Even with the leaden sky and a weather alert in force, until the first drops of rain fell and the wind began to blow with some powerful gusts from the south,
no one moved from the beach
.
The residual effect of a hot and sunny Sunday prevailed, and on Monday morning, with many tourists in the city, the coast was an anthill.
The
extra long weekend of Carnival
and the celebrations for the 150 years of Mar del Plata met the expectations of the operators in the sector, who work with an occupation and at a pace similar to the best weekend in January, in the second fortnight , when there was a clear rebound, and they understand that it could have been better if the weather had not been so unstable.
The
weather just let up on Sunday
.
From Friday until Saturday night it rained, in the atmosphere so humid that when the sun came out the city became an oven and the beaches were once again fully visible early on.
Thus, at last, since complications had caused the postponement of recitals and some activities scheduled to celebrate the anniversary of Mar del Plata, they could go ahead.
Last night, on the beach at Las Toscas beach, near the Torreón del Monje, there was a crowd like I had not seen yet this season.
There was a parade of murgas and then on stage, which was accompanied by two giant screens on the coast, between Güemes and Olavarría, they played Los Totora, and to close - after 10:30 p.m. - La Joaqui.
It was 25 degrees at that time.
Tour operators point out that with good weather the movement would have been even better.
Photo Gabriel Bulacio
There is satisfaction in the hotel and non-hotel sectors, who, taking stock, even without knowing the official statistics, compared this weekend with the third of January, which marked the peak of the season.
Now they talk about an
average occupancy rate of 85%
, which in specific cases reaches 90%.
This was confirmed with satisfaction by the Municipal Tourism and Culture Entity.
“A lot of people have come, we are exceeding 85 percent occupancy.
It is good
,” said the head of the entity, Bernardo Martín.
In addition to the shows, tourists enjoyed a parade of vintage cars, a nautical procession and an Air Force exhibition, among other proposals to commemorate the city's century and a half of life.
At the Naval Base you can visit the training ship of the Argentine Navy, the Frigate Libertad.
All with a lot of people, but not as much as the newly opened "selfie point" in Punta Iglesia accumulates all day.
The sign that reads "Mar del Plata" has its back to the downtown area, meaning that in the background are the promenade and the buildings of the Casino and the Provincial Hotel, the Torreón del Monje, and the Havanna tower (a company that donated it), giving away a new postcard from Mar del Plata.
Mar del Plata offers other cultural and gastronomic activities in addition to the beach.
Photo Gabriel Bulacio
As part of the celebration, the shows by Pimpinela (8:30 p.m.) and Los Palmeras (10:00 p.m.) are scheduled for this Monday night. Tomorrow, the closing of the festivities will be a Bresh party on the beach.
All shows are free.
According to the National Meteorological Service, the maximum temperatures for Tuesday and Wednesday, the day of the exodus, will be 21 degrees, with no rain expected.
Mar del Plata. Correspondent
MG