Patron
The bulk of this post is about colourful casa’s in the Colonias of Puerto Morelos. But before I go there, I have to tell you the best news.
A magical thing happened this morning on my walk-a-bout town. I headed out towards the stop for the colectivo as I was on route for the beach today. In Mexico, I find when you are away from the tourist areas, the locals will not speak first in passing, to a foreigner. So when walking by on the street or passing a local business, unless you sing out your “buenos dias”, you won’t hear anything.
That is, until you are recognized as a constant, and not a fleeting visitor. Well today, as I was walking down the street, not one but three locals that I regularly pass by, yelled out an “Hola Buen Dias!” to me first and all with big warm smiles! I tell you my heart just about melted.
Now the best part is this fourth encounter. I pass by a fairly large restaurant almost daily. In the morning, before they open for business, there is always a table out front, occupied by several men, some older, some younger. I can’t see if they are playing cards or what occupies them. One older gentleman is quite grizzly looking, he has a truly beautiful face full of character and years of emotions and life’s toll. He is there every day. I believe he is the patron.
I have never attempted to greet these gents in the morning, they are always deep in conversation. But today, patron looked up, we made eye contact, and he nodded! When I tell you it was amazing, it truly was. It was like I had broken through the barrier. I feel welcome now on this street. So cool. Its always the little things.
Casa’s!
One of the first posts I wrote when I arrived in Puerto Morelos was about the bright colourful houses in Po Mo. Well now that I have explored the Colonia’s extensively, I have some more photo’s to share.
Like any village, town or city, there are going to be affluent neighbourhood’s and area’s less so. There is definite jurisdictions in the colonias but they seem to be created because of their age more-so than economic situation. In the oldest looking area, the roads are in disrepair and unpaved, there are no sidewalks, and no municipal spaces such as parks and playgrounds for example. As you walk towards the other end of town, where the growth has continued, you start to see paved roads, complete sidewalks and wider streets.
Many, and I would hazard to guess up to 70% of the homes are the exact same basic structure. The differences take shape in the area out front of the main door. Some have had a second floor added, some have impenetrable gates, and others have lush gardens and decorations. Many are bare, simply painted white with no fence or surrounding structure.
Like a magpie, my eye is always attracted to things bright and glittery, so it is no wonder that the most colourful homes are what I end up photographing. For they are the ones that bring me immediate joy.
The Front Yards
Not so much yards here, but the space of land between the sidewalk and front door. In most homes here, this is where a vehicle is parked. It is usually paved or has paver’s for the vehicle. There are homes however, that have creatively decorated this area, and turned it into an outdoor living space. Here are two of those.
And lastly, I had to take a picture of this house.
I hope you have enjoyed this brief glimpse of colour. A future post will show more contemporary homes in the area. Off to catch some rays. Adios amigos.
