More man love at the Merida bus stop
Merida, Quintana Roo and the warmth of Mexican men — a short, funny dispatch from the Yucatan. (3 min read)
9AM Monday – First Class Bus Terminal, Merida
There are about twenty Mormons in the terminal, all dressed in white shirts that are only distinguished by the length of the sleeves and the different coloured polyester ties accessorising them. The gaberdine slate grey trousers (undoubtedly polyester) and black shoes (some of which looked vinyl) are also uniform. Also, I think I could make out the top half of the temple garment under the white poly-cotton shirts – nothing fancy there, it looks just like a t-shirt.
The Mormons in the terminal are quite different from each other – a couple of white ones, a couple of black ones and many latinos – but with one exception they all look very clear, bright and happy. The exception looks socially inept, rather than spiritually bothered.
And there is a lot of morman love going on. A lot of hugging, patting, stroking and massaging. Several intense summer bromances appear to be coming to an end. These boys either like each other or LIKE each other. And the Mexicans in the terminal seem quite perplexed by this. It is truly hilarious and fascinating.
I was hoping they would all be on my bus to Cancun so I can ask them about “Latter Days” and “Big Love” and about the temple garments and what they think about Spiritism and where Joseph Smith is now. But this was not to be.
10AM Monday – Bus to Quintana Roo, Mexico
There are two uniformed Mormons on my bus, sitting behind me, but they don’t speak English. From what I can make out, there was some kind of Mormon meeting in Merida and they have now been despatched to the Yucatan to evangelise. This must be an incredibly hard job because Jesus is so loved in Mexico and, quite frankly, their beliefs are very unusual. I hope they get to go to the beach or visit some of the archeological sites too.
12PM Monday – Bus to Quintana Roo, Mexico
I am wishing that there were no Mormons on my bus. I turned off the i-pod and unfortunately, overheard one of the Mormons behind me working hard to convert a Mexican woman and both of them are speaking English (American style). She makes many relevant points which the poor chap does not have the skill to rebut.
But I do learn something. These kids pay their own way for two years on their “mission”, assuming they will earn spiritual credit from the work. There was no discussion about the relationship between the number of converts and spiritual advancement and while I was dying to ask, I didn’t want to interrupt.
3.30PM Monday – Beachside, Isla Mujeres
I’m now at a beachside restaurant on Isla Mujeres looking across the water at the glitz of Cancun. I haven’t seen any Mormons on the island yet.
© Paul McCarthy & Iluminar.au
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