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Pacific Coast Road, Nogales

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LAND FOR SALE

Land suitable for small ranch.

In La Loma 10 minutes north of La Penita. 700,000 pesos. Ejido.

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September 16th, 2011 ..the heartbeat of the Riviera Nayarit

The Sol, providing information to the Jaltemba communities since 2003

The Sol, the English Language source of News for the Riviera Nayarit Mexico, including La Penita de Jaltemba, Rincon de Guayabitos, Lo de Marcos. Los Ayala, Lo de Marcos, and San Pancho

Editor Bill Bell

Día de Independencia

Mexico Independence Day

September 16

by Dorothy Bell

Mexico Independence Day is celebrated throughout Mexico but the largest party is in Mexico City at the main city square known as the Zocalo. Many people attend dressed in the colors of the flag or in costume such as Charros and women as China Poblanas, or indigenous dresses.

Click here to read the entire Story

Highway Construction to begin within two months between Tepic and Banderas Bay

Nayarit Governor elect Sandoval announced in a media release that when he takes office later this month that one of the first priorities of his administration will be to begin construction of the Tepic to Banderas Bay Highway.
In his press release he says the money is there and within 6 weeks from when he takes office on September 19th construction will begin.

Travel Buddies in Mexico

Matchmaking Site for Vehicles to Travel Together in Mexico

Don’t want to drive alone in Mexico? There is now a site that offers a matchmaking service for those that want to travel with other vehicles.

Dorothy and Bill Bell are experts in Mexico road travel and have driven to all 31 Mexican states over a dozen times in their 30 years through the country. “We have visited with cars, trailers, motorhomes and motocycles “says Bill Bell, “and we wouldn’t give up our Mexican road trips for anything. Click here to read the entire story

RIVIERA NAYARIT’S RINCON DE GUAYABITOS –
MEXICO’S SECRET VACATION GETAWAY

A Riviera Nayarit Media Release

Riviera Nayarit, MEXICO – In the Jaltemba Bay, nestled between the exuberant vegetation of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, hides the quiet seaside town of Rincon de Guayabitos. Named for the groves of guava trees that once lined the shore, the name translates to “corner of the little guava trees” and nowhere will visiting vacationers find a better value for a beach escape in authentic Mexico.

In the 1970’s the Mexican government decided that Guayabitos was to become a resort and an area where foreigners could own property. Since then, many North Americans have discovered the affordable pleasures of Guayabitos and its handful of neighboring coastal towns and villages. Visitors often rent or even buy vacation homes here, but others will find the offering of B&B’s and small independent hotels and resorts in this area some 40 miles north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport equally appealing.

For centuries the home of fishermen, farmers, owners of family-run restaurants and other businesses, Guayabitos, with a population of scarcely 2,000 permanent residents, is, for the visitor, an opportunity to immerse oneself in timeless Mexico before the rest of the world changes it.

Click here to read the entire story

Win a dinner for two at Mateja's Bar and Grill on the beach in beautiful Rincon de Guayabitos! To be eligible, all you have to do is tell us in 50 words or less why you think Riviera Nayarit is the best place for a winter holiday! One entry per Friend of Riviera Nayarit. Winner will be announced September 30 2011. Submission must be posted on Friends of Nayarit Face book Become a Friend on the Riviera Nayarit Click Here

Independence Day Vendors

Buy a goofy hat. Or flag. Or keychain or any other trinket to declare yourself Mexican!...at least for the day. The vendors hit the streets of Jaltemba Bay this week selling goods to commemorate the 201 anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain. It was on this date that Father Miguel Hidaldo rang the church bell and called on the townsmen to fight for their freedom.

Become a Friend on the Riviera Nayarit Click Here

Irma, a professional therapeutic massage therapist in Rincon De Guayabitos offers a variety of services including reflexology, deep tissue, reductive and facials massages. Call 327 27 43864 for an appointment.

Click here to visit our web

This Week

Que Malo, Narcos! Mexico Attacks Cartels With Comics

The besieged Mexican government has a new tool in the info war against drug cartels: animated, online propaganda comics set to electronic beats.

The besieged Mexican government has a new tool in the info war against drug cartels: animated, online.

The 10-episode comic series, posted over the summer in two- to three-minute episodes to the blog of President Felipe Calderon, is the latest weapon in a “cultural struggle” against drug cartels. The comics are said to be “a new space for communication” that will “help us better understand the phenomenon of organized crime,” said federal security spokesman Alejandro Poire. That is, government propaganda with a pop art twist …go to original article

Storm aims at Mexico with 10 oil workers missing

Authorities on Mexico's Gulf coast prepared for Tropical Storm Nate's arrival Saturday while air and sea search teams hunted for 10 oil workers missing since abandoning a disabled research vessel in stormy waters.

Nate was still moving toward the coast very slowly, but was expected to pick up some speed Saturday, said the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. Forecasters said the storm would approach the coast Sunday, mostly likely just below hurricane strength….go to original article

The education of Tony Wayne, ambassador to Mexico

Incoming U.S. Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne was briefed last week on the intimate but strained state of U.S.-Mexico relations — and what to expect when his plane lands here later this month.

In a day-long tutorial at Meridian House in Washington, and flanked by top State Department and White House security and intelligence officials, Wayne heard from experts on Mexico’s upcoming presidential elections (volatile), economy (sluggish), illegal migration (lowest in 40 years) and violence (relentless)….go to original article

Mexico Cabinet shuffled with eye on election season aspirations

Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced a Cabinet shuffle Friday that allows two departing members to run for office as the 2012 campaign shifts into higher gear.

Finance Minister Ernesto Cordero, a longtime Calderon ally, is leaving to pursue the presidential nomination of their conservative National Action Party, or PAN….go to original article

TV networks in Mexico join in reality show that seeks to spur Mexicans into social action

In a country battered by news of drug violence and corruption, a reality television series is aimed at creating hope and spurring Mexicans to join activists trying to make the nation a better place.

Don’t expect fame-seeking singers or shrieking arguments in a house full of twentysomethings. “Iniciativa Mexico,” or “Initiative Mexico,” is more likely to show mothers taking to the streets to demand justice for their slain daughters or youths teaching residents of a poor Mexico City neighborhood how to take advantage of rain water….go to original article

US, Mexico seek deal on oil below maritime border

The U.S. and Mexico are working toward a deal on how to share and regulate oil in reservoirs crossing their maritime border.

The State Department says officials spent two days this week in Washington beginning formal talks on a "trans-boundary energy agreement" for hydrocarbon reservoirs underneath the U.S.-Mexican border in the Gulf of Mexico….go to original article

Calderon vows Mexico will have clean cops

In a state-of-the nation speech overshadowed by the death of 52 people in a casino fire, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Friday that he will fight to the last day of his term to defeat the drug cartels that have taken over towns, police forces and institutions in parts of Mexico. ..go to original article

Mexico sets record for largest folk dance performance

A total of 457 Mexicans have set a Guinness record for the largest folk dance performance in the world in the western Mexican city of Guadalajara.

In front of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Cathedral, dancers performed for 10 minutes to typical Mexican songs like 'Guadalajara', 'El Jarabe Tapatio' (The Guadalajara Jarabe Dance), and 'El Son de la Negra' (The Dark Girl's Music), a combination that got them into the Guinness Book of Records….go to original article

Perry Repeats Opposition to US-Mexico Border Fence

— He may have been 2,000 miles from the border, but Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry’s immigration record in Texas quickly became the focus in New Hampshire Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to hundreds of Granite State voters at a private reception, the Texas governor was asked whether he supported a fence along the Mexican border….go to original article

Does hard work pay off? Ask the Mexicans

According to an OECD report published earlier this year, Mexicans are the hardest-working people in the world – or, at least, in 29 of the world’s more advanced economies. As calculated by the Paris-based organization, Mexicans work an average of 595 minutes a day – five minutes short of 10 hours. Of this time, 253 minutes (four hours and 13 minutes) are unpaid – time spent on cooking, cleaning and other everyday chores. In contrast, the average OECD workday is 480 minutes – eight hours…go to original article

Drug war prompts affluent Mexicans to move to the United States

For years, national security specialists have warned that Mexico’s drug violence could send a wave of refugees fleeing to the United States. Now, the refugees are arriving - driving BMWs and snapping up half-million-dollar homes.

Tens of thousands of well-off Mexicans have moved north of the border in a quiet exodus over the past few years, according to local officials, border experts, and demographers. Unlike the much larger population of illegal immigrants, they are being warmly welcomed….go to original article

US-Trained Assassin Teams Now Deployed in Mexican Drug War, Targeting Narco Splinter Groups

A small but growing proxy war is underway in Mexico pitting US-assisted assassin teams composed of elite Mexican special operations soldiers against the leadership of an emerging cadre of independent drug organizations that are far more ruthless than the old-guard Mexican “cartels” that gave birth to them.

These Mexican assassin teams now in the field for at least half a year, sources tell Narco News, are supported by a sophisticated US intelligence network composed of CIA and civilian US military operatives as well as covert special-forces soldiers under Pentagon command — which are helping to identify targets for the Mexican hit teams….go to original article

Last Week

Popocatepetl: What a Blast

The Popocatepetl volcano south of Mexico City is shooting blasts of ash from its crater.

Mexico's national disaster prevention agency says the volcano has spewed ash more than a half mile (a kilometer) into the sky four times Tuesday. It says there is a possibility ash could fall onto Mexico City overnight. Go to original

FedEx Freight grows service in Mexico

Memphis Business Journal

FedEx Freight is expanding its service in Mexico. FedEx Freight is growing its Mexico operations by adding service to three more markets in that country. The less-than-truckload company, a subsidiary of Memphis-based FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), has added service centers in Toluca, Puebla and Veracruz….go to original article

Gross Advises Investing in Brazil, Mexico as U.S., Europe Face Recession

The global economic crisis is leading to a possible “developed economy” recession in the U.S. and Europe, which may be hard to alleviate, according to Pacific Investment Management Co.’s Bill Gross. In this environment, the world’s biggest manager of bond funds favors investing in Australia, Mexico, Brazil and Canada, along with non-dollar currencies that have strong ties to the Asian continent, Gross, co-chief investment officer and founder of Pimco, reiterated. …go to original article

Mexico arrests 5 in fatal casino blaze

Police have arrested five of at least seven men linked to the Zetas and wanted for Thursday's arson attack on a Monterrey gambling casino that killed 52 people, the governor of Nuevo Leon state said Monday.

State investigators had "sufficient scientific elements to demonstrate the participation of each and every one of them in this assault," Gov. Rodrigo Medina told reporters. "All of them have confessed to participating on behalf of the criminal group called the Zetas."….go to original

TRAVEL BUDDIES

Matchmaking Service for People Driving in Mexico

If you are interested in contacting the following people to join them driving in Mexico, please register at Friends On the Road in Mexico (Click here) and contact a travel Buddy. You can also request Travel Buddies though your own post. Include the border crossing, date and where you are driving.

The service is free and you won't get spam by publishing your name.

	Texas to Yucatan October Joey Barbosa So happy to have found this forum. We are driving to Southern Quintana Roo in October. I've driven 5-6 times and know most of the routes, would be interested in forming a caravan
	Eagle Pass to Ixtapa - 2nd week of November Leo Reus We are looking for 1 or 2 units to drive with us to Mexico. This is our second time. We are planning to cross at Eagle Pass the second week of November. Take 57 south to Saltillo, from there to Queretaro. From Queretaro take 45 west to Salamanea and take 43D to Morelia. Than follow the 43D to 14 Uruapan Del Progreso to 37 south to 200 Ciudad Lazaro Cardenas to Ixtapa. We drive a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 diesel, Jayco Eagle 2008.
	Nogales to Mazatlan - October 22 / 23 Patricia Weigum Hola. We will be in Nogales and crossing into Mexico around Oct. 22/23. Headed for Mazatlan on Tolle Highway. Have done this trip solo (hubby & I) past 6 years. Stop in San Carlos for one night. Have pulled small trailer in past, but storing in Arizona this year. Anyone want to buddy up? We leave Alberta Oct. 17.
	Ajo Arizona to La Penita Nayarit - October 26 Carole Thacker La Penita RV Park "Almost Free Caravan to Mexico" Join the caravan to La Peñita RV Park. The requirement is to stay the month of November ($600) in the park. There is still lots of space to join us. We are changing things slightly this season. We are going to meet in Ajo, Arizona Oct 26, 2011and will cross the border at Lukeville October 27, 2011. We will make our way down to La Peñita to arrive there November 1. We will stay in various RV Parks on the way and each individual is responsible for Tolls, park fees and fuel, insurance, etc. We require everyone to purchase a Road Log from www.ontheroadin.com and a map or map book. Family radios are also essential. Go here for more info
	Nogales to Mazatlan - 1st week of November Gene Wilce We are planning our first journey to Mazatlan from Seattle by car, plan is to be in Nogales AZ and cross the border on the truck route the first week of November, preferably Nov 2nd. Since it is our first time we are looking for anyone else going south to Mazatlan and forming a caravan. Also any input from anyone who has recently made the trip.
	Texas to La Pesca - December Teresa Johannesma-Wood Greeting Bill . We are planning our first trip down to Yucatan Peninsula entering Mexico from Brownsville TX or Los Indios, early December 2011, planned route down highway 180. We are looking for travel buddies to team up for the first part of the journey to La Pesca. We are a family of three + (my wife, our 2 year old daughter, myself. 4 cats and one Husky). Thanks,

Marieta Islands Coral Reef Check Findings

LivePuntaMita.com
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According to the last scientific study of the Marietas, it was determined that these islands are home to 103 of the 159 registered species in the Bay of Banderas.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Earlier this year we wrote about the Reef Check program being sponsored by the Punta Sayulita Foundation. According to the last scientific study of the islands, it was determined that these islands possess the greatest abundance of reef fish, home to 103 of the 159 registered species in the bay, as well as diverse species of coral.

Click here to view the entire story

Ocean Kayak Frenzy Kayak - Sit-On-Top Yellow, Regular For Sale Kayak

For Sale: sit-on-top Ocean Kayak "Frenzy" with paddle $3,500pesos cell# 322-127-3855

Se Vende: Ocean Kayak "Frenzy" con canalete $3,500pesos cell#322-127-3855

Rolling Stone Exposes American Drug Lord

Chase Buckner - SimplyVallarta.com

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - For those of us who live in Mexico or who visit frequently enough to understand the country’s true state of affairs, it’s been frustrating (and often excruciating) to see the American media drag Mexico’s reputation through the mud.

It’s common knowledge that Mexico has a drug-related-violence problem in a handful of regions within its massive geography, yet the US media has spent years convincing its citizens that the vast majority of Mexico is too dangerous for travel.

Recently, however, a Rolling Stone article has revealed that it’s a pale-skinned American who is responsible for many of the most gruesome acts of violence depicted in countless of the condemning articles written about Mexico.

Edgar Valdez, a drug lord who goes by the nickname "La Barbie," is from a middle-class family in Texas. He is also the only American to every work his way to the top of a Mexican drug cartel, which came to be known as the Independent Acapulco Cartel. It’s reported that at the height of his illicit career, Valdez was responsible for the smuggling of 2 tons of cocaine into America every month.

The story of Valdez’s rise to the top would make Tony Montana proud but what’s most interesting about the gruesome escapades La Barbie had to commit in order to steal his throne is that they were accredited in news reports to "Mexican drug lords" and were associated as being part of "Mexico’s drug problem."

Remember when a video surfaced online of a cartel member executing captives tied up on a tarp of black trash bags? It was Valdez who pulled the trigger. His decision to mail the video to the media sparked the narco-movement of publicizing vicious acts of torture and murder in order to intimidate other cartels.

Remember when decapitated bodies were found hanging from a bridge in Cuernavaca? The bodies were put on display as a warning to any Beltran Leyva cartel members who were thinking about joining up with Valdez.

Remember when 20 Mexican tourists were found dead in a mass grave outside Acapulco? It was Valdez’s father-in-law (and partner) who mistakenly took the tourists for members of the Beltran Leyva cartel and ordered them killed.

It’s interesting that in virtually all of the articles you read about these atrocities, Edgar Valdez, La Barbie, is never described as being an American. But now, thanks to Rolling Stone, the secret is out.

The question now is: will it change anything? Will Americans start to realize that maybe they’re not always being given the full picture? Or will this be viewed as just another chapter in the saga of "Mexico’s Drug Problem"?

Author's Note - After I wrote this and before I sent it for publication, a good friend and I had a heated discussion about the worth of both the original Rolling Stone story and my own commentary. My friend (who is a Mexican-American), feels very strongly that despite the fact that Edgar Valdez was born and raised in Texas, he is more Mexican than he is American; therefore, it is irresponsible reporting to insinuate that the US is responsible for or should be associated with his actions.

While I agree that his US citizenship does not place the blame for his actions solely on the US, I do think that the American media's failure to (virtually) ever report the fact that Valdez is American is a perfect reflection of the US's affinity to take no responsibility for the drug-related violence in Mexico.

Chase Buckner is a local writer and entrepreneur who moved to Puerto Vallarta in 2009 after leaving the field of Secondary Education to pursue his love of travel and surf. A self-professed "web geek," Chase spends most of his time online running his blog, Simply Vallarta, managing web-media projects for clients of White Bulldog Media (a company of which he is a co-founder), and writing for Banderas News. Chase's accomplishments in blogging have earned him one of 16 spots in the Mexico Today program* - a government sponsored initiative designed to increase positive awareness of Mexico via social media. Of all his work in Mexico, however, Chase is most known for his animated take on the Safety of Mexico, which reflects his affinity for creating outspoken content designed to spark conversation.

*Note - Although Chase Buckner is being compensated for his work for the Mexico Today program (marked by #MexicoToday), all stories and opinions are completely his own.

El Monteon's Field of Dreams golf course now has its own Facebook Fans Page click here to become a fan

SURF FISHING TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD IN LO DE MARCOS!!!

October 1st and 2nd at Playa Lo de Marcos
200 Peso Entry Fee
Target Species: Robalo, Pargo, Curbina, Mero, Sierra, Jurel, Pez Gallo & Agujon
For more information call:
Tepic 311-132-73-52 y 212-95-13
Puerto Vallarta 322-183-15-63
Bahia de Banderas 322-134-26-51

2012 Tianguis Turistico Mexico Dates Announced

BanderasNews.com

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Ministry of Tourism reports that advance preparations for the organization of the 37th edition of the Tianguis Turistico Mexico, which will take place from March 25 to 28, 2012 at the headquarters shared by Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, are underway.

The Puerto Vallarta International Convention Centre will be the official venue of the event, which will bring together representatives of the national and international tourist industry for Mexico's largest tourism expo. The Convention Centre offers 15 thousand square meters for the exhibitors and Tianguis Turistico activities.

Tianguis Turistico Mexico is the most important business platform for the country's tourism sector. Tourism represents nine percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product, and generates 7.5 million direct and indirect jobs.

In the 2011 edition of Tianguis Turistico Mexico there were more than 16 thousand business appointments, which translated into almost three billion pesos for Mexico's tourism industry. The Organizing Committee believes that the move to Puerto Vallarta in 2012 will increase the number of buyers by 50 percent in relation to the last edition in Acapulco.

The new itinerant nature of Tianguis Turistico Mexico strengthens tourist activity in the entire country, turning the event into a business platform that promotes all of Mexico's destinations, as will be the case in Puebla, where the 2013 edition will be hosted, and in Cancun for the 2014 edition.

The Organizing Committee, which will meet regularly, is composed of authorities from the Secretariat of Tourism and the Tourism Promotion Council of Mexico, as well as the Secretariats of Tourism of Jalisco and Nayarit; the Tourism Promotion Director of Jalisco and the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Riviera Nayarit.

New football Stadium finished in La Penita

New football Stadium finished in La Peñita de Jaltemba

The following article was printed in the Campbell River Mirror

Cancer de Mama transforms women's lives

A Mexican woman (above) is overjoyed with her breast prosthetic at a Cancer de Mama clinic (below).

They arrived in the hours before daylight; bundled, breasts concealed, heads bowed and hearts heavy.

Mexican women, all with breast cancer, and all with the hope that there might be a breast prosthetic for them.

For the previous year, women in Canada and the US have been quietly raising funds, gathering used prosthetics, prosthetic bras and regular bras that other volunteers will transform into prosthetic bras. Scores of other women have been knitting tit bits, cotton filled breast prosthetics complete with nipple, by the hundreds. All of these efforts have poured into the La Penita RV Park in Nayarit, Mexico. For the next three days, 325 women from as far away as Guadalajara, Tepic, Puerto Vallarta will come here to be transformed.

Unfortunately, in Mexico, it is not uncommon for breast cancer survivors to be made to feel dirty; the men in their lives shun them, their families shun them and sometimes even their whole village shuns them. Times are changing, but still two women in the same village suffering from the same cancer might not even know that the other exists. There is no support group, there is no Cancer Society, and in many cases there is no information and precious few resources to deal with the physical and emotional damage of breast cancer.

Click here to read more

Scenic Drive in the Tropical Jungle

Means extra Caution

Tara A. Spears

On my recent drive on the infamous highway (carretera) 200 from Bucerias to Guayabitos, I encountered more than the usual jungle scenery. Although I am a resident of the Riviera Nayarit that regularly navigates this common route, it is always an experience. Yesterday had decent driving conditions in spite of it being the late summer rainy season. In the 40 minute trip I avoided the following:

Two mudslides: Traffic swerved around each one without any accidents- hooray. Next up in the stay alert category were feral pigs. Wild hogs (sus scrofa) are large, dense animals with a heavy body mass and low center of gravity. They can weigh up to 700 lbs! Because of their low, thick body statue, they are difficult to see when darting across a highway and can inflict considerable damage to a moving vehicle. Lucky for me, a motorist previously hit and killed the 1.5 meter long ugly porker. When I was driving north of Bucerias- the real jungle part with twisty turns- the pig was on the highway edge.

Click here to read the entire story

Celebrate Mexico's Independence in Riviera Nayarit

RivieraNayarit.com
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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In Riviera Nayarit, luxury means nature, and celebrating Mexico’s Independence at our destination offers you a unique opportunity to rest, have fun and enjoy nature.

Click here to read the complete story

Letter to the Editor

Hi Bill & Dot,

We just received our latest copy of JaltembaSol.. Wow! It gets better with each issue...a real PLUS to the community...THANKS FOR THE GREAT SERVICE!!

Charlie & Carmen

How to Dial a Number in Mexico

One of the challenges for gingos in Mexico is mastering the telephone dialing system. The uninitiated reader is thinking, huh, what’s the big deal, you just punch in the numbers….. but the process is different from the north of the border system. First off, you do not dial a land phone in the same way as a cellular number, plus add in the complication of needing to know if the number is a local call and the situation quickly turns frustrating. Not knowing Spanish really poses a challenge and increases the intimidation factor. While not a techie expert, I’ve managed to learn enough over the years that I can share some general guidelines that will empower you to place a call successfully.

Click here to read the entire story

Guayabitos 1974

rincon de guayabitos Arial view 1974

Photograph by Tom Bennett

Huichol Indians from the Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit spent more than 8 months to fully decorate a Volkswagen Beetle

Huichol Indians from the Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit spent more than 8 months to fully decorate a Volkswagen Beetle car with 200 pounds of beads and a special polymer glue, as reported by CBSNews' WorldWatch. Following a multi-city tour in Mexico this year, the beaded Volkswagen, which includes artistic designs of the Huichol Indian culture, is scheduled to tour around different key cities in the United States and Europe in 2012.

Cecilia Barbara de Moctezuma, President of the Association of Friends for the Museum of Popular Art, shared in exclusive with MexicoToday that they have already received a request from the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and are in the process of finalizing plans. Barbara de Moctezuma also added, "We are also talking to museums in Los Angeles, San Diego and possibly Atlanta. Sometime in 2012 we plan to bring the car to Paris, Berlin, and we'll see about also going to London and Madrid."

Click here to read more

Grito de Dolores

September 15

by Dorothy Bell / Photos by Bill Bell

Mural by Jose Orozco in the palace of the Governor in Guadalajara

This day celebrates the beginning of the Struggle for Independence from Spain

Grito de Dolores

Nobel laureate, Diplomat Octavio Paz

"Each year on the fifteenth of September, at eleven o’ clock at night, we celebrate the fiesta of the Grito in all the plazas in the Republic, and the excited crowds actually shout for a whole hour… the better, perhaps, to remain silent for the rest of the year. All of our anxious tensions express themselves in a phrase we use when anger, joy or enthusiasm cause us to exalt our constitution as Mexicans: Viva Mexico!”

“The war began as a protest against the abuses of the metropolis and the Spanish bureaucracy, but it was also, and primarily, a protest against the great native landholders.” Click here to read the entire story

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth with Mexican Candy

VisitPuertoVallarta.com
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On your next visit to Puerto Vallarta, wander into a candy store or outdoor market and have a look around.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Puerto Vallarta is known for having some of the best in food, from sophisticated molecular gastronomy to street tacos to everything in between. Nonetheless, no visit would be complete without treating yourself to some traditional Mexican candy.

click here to read the entire story

A New Marina Projected at Rincon de Guayabitos/Los Ayala

Written by Luis Dominguez

Guayabitos will have its own marina Guayabitos/ Los Ayla will have its own marina cc César Rincón

Riviera Nayarit has quickly become a very popular destination, which means plenty of visitors every year. In order to improve its infrastructure, Riviera Nayarit is now projecting to build a new marina at Rincon de Guayabitos.

The new marina is projected to have capacity for 250 boats, and it will be located at the South end of Guayabitos, in the area known as Los Ayala, according to Vallarta Opina.

Hi, just read the latest Sol and saw the article on a marina at los ayala. i clicked on the Vallarta Opina. the photo in the article seemed to indicate a breakwater maybe across the entire front of the beach and then all the slips behind it. this would basically make the lovely little los ayala beach unuseable for swimming and all the things that have made the place so charming. does anyone know anymore about these plans?? it's pretty scary. thanks, ginnie porter

Click here to read the entire story

Check it out here Mateja's Restaurant and Bar on the Beach in Rincon de Guayabitos has its fan page on Facebook Click here

jALTEMBA bAY RINCON DE GUAYABITOS pHOTOGRAPH BY BILL bELL

Dengue Fever Information: What to Do?

Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world. In the last 50 years, incidence has increased 30-fold with increasing geographic expansion to new countries and, in the present decade, from urban to rural settings ….

Dengue: transmitted between humans in the Americas by our friends(?) Aedes aegypti.

An estimated 50 million dengue infections occur annually, and approximately 2.5 billion people live in dengue endemic countries.

The affected countries include México and almost all other countries in the Tropics. Fatality rates from extreme Dengue Virus infections (DHF & DSS) have ranged from 1%-3.5% in Dengue endemic areas. Yucatán and along the Gulf coast of Mexico are Dengue endemic areas (areas maintaining Dengue Virus).

Click here to read more

On the beach in Guayabitos Photograph by Bill Bell

Mexican Woman Celebrates 124th Birthday

laht.com
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In Jalisco, Becerra has 40 grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, according to information provided by one of her great-grandchildren, Miriam Alvear Hernandez.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Authorities and residents in the western Mexican city of Zapopan celebrated the 124th birthday of Leandra Becerra Lumbreras, who may be the oldest woman in Latin America.

Becerra attracted no notice for a number of years until in 2008 the DIF family services agency of Zapopan took note of the case and sought out her relatives. Then it was learned that the woman has 148 descendents in Mexico and the United States.

In the surrounding state of Jalisco she has 40 grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, according to information provided by one of her great-grandchildren, Miriam Alvear Hernandez, who cares for her.

Becerra participated in the 1910-1917 Mexican Revolution as a leader of the "Adelitas," women who accompanied their husbands serving with Pancho Villa to the battle front.

Leandra "is Zapopan’s longest-lived woman and could be (the oldest) in Latin America," said the DIF in its communique.

Her party was livened up by the Quetzal chorus of elderly adults and a number of her family members attended the celebration.

"The birthday girl has no degenerative chronic illnesses and when she’s awake she shares anecdotes from the Mexican Revolution," said the DIF.

Simply Puerto Vallarta - Making the Move to Mexico

Laura Gelezunas - Video Diva Productions
September 2, 2011

In this edition of Simply Puerto Vallarta, Laura talks with Nicole Majewski, a young American expat who lives and works in Puerto Vallarta. (Video Diva Productions)

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - A declining U.S. economy, poor job prospects, not only for college graduates but for everyone, sky rocketing health care costs and you have just some of the reasons why people are moving to Mexico. It is not just baby boomers retiring any longer.

Walking a path seldom taken by young Americans, Nicole Majewski began the next phase of her life's journey when she left her home town of Buffalo, New York.

"I moved to Puerto Vallarta when I was 21 years old," says Nicole, "A couple of friends of mine and I took a bus all the way down to Puerto Vallarta. "I didn't know anything about Mexico and I had no idea where I was going or what I was doing. I just knew I wanted a change and wanted to travel a little bit."

It's not only baby boomers moving to Mexico, there is a surge of younger expats relocating. Many are disillusioned by the current job prospects in the US and living is simply less expensive south of the border. Nicole spent some time working at various restaurant jobs before diving into the tourist industry.

"After that first year of working various restaurant jobs I found a job with Vallarta Adventures and I kinda stuck that out, and that was my commitment, my time when I knew that I was going to stay and work it out," says Nicole. She worked as a guide in the Dolphin Center because she spoke English and Spanish and would be able to communicate will all tourists.

Nicole found living outside the US refreshing but at the same time adjustments were made. "When I first moved down to Vallarta, there were a lot less health food stores and vegetarian options," says Nicole, "It was really hard to find a box of tofu or it was really difficult to get organic soaps, and so that was my goody list for when I went back home. And of course we still can't get Reese's Pieces and licorice or things like that but that's not survival. It's funny because you hear people saying, how can you survive with this or how can you survive without that, but you're like 20 blocks from the beach and it's sunny all of the time, and you can see the mountains and the ocean everyday, so you just have to make some sacrifices."

Lack of consumer goods does not discourage Nicole from the time she has spent discovering herself and a new life focus. "I feel really lucky to be here," says Nicole, "I've met young people between the ages of 20 and 40, everyday. I have friends from all over the world. I think Vallarta is a very transient town for young people and they just kind of pass through. They are either coming for a vacation, coming for a month, coming to volunteer or intern and then they are gone. I feel very lucky, my friends here are my family and we have a really big family."

After working for about seven years in the tourist industry, Nicole found a new job, which satisfies many aspects of her personality, and she continues to strive toward emotional fulfillment. "I have been working for the last year with the non-profit called PEACE, (Protection, Education, Animals, Culture, Environment) based out of the Punta Mita area," says Nicole.

"I am the volunteer and events coordinator and it's been something I have wanted to do since I was a little girl, and I've known Molly Fisher, the director for many years, and always tried to make it work, and finally the day came when I could make it work, and I've been working with them full-time for a year and it's a very gratifying and exciting job, and I love going to work everyday, I feel very lucky," she adds.

Living and working in Mexico is not for everyone and Nicole recommends giving it a test drive before committing yourself.

Simply Puerto Vallarta is a multi-media promotion campaign that highlights the richness and diversity of Mexico's premier coastal tourist town. Unlike traditional PR efforts, the video series was designed to put the media message back into the hands of those it most affects - area residents.

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Travel & Leisure Names Four Seasons Punta Mita #1 Family Resort

Live Punta Mita
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September 1, 2011

Four Seasons Punta Mita Resort's Lazy River is a favorite of all visitors, both young and young at heart. And speaking of fun... the Four Seasons Kids’ Club is amazing!

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Known as one of the world’s leading travel magazines, Travel + Leisure has just released the results of its annual poll to determine the 2011 World’s Best Awards, and Punta Mita’s Four Seasons Resort is among the winners.

From December 15, 2010 to March 31, 2011, T+L invited its readers to participate through Travel + Leisure magazine and online at TravelandLeisure.com in selecting the "World’s Best."

As a result, Punta Mita once again earned top honors as being among the favorite destinations of the readers, with Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita receiving the award for The World’s Best Resort for Families in Mexico!

There’s no doubt that Punta Mita is a magical place and Four Seasons Resort multiplies that magic with their exceptional service and attention to detail, such as welcoming your kids with a special amenity, child-size bathrobes and colorful alphabet bath sponges.

As well, the restaurants have special menus created to appeal to the discerning tastes of the little ones. And when we talk about fun... Four Seasons Kids’ Club is amazing, with its 2400-square-foot space equipped with all types of toys, games and even video games for kids of all ages, staffed by a team of employees skilled at working with youth.

The fun doesn’t end here, the Lazy River is a favorite of all visitors, both young and young at heart. Relax on an inner tube in this cool and refreshing river while the gentle current moves you along...

Readers voted on their favorites, assigning a ranking on a scale of 1 to 5 of a selection of categories, which included: rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food and value.

Four Seasons Punta Mita received the best grades among all contenders, consolidating the resort as the Top Destination for Family Vacations in Mexico.

Congratulations to Four Seasons Punta Mita for this award and thank you very much for proudly representing this wonderful destination that is Punta Mita.

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These online Spanish lessons will enable you to start speaking and understanding basic Spanish now, and they'll also provide a solid foundation for you to progress onto higher levels later on.

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As Mexico Hurricane Season Approaches, International Insurance Group Offers New Tips For Homeowners

Mexico Homeowners Insurance provider International Insurance Group, Inc. offers consumers tips on reviewing insurance coverages for homes and condos in Mexico in preparation for hurricane season.

Many Mexico based homeowner’s insurance plans do not offer hurricane coverage, and those that do may include severe coverage restrictions, or use outdated policy language.

Most of the Homes and Condos owned by U.S., Canadian and other foreigners in Mexico are located near the coast. The 2011 hurricane season is predicted to be an especially active one, both in the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. In anticipation of the predicted active hurricane season, Mexico Homeowner’s insurance provider http://www.mexpro.com (an International Insurance Group, Inc. Company) advises owners of property in Mexico to take the following steps to prepare for hurricane season.

1. Get Mexican Homeowner’s Insurance. If a policy is already in place, it should be reviewed carefully.. Does it even offer hurricane coverage? Is the insurer A-rated with the A.M. Best Company, and thus able to withstand thousands of hurricane claims? Is the policy written on U.S.-style coverage forms?

Many Mexico based homeowner’s insurance plans do not offer hurricane coverage, and those that do may include severe coverage restrictions, or use outdated policy language. Mexpro.com, a U.S. based insurance provider, offers new Homeowner’s Insurance with hurricane coverage, available with fixed deductibles and low co-payments in all coastal areas.

“At this time, we do not have any moratoriums on writing new policies. But that could change quickly, as storms begin to develop”, stated Jim Labelle, CEO of Mexpro.com.

Property owners are advised to act now to obtain coverage before moratoriums take effect. Mexico Homeowners can get A-rated coverage, based on U.S.-style policy language, directly online at http://www.mexpro.com or by calling 1-888-467-4639 (U.S. and Canada) or 001-888-467-4639 (toll free from Mexico).

2. Protect belongings. Those homeowners in residence in Mexico home during hurricane season should pay attention to the weather.When a storm is approaching or threatened, homeowners should take precautions such as storing valuables in a safe place.

3. Be vigilant. Keep an eye on the local weather tracking websites. Have your insurance policies handy.

4. Board up windows. If a storm looks like it is going to hit, cover windows with boards. These don’t have to be special hurricane shutters, but they need to be thick and securely nailed over the windows.

5. Owners of homes and condos in Mexico who rent their houses out should also communicate this items to the renters. .

Hurricane season can be damaging and expensive, especially to the unprepared. Consumers who own homes in Mexico are encouraged to contact Mexpro to discuss their current policy coverages and receive a free, no obligation coverage analysis and premium quotation.

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