test before you go

Semana Santa is upon us.

We are now three days deep into Holy Week, and there has been a steady trickle of tourists into these villages by the sea. So far, the families who have arrived have, for the most part, driven here in their middle-class SUVs. Later in the week, the tour buses will start arriving with the remainder of the revelers.

Even though Semana Santa is not one of Mexico's statutory holidays, it is almost universally celebrated here. The current Mexican constitution pretends to be The Tamer of the Church, but the people have instead decided to tame the constitution. That little unpleasantness called the Cristero War had something to say about that.

Semana Santa, with its mixture of sandy holidays and standing-room-only masses, may reflect Mexican culture better than any of the country's recognized secular holidays.

The absence of crowds here today is explainable. Even though Semana Santa kicks off on Palm Sunday and stretches through the early morning vigil of Easter, the real shows does not up-curtain until Maundy Thursday when most non-tourist businesses (including the supposedly-secular government offices) close for that day, Good Friday, Black Saturday, and Easter. That is when the string of tourist buses will appear in town.

If you happen to be one of the unlucky few who are flying north out of the Manzanillo airport this weekend, you should pay close attention to those closure notices.

As part of the on-going street theater to prove they are Doing Something about Life, the Universe, and Everything, the governments of Canada and The States require flying passengers to present a very recent negative covid test before the airlines will allow the passenger to board.

Even though there is a kiosk at the Manzanillo airport that will conduct the prescribed tests, I have been recommending that local fliers use Beny's lab in San Patricio Melaque. I prefer to have all my papers in order before I leave for the airport. There is always the possibility that a passenger will arrive at the airport, take the test there, and get a positive test result. Getting the news earlier allows for better planning.

There are three additional reasons for choosing Beny. First, this is weekend is the conclusion of Semana Santa -- some of the busiest travel days in Mexico. The airport may very well look like LAX on Thanksgiving weekend.

Second, Beny does all of my medical tests. I trust her. The documents she provided me earlier in the month worked flawlessly.

Third, Beny is a local businesswoman. For those of us who think "buying local" is something more than a virtue-signaling slogan, the choice is simple.

I talked with Beny this morning. To accommodate travelers, Beny will keep her office open on Thursday and Friday from 9 until 2 for covid testing only.

Americans require a simple test that Beny can perform in her office and have documented results within an hour.

Canadians need to do more planning. Because that test has to be sent to another lab, the test must be taken no later than tomorrow to get the necessary results.

I wish all of you well who are flying on this crazy weekend. 

May you have a great adventure and will learn something new that you can share with us. 
   


Note -- If you are flying on Saturday, be certain to check the actual time of your flight. That will be remedied for you if you are on a Sunday flight when the time differences return to normal. But more on that later in the week.