While visiting Isla Mujeres, the Ile of woman, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that we happened to be here during Carnival. We had never been to a carnival before, so the thought of hot womenfolk in costume appealed to Marc’s adventureous side. Not only that, friends had just invited us to Fantasy Fest in Key West Florida next spring and he had been researching pictures of what that carnival offered, so his interest was peeked, to say the least. For me, the music, dancing, costumes, colour and food, what could be more perfect. Fantasy Fest it was not, but we now have the carnival bug. Sadly though, this coincided with the two week period that I was sick so we only really enjoyed one day of this five day long party.
Carnival is a big deal on Isla Mujeres. Community groups, schools you name it, everyone participates. They make elaborate costumes, play music and dance salsa, rumba, merengue all over the place. It’s all so powerful that your feet aren’t able to stop moving along with them. There are parades that start at midday down Rueda Medina, dance competitions in the town square and impromptu performances everywhere. While sitting to rest and have a cervasa in a street side bar a rickety pick up stopped, unloaded a gaggle of performers who then stopped traffic performing to a crowd for 45 minutes. Of course, followed by tourist photo ops. The thing that interested me the most and made it so special was that everyone participated in the celebrations. It didn’t matter male or female, how young or how old, how sleek or curvaceous everyone was having the time of their lives. What a healthy dose of self esteem these people have. I would describe them as vivacious. Marc and I laughed to see an older, curvy woman (remember I think 50 is young) dressed vibrantly, who kept moving to the front of the troupe to get her picture taken. Think of a time when you have had one too many drinks and think you are the hottest dancer on the floor and everyone wants you! It was a marvelous day.
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