Veracruz - bustling seaport on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a large city; but not a notable cruise destination. No large cruise ships currently visit Veracruz on a routine basis. Thus, we were received with great enthusiasm when we docked at 8 AM this morning. The Zuiderdam dominates the city skyline and there has been a carnival-like atmosphere on the dock with lots of trinkets, food, and drink being sold not only to my fellow travelers, but also to Mexicans who have flocked to the dock to see the ship.
Upon our arrival we were greeted by a troupe of local kids who performed folk dances for the norteamericanos. They were quite good.
As soon as the kids were done, we were treated to an interesting adult ceremony – the commemoration of the 1914 assault of Veracruz by the United States Marine Corps that occurred 95 years ago today. A Mexican Navy band played. Political speeches were given to an audience of brass hats and other notables.
My Spanish is rudimentary so the bloviations were largely lost on me…aside from some clear references to El Presidente de Los Estados Unidos, Woodrow Wilson.
After the speeches were over we were turned loose on Veracruz – in an invasion quite different from 1914.
This time, the American “troops” were augmented by Canadian forces in some number. Indeed, the Canadians, the First Vancouver Highly Irregulars, secured the left flank of the assault and quickly captured the parking lot and awaiting buses.
Meanwhile, with their right flank anchored to the seawall, an American motorized brigade, consisting of a phalanx of the obese and otherwise infirm riding their Little Rascals, swept down the main boulevard toward the historic center of the city. American infantry followed – bandoliers filled with Aquafina and Nikons and Canons at the ready.
The Mexican defenders, consisting of what appeared to be newly turned-out Special Forces – attractive young women in tropical pink uniforms armed with nightsticks and riding modified golf carts - were swept aside. Within an hour the center of the city was in American/Canadian hands, with a befuddled elderly American couple on every corner and the Canadians settling into the local tavernas for their first pints of the day.
The colonial district of Veracruz is very small. The Cathedral is the most impressive structure (first consecrated as a Parish church in 1734); but in urgent need of massive renovations. Several other 17th and 18th century structures flank the central square. I dutifully took lots of pictures and covered the district from top to bottom in just under two hours. Many of my shipmates continued to scour the public market and storefront shops for plunder; but I elected to return to the ship.
Another long workout, a couple of hours or so reading by the pool, and I am now going to upload this nonsense and perhaps find time for a siesta before cocktails and supper. Shipboard life!
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1 comment:
Big fat rascals aboard little rascals. Beautiful!
It sounds like you pretty much have the workout facilities to yourself. Good to hear the Canucks are doing their bit to keep the local brew houses in business. British Columbia in the 80's and Mexico today, consistency across the decades.
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