Journal Entry – March 17, 2005 – St. Patricio

Author: Pam

We have decided after a day lounging by the pool that we made an excellent decision to stop here for a few days. With your slip fee you receive privileges to use the three pools at the Grand Bay Hotel, next to the marina property. They also have hammocks hanging from the palm trees down by the beach, it was an excellent place to read if you are Scott and nap if you are me (I think I may have read two pages). We ran into Hal on the sailing vessel Fennalla while we were exploring this morning and decided to go to the celebrations being held in Malaque in honor of the patron Saint Patricio. We met Hal and his crew member Charlene at 17:00 and took a water taxi into Barra. We stopped by a local bar to check out the American version of St. Patrick’s Day being held mostly for the cruisers. A corned beef and cabbage meal was going to be served, but we only stayed for one drink. Scott was thrilled to find a Guinness, we won’t say what he paid for the luxury in Mexico. We took a cab to the neighboring town of Malaque to find the streets full of people beginning to celebrate the holiday as a parade went through town. After having dinner, that did not consist of corned beef we headed back to the town square to watch the festivities. There was a very loud mariachi band playing, followed by several dance troops of children. I had worn a shamrock sticker on my cheek, which intrigued the three little girls who were to perform first. I had brought extra, so I asked Charlene (she was also wearing one) to go give them some. They were thrilled and added them to their faces and costumes before their performance. I don’t think the shamrock holds any significance in Mexico, but they were young girls who obviously thought stickers were cool. We headed back to Barra around 22:30 only to find out the next day we had missed the best part of the celebration. Apparently there was a fireworks show unlike any other, including coming uncomfortably close to the crowd. We were disappointed we missed the highlight of the celebration, but the entertainment and energy we did experience was tons of fun. I wonder where we will be next year on March 17th.