My Mexican Tattoo, Part 3

temporary tattoo

proves to be indelible:

my Mexican souvenir

© Debra She Who Seeks 2006

This haiku of mine was originally published in rain song, Haiku Canada's 2006 Members' Anthology.

My Mexican Tattoo, Part 2

Shortly after we returned home from Mexico, I woke up one morning with a burning and itchy sensation on my arm. My howling wolf tattoo, which the night before had been almost faded out, was now a raised angry red welt!

What . . . the . . . FUCK???

I don't have a photo of how awful it looked but its general appearance was similar to the welts on this poor bastard --

It took two doctors and a dermatologist to find the correct ointment to make the welt go down and the itchiness stop. I learned that my skin's reaction is called "allergic contact dermatitis." It was caused by a black dye that had been added to the henna to make the tattoo darker and longer lasting. In Canada, the United States and Europe, this particular dye has been banned from use for many years. But in unregulated developing countries like Mexico, it is still commonly used.

The pink welt of my temporary tattoo lasted for a couple of months before it was completely gone.

Live and learn, my friends. Live and learn.

Tomorrow: I turn my pain into poetry.

My Mexican Tattoo, Part 1

In 2004, My Rare One and I went to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico and stayed with friends at a nice all-inclusive resort. Near the pool area, a number of craftspeople offered various goods and services for sale. One young guy was doing henna tattoos. I thought, "Hey, why not, it's only temporary!" And it would be fun later to freak out My Rare One and our friends with it, hee hee!

So I picked a stylized howling wolf design and he painted it on my arm, using a template and a long-nosed bottle of black ink. After about half an hour, the top layer of paint dried, came off and there was my lovely wolf underneath on my skin! Here's an actual photo of me with my henna tattoo --

And yes, everyone was suitably freaked out because they did think this silly tattoo was real at first. We had lots of laughs because of it so it was $20 well spent. By the time we went home, the tattoo was fading nicely and I figured it would be gone within a week or so.

Tomorrow: disaster strikes!!!!

[Photo by My Rare One]

Autumn Equinox: Hail Kukulkan!

Every spring and autumn equinox, the plumed serpent of light named Kukulkan makes an appearance at Chichen Itza, the ancient Mayan site in Mexico. For about half an hour, sunlight strikes the staircase bannister of El Castillo pyramid in such a way as to create an undulating body for the snake deity whose carved head is found at the base of the stairs. Kukulkan appears only twice a year, when day and night, light and dark, are equal and in balance.

My Rare One and I visited Chichen Itza in 2004 (but not on an equinox, alas). I climbed El Castillo's sacred staircase, a difficult task because of its extremely steep and shallow steps. I descended the stairs in the traditional manner -- sitting and bumming my way down each step! It's the safest method because it is so very easy to trip and fall all the way down if you walk upright. That's why an ambulance was tucked away in a nearby grove of trees, as we later noticed. In fact, I read recently that tourists are now no longer allowed to climb the pyramid, precisely because an elderly lady did have a fatal fall on the staircase.

Personal Revelation # 7

7. I once swam with the dolphins.

A few years ago, my Rare One and I holidayed in the Mayan Riviera of Mexico. While visiting Xel-ha National Park, we booked an appointment to swim with the dolphins! Of course, I did feel a few twinges of conscience about exploiting these poor captive creatures for my own selfish amusement. But then it occurred to me that they were simply "dolphins with jobs," doing what they had to do to put fish in the bucket. Just like me, really, doing what I have to do for 40 hours a week to earn my keep in the world. Oh, sweet valium of rationalization, how you soothe me!

I expected the experience to be kind of mystical and New Age-y, but it wasn't at all. The well-trained dolphins were friendly and fun. They swam around us, let us pet and stroke them, carried us through the water on their backs and leaped over us on command in stunning aerial displays of fishy athleticism. Two dolphins popped up unexpectedly from the water and simultaneously kissed me on either cheek. It was tremendous fun! And the dolphins were magnificent and beautiful creatures. It was a privilege to interact with them.