News Starting February 06, 2012

Two New Books Set in Yucatan

We would like to introduce our readers to two wonderful new books, both written by expats in Yucatan. The first is Tales From the Yucatan Jungle: Life in a Mayan Village, by Kristine Ellingson, co-owner and manager of the Flycatcher Inn, in Santa Elena, near Uxmal. This is a wonderfully inspiring book by a remarkable lady who has lived in Yucatan for decades. The other book is a thriller, The Polo Affair, by Sean Hennessy, owner of Hennessy’s Irish Pub in Merida. Eclectec is very proud of having been chosen to edit, lay out and build the website for The Polo Affair. There is a full synopsis of both books on the front page of our sister site, Yolisto. Both of these books are perfect reading material for these wet and chilly days at the end of winter. Order your copy of Tales from the Yucatan Jungle: Life in a Mayan Village here, and order your copy of The Polo Affair here.

Edge Magazine Features Yucatan Expat Kitesurfer

Young Canadian expat Jessica Winkler is on the cover of this month’s Edge Magazine, and there is a four page article about her beginning on page eight. Edge Magazine is a watersports magazine for girls that focuses on wakeboarding, kitesurfing and surfing. Jessica owns and operates Kite Surfing Yucatan, in Progreso, but has kite surfed from Peru to Brazil and Nicaragua over the past ten years. To learn more about Jessica Winkler, visit Kite Beach Yucatan,  and Jessica Winkler.com.

Devil’s Backbone Conquered in 2012

One of Mexico’s greatest limiting factors has always been the almost impossible crossing, by land, of the western Sierra Madre mountains. That could end in late 2012, when a 140-mile toll road opens between Durango and the Pacific port of Mazatlan. In order to cut the drive from seven hours to 2 1/2 hours, travelers will pass through 62 tunnels and cross 135 bridges, one of which will be across the Devil’s Backbone, 1,321 feet above the Baluarte River. The bridge was completed in January. It is the highest bridge in the Western Hemisphere, the second highest bridge in the world, and the highest cable-stayed bridge on Earth. This stretch of road is the final step in the creation of a modern transportation connection between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. The implications for the economy are staggering. Some are already calling the Baluarte International Bridge the most breathtaking structure built in Mexico since the pyramids of 100 A.D. We suspect it will become a tourist attraction in and of itself. Congratulations to Mexico and to every worker who made this bridge possible.

Flu Vaccinations Still Available

There are two confirmed cases of flu in Yucatan. One patient is a Yucateco and the other is from the State of Morelos. Over 125,000 doses of vaccine are available, which will help to avoid a massive outbreak of flu in Yucatan. However, should there be more cases, to avoid inconvenience and to get a bit ahead of the game, now is a good time to ask your physician about getting your own vaccination. As always, the best flu prevention is to eat well, sleep well and get as much exercise as is comfortable. Let’s try to make this an expat flu-free year!

Statistics Support the New Rules of the Road

Not very long ago, a collective groan rose from almost every driver in Yucatan. New Rules of the Road had been put in effect and there were dire warnings of what would happen if vehicles and motorcycles did not follow them. Every driver now must have a driver’s license and insurance. Every vehicle and motorcycle has to carry documentation of ownership, registration and insurance. Those on motorcycles must wear helmets. Those riding in vehicles must have seat belts. The SSP breathalyzer stops have worked their magic as well. Accidents have dropped a whopping 57% in the southern part of Yucatan and, for the accidents that do happen, injuries are far milder than ever before. This is especially true of injuries to children. With these lower accident and injury rates, look for more SSP enforcement of all traffic regulations as part of a public health and safety campaign to reduce death and disability, especially when alcohol is involved.

Seventh China Expo Held at UADY

From the 23rd of January to the 6th of February, the Seventh China expo was celebrated at UADY. This event takes place every year and covers the period of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Its a wonderful festival that has all sorts of interesting opportunities. One can practice Chinese calligraphy, take a jiffy Mandarin class or attend a tea tasting and ceremony. There are also exhibitions of martial arts and dancing. The China Expo reminds us that there are almost constant, formal Mandarin classes going on at the university. The January 6th class has 180 students and will soon be over. The next class begins in April. Registration for those classes begins on March 19. It is never too early to mark your calendars for next year so you won’t miss the Eighth Annual China Expo at UADY.

GPS Reveals Loggerhead Turtles Feeding Grounds

The mystery of where turtles go when they leave their nesting grounds may well be the key to saving the endangered loggerheads. GPS tracking shows that they feed off of the coast of southwest Florida and off of the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. Not only that, but they have a favorite, rather shallow depth and they prefer to stake out an area where they can stay, undisturbed, for a while. If we know where they nest, where they eat and what they eat, it may not be long before scientists are able to create environments that will guarantee the survival of the loggerhead turtle once and for all. This is great news for the environment and we are pulling for all of the dedicated scientists who study this issue.

Reasons for Not Bringing Fruit From Yucatan to the U.S.

The Asian Citrus Psyllid is a little bug that carries a citrus-killing disease with a big name – Huanglongbing. As of now, Huanglongbing has begun to affect citrus trees all along the Gulf coast of the U.S. but, so far, it has not appeared in California. But that doesn’t mean it won’t. At the present time, Asian Citrus Psyllid have been found in eight spots in the San Gordo Pass. If it gets through, the entire citrus industry in California could be ruined. It is interesting to note that the nearest infected areas to California are in Yucatan. Our fingers are crossed, in hopes that the citrus crops of both Mexico and the U.S. weather this storm, that all of the insects and the disease are wiped out and that all of the farmers have a bumper crop of oranges this year.

Old Tradition Revived in Hunucma

Those who live in the smaller towns of Yucatan have many opportunities that are not available to residents of Merida and other larger cities in Yucatan. They have the ability to easily reach out to others and preserve old traditions that are the strengthof the culture in the region. In Hunucma, this manifested itself when a large group of the guardians of the participants in the Children’s Vaqueria went door to door, asking permission for the children to dance and inviting their parents and bystanders to attend the festivities. Even the Mayor walked in the procession. Once they had collected the town, the vaqueria was performed and everyone celebrated with a drink and a banquet. This may not seem like much to many people – just small town goings on – but it means the world to the residents of towns like Hunucma because, even after hundreds of years, they can still celebrate together, as well as face their problems and their future together. Congratulations to all who participated in this revival of tradition.

Some Traditions Are At Risk for Loss

Candlemas, February 2nd, is an interesting day all over the world. For some, this is the day that Jesus was presented, as a baby, at the Temple. For others, this day begins or ends a variety of celebrations. We can even add Groundhog Day to the list of worldwide events that take place on February 2nd. In Yucatan, Candlemas is celebrated with a traditional meal of tamales enjoyed by families and friends. Unfortunately, the global economy is having an impact on the finances of almost everyone. Many Yucatecos, especially in outlying towns and villages, find that they cannot afford to both make tamales for Candelmas and purchase school clothes and supplies for their children. The lament is that the global economic crisis is killing their traditions. We hope not. We hope that, next year, every household in Yucatan will have money to spare so that every Yucateco can preserve this important tradition.

Super Bowl Sunday in Yucatan

It looks as if Yucatan is the place to be when Super Bowl Sunday rolls around. News reports are in and say that Paseo de Montejo‘s restaurants and sports bars were filled to capacity, with some even having to add additional tables. The same was true in other parts of the state and at the beach. You might be surprised at the varied crowd that watches American football in Yucatan. Spectators include large crowds of Yucatecos, as well as expats and tourists from around the world. Watching the Super Bowl is a great occasion for a party and, coming at the beginning of Carnival festivities, it just adds one more layer of enjoyment to a truly international state. We hope everyone has the opportunity to spend at least one Super Bowl Sunday in Yucatan! 

News Starting January 30, 2012

Introduction to a Fine New Wine

Recently, Slavia Restaurant, Jesus Solorzano and MAKKEN (with their agent, Ana Hernandez) organized a luncheon at Slavia Restaurant, for the purpose of introducing an Argentine wine from San Juan Valley. The label is Graffigna, a line of wines that has strength, is flavorful and elegant, with good acidity, and is fresh and fruity. Special guest at the luncheon was Federico Lleonart, Global Wine Ambassador from Argentina, who introduced Graffigna. For those who might like to give this wine a try, it is now on the menu at Slavia’s Restaurant. If someone would like to purchase a bottle, it can be found at Wal-Mart, Covi and La Europea. For more on the Graffigna wine series, visit their website.

Beach: Rain! Rain! Go Away!

Be careful what you wish for. Yucatan is in the tropics and has two seasons: the rainy season and the rest of the year. We are obviously in the end days of the rainy season for the Winter of 2011/2012. So far, this winter, it hasn’t been overly cool in Yucatan, but the rain and nortes have been rather regular, often closing ports with high wind and water and coming with fog that causes reduced visibility. This interrupts the ability of over 1,400 fishing boats to do their jobs; but, at the same time, we have had no incidents of flooding, which is a blessing for farmers and cattle ranchers. The alternative is summer and no rain again until the wet stuff is just something you run across, every now and then, in your memory. The brush fires will come back and the smoke will come back, and we will all be wishing it was winter again.

Our Lady of Sorrows Sheds Real Tears

Over the past decade or so, there has been a movement, throughout the State of Yucatan, to rescue and restore historical and religious monuments of all kinds. This has been especially true in the case of colonial churches and figures of Jesus, Mary and the various local patron saints of the municipalities. It took five long years to restore the Virgen de los Dolores in the Municipality of Santa Elena; but she was recently able to be put on display during the celebrations in honor of Santo Cristo del Amor and San Mateo. As the ladies who were carrying the rosary approached the statue at Santo Cristo del Amor, the noticed that the she appeared to be shedding real tears. One of the ladies actually touched her face and, as witnessed by several hundred parishoners, the lady’s fingers were wet. All sorts of technical reasons for this phenomenon have been proposed, most having to do with how the statue was restored, but the local people are more interested in speculating on the reasons that Our Lady would be crying. If you would like to visit next year, you just might be a witness to this phenomenon. The celebration in honor of Santo Cristo del Amor takes place between January 10 and January 24, and what some are calling a miracle took place during the processions on the last day.

New Religious Pilgrimages Still Forming in Yucatan

While we officially do not support any one religion over another, or those who are religious over nonbelievers, we do observe society as it grows and develops in Yucatan. In this mode, we find it interesting that religion, in this state, is alive and well and still growing. All of the marvelous religious processions we see are not relics held over from the colonial era. This week, the Deanery of Eight: Abalá, Muna, Halachó, Maxcanú, Chocholá, Umán, Kinchil and Hunucmá celebrated its second annual procession to Hunucmá to pay tribute to the statue of Our Lady of Tetiz. Over 200 priests, seminarians and acolytes, from the eight sites in the deanery, walked in the procession. When it was over, a board of trustees was named and this procession has secured its place in the religious history of Yucatan in only two short years. 

Yucatan: All About Sports

Ok, sports fans. This is for you! This week Yucatan was, literally, all about sports. For those who wonder if they will be leaving sporting events behind if they move to Yucatan, take a look at just some of the highlights of sports during this one week in Yucatan:
*** Yucatan’s Basketball All-Stars win 78 – 69 over Belize’s National Team to become the best team on the Circuito Peninsular de Básquetbol (CIPEBA). They played in Merida, at the Gimnasio Polyfunctional, in front of a crowd of 2,500 spectators.
*** The State Wrestling Association has chosen winners, in each of four categories, to start the final march toward the nation’s 2012 Olympic Wrestling team. Their next competition will be at the Greco-Roman Forum in Chiapas and then on to the Free Will Stadium in Villahermosa, Tabasco.
***  Mexico finished the Central American Table Tennis Championship in first place, with four gold, two silver and two bronze medals. The stars of this entire competition were the very young Yucatecos, Ricardo Villa and Angel Briceno, who teamed with Quintana Roo’s Damian Arce and Alberto Romo. Mexico’s performance was deemed “brilliant” and they are expected to dominate this sport, as they have in the past. Even now, Yucatan’s own Alejandrina Mendez Moguel is part of the Mexican table tennis team that is competing in Brazil in the Latin American Table Tennis Championship.
*** Yucatecos Certified as National Olympic Divers. Not only have four of Yucatan’s divers from Club Kukulcan been certified as national specialty diving champions, but Yucatan also turned up with medal winners who are very young and still too inexperienced to compete at the international level. One was little María Rufino, of Club Bancarios. Maria is only seven years old but still brought home a silver medal in the 3-meter dive and a bronze in the 1-meter dive. It looks as if Yucatan will have plenty to brag about in its divers for many years to come! 
*** Amateur Boxing is alive and well in Yucatan. They have just finished the State Amateur Boxing competition and are getting ready for the Olympic Regional Boxing competition, which will be held in Merida beginning March 1, 2012. These contests are in every category, from children to young adults, and gyms all over the city are working hard to promote the sport.  
*** Soccer: The Sharks of Progreso played the Technological College of Progreso and the Sharks won, 4 to 2. This was a fast and furious game between local rivals, but the Tiburones (Sharks) dominated all the way. This match is a parallel to what footballers know as bowl games. The name of this particular event is the Buenos Aires Classic, so look for it again about this time next year.
*** February 1, 2012: Happy Birthday Salvador Alvarado Stadium. Organized sports and a reverence for stadiums that have survived the test of time are nothing new in Yucatan. This year, this stadium’s birthday will include a running of a torch, at 5:00 AM, from the Plaza Grande to light the cauldron in Salvador Alvarado Stadium. The procession will be accompanied by a host of runners. An updated history of the stadium, in book form, is now complete and will be presented at this event.

Merida Judges Study Constitutional Changes and International Treaties

The wheels of justice grind exceedingly slow, they say. But sometimes the wheels of justice break loose and a society is catapulted into a new millenium with dizzying speed. Such is the case with the 2011 additions to the Mexican Constitution. Human rights are the hot topic here and, as is always the case with Mexico, when new laws are added to the Constitution, every judge in the country makes it their business to take the issues seriously and enforce the laws as they are intended. This week, there was a panel discussion, in Merida, designed to bring regional judges up to speed on the new laws on which they will be ruling, especially the laws that include human rights. These laws are not only in the Constitution now, but are also part of more than one international treaty signed by Mexico. This time, the reforms have changed the backbone of the entire legal framework in Mexico, making every judge a judge of international law, meaning that all of their decisions must take human rights into consideration. The interest shown by Yucatan’s judges, as well as their willingness to learn the new laws and apply them fairly, leaves little doubt that Yucatan has taken yet another leap forward toward solidifying her place as a leader in the 21st century.

News Starting January 23, 2012

Annual Spay / Neuter Event Results

In January 2012, let it be known that the Third Annual Merida Spay and Neuter Event sterilized 1,975 pets. Now these pets and their owners will now live a happier, healthier life because of this wonderful program. There were six days of clinics in four locations in two cities (Merida and Progreso). The volunteers, who did everything from tirelessly deal with registration paperwork to help the dogs wake up from their anaesthesia, are MUCH appreciated. The vets of course are to be commended for their tireless work on behalf of this cause. And more than anything, we want to thank the people of Merida who bring their pets to these events because they care. Bravo! To see more photos and find out more about animal-related issues in Merida, to to YAPA’s blog.

Paul McCartney to Sing at Chichen Itza?

The Governor of Yucatan has announced, via Twitter, that Paul McCartney will sing at Chichen Itza in 2012. However, there is as yet no signed contract and no date has been announced. We will be watching this story as it unfolds and keep you posted as soon as new news appears.

Keep an Eye Out for Africanized Bees

This past week, municipal employees in Tzucacab made what they thought would be a mundane trip to the Parish of San Francisco Javier, for the purpose of getting a beehive out of a window. The bees turned out to be Africanized bees and everyone from municipal employees to police officers and CFE employees ended up getting stung. Africanized bees are aggressive in the extreme, attacking sources of both noise and movement. Please watch your gardens closely and do not attempt to remove aggressive bees without calling in professional assistance.

Merida: Graduate Level Nursing

With a dozen nurses now enrolled in UADY’s Masters in Nursing program, we learn that nursing itself is finally moving into the realm of being a true profession across Mexico. In Yucatan and Guanajuato, nurses can earn their masters degrees with specializations in intensive care, administration, teaching, pediatrics, surgical nursing and public health. These same schools are also working with universities in Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi and Guanajuato to implement PhD nursing programs, with particular emphasis on research. These are exciting times in health care in Mexico and it is an absolute joy to see Merida’s own UADY encouraging professional nurses to continue their studies at the graduate and postgraduate level.

Merida: Children’s Heart Conference

On February 16th and 17th, the 2012 Children’s Heart Conference will be hosted by the Corea-Mexico Hospital de la Amistad in Merida. As of now, 73 children, ranging from newborns to 18 years of age are being screened for congenital heart abnormalities that will be presented during the conference. However, these are not the only children whose heart problems are diagnosed and treated. Over the past four years, over 800 children’s heart defects have been diagnosed and treated by participants in this conference. In many cases, the children must travel to the USA for further testing and treatment. This year alone, Iowa’s Mercy Hospital expects to treat about 200 Yucateco children, some of whom will undergo open heart surgery. The Children’s Heart Conference is growing every year. Today, children come from as far away as Quintana Roo, Campeche, Puebla, Veracruz, and even Belize and Guatemala. We hope each of the wonderful physicians who participate in this annual conference knows how deeply their efforts are appreciated by the children they help, the families of the children, and all Yucatecos who treasure the children as the foundation of Yucatan’s future.

Spring: Is It Time to Go Home Yet?

This week, we saw a lovely little article about Snowbirds in Yucatan. The article originated in Por Esto, but was picked up by several newspapers. As winter ends in Yucatan, Spring is gathering speed but the Snowbirds aren’t even considering getting ready to head for home. Winter is far from over in most of the United States and Canada, so they will be staying right here in Yucatan at least until the first of April. Many of the Snowbirds have been spending up to six months a year in Yucatan for 20 years or more. Whether they rent or own their own homes, they are still an integral part of the social and economic fabric of their towns and villages in Yucatan. They love their adopted state and that love is returned. Many thanks to Por Esto and to all of the papers that ran the story and recognized the Snowbirds of Yucatan.

On Developing a Sustainable Lifestyle

Mexico came to the technological revolution and exploding numbers in their middle class later than a number of other countries, but that might be a huge plus for the future quality of life for the people. As other nations are buried in the solid wastes and rapidly escalating diseases related to toxic environments, Mexico’s young people have the opportunity to develop their nation differently. Toward this goal, the State of Yucatan is training a group of young people who are soon to be going to schools throughout the state to teach others how to care for the environment while, at the same time, developing a sustainable lifestyle. This means management of solid wastes and making small behavioral changes that can have huge, long-range positive effects. From the beginning of the environmental movement in Mexico, it has been the children and young people who have driven the engine of change. We are very proud of them and of the future they envision for themselves and their nation.

Continuing Education Courses at UADY

This spring there will be two courses available for continuing education credit at UADY. The first is "Training for Export," which looks as if it covers all phases of exporting goods internationally. The second is "Political Marketing of Government."  Both courses are through the School of Economics at UADY and both are taught in Spanish. If you would be interested in either topic, do visit the links provided and get enrolled. Most classes are on Saturdays and both courses are very affordable.

Merida: Third International Congress of Architecture

This week, from January 24th through 27th, the Third International Congress of Architecture will take place at Marista University in Merida. Guest speakers will include interior designer Sevil Peach (England) and architects Peter Rich (South Africa), Francisco Manga (Spain) and J. Francisco Serrano (Mexico). This too is an important congress that meets annually in Merida and contributes to the growing worldwide perception of Merida as one of the best places in the world to hold any type of important event or convention.

El Mundo Maya in Spain

Last week, Madrid, Spain, hosted a week-long International Tourism Fair. Representatives from the Yucatan Tourism sector were there, along with several travel agency representatives. Although the recession has struck Europe hard this year, European tourists still seem to find their way to Yucatan. With 52 million tourists expected to visit the Mayan World this year, it is certain that many will be from Europe and that the first hand information they received at international tourism fairs goes a long way toward helping them make up their minds to travel so far from home. Once here, however, we know they will have a wonderful time and will be well taken care of.

News Starting January 16, 2012

Learning About Mayan History, Spirituality and Gods

Is it 2012 already? Its time to learn about the Maya. Just who are the Maya and what do we really know about them? There are several places online where we can read about the rise and fall of their power, as well and learn about the Mayan gods. One of those places is in the Virtual Library on the UADY website. In the Virtual Library, look for Los Dioses Mayas. This book was written by Ricardo Mimenza Castillo, in 1936, and it is a great place to begin learning as much as we can about the history of our Maya friends and neighbors. Our friends at Casa K’in also have just published a book about Maya Spirituality, called The Sacred Knowledge of the Maya and written by Miguel Angel Vergara. You can order this book online at Lulu.com.

Progreso – Saint Nazaire Exchange Teachers

Over the past few years, Progreso, Yucatan and Nantes, France have worked together to build strong friendships and cultural exchanges. In November, we expect to see the sailing ships of the Ruta del Chocolate winging their way from Nantes to Progreso yet again. However, there have been many other opportunities for cultural exchanges between Progreso and France, including an exchange of urban graffiti artists, from a generation that will now count each other among their lifelong friends. This week, it was announced that Mexico and France are entering into an exchange program among teachers. Progreso and Saint Nazaire were chosen as cities that would qualify for this program. Five Progreso teachers have been chosen and the exchange will take place in March. We know that Yucatan’s teachers will be well received in France and we also know that everyone in Yucatan will do whatever is in their power to make the French teachers feel welcome and at home.

Yucateco Fishermen to File Claims Against BP

Over 1,000 fishermen and two law firms are getting ready to combine their efforts to sue British Petroleum for damages caused by the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. If they win, each fisherman is expected to receive approximately $50,000 pesos. That oil spill is a tragedy that seems to continue affecting the entire Gulf region long after the oil was stopped. Yucatan’s fishermen are at the mercy of the weather and other natural disasters. They should not be at the mercy of polluters as well. We wish them well and hope that their case is swift and successful.

“Big Fish! Big Fish!” in Progreso

This past week, a group of local diving fishermen turned up in the Progreso Market with a huge fish for sale. By the time they got it weighed, it came in at approximately 130 kg (multiply by 2.2 for lbs.). As you can well imagine, everyone came to see the fish, both market customers and other fishermen. The part of this story that was so funny was that a Carnival Cruise ship was in port. Quite a few passengers had their pictures taken with the fish and, instead of smiling and saying “cheese,” they all laughed and said “big fish! Big fish!” Evidently, a grand time was had by all and the fishermen who brought the big fish in were able to sell it for $6,000 pesos. Congratulations!

Bad Weather Hurting Commercial Fishing

When the nortes blow, we put on long pants and socks. It isn’t that easy for Yucatan’s 15,000 commercial fishermen. While living a paycheck to paycheck life, these men can find themselves sidelined for a week or more by high wind and waves that come along with colder temperatures. Some are so financially stressed that they take a chance and go fishing anyway. This is when we read that fishermen are missing. Thankfully, in most cases, they are found and they have learned a valuable lesson. In other cases, their wives become widows and their children fatherless. Please keep the fishermen of Yucatan in your thoughts this week as they wait out yet another week of weather that has been too volatile to risk their lives in challenging it.

Treating Locusts Early

Unless someone has lived through, quite literally, a plague of locusts, its hard for them to understand why just the mention of the name sends everybody in an entire society outside to look for any signs of infestation. Several years ago, we had a terrible plague of locusts throughout the entire Yucatan Peninsula. Crops were destroyed and severe damage was done to local economies. Now, just a few locusts have been spotted in southern and eastern Yucatan. While the locusts are being killed with chemicals, it is a process that is quite specific and streamlined. It is not necessary to soak an area, including crops and the environment, in chemicals. Instead, just enough chemicals are used to kill the bugs after they hatch and before they take flight. If everyone will immediately report any locusts they see, SAGARPA will deal with them as quickly as possible and we should rarely, if ever, find ourselves living through a plague of locusts.

Can You Vote Absentee?

2012 is the year of elections in both the U.S. and in Mexico. It is a year in which, if you are an American expatratiate, your expat absentee vote has the potential to meld with tens of thousands of other overseas votes that could have had a profound effect on the future. If you think there couldn’t possibly be that many American expats who need to register to vote absentee, think again. Look at the situation right here in Yucatan. Here thousands of Yucatecos realized, too late, that they had not yet updated their voter information data and will not be able to vote in their presidential election. Their numbers are sufficiently large to be a game changer, and so are expat numbers on a worldwide scale. If you are an expat who is not registered to vote absentee, please check with your consulate and/or with your party back home to find out exactly what you need to do to make your vote count, and do it sooner than later. Time flies and missed deadlines can be heartbreaking.

Valladolid to Open Municipal Kennel

The growing city of Valladolid is now home to approximately 13,000 dogs, 50% of which wander the streets. Their sheer numbers are developing into a health hazard. The City is planning on opening a municipal dog kennel. Loose dogs will be rounded up and, if not claimed within 72 hours, they will have to be exterminated. Another important activity is for owners to bring them in for voluntary spay/neuter services so that the numbers of stray dogs will begin to decline. Those who work with animal shelters in the Merida area are aware of the heartbreaking necessity to choose public health over the lives of innocent animals. They also know that spay/neuter clinics work, having just completed the third annual citywide spay and neuter program. With a growing number of expats looking to Valladolid for their own forever home, we hope they are able to lend a hand in Valladolid’s attempt to make their city a better place for people and pets.

Speaking of Spay and Neuter

Did we mention the Third Annual Merida Spay and Neuter Clinic? This just ended and the results are in. At the end of 6 days of clinics this year, a total of 1975 animals were spayed or neutered. There were 4 days of activity at 2 separate locations in Merida, and two days in Progreso. The last day in Progreso garnered a new Beach record of a whooping 415 animals, with a 2 day beach total of 750. We applaud all the vets and volunteers, as well as the pet owners, who participated in the clinic, making Merida a safer and kinder place for animals.

Yucatan Peninsula Makes CNN iReport

We never get tired of beautiful pictures of places and things found on the Yucatan Peninsula. CNN iReport has published a short piece (18 photos by Ashley Strickland, who collected the photos from friends. Enjoy!

Merida’s First Murder Mystery Dinner Theater: Love Kills

It is a dark and sinister evening in Mérida, and a group of travelers have found themselves drawn together in a strange and mysterious hotel. Suddenly, there is a scream! Murder! Without warning, our travelers find themselves in the middle of a Murder Mystery. The mayhem escalates when our brilliant Inspector Gustavo (Gary DeRose) is called to task to solve the murder. All murder suspects must be detained and questioned. And it is up to YOU the audience, to help Inspector Gustavo find our killer and bring him (or her) to justice! This light-hearted comedy is a Whodunit, Mérida-style! Murder mystery dinners are interactive performances that introduce the characters, kill one of them, then invite the audience to figure out who did it. During each break between acts, a different course of the meal is served and characters mingle with the audience helping to make sense of the clues provided. Inspector Gustavo and the rest of the cast will have you in stitches as you figure out “Whodunit”! For an evening of fun, mischief and laughs, you won’t want to miss “Murder in Mérida: Love Kills”. Tickets cost $375 pesos each (includes dinner, but alcohol priced separately) and can be obtained at Hennessy’s Irish pub, where the murder (and the dinner) takes place. Dates are March 4-8.

News Starting January 09, 2012

Aventura Maya

Are you an extreme sports type? Or do you have guests coming into town that want to do something a little different? Aventura Maya is a program that is designed to connect visitors to some of the attractions in the Yucatan that are run by local villagers and might be a little more exciting than usual. Check out the website and find out ways to take a cenote tour with a local. Or maybe go kayaking, or hiking. This group is affiliated with the National Commission for the Development of the Indigenous People in the Yucatan, and is a good way to see the sights of the Yucatan, while helping to support and promote the people in the pueblos.

The Daily Yolisto Trivia Quiz

For the last couple of years, Dave_in_Ont (a long-time Canadian Snowbird to Yucatan) has been participating in a daily trivia challenge set up by a friend from Isla Mujeres. From all accounts, we hear that this daily trivia challenge is fun and interesting and goes great with a morning cup of coffee. The daily questions are in various categories and of different levels of difficulty. These are not Yucatan-specific nor are they specifically about Mexico, although some questions might be. The Categories are chosen by Dave_in_Ont, as administrator but the individual questions are randomly provided. If you are interested in seeing how you do, please check it out at YoListo Trivia Challenge You have to register to participate but there are no costs, no pop-ups, no malware or any other threats. If you do register, it would be nice if you used the same nickname that you use as a member of Yolisto, so people can see who they are competing against. For those who are unaware of the many kind things that Dave and Shirley have done for Yolisto members, including maintaining one of our best resources: Driving Through Mexico. We hope that everyone will take a look at the Yolisto Trivia Challenge and then meet your friends on Yolisto to discuss your obviously superior levels of intelligence. Thanks again to Dave and Shirley for this great addition to the Yolisto family.

As North America Adjusts, Immigration Changes Too

There are odd bits of news about immigration this week, especially near the U.S.-Mexico border. Quite a few Mexican villages have lost population as migrants look to Chile and Brazil for new jobs, instead of the usual countries to the north. On the other hand, there is good news concerning the so-called drug war, in that night life in Juarez is said to be coming back, along with the tourists. Sadly, also this week, a very young American teen ran away from home, gave police a false name and ended up being deported to a Colombian prison. There are good, bad, uplifting and heartbreaking aspects of each of those situations. We hope that everyone’s issues will be resolved in 2012 and that all of North America, as well as all of Latin America, can move forward together.

Monique Duval: Inquiring Minds Want to Know

We cannot tell you how many inquiries we get, each week, asking for how to get in touch with Monique Duval, her bakery, her newsletter, or the Slow Food Market. We have recently posted Monique’s contact information on Yolisto, but want to be sure and get it to our Yucatan Living readers as well. Monique’s Bakery is located at Calle 31 #70 con Calle 12 in colonia Chuburna de Hidalgo on the brink of Colonia Malaga, kitty corner from the old store El Super Farahon. To Reserve Your Bread, Call: 195-6413. To email Monique and start getting the newsletter, contact her at moniqueduval [at] aol [dot] com. There’s lots more associated with that email newsletter, including the Slow Food Market, Dance classes, Language classes… so do get it started as soon as you can.

Esterilización 2012

As we type this, Planned Pethood, all of the dog shelters in the area (AFAD, Evolución and others), many local veterinarians, a significant number of foreign volunteer veterinarians and many local and expat volunteers are working long hours to spay or neuter as many domestic animals as possible between January 8 and January 14. The goal for this third spay/neuter campaign is 1,500 animals. We hear that they have worked on 700 animals so far, as of Monday night (2 days so far). So far, each year, these tireless volunteers have exceeded their goal and we can hardly wait to find out how many pets and owners are guaranteed a stress free and healthier life because these procedures are available. We will get a number for you and we will add the update to the comments as soon as the last surgeries are over and the count is complete. Or if you want to know more up-to-the-minute news, come to our Facebook page.

Cruise Passenger Numbers Growing

Although the actual number of cruise ships arriving in Progreso did not grow in 2011, the number of passengers grew from 284,611 in 2010 to 290,000 in 2011. Some consider the size of Progreso and wonder where they put them all? The Director of Tourism explained that many, if not most, of Yucatan’s visitors come to see archaeological sites and the City of Merida, passing through Progreso on their way to those attractions. Even so, there are plenty of beach lovers left to enjoy a short trip to the end of the pier, a leisurely meal of pescado frito, guacamole and chips and a cold Sol with the sand between their toes, while watching the world go by. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

From the Author’s Desk: a New Expat Newsletter

Over the course of the past few years, Merida has become a Mecca for expat writers. Many are bloggers, but some author books. At least one has mastered the secret of successful self-publishing and is willing to pass on tips and even to offer a few badly needed services to other writers. Malcolm Massey writes action-adventure books and publishes them online. He has given several local seminars and has found that there is a need for not only assistance with publishing, but for editing as well. His seminars are quite affordable. The next one is in Progreso, on Thursday, January 26, 2012 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, at the Centro de Idiomas y Especialidades Progreso (CEIP) in Progreso, Calle 31 No. 142-A between 76 y 78 Centro. Just one block off of 78 as you drive into Progreso from Merida, this location is easy to find. Class size is limited, the cost is $100 pesos. If you are interested, send Malcolm an e-mail (malcolmmassey [at] hotmail [dot] com) with Seminar in the subject line. If you are a writer, there are quite a few items of interest in From the Author’s Desk, so be sure to let him know that you want to be put on his mailing list.

Helping Children and the Elderly

This week, we learned about an organization that is new to us but that has been helping children and the elderly, around the world, for enough years – and has been open and honest for long enough – to earn a four star rating from Charity Navigator. Four stars are the highest rating given by Charity Navigator. This charitable organization is called Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.  What we like best about this organization is that it is helping people right here in Merida. This is a sponsorship program ($30 USD per month), but sponsors are encouraged to form relationships with the individuals and families they sponsor. If you are looking for a way to give back to the community, we have done the research and can recommend the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.

Iowa Teachers Donate Musical Instruments

There has long been a strong bond between the educational systems of Iowa and Yucatan, especially at the university level. Each year, there are quite a few exchange students between the two states and we have had the pleasure of meeting several of them. This time, however, it is the teachers of Central Iowa College, in Pella, Iowa, who have outdone themselves. They have donated 18 musical instruments to the Youth Orchestra System of Yucatan. For those who are unaware of the origins of the Youth Orchestra System in Yucatan, this is not a part of the formal education curriculum. Instead, it is a social program, designed to teach discipline and teamwork at the same time that it discourages delinquent behavior. If you heard these young people in their concerts during the Christmas season, you know that the program is a smashing success. The teachers of Central Iowa College are deeply appreciated for their efforts to assist this wonderful program.

Kenyan Wins Merida Marathon

It seems that Merida has hit the big time with its annual Merida Marathon. This year, the race that helps to mark the opening of the Anniversary of the City drew over 3,500 contestants. This puts the Merida Marathon in the same class with annual marathons in Torreon, Monterrey and Mexico City, especially when we consider that the winners (1st and 2nd place for men, 1st place for women) split about $800,000 pesos and each got a brand new car. Our congratulations to not only the winners, but to all who have worked so hard to put the Merida Marathon on the map as one of the biggest and best in the country.