Visitors from Mexico

Visitors from Mexico

At our evening Fellowship Meeting on 24^th July Hannah Prebble and her Mexican boyfriend, Will, gave an impromptu talk including their experience of Hurricane Beryl which caused much destruction in the West Indies before heading for the Caribbean Coast of Southern Mexico.

Hannah first explained how she came to be in Mexico, having lived in various parts of London after completing her studies in 2012.  She became disenchanted with city life and wanted to live by the sea but didn’t fancy anywhere in England, so in November 2022 she went travelling to Mexico.  After experiencing Mexico City, she flew south to Cancun in the Yucatan Peninsula and explored some of the tourist areas on the Mayan Riviera from Cancun to Tulum. She found a small fishing town called Puerto Morales where she stayed a few days and fell in love with the place.  It was here that she met Will.  By the end of January 2023 she had sold her possessions, rented out her flat in Walthamstow and moved to Puerto Morales where she rented a small apartment, one of six with a shaded courtyard and within 100 yards of the beach.

Hannah and Will were booked to fly to Gatwick on Friday 5^th July this year, but as Hurricane Beryl approached locals thought it would be as destructive as one they experienced in 1997.  Shops and houses were boarded up and all the fishing boats were beached.  One of the photos shows Mr Hesus, Hannah’s landlord, tying down a water tank on the roof of an apartment.  All the neighbours said that Hannah and Will would have no chance of flying to England.  However, they (H and W) took the advice to travel to Cancun and stay in a hotel near the airport while taxis were still running.

From their hotel they could see the force of the wind and driving rain but fortunately the hurricane hit land further south near Tulum and Cancun experienced only a heavy storm.  Luckily, they were able to catch their flight as they were heading away from the turbulent area and were only delayed a few hours. The next morning they arrived at Gatwick.

Will had a photo on his phone of a large crocodile in Cancun, where the excessive rain had raised the level of water in the adjoining mangrove swamps which allowed some crocodiles to find their way into the city: they had to be returned to their home by the civil authorities.

Hannah recounted their experience of finding a young crocodile on a beach north of Puerto which seemed to need help to survive.  Will wrapped it in a blanket and held its jaw shut.  They decided to take it to a crocodile zoo near the town and so hired a taxi to take them there.  Hannah has a Photo of Will holding the crocodile in the front seat of the taxi with the driver looking rather apprehensive.  When they arrived at the zoo and presented the animal, they were told that they were breaking the law by stealing a protected species.  While their motive was to save the crocodile and help it survive, many animals are taken for sale.  Will was told that he could go to prison, but the lady then relented and realised that they were only trying to help save the crocodile.  They were rather worried for a while.

Will spoke about the economy of Puerto Morales which is still a small fishing port which also relies on tourism.  The hotels, restaurants and shops serve tourists, many from the USA and Canada, some of whom spend their winters here and have their own apartments.  Will works in a shop which sells local craft souvenirs, jewellery and clothing to tourists.  Having worked in the USA for about seven years his English is good and helps when dealing with tourists.  He spoke of the authentic Mexico which can be found in the Colonia, the area of Puerto Morales where the locals live; it is about a mile inland on the other side of the coastal highway. Not many tourists venture here.

Hannah spoke of the simpler way of life and lack of material possessions compared with the UK. which, together with the climate and friendliness of the people, attracted her to Puerto Morales.  She is well known in the town now partly because of her art work and also because Will knows everyone.

Both Hannah and Will thank club members for their welcome and friendliness as well as the interest shown in what they had to say.  Although Will is not used to formal public speaking, he relates well to others and certainly enjoyed talking to the club once he got going.