!Hola! What a beautiful little slice of paradise is Isla Mujeres and how fortunate we are to visit this delightful place.  But how many of us think of the locals/residents when we are on our vacation?  Add to the fact of the devasting hurricane that they all experienced last year - let's think of things we can do to help them recover.  Sometimes we can do some very simple things that will contribute greatly to the place that we love to visit, without taking away the joy of our vacations.  Here are a few suggestions and I hope other islaholics will jump in with more of their suggestions as well.

Tipping - as stated on a t-shirt I saw there:  "tipping is not a city in China".  We need to remember that much of peoples salaries are their tips, so do be generous when you are treated well.  Also, I learned that it's a great thing to tip your hotel maid daily - usually 20-30 pesos, as well as bring special treats that they are unable to afford for themselves.  I had such delight leaving little treasures such as lotion, bath gels, fingernail polish, lip gloss, etc. for our maids.  These items took up very little space in my luggage, and brightened their days.  I also know many people leave small gifts for children, as most maids are mothers and those are appreciated as well.

There are also two schools on Isla Mujeres that greatly welcome your donations - La Gloria English School and the Little Yellow Schoolhouse. The La Gloria English School has been established to teach English to both children and adults - every Isleno that learns English is given a better chance to improve their lives, receive better jobs, etc.  The Little Yellow Schoolhouse's sole purpose is for the special needs children of Isla - those that would never receive an education.   Cash is always welcomed as a donation, but so are gently used clothes, school and art supplies, toys (no candy please) and many other things, even your time!   La Gloria loves for people to come visit and donate an afternoon or an evening - you don't even have to speak Spanish!  As a tip, we packed several suitcases with donations, and then they in turn became "empty" ones for us to fill with our goodies we bought on Isla to bring home - worked out very well.

I am sure there are many others things we can all do to help the world become a better place - and that dear little island - Isla Mujeres.  Mucho gracias!  :)