Xochimilco (México).- Para "espantar a los espantos", Julián Santa Ana Barrera comenzó a colocar en su chinampa, hace 52 años, muñecas que recogía de la basura y los canales de Cuemanco, luego de que una joven se ahogó cerca de su terreno.

Esa chinampa ahora es conocida como La isla de las muñecas; ahí se pueden ver decenas colgadas en árboles y casas. Son tantas que las autoridades planean crear un museo para guardarlas.

Su sobrino Anastasio relató que de acuerdo con lo que les contaba su tío, un día en el canal frente a su chinampa una joven se ahogó y desde entonces se oían voces, pasos y lamentos de mujer, por lo que se le ocurrió protegerse con muñecas.

De manera sorprendente cuenta El Chope , como le decía su tío, que Julián murió en el mismo lugar que la ahogada. Ese día, hace dos años y medio, el anciano se acercó al canal para pescar, mientras le comentaba a su sobrino que una sirena se lo quería llevar, pero él le iba a cantar para que no lo hiciera.

Anastasio se fue a ver las vacas y cuando regresó, ya no había nada qué hacer: Julián había muerto de un infarto y había caído al canal.

El Chope era casado; un día su mujer le dio a elegir entre ella y La isla de las muñecas . Él optó por la herencia del tío y cuidar el lugar.

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Xochimilco (Mexico) .- In order to "scare away the ghosts," Santa Ana Julian Barrera began 52 years ago to settle on a chinampa dolls that he was collecting from the garbage at Cuemanco channels, after a young woman drowned near their field.

That chinampa now is known as The Island of the Dolls, there you can see dozens hanging on trees and houses. There are so many that the authorities plan to create a museum to save them.

His nephew Anastasio reported that according to what they told her uncle, a day in front of his chinampa channel a young woman drowned and since then he heard voices, footsteps and cries of women, so he came up with wrist protection .

Anastiacio "El Chope" as he was called by his uncle,  says that Julian died in the same place as the girl did. That day, two and half years ago, the old man approached the canal for fishing, while his nephew was telling that a mermaid wanted to take him, but he was going to sing to convince the mermaid not to do it.

Anastasio went to see the cows and when he returned, there was nothing to do: Julian had died of a heart attack and had fallen into the canal.

The Chope was married and one day his wife gave him the choice between her and The Island of the Dolls. He chose the legacy of uncle and caring place.