Summer time in the Yucatan

Summertime, what a glorious time of the year! In the Yucatan, summertime is even more special in that we have "temporada" - the two month period when the Meridanos who can leave a hot and sweltering Merida and head to the coast and their beachfront homes. July and August are when you will find the coastal towns and villages bustling with the floating population that arrives for the two months. If you visit the coast from September to August, it is pretty low key and in some cases, down right dead! But, come July and August and things get jumping!

Three colorful Hobie One, a windsurfer, and bright pink flamingos grace our cover picture this month. Taken by Juan Manuel Mier y Terán at Marina Silcer in Chicxulub during one of the many weekend sailboat regattas, this photo shows that the Yucatan is not just Mayan pyramids and colonial cities, but also wonderful beaches. During the month of August the Olympics 2004 in Athens will be taking place. And guess what? In the windsurf category there will be TWO Yucatecan athletes that are fruits of Marina Silcer!! The windsurfers are David Mier y Teran (Yucatan Today's nephew) and Rosa Campos. Their trainer, the owner of Marina Silcer, is Pedro Pablo Silveira, an ex-Olympic windsurfer who went to Atlanta in 1996.

An important upcoming date is September 15th - the eve of the Mexican Independence Day. We mention it now, as if you take note, this monthly magazine runs from the 15th of one month to the 14th of the next. September 15th is a very important day on the Mexican calendar and in the lives of Mexican people. The city is dressed in gala in red, green and white - the national colors. The Main Plaza is the site of the festivities that begin on the 15th of September. Get there about 8:30 PM. At about 10:30 PM the Governor and his group will stand on the balcony of the Governor's Palace and yell "viva Mexico, viva Mexico, viva Mexico" as he rings the huge bronze bell. Mexican Independence took place 1810. After each "viva Mexico", the crowd answers with "viva." A popular festival with fireworks, music and dancing will take place after the ceremony. You will also find that many hotels and restaurants have organized festivities for Independence Day - dinners, dancing and merry-making. Festivities end on September 16th with a military parade on the Paseo de Montejo at 9 AM. Just about everything is closed as everyone is recuperating from the previous evening activities.