On Friday, our weekly newspaper had an article on the upcoming two weeks. It explained that an anticipated 60,000 visitors would be here and therefore those of us who live here might need to make some adjustments. The amount of parking places is not enough for all the cars, hence, could we either use the local taxis and buses, walk but please not to use our cars - especially as this week proceeds.
The hotels ALL have been fully booked for these two weeks as well, not to mention the people who are coming home from the USA who will be staying with family. Get the picture? People and vehicle gridlock.
My idea - DON'T LEAVE THE HOUSE. It's kind of the mentality when the weather in the USA is going to be bad. DON'T LEAVE THE HOUSE.
So, Sunday I HAD to leave the house to do some things for others that I had promised to do. How to get there? One road has been closed for months that caused all traffic to have to go right through the middle of centro - where the processions of several Jesus were taking place. Nope, not going that way. I tried a back road that if you saw a photo of it, you would swear there was no way a car could make that turn and survive. Yup, that's the way I went. I didn't see another car......
Just as I thought I had survived NOT getting caught in any Jesus parades on Palm Sunday, uh oh, there was one at the bottom of the steep hill, just between me and where I was going! Oy vey. I crept along, in the car, and managed to get to my destination before Jesus on his donkey got there. AND I managed to get out of there before he got there! I hightailed it home after that thanking my lucky stars that the donkey and I, along with all the people parading, had not tangled in any way.
Today, I decided to stock up on the essentials in order to NOT leave the house for several days. First off a stop at the Blue Door Bakery for cinnamon rolls, just in case. (That is the photo at the top) A stop in the beauty shop to get a little beauty. Then a stop at Bonanza for bread and ginger ale to go with my Capt Morgan's rum, just in case I want to toast the sunset or the birds or the flowers. Well, you get my drift. They did NOT have ginger ale.....darn. I wonder how it would taste with mango juice........ewwww.
It doesn't take much for me to be able to hunker down "under house arrest". I'll let you know, in a few days, how long I've lasted. Feliz Semana Santa.
15 comments:
Dig up a recipe for a Rum Punch like they serve in Key West. Fruit juice, ice and rum! A Samana Santa survival kit.
Ha Croft, I had forgotten that. I think I'll try jamaica, which isn't real sweet and see how that goes. I like ginger ale and lime cause it cuts the sweetness of the rum. But, at times, I'm not picky, ha.
Wherever you are, enjoy the Easter season! Thanks for your comment!
Don't rain on Jesus' parade...they have Schweppe's Ginger Ale at OXXO here in GDL...check it out...abrazzos...
YUP - same situation here in Puerto - hiding out from the tourist throng!
I may be in the minority, but I love being out and about (or "oot and aboot" for my Canadian compatriots) during semana santa. Just like I loved the crowds in Mexico City yesterday, I love them at the beach. Houses that sit quiet for most of the year in Melaque come alive with the sounds of children, loud music, and firecrackers -- lots of firecrackers. And how else am I going to share the experience without getting out there as part of the teeming throng?
Charles, you're a life saver! I can get to an OXXO without going through centro. I'll try that tomorrow! Thanks.
Calypso, so you're still in Puerto. I thought you had headed north! I just heard about a village near you called Mazunte or something like that. Looks like my kinda place...have you been there?
Steve, since you don't go in the water any other time of the year, nearly, I can't imagine you in the throngs of humanity on the sand in your thong. Please tell me it isn't so!
While you're hanging out at home, you should probably also put masking tape on the windows.
Can't be too careful, after all, with all those Defeños about.
Saludos,
Kim G
Champotón, Campeche
Which seems to be largely left out of the Semana Santa panic.
You'll have to tell me what Defenos means...never heard or seen it, Kim.
Remind me not to visit San Miguel during Semana Santa! Mexico City has not been too bad... I suspect the number of people leaving town is greater than the number of visitors entering. Palm Sunday in Coyoacán was busy but not a madhouse. Of course I haven't made it to el Centro yet... I'll probably venture there in the next day or two.
Interestingly, I was out again today and last night (slinking around) and there was not traffic and I got from Point A to Point B with no problems.
I presume the difficulties will begin Thursday through Sunday. But, who knows!
I've been in DF when there were demonstrations or the Gay Pride Parade where EVERYTHING was shut down. One learns living in Mx to just sit down, be patient and enjoy the show, whatever it is! It is always unexpected surprises.
Easter Greetings from Mazunte, where this morning I got scared by the earthquake. Being so close to the epi center really rattled things. I have four broken coffee mugs which fell off a shelf in the kitchen, but that was it.
I remember SMA on Easter ( I sold my tiny place on Aldama in 1991 ) and can only imagine how it is now 20 years plus later.
Mexico City during Easter week is usually really quiet. I live in front of the WTC and that area almost feels abandoned ( I figure people go to SMA...lol, or their vacation places on the various coasts, or home to their pueblos ). Usually everything except 7-Eleven and Oxxo is closed on Thursday and Friday. Here in Mazunte there are more people than usual ( more than over Christmas ), but since there is no nightlife and no real tourist culture it's really quiet. The market and the abarotes are closed, but some of the stands that sell tourist related items are now open, of course taking advantage of the visitors. People who want a bit more exitement and more " international " ( usually meaning american ) food take a pick-up to Zipolite, Puerto Angel , or make the 45 minute trip to Puerto Escondido.
And I agree with you Babs, the most important thing anywhere in Mexico is to be patient, enjoy what's going on and go with the flow....the best way to get to know the people and the country.
Have a great Easter weekend everyone !
PS: I heard on the radio that over 6 million people left Mexico City since Friday. I feel a little bad that I am one of them. Usually I stay put in Mexico City to enjoy that there is less traffic and less of anything that usually makes the city so difficult to manage. I also don't want to contribute to the tourist madness in other places. But this year I needed to get out...mostly for some clean air to cure a bronchitis that hung on for almost two month.
I WANT to check out your little hidden gem in Mazunte - maybe next year......sounds like my kinda place!
If 6 million left DF, that only leaves 20 million. I haven't seen hordes of people on the roads, but I've been scurrying on the back roads that are less traveled...
Have fun.
Maybe they have all gone to the west coast. We are in Las Vegas, I will let you know if they show up here.
Ms B for your information, 7/8 seven up with 1/8 coke wala..ginger ale
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