I took a trip into Boca Chica yesterday, and the taxi driver told me how dangerous it is to drive this week. Hordes of people descend on all the beach towns, make merry and then try to drive back home in a somewhat precarious state. He said that there are many traffic deaths, even though the police are out in full force.
I can believe about the people. At the Boca Chica beach, many of the hotels have roped off their areas, something I haven’t seen before, to keep out the non-guests. Lots of vendors were setting up stalls right along the beach, volleyball courts were going in, stages were being erected and a Red Cross tent was going up. On the island across the small lagoon, Presidente Beer, always a huge advertising presence, had blown up a large, Macy’s-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade type balloon, a beer bottle at least 100 feet tall. Very unattractive. So, the next four days are going to be extremely crowded around Boca Chica and elsewhere.
Those of us left at the baseball camp are traveling over to Juan Dolio around 10 this morning, and we’ll stay there until Sunday. I’d like to think that things will be quieter there, but I’m afraid the place is going to be swamped with party-goers. Most of the hotels give out day passes to people who want to partake of the facilities–the beach, swimming pool, bars, and restaurants. I fear that it will be anything but peaceful. If I could know in advance that it will be like what I think it’s going to be like, I’d beg off and stay at the camp, perhaps taking a daily trip into the Burger King in Boca Chica. I’ll let you know in a few days what the scene was. More later.