept in Fine Ice Cream".

Not too sure about their flavor choice though.

Changing The Square

I don't know anybody who likes our town square. It is probably the most stupid community improvement ever carried out here on the island. But our new Mayor appears to be doing something to try to make it a little more friendly.



And to the malecon as well.




You've probably figured it out by now, but palms are being planted everywhere. And big palms. Full grown and tall.




Watching them plant these things was amazing. They use this giant crane to lift them off the trucks and then set them into the ground.

It has really made a difference. Little groupings of palms all around the square. If they survive the stress of the replanting and all the salt they will be exposed to, it will go a long way in making the square a little more friendly looking.

I was amazed at how closely they crop the root ball on these things. Palms don't have a lot of root to begin with so it startles me that they would cut so much off. I assume they know what they are doing though. Time will tell.

I was also surprised to see the license plate on this truck. Did the trees come all the way from Queretaro, or just the truck? Surely there are companies in the Yucatan that do this same sort of thing. One wonders at the cost of all this.

But when all is said and done, whatever the cost, it is well worth it.

Through The Glass

The following photos were taken in the aquarium located at the Turtle Farm. Stop by and check it out sometime. Your ticket price goes to support the turtles and these guys.

UPDATED TO ADD: Yesterdays paper announced that the turtle farm will be closing soon due to lack of funding. What a shame. Especially since the owner of the property, from whom the turtle farm is leasing, has announced that if they leave, he will sell the property. Altogether now, can we say Condos!

Setting Up The Midway Rides

I love a midway. Good or bad. The lights, the sounds, the colors and, of course, the rides! There is hardly a ride invented that I won't go on. At least once anyway. I just love a cheap thrill I guess.

I was really pleased last week to see that there is going to be a midway in town in conjunction with the upcoming Karneval events. How about taking a walk around with me as they set it up?

First stop is an old midway standby - the Tilt-a-Whirl. I love this ride, but I have seen better examples of it. This particular one is evidently dedicated to Spiderman and a bunch of other super heroes.







Now here's something to think about should you be tempted to get on this ride. They evidently do not have enough working cars to complete the track. There is an empty space just like this one exactly opposite. To equal out the balance I would guess.





He was still packed in the truck when I spotted him, but this guy is destined to lead the kiddie train ride.





Lots of kiddie rides. This is the 4x4 special.

Another favorite amongst the teen set and those with strong necks. Bumper cars.

Ever wonder what they look like underneath?

Finally an adult type ride. I took a really close look at this thing and I seriously doubt that I will get on it. Maybe though.

The kiddie roller coaster is led by this festive guy.

I'm not quite sure what this is supposed to be. Looks like baby strollers for rent. Guess I'll find out when they put it together.

One of the best things about a midway, to me, is the art. It's in a class all by itself and I think very much unappreciated. As an art form, it's one of those things that is usually so bad that it is good. Take these examples for example:

This whole thing is set up on the north end of the downtown malecon. As I was leaving, I happened to look back and had to smile. A reminder that actual families run these things.