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Cactus tv Cozumel

 24^th October. Every inhabitant of Cozumel is informed via internet, TV, and radio about “Rina” – a category 2 Hurricane located southeast of the Yucatan peninsula and heading towards Belize and Mexico, on the verge of turning into category 3 Hurricane that could possibly hit the island directly in two days. Also the tourists that came with the cruise ships from the United States to visit the island were warned of the big storm. Indeed, it looked dangerous so that they were advised to leave the island – so far so good.

25^th October. Against the calculations, Hurricane “Rina” has already weakened a little with wind speeds of around 105 mph. She will probably not turn into a category 3 Hurricane, is said to decrease in power even more by a reliable weather forecast by the National Hurricane Center. Due to a very slow movement of 3 mph she will arrive in Cozumel one day later than expected, on 27^th October.

The US media seems to ignore those significant changes in the weather report, speaking about a “furious” Hurricane causing havoc in the Caribbean Sea, thousands of evacuated people, “panic buying”, and fear on the streets in remembrance of “Wilma”, the category five Hurricane 6 years ago. In the meanwhile, the Mexican inhabitants start preparing their homes – windows are taped, doors are bolted with additional wooden planks, everything that’s not nailed down is nailed down or locked away. Diving boats are lifted out of the water and secured in several ports, the beach has been closed. Families buy food, especially bread and tinned food – not without joking about the “compras de pánico” – in case the Hurricane will stay for many hours which is possible considering her slow movement. Also big water cans are bought in case the water pipe breaks or is shut down. Everyone knows that the electricity will be cut off for sure. And everyone stays calm.

26^th October. “Rina” barely is a category 1 Hurricane anymore, is expected to shrink to a Tropical Storm before reaching Cozumel. Since the winds have abated to 70 mph, the worst is going to be the rainfall up to 10 inches. 15 affected cruise ships changed their course – which makes sense because the sea will be quite rough. But, reading some of many tabloid papers from the US, all tourists are still insistently advised to leave Cozumel and the Mexican coastal area, too. Because… you could get wet?

27^th October. The terribly hazardous day has come beginning with sunny weather and a beautifully calm sea. The calm before the storm? Maybe. “Rina” has decreased to a storm with maximum winds of 65 mph, but just to be sure, a curfew has been imposed as soon as a mild wind got up. Later on, the downpour caused floods on the streets within few hours, a lightning strike cut off the electricity –still nothing which has not been expected before.
During the night, “Rina” swept past Cozumel, making quite some noise, breaking some lampposts, trees, and fences, carrying some lose dustbins from street A to street B – as if by magic! Nothing to lose one’s nerves about, even though “Rina” is already heading back to us for her second severe strike, now as a Tropical Depression – if she is not causing panic, someone from a few hundred of miles up north will for sure!

Maybe life is just too boring in other countries, so why not transform a middle-sized “tormentita” immediately into a tormenting, devastating Hurricane the size of “Wilma” in 2005? Someone should definitely reconsider his or her way of information processing. In any case, the people living in Cozumel have been vigilant and well-prepared, the clearing-up operations and repairs are already done, and life continues.

Nevertheless, the celebration already begins the night before when thousands of visitors gather in downtown to watch the dance shows, listen to music, and admire a spectacular firework at midnight with the grito de independencia, “Viva México!”

 The following day, all schools are closed with their students taking part in a huge parade and next to the police, the military and the marines in the city center.

Since the beginning of the 19th century, the Mexican citizens began to rise up against of the colonial rule of Spain. After several drought periods, increasing costs for food, and regarding the amount privileges of the Spanish conquerors, the Mexican people felt more and more discontent and depleted. Finally triggered by the Declaration of Independence of France and the United States, the Mexican war of Independence began with protest marches and riots.

The most famous leader of the conspirators has been Padre Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla who has announced a revolt against the Spanish authorities on 16th September 1810 in the Grito de Dolores. The patriotic Cry of Dolores ended with the words:

“Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe, Viva la América española, viva Fernando VII, Viva México! Viva México! Viva México!”
  
Eleven years later, Mexico’s Independence has officially been accepted in 1821 in Veracruz.

E.g. for shooting birds in wildlife I recommend using at least a lens of 300mm, a short exposure time, a tripod or monopod. Good luck !!

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