Monday, September 29, 2008

Funky Isla


On our first trip to Mexico, we stayed at a large hotel on the beach in Cancun for a few days and then took the ferry to Isla Mujeres for a week-long stay. We were in love with the island by the end of the first day. In Cancun, we stayed in an oceanview room, but couldn't even hear the sound of the waves. By comparison, the pace on Isla was so much slower and we felt a closer connection with the water and people. It was a flip-flop world with no phone and minimal television. We'd beach by day and shuffle into the village at night to dine and shop. Our room was right on the water, so we woke and fell asleep to the sound of the waves. We were a little reluctant on that first trip to venture past El Centro, and I'm sure we looked like 'raccoons caught in the headlights' on our first golfcart tour. We mainly stuck to the outer road round the island. But we're now totally accustomed to the funky flavor of Isla and wouldn't trade it for a slick five-star resort anywhere! We've thrown out all the alcohol wipes and usually stay away from town, walking, biking, or riding the bus all round the island. Local color is the most entertaining part of our day on Isla! We'll spend part of the day perched on a porch watching the island pass. We always see the most interesting sights -- a topless VW Bug hauling a sofa, loveseat, and chair, a passenger on a motorcycle balancing a tall bookshelf, a full load of pigs in a large truck, colonia dogs barreling down to road to rumble with lagoon dogs, a man pulling a full load of furniture on a wooden cart, etc.... But I still won't eat the 'stomach' tacos! Ha! Here are some of my favorite funky Isla photos.


Funky Isla Mural

Sergio's Boat

This funky little house sits across the market.

Room for rent. Well-ventilated.

Isla Garden Sculpture

Isla Town Crier

Funky Gelato Sign



I'd love to take one of these home!


Ideal pet!


Very small factory!

Ready to Roll?

The Classic Blue-Light Special

Jabba the Hut scares me!

Isla furniture delivery.


What's funkier than Petey dining at the table behind you!


The owner was hosing out the INTERIOR one evening!

Bridal party at Hemingway's?

Necessity, the mother of invention.

Favorite sidewalk on Isla!

Isla Tow Truck!

Island Ugly!

Another Funky Mural!

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm?

Baby on Board?

Hold the boat! We'll be back in a minute!

4 comments:

Ann said...

Great video! I love all the funkiness of Isla----it's one of the reasons we love it so much!

Sue said...

You have the green thumb of photo-shopping pics - a true talent. I could wallpaper my house with your prints, but then you'd have to take photos of it and put it in with your funky collection.

Nice work!

jeanie said...

Love it all Beck. I miss Petey even if he does poop on my purse.

Life's a Beach! said...

Thanks everyone! And Sue, I'll let you wallpaper the house with it, but I won't hang the wallpaper for you! :)