Carnaval 2017 First Post

Sunset on first night of Carnaval 2017

Moises and I probably haven't been to Carnaval together in about 15 years. He went a few years back with his dad and stepmom. He made reservations at Chi downtown and said it was great. So when our new friends Liz and Walter wanted to go to Carnaval with us, we decided to book a table at Chi.

Chi sign from our seats

It was a great decision. Laura, the manager, is so nice and accomodating. We paid for a table ahead and when we arrived, we had probably the best seat in the house. Well, actually, all the seats are great. You get a table and chairs outside, but then Laura brings out seat cushions to sit on the concrete abutment and enjoy the view.

Everybody waited patiently for the parade to start. And even though it wasn't the biggest parade I have seen, it was fun. First night is always a bit sparse anyway. But we had a great time. 

Vendor selling goodies along the Malecon

Liz getting ready to take photos

Walt

Selfie of us

We had an awesome time with Liz and Walter and would definitely go again. More Carnaval posts to follow with the Parade!

Carnaval: Before the Craziness Begins

Rides are set up

Marquesitas with flag colored garbage can

Before the craziness begins, before the maddening crowds and the deafening music, before the smells of marquesitas and spilled beer, the Cozumel Palacio area is pretty quiet this morning. It is almost like the night before Christmas, as we all await what is to become.

Ever present Sol Beer tent

I walked around for thirty minutes with the sun shining bright and a nice cool breeze to take a few shots. Rides are set up. Bumper boats are ready. The air is festive. 

Bumper boats not cars

Some other fun rides are waiting, including the Tea Pot ride. May the craziness begin! 

Tea Pot ride

Carnaval Comes to Me

Carnaval at Cozmel 2013

My neighbor who has moved to a different part of town came by before noon to tell me her granddaughter would be in the Carnaval parade. They would be dancing by our house in a bit, she said. I heard her say nieta, which is granddaughter but I assumed it was the little one. Above is Lucy with probably her grandparents on her father's side, actually not sure. But I just love this photo, taken minutes before the festivities began.

I hate to admit I am not much of a Carnaval person. I don't like crowds. I don't drink alcohol, so I have only been a few times to the main street to watch the parade. But this time, I was lucky enough that the festivities came to me. How cool is that!

The little granddaughter

Pictured here is the little granddaughter watching her cousin perform. I love her outfit and her mask is just precious. 

Cousin Lucy performing

Lucy did a wonderful job, both singing and dancing!

Some of the boys

Here are some of the talented young men, dancing just as well as any of the young women. They were a choreographed and beautiful site to see.

Thanks, Cozumel dancers, for bringing Carnaval to me! (I just keep wondering, is it Carnaval or Carnival? Guess it depends where you celebrate.)

Carnaval All Done

Francisco & Gabriel

So the dust has settled, the streets are being cleaned and Carnaval Cozumel is officially over. It was another year of three days of parades, fireworks and everybody out in the street enjoying themselves. We closed the store for two days as our accounting guy, Gabriel (above) was part of the festivities and danced the day and night away. He came back to work not hung over for the first year but taking Tylenol for his achy knees and feet from dancing so much.


I was home sick with a cold the whole time. This was my view from bed while home sick with one of our dogs. 

Bogart (now Bogie Dogie)

This is our dog, Bogart, who now has a new name .... Bogie Dogie. We call him Bogie but our new maid thought I was saying Dogie, so that is what she called him. My husband, Moises, decided that his new name should be Bogie Dogie.

Cozumel main square photo by Chuck Williams

Last but not least, a wonderful photo taken by Chuck Williams of downtown Cozumel during the Carnaval festivities. So wonderful some people thought it was a postcard. I think it is super special. Thanks, Chuck!

Carnaval in Cozumel

Crowning of the Cozumel Carnaval new King and Queen will take place February 15th, but already the town is gearing up. Deanna Campbell of Two D's Diving and Tour Adventures took a slew of great photos along what is known as the malecon of Cozumel ... the main beach street downtown. Here are some of my favorites.

Festivities will run through Feb 22nd. For a full schedule, please click here.

And if you would like more information on Two D's Diving and Tour Adventures, feel free to contact them. There was a great article written up about them on Dive News Network's Cozumel, MX: A Holiday on Holiday.

Hello from Cozumel

The summers in Cozumel are humid, hot and buggy. I tend to get in to my typical routine to stay out of the heat ... coffee and oatmeal in the morning with the a/c blasting in my house, drive to work with the a/c on, stay until 5 working at the furniture and interior design store (also air-conditioned.) I guess you get my drift. It is really hot this time of year.

So while I need to be indoors, I decided instead of always working on my blog about my travels away from Cozumel, I would try to see where I live from a different point of view.
As you can see from the photos below, the weather was a lot cooler in the winter as we prepared for the opening of the Carnival parade.

Preparing for Carnival February 2011

This is dedicated to the wondrous island of Cozumel. May I see it from a different point of view!

Preparing food for Carnival

Carnival hats on Kurt and Susanna

Carnival clown

Flinstones minus their Flinstone mobile

This is a behind the scenes look at Carnival preparation from February of 2011. I walked the streets snapping photos before I went to work at the Humane Society booth. The local Humane Society works at placing all animals they take in and also does neutering and spaying. It is a great group. Information can be found at: Cozumel Humane Society

Joni working the Humane Society Booth

And if you do decide you want to see my photos from other parts of the world,  check out my other blog about all the great architectural features and things that strike my fancy as I travel. It can be found at:Gargoyles & Graffiti