August 1, 2012
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The Sol,
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Maligned - The Media's Myopia
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If you look up "myopia" in
TheFreeDictionary.com you will find it defined as "...a
visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred
because their images are focused in front of the retina
rather than on it; nearsightedness." What you won't find
there, but probably should, are pictures of almost every
major U.S. cable and broadcast news network.
Most of us have long since
figured out that the 24-hour news cycle demands a relentless
stream of drama-dripping, nerve-jangling "Breaking News"
alerts every half-hour. God forbid eyeballs should be
allowed to wander. That reality is unfortunate on a number
of levels but nowhere more so than here, where an entire
noble nation is callously maligned.
Just to be clear, I am not
suggesting that the media "has it in for Mexico." Not at
all. This is not another rant against media bias. What I do
maintain, however, is that in their insatiable thirst for
the salacious, Mexico and its 112 million proud people are
in the minds of the media – assuming they bother to think
about such things at all – unfortunate collateral damage.
Just like the definition
above, the media's image of Mexico is blurred precisely
because their focus is on one relatively small, admittedly
ugly reality and thus falls woefully short of the retina of
responsible reportage.
As an unrepentant lover of
Mexico, I confess it is hard not to take this personally.
What if day after day you had to read gross exaggerations,
half-truths and outright, and often outrageous, lies about
someone you cherished?
You don't need to respond
to my rhetorical question because we both know that it would
make your blood boil. So imagine how I feel, laboring away
in the vineyards of travel and being subjected to a flood of
negative news reports about Mexico, a country of incredible
beauty, rich history and some of the finest people God ever
planted on this planet.
The Three Metrics That
Matter
Let's turn our attention to
three practical metrics you can use for measuring the safety
of Mexico.
Metric One: Geography
Allow me to share a couple
of realities that seldom get mentioned by the media. The
first is the fact that the vast majority of the security
problems in Mexico are restricted to towns along the border
and a few other scattered sites. It is worth noting that
Mexico has over 2500 municipalities and security problems
have been concentrated in just 18 of them. You probably
won't run across
this embarrassing little jewel either, embarrassing to
the US that is. It almost makes you question the wisdom of
staying at home!
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The second fact rarely
discussed is the immense size of Mexico (roughly the size of
Western Europe) and the distances between historical hot
spots and resort cities. Take a look at the map. You may be
surprised to discover that it is roughly 1000 miles from
Juarez to Cancun and almost 800 miles from Tijuana to Cabo
San Lucas. The white line is meant to suggest how
head-scratchingly strange we here in the US would find it if
a potential visitor from a foreign country shared with us
that he was apprehensive about visiting San Diego because he
had heard of a recent ugly incident in New Orleans.
Metric Two: Statistics
Here are a few interesting
facts you probably have not heard in the media:
• The Mexican Ministry of
Tourism revealed that 2011 was a record-breaking year for
tourism with. 23.4 million international travelers visiting
Mexico in 2011.
• The Mexican Ministry of
Tourism announced that 4.99 million international tourists
visited Mexico between January-April 2012, representing an
increase of 5.3 percent compared to the same period in 2011.
• Mexico is currently rated
10th in the world rankings for most international visitors
and has publicly set a goal to be in the top 5 by 2018.
• There are currently no US
travel advisories in place for popular tourist destinations
like Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and
Tulum, the Riviera Nayarit, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta,
Guadalajara and San Miguel de Allende, Leon or even Mexico
City.
Metric Three: Experience
If you were to ask me the
number one reason I believe Mexico is safe I would say it is
based on my own personal experience. I have been traveling
there for over 25 years, multiple times many years, without
ever once being threatened or harassed. My story is but one
of millions as the statistics above corroborate.
If you would like to hear
some real stories from real people talking about the real
Mexico, just visit the
Mexico Taxi Project. These are unscripted comments from
consumers just like you on their way home from the airport
upon returning to the US. OK, there may be a couple of folks
in those clips still feeling the negative effects of
over-indulgence but hey, hangovers don't reach the threat
threshold set for this blog post.
Summary
I hope I have demonstrated
that striking Mexico off your list of vacation destinations
based solely on money driven media reports is, dare I say
it, illogical, irrational and well... myopic. The real shame
is that you are depriving yourself of one of the most value
centered travel experiences available anywhere in the world.
Mexico has world-class hotels, incredible dining, exciting
activities and rich traditions all tendered to the world by
humble masters of unparalleled service.
Unfortunately, this humble
blogger doesn't have a prayer by himself of making the least
dint in the news coverage of Mexico. Unbowed and undeterred,
however, I shall keep on lending my own voice to many others
crying in the wilderness. I shall attend Mexico, I shall
defend Mexico, I shall recommend Mexico!
My only hope is that your
decision, fellow traveler, when it is made, will be based on
a basic grasp of geography, a familiarity with a few simple
statistics and a confident reliance on the consistent
testimony of a legion of travelers to Mexico with
irrefutable firsthand knowledge. Whatever you eventually
decide, I will fully respect your decision. But please, and
again I say please, don't let a myopic media's thirst for
mayhem rob you of experiencing one of the world's great
treasures. Take if from one who knows, you will be the
poorer for it.
Learn more at:
MagicOfMexico.com,
VisitMexico.com,
MexicoToday.com
Terry Denton is, in his own
words, 'an inveterate traveler, proficient writer, avid
golfer, unremarkable person.' He is also the Co-owner of
Travel Leaders / Main Street Travel of Fort Worth, Texas.
Tropical Gardening
About Bees and Beetles
©Tara
A. Spears
To a person who prides herself on being a serious gardener,
the tropical rainy season is a mixed blessing. While there
should be time freed up because there is no need to water
plants, the explosive growth of all the fauna requires twice
as much effort just to keep the yard from being overtaken.
So I happily spend hours each day elbow deep in vegetation
with a clipper in hand. It is while pruning away that I have
come up close and personal with several species of bees that
are quite interesting, and luckily for me, don’t generally
sting unless you disturb the nest.
Don’t let the name mislead you, the Orchid Bee and Carpenter
Bee enjoy lots of different varieties of blooms. They both
are very large bees, averaging about 1.5 inches (5 cm) long
with chunky, smooth bodies. They first started appearing en
masse in early May, and now that the breeding business is
done, it is more common to see lone bees feeding. Both
species reside in the Riviera Nayarit as they prefer the
tropical and subtropical regions of the western hemisphere.
Unlike their cousins the bumble bee, the subspecies that
have staked out my flowers are a unique shiny black. For
weeks I have tried to get close up pictures but it seems
like they sense the camera- I would sit for an hour with
camera in hand, nada. But if I’m busy trimming on a
ladder, here they come! I also collected carcasses to study
and identify the species.
Click
here to read more on bees and beetles
MEXICO NEWS HEADLINES THIS WEEK
Visit the Top 10 Archaeological Sites in
Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Travelers who are
interested in learning about ancient cultures and civilizations
will be delighted to learn that Mexico boasts some 182
archaeological sites. Many of these sites are designated UNESCO
World Patrimony sites, meaning that they are recognized as sites
that bear clues to mankind’s origins and evolution.
There are a wealth of archaeological sites
to pick from when traveling to Mexico. Consider our top 10,
which offer plenty of intrigue and excitement…. Go
to original article
Alaska Airlines Low Fare Fiesta: Mexico for
Fewer Pesos
Known for year-round sun and warm weather, Mexico is a popular
spot for summer vacations. A place where you can discover
ancient civilizations, stroll barefoot on a pristine,
sun-drenched beach and tantalize your taste buds with foods
authentically prepared by warm, welcoming people.
It's that time of year. The time when air
fare prices to Mexico drop south. Way south. Alaska Airlines'
Low Fare Fiesta has flights from the US to Mexico's most popular
vacation destinations starting at $204 one way. Prices like
these will go fast, so book your personal fiesta today.
Alaska Airlines Mexico Sale
One Way from Portland to Mazatlan - $204
One Way from Seattle to Loreto - $204
One Way from Seattle to La Paz - $204
One Way from Portland to Los Cabos - $214
One Way from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta - $224
One Way from Seattle to Ixtapa - $244
Go to original article
Calderón rejects protectionism
Opening up trade is the key to overcoming
the current economic global crisis, not protectionist measures,
said President Felipe Calderón on Thursday.
Trade benefits everyone and leads to
economic growth and net profits for producers and consumers, he
said during the inauguration of the 18th annual “Montevideo
Circle” foundation’s plenary meeting on Thursday.
Calderón called between 15 and 20
countries’ decision to implement protectionist measures a day
after the G20 meeting – where, he said, everyone rejected such
measures – “paradoxical.”
“One of the main concerns in our times is
the widespread use of protectionist measures, which will end up
hampering the world’s ability to recover economically,” he
said…. go
to original article
Mexico and S Korea draw in opener
South Korea wasted a number of scoring
chances against Mexico as the two teams opened Group B soccer at
the Olympics with a 0-0 draw Thursday.
With forward Giovani Dos Santos on the
bench from the start, Mexico showed little promise of being a
medal contender as its opponent dominated at St. James Park.
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm
on the slippery turf, but the tempo picked up in the second
half, which saw more scoring occasions.
Koo Ja-cheol came close to breaking the
deadlock in the 53rd minute as the South Korea captain swiveled
to send a volley off the crossbar. Koo headed the game’s best
chance wide in the 80th after getting free inside the box.
Substitute Raúl Jiménez nearly helped
Mexico escape with three points but curled his effort off the
post after a swift counterattack in the last minute of play.
While South Korea was without creative midfielder Han Kook-young
because of a broken left foot, it still continued to create
better opportunities after the break before goalkeeper José
Corona tipped away Ki Sung-yueng’s rising shot.
Mexico: Most attacks on journalists
unpunished
The government's human rights commission
says there have been 126 attacks on journalists or media outlets
in Mexico since 2000 and only 24 of these cases have been
prosecuted. Only two of these cases have resulted in
convictions.
The commission attributes the impunity
largely to a failure by authorities to investigate attacks.
It said Thursday that 82 journalists have
been killed and 16 have gone missing since 2000. In that period
there have been 28 attacks on media offices or vehicles.
The commission expressed hope Thursday that
a new law to protect journalists and human rights activists will
reduce the level of impunity
Dos Santos replaced Oribe Peralta in the
66th and soon had an effort deflected wide. Dos Santos then met
Darvin Chávez’s ball into the area in the 88th but guided his
shot wide of the post.
“We expected a game like this,” Mexico
coach Luis Fernando Tena said. “We never thought it would be
easy. I think it was a fair result.”… go
to original article
Mexico fines HSBC $28M in money laundering
case
Mexican regulators have levied a $28
million fine against the Mexico subsidiary of London-based HSBC
bank for failing to prevent money laundering through accounts at
the bank.
Mexico's National Securities and Banking
Commission said Wednesday that HSBC has paid the fines,
equivalent to 379 million pesos, or about half of the
subsidiary's 2011 annual profits.
The commission, and a report by a U.S.
senate investigative committee, found the bank failed to control
suspicious flows of billions of dollars through its accounts and
didn't respond promptly after being warned about a huge swell in
dollar cash transactions at the bank.
Guillermo Babatz, president of the banking
commission, said that at its peak in the mid-2000s, HSBC had
become the main shipper of dollar cash transfers from Mexico to
the United States, accounting for about half of the total flow,
even though it wasn't then among the country's largest banks…. go
to original article
Mexico attacks UN on arms trade
MEXICO criticised overnight the failure of
UN member states to clinch an international treaty regulating
the multibillion-dollar arms trade, saying a minority of
countries blocked it.
In a statement, the Mexican foreign
ministry highlighted a requirement that a consensus of the 193
members of the United Nations agree to the text.
The rule "makes it impossible to reach
agreements when there is broad and clear support, which is
nullified by the opposition of a minority of states," it said in
the statement.
The negotiations at the United Nations
ended Friday without agreement on the proposed treaty to
regulate the estimated $US70 billion ($67 billion) of
international trade in conventional weapons each year.
Some diplomats said Washington had refused
to vote on the proposed treaty, demanding more time before the
midnight deadline amid worries about a push back from the US
Congress…. Go
to original article
Protesters Blockade Mexico's Largest TV
Station
Thousands of protesters gathered on
Thursday in Mexico City to blockade Mexico's largest television
station, Televisa, over accusations of corruption and biased
news coverage surrounding the country's July 1st presidential
elections.
Protesters take part in a blockade in front
of Televisa organized by student movement "Yo Soy 132" against
Mexico's president-elect Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico City
(Reuters/Tomas Bravo) Protesters, including student groups and
unions, blockaded Televisa's offices in Mexico City, preventing
employees from entering.
Protesters chanted "tell the truth," urging
Televisa to come clean over allegations that the network
blatantly supported now president Enrique Pena Nieto in coverage
leading up to the elections. A report from the Guardian in June
revealed widespread corruption at the station including evidence
suggesting that a secret unit inside Televisa had been assigned
to run a covert campaign for Nieto in exchange for money… Go
to original article
Ritmoson Latino to Feature Summer in Riviera Nayarit
Riviera Nayarit CVB
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extensive media exposure, valued at $600,000 pesos, will
be aired on the Ritmoson Latino cable TV channel at no
cost to the CVB or the featured businesses in Riviera
Nayarit. |
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Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
- "Oh my God!" exclaimed Bazooka Joe, a Ritmoson Latino TV
host who was amazed by the beauty of Riviera Nayarit, where
he recorded over 120 spots be aired between videos from July
30 to August 4 on this channel, which is broadcast by the
leading cable companies in Mexico and 45 other countries in
America and Europe.
The production crew of El Break, a Ritmoson Latino
show that provides useful information on how to spend summer
holidays, toured Riviera Nayarit from end to end to record
these spots. The resulting media exposure is valued at over
$600,000 pesos, but will be provided at no cost to Mexico's
Pacific Treasure.
Bazooka Joe and Erika Bruni
visited Tepic, where they toured the historic downtown area
led by the popular character Concha Moños, who also struck
up a friendly competition to see whether Bruni or himself
could attract more looks from passersby on the street.
They also cooked in San
Blas with Chef Betty Vasquez of El Delfin Restaurant at
Hotel Garza Canela, and introduced the main attractions of
the historic port. They caught a dorado in Rincon de
Guayabitos and admired the reefs around Isla del Coral on a
glass-bottom boat. They also played polo in San Pancho,
fried snappers in Punta Mita and even fed the tigers at
Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta.
The Convention and Visitors
Bureau (CVB) of Riviera Nayarit, a civil association
dedicated to promoting the destination, has worked closely
with all sectors of society and government, in order to
achieve its objective: to position Riviera Nayarit as an
independent destination, with great attractions, spectacular
landscapes, and high-quality services.
One of the strategies used
by the CVB is to attract the attention of the media through
PR efforts like this one in conjunction with Ritmoson
Latino, in order to achieve the greatest possible exposure
at the lowest cost, achieving a greater influx of tourists.
"The Convention and Visitors
Bureau endorses its commitment to work intensely to achieve
its objective of attracting more tourists to Mexico's
Pacific Treasure, and to distribute them evenly throughout
Nayarit in order to improve the lives of all our people,"
said Fernando Ortega, president of the CVB.
Dr. Adriana Flores:
Personality and Talent
©Tara A. Spears
It’s always
exciting when a small town gal makes good, and even more
admirable when she returns to give back to her hometown.
Adrianna Flores is a fine example for other young people in our
rural area: she is more than just an excellent dentist, she is a
dedicated, charming individual. Adrianna exemplifies the
best of her generation: open to the newest trends, kind, and
infused with hope for the future for her town.
Although Adriana
was born in Chappala, Jalisco, her parents returned to their
home town after living and working for five years in southern
California, where she learned English in school. “La Penita was
a great place for a child growing up,” said Dr. Adriana. “Twenty
years ago it was just a slow paced, little fishing village.”
Her family encouraged her to study hard and dream big,
especially her father. “I always loved animals, and I was
constantly rescuing injured animals. I knew from a young age
that I wanted to help people for a career.” By the time Addy
graduated from the Universidad de Nayarit, Tepic, with her
premed Bachelor’s degree, she had worked part-time in a variety
of doctors and dentists offices to get a glimpse of the
profession. She decided to pursue dentistry. Dr.
Adriana graduated four years ago from the Universidad de
Guadalajara School of Dentistry. Immediately after graduating,
Addy began her professional career by joining an established
dental practice in Guadalajara to gain experience and to save up
to open her own practice. A year ago she was able to achieve
that goal by returning to La Penita and opening her dentistry
office on the lateral street (Oceano Pacifico three corners
south of the bank.)
Click here read
the entire story
 The following story was first published in
Mexico Today
For many tourists, the
thought of
driving to Mexico is a
big question mark. Will it
be safe? What will I do if
my car breaks down? What
happens if I get a flat
tire? Is Mexican fuel
comparable to what I put in
my car back home? There may
be dozens of questions that
potential visitors to Mexico
will have.
More than forty million
people cross the border each
year between San Diego and
Tijuana, making the region
the busiest land-border
crossing in the world.
Not long ago, I published an
article on ‘10
Tips for Ensuring a Safe
Road Trip Across the Border’
including precautions you
can take to ensure a safe
trip in Mexico. Certainly
all 10 tips are important,
but one of the most
important pieces of
information to be aware of
is the contact for the Green
Angels.
The Mexican government has a
free service called
The Green Angels.
Mechanics patrol the main
highways everyday in white
and green pick-up trucks and
provide free 24/7 road side
assistance to visitors with
mechanical problems. They
have a communication network
via radio with various
government agencies and
provide tourist information
and additional visitor
assistance. For Tijuana,
Ensenada and El Hongo toll
roads, call 01-800-990-3900
or for Tijuana to Tecate
toll roads, call
1-800-888-0911. Most Mexican
Insurance also offers a road
side assistance plan.
Thanks to the power of
social media, I recently met
Mexico travel experts,
Bill and Dorothy Bell, a
dynamic Canadian couple who
now live in the town of La
Peñita de Jaltemba, Nayarit,
Mexico where they operate an
English online newspaper
called the “Jaltemba Sol.”
They have been instrumental
in numerous charitable
activities that raise
hundreds of thousands of
pesos annually for good
causes.
Fifteen years ago, they
created a website focused on
their road travels to Mexico
called
On the Road In. The site
is a comprehensive travel
guide to RV’ing, camping and
safe travel in Mexico and is
considered one of the best
sources out there today. The
site is a platform for trip
planning, safety issues and
entice readers with a
plethora of stories and
photographs of the benefits
of Mexico travel. “We wanted
to share with others the joy
of traveling in Mexico,”
said Bell. “While many
people have traveled to a
resort destination, we found
a vacuum in terms of
awareness in other
locations.”
Additionally both of the
Bells operate their
corresponding
On Road in Mexico Facebook
page with the purpose of
helping would-be road
travelers and by providing
up-to-date information in a
fun and enthusiastic manner.
Their Facebook page was
started a year ago and was
built in response to
hundreds of email questions
they were receiving on road
travel safety in Mexico.
Their page offers a “Travel
Buddy” service; a
matchmaking system that
marries travelers who wish
to travel together for
safety and confidence. It
also gives traveler
recommendations on routes,
sites to see, pet friendly
hotels, highway construction
and much needed “real
traveler” a ssurances
driving in Mexico.
“Many people are intimidated
and in some cases scared to
drive in Mexico,” he said.
“We try to give them the
tools, the advice and
knowledge to be able to
explore this wonderful
country by road.”
When I asked Bill for his
top recommendations for road
travel in Mexico he
suggested:
1.
When you can, stick
to the toll roads in Mexico.
They are usually in good
condition and are well
marked and patrolled on a
regular basis.
2.
Avoid driving at
night. As road conditions
are different in Mexico, you
will need light to see topes
(speed bumps) animals and
rocks on the road.
3.
Plan out your trip so
as to leave early and arrive
at your destination early.
If you have a breakdown you
have an opportunity to get
help before darkness.
4.
In Mexico a left turn
signal on the highway is
usually an invitation to
pass the vehicle; but be
careful, it could mean they
are turning left.
5.
Drive defensively.
Mexicans are generally very
laid back people who have a
flexible attitude towards
arriving on time. Put behind
the wheel of a car, the
situation changes
drastically. Expect
impatient drivers, passing
on solid lines other
dangerous stunt car driver
tactics.
Bill also addressed some
frequently asked questions
relating to driving in
Mexico:
What type of permits
does a vehicle need?
If you drive in Mexico
(other than the Baja,
Northern Sonora and border
towns) you will need a six
month importation permit
(Recreational vehicles can
get 10 year permits) which
you can obtain on line and
at most border crossings.
What should you do
if you get pulled over?
If you get pulled over by
the police, be prepared and
have all your documentation;
drivers’ license, vehicle
permit, your FMM tourist
visa or FM3 and
registration. In Mexico it
is common for the driver to
get out of the car to greet
the police officer. The
police will be most
concerned with seeing your
driver’s license. They will
tell you if you have
committed an offense and
what the offense is. Unlike
in United States and Canada,
if you do it nicely, you can
often dispute the ticket
with the police officer. If
they end up giving you a
ticket, they will confiscate
your driver’s license. It
will be returned to you once
you pay the ticket. We
recommend being friendly and
paying the ticket.
What type of auto
insurance do you need?
American and Canadian
vehicle insurance is not
accepted in Mexico. We
recommend that road
travelers get quotes online
so they understand the
language in the policy. We
advise people to get a legal
component and liability in
case they get into an
accident.
How long can
travelers by car stay on the
road in Mexico?
The vehicle permit is issued
for no longer than six
months. If you apply and
receive an extended
visitor’s permit (an FM3)
then the vehicle permit
extends to the life of your
tourist visa.
Can you tell me
about the maps (on your
website)?
We made friends with the
operators of a Mexican RV
Park who wanted to get more
customers. We started a free
caravan service that led
thirty rigs down the Pacific
Coast to La Penita de
Jaltemba Nayarit. The
problem was that we lost
three different RV’s.
Knowing that we were going
to do another free caravan,
we decided that we would
write visual instructions
that would ensure that they
couldn’t get lost. The Road
Log is a visual diagram of
the highway giving details
such as whether the road is
two or four lanes, has
shoulders. It tells where to
turn, which side of the
highway has a Pemex. Every
Pemex is numbered and says
whether they sell diesel.
The road logs also give
other landmarks to give
confidence to the driver
that they are indeed on the
right road. We have also
added small commentary in
our road logs. For example
we explain why Benjamin Hill
is named Benjamin Hill. Who
is this Juarez person?
Tidbits about currency,
customs etc.
Top recommended road
itineraries?
Beach Lovers? Solitude in
Nature
You cannot beat the
diversity and mystery of the
Baja. The beaches are
magnificent and the deserts
are intense. Bahia
Conception is a dream. You
can pet the whales in
Guerrero Negro, Camp on the
isolated beaches on the Sea
of Cortes and be dancing
with the stars in Cabo a few
days later. Diversity,
beach, desert, scenery.
Culture, Colonial and Charm
A circular route of
Guadalajara, Guanajuato, San
Miguel de Allende,
Querétaro, Morelia and
Patsquaro will give you an
appetite for more colonial
city exploration. This
circle route will charm you
with history, cuisine, music
and more. This is the
colonial heart of the
country.
Yucatan Peninsula
Take the complete circle
route and explore the
ancient Maya. From Cancun,
(or Isla Muljeres if you
don’t want the party) drive
slowly down the coast to
Chetumal around to Palenque
and onward to Campeche and
Merida. Enjoy the powder
white beaches but also
discover the mystical
cenotes and ancient sites
along the way. The
flamingoes on the Gulf coast
are magnificent. Campeche
and Merida are beautiful and
diverse cities to discover.
You would be rushed to do
this in 10 days. You would
also be rushed to do this in
a year. There is simply too
much to see, climb,
discover, taste and touch.
Indigenous Cultures
Oaxaca to San Christobal to
Palenque
The drive through small
towns and larger cities
gives you a glimpse of the
lives of indigenous peoples
in Mexico. You will
experience the ancient
cities and sites, the
handicrafts and customs of
rural peoples and well as
the gorgeous natural
elements in the countryside
such as waterfalls, rivers,
mountain passes and cloud
forests.
Why Mexico?
Mexico always excited us;
its natural beauty, its rich
history and the friendliness
of its people. The light and
colors make photographs very
special. Mexico is exotic –
different than the day to
day life in Toronto,
Vancouver, Chicago or LA.
When you drive in Mexico,
around every corner you can
expect to be delightfully
surprised; a beautiful
church, an ancient pyramid,
villagers in native
costumes, a farmer plowing
his fields with oxen…it
never ceases to amaze.
Bill is a reporter and
photographer by trade and
Dorothy has received awards
for her work in hazardous
waste management and
recycling. Together the
Bells have a his’, her’s and
ours’ family of four
children. The eldest
daughter is married to
Mexican Artist. The two
youngest are attending
University in Canada. They
are bilingual and in their
own words proud to be
“bicultural.”
Having fully embraced the
Mexican culture, both Bill
and Dorothy Bell are working
towards becoming Mexican
citizens.
TO BE HELD IN LANGLEY BC IN SEPTEMBER
4 Hour Course on Driving and RVing Safely
Throughout Mexico
Want to go to Mexico but
would rather avoid being beheaded? You long for those long warm
Mexican winters but wonder if you are gambling w ith
your life?. And what about those crooked cops and Moctezuma’s
revenge? No worries. Mexperts Bill and Dorothy Bell are
returning to the Vancouver area to teach you the tips on driving
and RVing south of the US border.
Thousands of Canadian
snowbirds continue to drive south to Mexico every year - many to
RV and camp in a "tropical paradise" despite the well publicized
safety concerns over reports of violence. The reason?
Canadian winters.
"It's the weather, the
people and the affordability," says Dorothy Bell who along with
her husband Bill Bell are the creators of the web site
www.ontheroadin.com, the largest and best known website on road
travel and safety in Mexico. Considered experts in the field,
they have visited every Mexican state a dozen times and know the
great spots to snowbird or retire.
"Travelling in Mexico by
road has always had a sense of adventure to it; before it was
the banditos, now
it is the drug wars, but it has never stopped the thousands of
snowbirds who call Mexico home for six months of the year," says
Dorothy. "We are not discounting that the drug war in Mexico is
a reality but we are saying that if you follow some very simple
rules, as a visitor to Mexico you can be safer than travelling
through many big American cities."
Click here to read the
entire story
Thomas Rehard Ties the knot Congratulations!
"BEAR GOT MARRIED"! Long time resident of Alaska
and La Penita, Nayarit, Mexico, got married in the Philippines
on June 27, 2012. Bear recently returned from his vacation and
informed his friends that he married Lyn, his long time squeeze,
in a traditional Philippine wedding ceremony. Lyn and Bear are
now waiting for paper work to be completed so they can make the
Jaltemba Bay area their home.
MEXICO NEWS Last WEEK
Peña and Calderón meet at Los Pinos
President says transition will be
transparent, smooth. President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto and
President Felipe Calderón agreed to begin working on the
transition of power once the Federal Electoral Tribunal (TEPJF)
verifies the results of the July 1 election, which Peña Nieto
carried by a nearly 7-point margin.
The pair met for almost two hours at the
Los Pinos presidential residence. Calderón said that he would
fully back Peña Nieto during the process, to make it more
efficient, transparent and ensure full compliance with the law.
Since the election, Calderón has taken a cooperative stance with
the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which Peña Nieto
represents….Go
to original article
Mexico urges U.S. to review gun laws after
Colorado shooting
Mexican President Felipe Calderon condemned
U.S. gun laws as "mistaken" and urged Washington to review them
after a shooter killed 12 people and injured more than 50 others
at a U.S. movie theater on Friday.
In comments posted on his Twitter account
on Saturday, Calderon offered his condolences to the United
States after a gunman went on the rampage with an assault rifle
at a midnight premier of the new Batman film in Aurora,
Colorado.
But Mexico's president, who has repeatedly
called on Washington to tighten gun controls to stop weapons
flowing from the United States into the hands of Mexican drug
cartels, said U.S. weapons policy needed a rethink after the
killings.
"Because of the Aurora, Colorado tragedy,
the American Congress must review its mistaken legislation on
guns. It's doing damage to us all," Calderon said….Go
to original article
Arizona sheriff faces racial profiling
charges
Mexican tourist Manuel Ortega Melendres was
a passenger in a car pulled over by deputies of hard-line
Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio during a sweep for illegal
immigrants, ostensibly because the vehicle’s driver was
speeding. But moments later Melendres was arrested, despite
having a valid visa and producing identification, while the
vehicle’s white driver was neither cited nor taken into custody.
Melendres’ ordeal in 2007 is now at the
heart of a class action lawsuit to be heard in federal court in
Phoenix beginning Thursday in a case that will test whether
Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio can target the undocumented in
immigration “sweeps” without racially profiling Latino citizens.
The suit contends that Arpaio, who styles himself “America’s
toughest sheriff,” and his officers violate the constitutional
rights of both Hispanic citizens and legal immigrants alike in
their zeal to crack down on people they believe to be illegal
immigrants in the Phoenix valley.….Go
to original article
Warner Bros. cancels Batman premieres in
Mexico, Japan
Warner Bros. Pictures says it has canceled
appearances by the cast and filmmakers of the movie The
Dark Knight Rises in Mexico and Japan after a shooter killed
12 people and injured at least 50 Friday in a Colorado theater
during a midnight premiere of the newest Batman movie.
The studio says actors Christian Bale, Anne
Hathaway and Joseph Gordon Levitt will no longer hold press or
red carpet events on Monday at Mexico City's National
Auditorium. Premiere events in Paris were also canceled Friday.
….Go
to original article
Cemex Bolstered by U.S. as Sales Fall in
Europe, Mexico
Cemex SAB (CEMEXCPO), the largest cement
maker in the Americas, boosted U.S. sales to the highest level
in more than three years, fueling share gains even as revenue
fell in Mexico and Europe.
U.S. sales rose 15 percent in the second
quarter to $795 million, the highest quarterly level since the
end of 2008, the Monterrey, Mexico-based company said yesterday
in a statement. Cemex also made money in the U.S. for the first
time in eight quarters, earning $27 million before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization, a measure of cash flow
known as Ebitda. ….Go
to original article
Graphic Interview of Alleged Rapists Angers
Mexico
The families of women and girls sexually
assaulted on a church camp-out near Mexico City expressed anger
Thursday after television stations broadcast a video of police
posing highly graphic questions to suspects arrested in the
crime.
Christian Youth Movement spokeswoman Aletia
Santoscoy asked the media to stop playing the interrogation
because it was affecting the girls' emotional recovery….Go
to original article
Mexico parties unite to demand probe over
alleged campaign fraud
The conservative National Action Party
joined Mexico's main leftist party Thursday in accusing the
winner of the country's July 1 presidential election of campaign
wrongdoing, saying it has "strong and conclusive" evidence of
the use of illicit funds.
National Action leader Gustavo Madero said
his party is demanding that electoral authorities investigate
the purported use of pre-paid debit cards by apparent winner
Enrique Pena Nieto's campaign to disburse an estimated 108
million pesos ($8.2 million) in funds. That alone would be about
a third of all the money the candidate was legally allowed to
use in the race..….Go
to original article
Google takes aim at Mexico's drug cartels
Google, so far, has won the search engine
wars. Now it wants to target international crime, including
Mexico's powerful drug cartels. Eric Schmidt, Google Inc.'s
executive chairman, has taken a keen interest in Mexico, where
more than 47,500 people have been killed in drug-related
violence since President Felipe Calderon launched an offensive
against the cartels in 2006. Schmidt recently visited most of
Mexico's most violent cities, Ciudad Juarez, where civic leaders
asked if he could help.
"Defeated, helpless, these people have been
so hardened in their experience with cartels that they have lost
battles and they have lost hope," Schmidt told a conference on
international crime this week. "They were looking for a
universal hammer to protect them. For me the answer was obvious.
It was technology." ….Go
to original article
Mexico's Lopez Obrador alleges election
money laundering
The runner-up in Mexico's presidential
election, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has alleged that winner
Enrique Pena Nieto's campaign used laundered money.
He said he had evidence that Mr Pena
Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) had used illicit
money.
The PRI rejected the accusations as
"flagrant defamation" by Mr Lopez Obrador, who is legally
challenging the result of the 1 July poll. ….Go
to original article
We only need $9,448.25 more pesos !
To Change a woman's life forever
We nearly have enough for the
second hip replacement. Only
$10,086.25 more
pesos.
It's not that much when you are talking about changing a life
forever. Please help.
Email money
transfer, bank deposit or by mail. Contact:
linchimes@hotmail.com
The
Mexican Golf Federation certified a new golf course in Riviera
Nayarit
- Las Huertas Golf Course in San
Pancho was endorsed by the leading golf authority in Mexico
Specialists agree that
Riviera Nayarit is the up-and-coming golf destination in
Latin America, not only because of the quality of its courses,
but also because of its natural beauty. A prime example of this
is Las Huertas Golf Course located in San Pancho, an executive
9-hole golf course, 3,958 yards, par 32, which was recently
endorsed by the Mexican Golf Federation.
The course was built in 2005 - 2006 and is
located next to the beach, with several holes featuring ocean
views. It was developed along soursops, cinnamons, mangos,
tamarinds and other kinds of trees. “This is a real orchard; the
course was designed as a garden that also incorporates local
tropical trees and the jungle. It has been endorsed by the
Semarnat, and has an amazing floral beauty”, explained Francisco
Sandoval, who manages the course
Click here
to read the entire story
Big
City Traffic Locks Down San Miguel
|
| Since
the town of San Miguel De Allende, Guanajuato became a
World Heritage Site, there are huge traffic jams on the
weekends due to the fact that the city was designed for
horse and donkey transit. |
|
|
San Miguel De Allende,
Guanajuato – Once upon a time San Miguel was a colorful,
sleepy little Mexican town in central Mexico. Not anymore.
With the fame the city has
acquired over the past four years, since UNESCO (The United
Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)
defined it as a World Heritage site, vehicle traffic has
grown almost beyond management.
"We are in a crisis
situation," says Adolfo Cervantes, director of Municipal
Traffic and Public Transportation in the small municipality
not far from the nation's capital. "Every weekend there are
huge bottlenecks caused not just by excess traffic, but also
because the original - and still beautiful - city was
designed for horse and donkey transit. City forefathers
never foresaw the monumental growth and built a federal road
outside of town."
Click here to read
the entire story
 New
Highway to be finished by the end of 2013
The Maya Said
What? Read Jeanine Kitchel’s Book
|
| Chichen-Itza is
considered to have been one of the greatest Mayan
centers of the Yucatan peninsula, and today is one
of the largest and most impressive archaeological
sites in Mexico. |
 |
Quintana Roo, Mexico
- If you’re like me, you may have been wondering what
all the Maya "it’s-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it"
controversy is all about. As has been widely reported,
on December 21, 2012 there will be a rare alignment in
the skies when the sun will be positioned exactly on the
crossroads between the galactic equinox (huh?) and the
Milky Way, my favorite candy bar. Apparently, this is a
big deal, so we better all take note.
One thing we know for sure about the
ancient Maya is that they were excellent astronomers,
and they saw this day coming many centuries ago, naming
it the "Sacred Tree." So if the Maya really believed
this, one would be well advised to pay attention. You
never want to be caught with your pants down when
cataclysmic events are on the horizon (I refer to
Hannibal and the Romans at the Battle of the Trebia, or
when the guy jumps out of the trunk in The Hangover.)
There appear to be several
interpretations as to exactly what will happen on that
fateful day. One camp (and we know who you are) is
predicting total annihilation of Mother Earth and you
darn well better make peace with your maker, if not the
IRS and your ex-spouse.
Another more scholarly group points
out that for the Maya all events are circular - there
are no endings. So December 21 will be a reset day – a
new beginning for mankind. That doesn’t sound like such
a bad idea given the cost of a college education these
days.
And, of course, there are the New Age
acolytes, fully prepared to experience the Age of
Aquarius, sung with such passion on stage in the Hair
production four decades ago. Love and Peace forever,
brother.
Fortunately, Jeanine Kitchel has
written an engaging and scholarly book just in time to
clear up the confusion. I first met the author about 13
years ago as I passed through Puerto Morelos, Quintana
Roo, Mexico, where she was living and running an
English-language bookstore with her husband, Paul.
It was there that she became
enthralled with the Maya, reading all that she could
about that great civilization, and like everyone else,
trying to figure out what happened to cause the
abandonment of the thousands of cities and villages,
many of which have since been dug out of the dense
jungles of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras and
the southern Mexico states of Chiapas, Tabasco,
Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo. In her book, Jeanine
painstakingly cites all of the Maya-phile works, from
John Lloyd Stephens to Michael Coe to David Stuart.
"It was something I loved to read
about," she says. "I was fascinated by the Maya culture
and the fact that, at the time, no one could break the
code. It was this incredible mystery and a very exciting
time in the Yucatan and I was at the source. As each new
Maya title was published -about the civilization, the
code, the pyramids - I ordered it. I read everything I
could get my hands on. I was seriously addicted."
Jeanine had a lot of ground to cover,
as the Maya have been around a long time, dating back to
the Pre-Classic period of c. 2000 BC to AD 250. And, of
course, they are still with us – about seven million at
last count. The advanced, lost civilizations may have
mysteriously disappeared, but the people have always
remained.
There are still many different
dialects spoken and in many settlements, way back in the
bush, daily life and rituals have been maintained in
close accordance with their ancestors of long ago. Many
settlements have both secular and religious leaders, and
offerings are made in the manner of the ancient Maya.
They have a distinctive dress, with
the women wearing colorful huipiles (blouses) and
the men still working the corn fields of their
forefathers. They are truly a fascinating and enduring
people – a culture that has survived and adapted, and
one that we may all be wise to learn from.
Kitchel has written an essential book
for anyone who would like to learn about the Maya. She
has condensed volumes of information into an
easy-to-read and understand page-turner. So what is her
conclusion about what will happen on December 21? Well,
just pick up an ebook copy for a cheap price to find
out, and you’ll also be helping out some Mayan kids.
With each book sold, a portion of the profits will go to
edúcaTE Yucatán, an educational non-profit organization
in Yucatán that helps send poor Mayan children to
school. To get a copy of Maya 2012 Revealed,
Demystifying the Prophecy, check
Kitchel’s website or Amazon.com, iTunes and Nook.
Author's Disclosure: I am being
compensated for my work in creating and managing content
as a Contributor for the México Today Program. All
stories, opinions and passion for all things México
shared here are completely my own. Mexico Today is a
joint public and private sector initiative designed to
help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an
unrivaled tourist destination.
A San Diego State University graduate,
David lives with his wife, Felice, and his kids, Tanner
and Nicolette, in San Diego when he’s not beating around
Mexico. You can contact David by email at
dave(at)mexicopremiere.com.
Click here
to read the entire story
Papaya – Yummy Powerhouse
by Dorothy Bell
Christopher Columbus called the Papaya
the “Fruit of the Angels” for its refreshing taste, nutritional qualities and
health benefits.
Originating in southern Mexico –
particularly Chiapas and Veracruz - and parts of Central America, this
powerhouse fruit is now cultivated through out
the tropical world. In Mexico, lucky us, you can find delicious papaya sold from
roadside stands on the coast and in every market and supermarket in the nation.
This versatile plant is used for many
different purposes. The fruit is consumed as food as well as used as a
tenderizer for meats. The seeds are used as a
healthy condiment to replace pepper. The skin and fruit are used as a suave and
dressing for wounds, burns and getting rid of age spots. The stem and bark is
used in the production of natural ropes.
The fruit is also used in traditional
medicines and the cosmetic industry.
Click here to read the entire story on papaya and its
benefits
Summer Road
Adventure 2012
Bill & D's current road trip.
Go here
Guelaguetza, Oaxaca Oaxaca, Mexico
Photography by Bill Bell
  
 
To
view more photographs from this event click here
Tikal Guatamala
Photography by Bill Bell
An amazing
abondoned ruins of a Mayan powercity set in the jungle of
Guatemala. Grand palaces and temples poke out of the playground
of howler and spider monkeys, tucans and wild turkeys. Walking
through the kilometers of jungle trails is challenging yet
pleasant; climbing the temples high above the jungle canopy and
into the clouds is exhausting but rewarding.
Click
here to view Tikal Photography
Fast Facts
Culture
- Mayan
Dates of Occupation – 400BC to 900AD
Location
- Petan Guatemala
Jungle
Lowlands
Click
here to view Tikal Photography by Bill and Dot Bell
New La Cruz to Punta
Mita Highway Close to Completion
Lorena Sonrisas - BanderasNews.com
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| |
|
|
Punta de Mita, Mexico
- The town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, often called the
"Crown Jewel" of Riviera Nayarit, is considered a model town
at the national level based on its economic and tourism
standards. And, when the new highway to Punta Mita is
completed, La Cruz's infrastructure is expected to develop
even more.According to State
Government and construction company documents, the new
four-lane highway is scheduled to open within the next three
months, after a dispute with the La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Ejido, which halted construction one kilometer from the
major highway, has been settled.
Considered one of the most important
public infrastructure projects of the former
administration's six-year term in the State of Nayarit, the
four-lane highway that goes from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to
Punta de Mita serves the state's vision of improving
communication and accessibility between these two tourist
development areas.
The $250 million pesos state-funded
project was initiated by former Nayarit Governor Ney
González Sánchez, but was not completed during his term in
office. So it was left to his successor, Roberto Sandoval,
to see to the completion of the 7 kilometer stretch of
concrete and asphalt that will link La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
to Punta Mita.
Today the long-awaited highway is almost a
reality, much to the relief of the area's inhabitants,
including its hotel and tourism sectors, as it will
convenience the many daily commuters between La Cruz de
Huanacaxtle and Punta Mita, as well as the locals and
tourists who come to this area for business and leisure.
Source:
Vallarta Opina
Idyllic Mexican Village: Lo de Marco
© Tara A. Spears
As the Riviera Nayarit is gaining in popularity with
international and national tourists, one of its coastal
treasures is Lo de Marcos - a perfect beachside vacation for
those who truly want to get away from it all. This diminutive
community, with a population of less than 3,000 inhabitants,
enables the visitor to partake of a traditional Mexican
lifestyle that includes verdant mountains with tropical
vegetation, a fresh water estuary, and a stunning unspoiled
natural Pacific Ocean beach. You won’t find high-rise chain
hotels, the entire village is composed of single level homes
with only a few 2-story residences and bungalows. Lo de Marcos
provides charm and basic shopping along its two main streets,
but easy access to larger communities via highway 200 is just a
15 minute ride by Mexican taxi.
The Journey from Coco Farm to Tourism:
Major village
improvements, including a vibrant town square, have been
realized in the last five years through the combined efforts of
local townspeople and dynamic international seasonal residents
via the active Amigos Lo de Marcos civic group. (Visit their
website,
amigosdelodemarcos.org,
to find
out upcoming events and various civic projects underway.) Also
on their website is an interesting history of the pueblo written
by Jim Heinrich. In Lo de Marco, as with all of Mexico, the 20th
century was the scene of dramatic political and economic shifts
that altered the lifestyle of village residents.
According to
historian
Jesús de Avila,
a local resident, 84 year-old Victorino Salazar
Mariscal, explained that the founders of the town were the
brothers Oliverio and Pedro Palomera and their three sons, who
arrived in the region already known as Lo de Marcos in 1918.
There were only a handful of families living there. When the
Palomeras settled, Lo de Marcos formed only a small part of the
vast holdings of the Camarena family from Guadalajara. These
managers could never have envisioned the changes that would
occur over the next half-century to this bucolic outpost.
C lick
here to read the entire story on Lo de Marcos
La Venta, Tabasco
"The Sale"
 La
Venta is one of the cradels of the ancient Mexican
civilizations. The settlement was populated by the Olmecs, the
culture that predates both the Mayan and Aztec and influenced
both regarding religion, health and medicine, astrology, city
planning and mathamatics.
Click here to view more La Venta photography
Fast Facts
Culture - Olmec
Dates of Occupation –
Tribes occupied the site as early as 1600 BCE. for hundreds of
years, however the Olmecs and the city of La Venta reached its
zenith between 1000 BC and declined by 400 BC.
Click here to read
more about La Venta
View
Ancient Sites in Mexico in a larger map
El Monteon Beach Development promotion
Unique combination of natural assets Master Planned
Resort Community
259 hectares with the option of increasing up to 301 hectares. It has
aprox 4 kilometers of ocean front, included one long beach and 1 sandy
cove, in Riviera Nayarit.
Located 45 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta airport and 25 minutes
from the Hotel/Golf Four Seasons in Punta Mita.
La Mandarina will benefit from the Government’s infrastructure spending
which contemplates the construction of the highway between Puerto
Vallarta and Guadalajara which will reduce the distance between these
two cities from 4 hours to 2.5 hours. This in turn will facilitate the
access for about 18 million people.
Click
here to read more about this new proposed development
Mexico
Receives Forest Protection Money
Callu George -
BanderasNews.com
|
| The
Forest Investment Program, part of the Strategic Climate
Fund, strives to combat deforestation and prevent the
degradation of forests by wildfires. Pictured here is
forest near El Limón, Jalisco. |
 |
Mexico - In order to
develop a stronger forest protection plan, Mexico recently
received $392 million; $350 million of which are a loan from
the World Bank, and $42 million are from the Forest
Investment Program.
The Forest Investment Program (FIP), part of the Strategic
Climate Fund, strives to combat deforestation and prevent
the degradation of forests by wildfires, as well as help
developing countries transition to more eco-friendly
foresting practices.
The $42 million granted by
the FIP are a donation from that organization, which numbers
Australia, Denmark, Japan, Norway, Spain, Britain, and the
US among its members.
Juan Rafael Elvira
Quesadat, Mexico's Environment and Natural Resources
Secretariat, reports that the funds will be channeled
through the National Forestry Commission, or Conafor, to
finance over the next few years a variety of forestry
projects aimed at fighting global climate change.
|
|
Forest in Riviera Maya, Mexico |
|
|
The program includes monies
for environmental services, land-use planning, the
processing and marketing of timber and non-timber assets,
and the sustainable protection of the land that is so
critical to the country’s environment and economy from
natural disasters.
The director of Conafor,
Juan Manuel Torres Rojo, said that with these funds the
Woodland and Climate Change Project will generate a variety
of different opportunities for individuals in more than 4000
indigenous communities, as well as the beneficial
consequences for the Mexican population and environment as a
whole.
Source: EFE
Nuestra Señora del Refugio
(Our Lady of
Refuge of Sinners)
by
Dorothy Bell
Painting by Joseph de Paez (1750)
Feast Day
July 4 & 5th
Iconic Image
The multiple
images of Our Lady of Refuge follow a similar pattern. Both the
infant Jesus and Mary wear a crown and their heads lean towards
each other. There is no background between them. Mary looks at
the observer while Christ looks to the left.
The
History of the Image
The
Franciscan College of Zacatecas received the original Mexican
bound painting from a Jesuit Missionary from Italy who brought
the painting to explain the interest in Our Lady, Refuge of
Sinners that had developed in parish missions in
eighteenth-century Italy.
Blessed
Antonio Baldincucci
(Blessed
Antonio Baldincucci (1665-1717) was a Jesuit missionary,
popularized the image as he preached and created missions
throughout Italy. Baldinucci strongly desired to develop
overseas missions but was refused because of his poor health.
This talented orator and teacher carried the painting of “Our
Lady of Refuge of Sinners” with him as he preached and converted
the masses.)
Click here to read the entire story
Nuestra Señora del Refugio
(Our Lady of Refuge of Sinners) San Christobal de Las Casas
Photograph by Bill Bell
Yaxchilán,
Chiapas
Fast Facts
Culture
- Mayan
Dates of
Occupation
–
Location
-
Located in Chiapas in the
jungle basin of the Usumacita River which
separates Guatemala from Mexico. It is
approximately 148 kms from Palenque and is
accessable only by boat.
  
Click here to view Yaxhilan
photograph album
First Discovered
–
Mentioned by
Juan Galindo (Soldier, Explorer, Son of the
Governor of Costa Rica) in 1833. Explored by
Edwin Rockstoh in 1881.
Click here to read the entire story
|
out
the tropical world. In Mexico, lucky us, you can find delicious papaya sold from
roadside stands on the coast and in every market and supermarket in the nation.
We
are currently insured by Mexpro and we love them.
