Saturday, June 26, 2010

Fiesta Time in Old Providence and a Ride with the Colombian Policia

After a light wind, 45 hour passage from Cayos Cajones (The Hobbies) to Providencia, we are anchored back in Catalina Harbour. We stopped by this lovely island on our way to Honduras. The 200 mile passage was in very flat seas (that's the good news) but that meant the winds were very light so we did have to motor about half of the way (that was the bad news). We had to sail some of it as we wouldn't have enough fuel to make the entire run (we had to motor most of the way to The Hobbies from Guanaja - and there is no fuel in The Hobbies). It was a pleasant trip and we saw only one other boat the entire time - the Dole Colombian ship. The worst news of the trip was that we caught only a barracuda (tossed back - lure saved) and a small tunny - not our favorite so it got repatriated to the seas as well. Nothing to add to the fish cache.

After arriving, we anchored in about eight feet of water and found out that it is the annual festival of culture and sport. In Colombia that means it culminates with the crowning of a beauty pageant queen. Many of the festivities leading up to the crowning event are around the young women. It started on Wednesday and though tired, the music blared from the plaza and we sort of enjoyed it. Unfortunately there was very loud music from various sources all competing to be heard. So it was quite a mix of tunes all at once. We still managed to sleep after the two nights off shore.

OnThursday, we cleared into the country. Since we were here last (three months ago), they moved the immigration office quite a way from the downtown area. So Mr. Bush, the maritime agent you have to use to clear into the country, arranged for us to be brought to immigration courtesy of the National Police. So, together with our friends from Ivory Moon (who safely arrived a day later than us after having engine issues and a torn sail), we all piled into the police truck and were brought to immigration. After that, the police man (and his girlfriend who was along for the ride) too us on a police car tour of the island. It was pretty funny and enjoyable.

That afternoon, we went to the big parade. This was the "float" parade. Each of the four finalists in the beauty pageant had a float on which they danced. The floats were decorated pick-up trucks. Three of the young women were scantily clad in bikinis and the other had on a more traditional costume. They shook their booty on pedestals on the trucks and went around the island. All the way around the island. They were accompanied by hundreds of crazy motor scooters and motorcycles with people in costumes. The bikes were revving and very noisy and coming very close to crashing into each other speeding through the streets. This is of course accompanied by lots of alcohol consumption along with the throwing of colored "chalk" dust, shaving cream, water and even paint. It was a wild event and everyone was having a good time. People would run up to each other and throw the chalk on them, or hug them with painted hands - all in good fun. It was a festive time and we had a blast watching it all.

After the floats returned to downtown (along with the crazy motorbikes), the contestants danced in the plaza to the applause and appreciation of the crowd. There is much lobbying for your favorite "chica" and everyone is yelling the name of the girl they like best.

We then headed over to the Bamboo Restaurant to do some internet and have a beer with the owner Javier whom we met on the last trip through here. He filled us in on the politics of Colombia (a Presidential election is happening - down to the final two candidates - one of whom is from the Green Party).

At about 11 pm, the concert on the Plaza started and ran until 3 am. It was a bit loud, but the music was good with three different bands performing. We could here it clearly on the boat - it must have been very loud on shore.

Today, Friday - we did some hunting for boat parts which meant hiking to three of the four hardware stores. No joy. This afternoon, we'll hit Old Town where the fiesta activities are today. It is Dia Azul (Blue Day) and much of the festivities center around the water. There is supposed to be a small boat parade, another parade and some music. Tonight is the talent show for the four contestants at the coliseum. We're hoping to hit some of the activities. Stay tuned.

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