Navy Day in Los Cabos
A Mexican Navy Interceptor motors through the marina at La Playita in San Jose del Cabo on Navy Day. Photo by Ed Kociela
As the son of a sailor, I’m pretty familiar with the Navy. I mean, not only was Dad a sailor, so were a couple of my uncles. Even my wife served in the U.S. Navy. For the life of me, I can’t figure out how they let this cute little young lady not only certify as a Navy diver, but one who specialized in underwater welding.
So, when Cara said she wanted to go down to the marina last week for Dia de la Marina—Navy Day in Mexico—all I could say was, “Aye, aye, ma’am.”
We arrived at La Playita in San Jose del Cabo early, but obviously not early enough. We had to park more than a quarter of a mile away from where the ceremony was being held. There were that many people.
It did give us a good opportunity to eyeball the new resort they’re building on the water and get a look at one of the interceptors, a class of boat in the armada that patrols the coastline.
The fiesta began with a group of dignitaries—from elected officials to naval officers—offering words befitting the occasion. The colors were presented, patriotic songs were sung, and the local school kids performed. The youngest? They dressed as mermaids or fishermen casting nets into the sea. The older ones? They performed some of the more complicated folk dances. I continue to be amazed at how talented these young people are and how beautifully they perform their dances, each one a bit of cultural storytelling.
Ing. Francisco Javier Lucero Villalobos, Captain of the Port in San Jose del Cabo, addresses the crowd during the Navy Day celebration. Photo by Ed Kociela
The plaza was awash in colors, and as the vendors fired up their grills, the air was filling with a sublime mix of authentic spices and seasonings.
But, we were there to take in the celebration of the Mexican Navy, which plays a very important role in keeping the peace here in Mexico.
We see them everywhere in their desert camo uniforms, patrolling the marinas at Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo or keeping the peace at many of the local beaches. We’ve seen them on rescue missions looking for lost swimmers and we encountered a number of naval infantrymen on our trip down as we passed through their drugs and weapons checkpoints along the Transpeninsular Highway. It was a little strange at first, coming upon a group of heavily armed military men in the middle of nowhere, but they put us at ease with their friendliness and professionalism.
The other day, I looked into their faces again and couldn’t help but reflect on how very young most of them are. It made me think of my dad, my uncles, Cara and all of the others who wore the uniform with honor, made tremendous sacrifices and put themselves in danger, whether on the battlefield, at sea, or in port, and I realized that despite my love of the sea, I would have made a lousy sailor.
Ed Kociela is a writer for Los Cabos Magazine. You can reach him by email at edkociela.mx@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/EdKociela.