paradise
Letter from The PUBLISHER
another day in
march
2011
PUBLISHER Catherine Krantz Editor Page Cameron CONTRIBUTORS Bob Bowers Charles Fromen Linda Neil Don D. Nelson Marie Oaks Nancy Seeley Maura Taylor ADIP OFFICE & ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Nisa Salmans (755) 544-8023 space is limited, deadline for materials and payments is the 1st of the month previous info@adip.info, publicidad@adip.info
Welcome to Another Day in Paradise, It's March and that means only one thing in Zihuatanejo: the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival! March 8 - 13, the streets will be full of music in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo as 16 international artists converge on Zihuatanejo from across the globe. On offer will be Gala Dinner Shows, Bar Shows, Concerts and free to the public events. Coming to us from as close as Morelia, and as far away as South Africa, the artists represent world class talent in diverse genres, from classical, to jazz to blues, to rock and all points in between. Special guests this year include award-winning luthiers (guitar makers) from Paracho, in the state of Michoacan. This is Zihuatanejo's 8th annual event and as in year's past the non-profit festival will be raising money to support art and cultural projects within the community. www.zihuafest.info, for more info
2
www.adip.info
Also up this month is Food & Wine magazine's Food & Wine Festival in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, March 26-28, 2011. Billed as an international culinary event, the fest will highlight traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine by local and guest chefs including special guest, TV personality Rick Bayless. Events will be held at
Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo hotels, on the golf course, in Ixtapa Marina, and on La Ropa beach. www.foodandwine.com/iz for more information. Check our events calendar for even more offerings in ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, and don't forget Unlimted Fun!-- Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo's free show and concert series held all season long, Tuesday and Thursdays on the main plaza in downtown Zihuatanejo and Mondays. Wednesdays and Fridays at the kiosko / Zocalo in Ixtapa. Shows start at 6:30 and include art exhibitions, dancing, music and more. The weather has been truly great this season, balmy and beautiful, and downtown Zihuatanejo has never looked better. So make any excuse to get out on the streets and enjoy it! See you out there! Until next time,
Publisher Catherine Krantz info@adip.info
SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES Check out our web page for more info: www.adip.info WE WELCOME ARTICLE & PHOTOGRAPH SUBMISSIONS editor@adip.info FOR GUIDELINES www.adip.info www.adipdigital.info www.facebook.com/adip.ixtapa
On The Cover: Boojum Trees, Photo by Bob Bowers
Teotihuacan
Mexican kitchen tools
The Boogum Trees of Baja
& 18 Classifieds activities guide Project 20 Community Directory 21 Z-Scene 26 Living in Mexico Getting your Mexican Driver's License
28 Upcoming 32 events 34 Home & living Interiors: Custom Built Furniture
estate 36 real law Buyer's Agents
estate 38 Real news
Mexico City, Paseo de la Reforma, Fountain to Diana the Hunter - Photo by SECTUR
4 History 8 Food 14 FLORA & FAUNA
Mexico abroad
www.adip.info
4 By Page Cameron
History another day in paradise
Teotihuacan Teotihuacan is an enormous archaeological site in the Basin of Mexico, containing some of the largest pyramid structures built in the preColumbian Americas. Apart from the pyramids, the archaeological site of Teotihuacan is also known for its large residential complexes, the so-called calle de los muertos (street of the dead), and its colorful well-preserved murals. Teotihuacan was, at its peak in the first half of the first millennium CE, the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. During this time it may have had more than 100,000 inhabitants placing it among the largest cities of the world in this period. The civilization and cultural complex associated with the site is also referred to as Teotihuacan. Although it is a subject of debate whether Teotihuacan was the center of an empire, its influence throughout Mesoamerica is well documented; evidence of their presence, as well as political and economic control, can be seen at numerous sites in Veracruz and the Maya region. The ethnicity of the inhabitants of Teotihuacan is also a subject of debate and possible candidates are the Nahua, Otomi or Totonac ethnic groups. Often it has been suggested that Teotihuacan was in fact a multiethnic state.
Calle de los muertos Teotihuacan, Photo by Elaine Smith
The early history of Teotihuacan is quite mysterious, and the origin of its founders is debated. For many years, archaeologists believed it was built by the Toltec. This belief was based on colonial period texts such as the Florentine Codex which attributed the site to the Toltecs. However, the Nahuatl word Toltec, taken from the word toltecatl, means craftsman, and may not always refer to the archaeological Toltec civilization centered at Tula, Hidalgo. Since Toltec civilization flourished centuries after Teotihuacan, it seems strange they should be thought of as the city's founders.
Pyramid of the Sun Teotihuacan, Photo by Elaine Smith
Pyramid of the Moon Teotihuacan, Photo by Elaine Smith
In the Late Formative period, a number of urban centers arose in central Mexico. The most prominent of these appears to have been Cuicuilco, on the southern shore of Lake Texcoco. Scholars have speculated that the eruption of the Xitle volcano may have prompted a mass emigration out of the central valley and into the Teotihuacan valley. These settlers may have founded and/or accelerated the growth of Teotihuacan. Other scholars have put forth the Totonac people as the founders of Teotihuacan, and the debate continues to this day. There is evidence that at least some of the people living in Teotihuacan came from areas influenced by the Teotihuacan civilization, including the Zapotec, Mixtec and Maya peoples. The culture and architecture of Teotihuacan was influenced by the Olmec people, who are considered to be the mother civilization of Mesoamerica. The earliest buildings at Teotihuacan date to about 200 BCE, and the largest pyramid, the Pyramid of the Sun, was completed by 100 CE. Teotihuacán was conquered by northern tribes in 700 AD and began to rapidly decline in its influence over the Mexican peoples. For two hundred years following the decline of Teotihuacán, the region had no centralized culture or political control. Beginning around 950, a culture based in northern Mexico at Tula began to dominate Central America. These people were known as the Toltecs. They were a war-like people and expanded rapidly throughout Mexico, Guatemala, and the Yucatán peninsula. At the top of their society was a warrior aristocracy which attained mythical proportions in the eyes of Central Americans long after the demise of their power. Around 1200, their dominance over the region faded. They were important as transmitters of the culture of Teotihuacán, including religion, architecture, and social structure. Their name, in fact, is not a tribal name (the original Toltec tribal names have been lost to us); the word, toltecatl, means craftsman in the Nahua languages. Toltec was simply the word used to distinguish the Mexican peoples which retained the culture and much of the urban characteristics of the culture of Teotihuacán from
other peoples; even the Aztecs primarily referred to themselves by either their tribal name (Tenochca) or as Toltecs. The Toltecs expanded the cult of Quetzalcoatl, the Sovereign Plumed Serpent, and created a mythology around the figure. In Toltec legend, Quetzalcoatl was the creator of humanity and a warrior-god that had been driven from Tula, but would return some day. The Toltecs also originated the Central American ballgame, which was played on a large stone court with a rubber ball. The game was primarily a religious ritual celebrating the victory of god-heroes over the gods of death; as a religious ritual, it involved the human sacrifice of the loser. The Toltecs conquered large areas controlled by the Maya and settled in these areas; they migrated as far south as the Yucatán peninsula. The culture that formed out of this fusion is called the ltec-Maya, and its greatest center was Chichén Itzá— on the very tip of the Yucatan peninsula. Chichén Itzá was the last great center of Mayan civilization. The Toltec-Maya cultures greatly expanded the cultural diffusion of Mayan thought, religion, and art north into the Valley of Mexico.
about the author: page cameron first came to Zihuatanejo in 1985 as a teenager. Although things have changed dramatically since then, over the past six years she has returned numerous times and is here to stay. Making a life for herself in Zihua and enjoying every minute of it!
8
www.adip.info
By Marie Oaks
food another day in paradise
La cocina Mexicana:
Tools for the Mexican Foodie When I first stepped foot into my new, fully equipped kitchen in Mexico, I found myself wondering “what the heck is this stuff?� - a surprise for me, having years of experience working in kitchens. After living in Mexico and serving Mexicaninternational fusion food, I've come to love these Mexican tools. For anyone interested in delving into the art of authentic Mexican cuisine, here are some must-have tools:
left: Tamalera filled with tamales. Photo by Marie Oaks. Above: Tortilla press. Photo by Phil Lees
Comal
contain lots of seeds. For cooks who
The comal is a flat skillet or griddle,
want to add a splash of lime to their
made out of steel, aluminum, clay, or
dish, painstakingly removing seeds
cast iron. Every kitchen in Mexico will
first can get time consuming.
have at least one comal. The skillet is used to make the daily stack of fresh
Limes in Mexico are also much smaller
corn tortillas, to roast vegetables
than the limes found in the US, so
for a salsa or chiles rellenos (stuffed
if you want to purchase a lime juicer
peppers), or to toast seeds that will
online be sure to get the correct size.
be ground up into sauces. A cook
The limes in the US won't fit into
never uses oil with the comal; it is
the small lime juicer, but do fine in a
meant for exclusively dry cooking and
hand juicer meant for oranges. If you
roasting.
are using a hand juicer for the first
Lime juicer
time, make sure you position the fruit correctly; nearly all people who aren't
A lime juicer, or exprimador de lim贸n,
used to this tool place the fruit skin-
is an incredibly handy gadget used
side down. The halved citrus should be
to quickly squeeze juice out of limes
placed flesh side down to most easily
or other citrus fruits. Since nearly all
extract the juice.
Mexican food (including fruit cups) are only deemed acceptable with a
Molcajete and Tejolote
squeeze of lime, these hand held lime
Molcajete and tejolote translate to
juicers are very important! Unlike the
mortar and pestle: these are one of
limes sold in large USA supermarkets,
the oldest traditional tools in Mexican
limes and lemons sold in Mexico
cooking.
Molcajetes are made from volcanic rock called basalt, making them very porous and rough. They are perfect for hand-grinding salsas and sauces and very much give a different, more exciting taste to the dishes they are a part of. A lot of people will attest that a salsa made using a molcajete tastes significantly better than one processed through a blender. For those interested in buying a molcajete and tejolote, check a Mexican supermarket and ask around. Having them shipped from Mexico can be expensive because they are so heavy. The best way is to visit Mexico to purchase one for your home! Beware of the fake molcajete; be sure left: Molcajete. Photo by Pily Guzman Below: Comal with roasted tomatillos. Photo by Marie Oaks
to get one that is made of basalt rather than a concrete
mix. The molcajete needs to be seasoned before use. Grind handfuls of rice repeatedly until no grey fragments of the tool show up in your ground rice. Then you know it is ready to use.
Tortilla press A tortilla press, or una máquina para hacer tortillas, is a common tool especially found in the rural Mexican kitchen. While cities are full of stores that crank out thousands of corn tortillas a day – women living in rural areas make their own fresh tortillas three to seven times a week. Some older señoras still hand form their tortillas by slapping the masa, corn dough, with their hands to form a perfect, thin circle that is placed on a hot comal. Nowadays women use a tortilla press: a wooden or metal simple machine that presses a ball of masa into a circle, or an oblong shape for making a stuffed tortilla. If you like to cook and you've ever had the pleasure
The tamalera is essentially a huge, tall pot with a ridge
of tasting a fresh corn tortilla hot off the griddle, then
about 2-5 inches from the bottom that holds an aluminum
you will love using a tortilla press. The tortilla press
plate perforated with holes. Water is heated below the
makes homemade corn tortillas an easy option, and a
plate, and tamales or whatever ingredients are stacked
fun food to share with friends. At the Bosque Village
on top of the plate to be steamed. Take care not to let the
in Michoacán visitors frequently learn how to make
water run out or you risk burning the ingredients and the
fresh corn tortillas and eat them with freshly ground
pot. Some cooks add a coin to the water that will move
salsa – right out of the molcajete.
about, making noise as the water boils. My friends prefer to use a U.S. penny because of the weight of the coin. If
Cooks usually place two thin sheets of waxed paper
the noise stops: add water!
or plastic between the wood or metal and the masa. This keeps the dough from sticking to the machine. Wheat tortillas are made using a rolling pin, rather than a tortilla press.
Tamale Steamer The tamalera is a pot especially designed for
Molinillo The molinillo, or wooden whisk, is a tool that perplexed me until about a year into my time in Mexico when I finally learned its purpose: to whip up that delicious Mexican hot chocolate into the frothy, foamy beverage that is so beloved by those who drink it.
making batches of tamales: the famous, corn based dumplings steamed to perfection inside of a
To use a molinillo, place the handle between your palms
corn or banana leaf. A tamalera is not an essential
and rotate the handle rapidly by rubbing your hands
item for making Mexican food; in fact, it isn't even
together. This motion will allow the molinillo to aerate the
an essential item for making tamales (nearly any
beverage, creating a foamy drink.
steamer will do). However, the two-part pot can be used for steaming vegetables and meats aside from
Besides hot chocolate, molinillos are used to make atole:
tamal making. Tamaleras are big, easy to use, and a
a corn or oat based creamy hot drink.
fun, inexpensive addition to any kitchen.
The Metate One of Mexico's oldest traditional tools. Like the molcajete, metates are made out of volcanic rock. They are long, slightly curved surfaces that are used along with a mano – a hunk of the rock held in the hands to aid in grinding corn or other grains. Above: Metate. Photo by Samuel Ortega Torres
Grinding grains using a metate is very laborious, and the practice of hand-grinding is dying out as villages across Mexico employ newer machinery. Hand-cranked grinders are available in most hardware stores. Additionally, most women who want to grind their own corn have access to a molino – an electric grinder typically used by either a neighborhood or shared by an entire village.
about the author: marie oaks is a resident and head chef at the Bosque Village in Michoacán. She enjoys exploring traditional and new ways to prepare local ingredients. In her spare time, Marie runs a small web design company, Parakata. Check out her websites for more info: www.cookingforcommunity.com and www.bosquevillage.com
Blender Blenders, or liquidoras, are an essential tool in the modern Mexican kitchen. For those who don't have time to use a molcajete to hand grind salsas, a blender makes a quick, tasty salsa in seconds. Blenders are also used to prepare aguas frescas – sweet water drinks mixed with fresh fruit and sugar. In an active kitchen, the blender is used daily to assist in meal and snack preparations.
Roasted Salsa Verde made in the molcajete: Ingredients: 7-10 tomatillos, rinsed. Keep the husks on (but if you bought them with the husks off, it's ok too) 1-2 jalapeños 1 clove garlic salt, to taste Directions: 1. Roast the tomatillos and chiles. This can be done stove-top, using a comal or griddle, or in the oven. 2. When the tomatillo husks are blackened and you can feel that the fruit is cooked, remove them from the comal. Remove the husks and any deeply blackened skin; typically it is best to keep a bit of the burn on the tomatillo. 3. When the jalapeños are blackened, remove them from the comal and let them cool for 10 minutes before removing the skins. Optional: remove the pith (the white part of the inner chile that holds the seeds in place) 4. Using the molcajete, start by grinding the garlic clove with salt. When the garlic is well ground, add the chiles and grind until the seeds start to break up. Add the tomatillos, one or two at a time, and grind everything together until broken up.
www.adip.info
14 By Bob Bowers
flora & fauna another day in paradise
The Boojum Trees of Mexico's Baja California The Boojum Forests of Baja California: Strange Endemic Plants Cover 250 Miles of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. Boojum trees are one of many reasons for tourists to visit the eighthundred mile long peninsula below California, site of Mexico's two most western states. The Boojum (Fouquieria columnaris) was named in 1922 by a botanical explorer from Tucson, Godfrey Sykes, who adopted the name from a Lewis Carroll's fictional character in The Hunting of the Snark. The genus Fouquieria is named after a French medical professor, P. E. Fouquier, and includes related stem succulents like the Ocotillo. The species name, columnaris, refers to the column-like structure of the Boojum. The Boojum is endemic to Mexico, found primarily along the Baja peninsula, and a small section on the western side of the mainland. The plants forest the rocky hills and plains, growing as high as fifty feet or more, with a base diameter up to eighteen inches. The Boojums start as a single stem, looking much like an inverted carrot, and usually split into two or more stems as they mature. These split trees often take on strange and twisted shapes, sometimes arcing back to the ground, presenting irresistible subjects for the photographer. A Twisted Boojum. Photo by Bob Bowers
Boojums Commonly Split into twins. Photo by Bob Bowers
Like Ocotillo, Boojums Leaf out after Rain Photo by Bob Bowers
The trees can live up to 300 years, and the gray-white stems leaf out with green, rounded leaves after rain. In late summer the trees produce a yellow flower cluster at the tip of the stems. The Mexican name for the Boojum, Cirio, comes from the candle-like appearance of the flowering tree.
Where to Find Mexico's Boojum Trees The extensive Boojum forests in Baja begin along Highway 1, just south of El Rosario de Arriba, about 220 miles south of Tijuana. In the northern part of their range, the Boojums are found mixed with Cardon cactus, a blend that gradually shifts to Boojums and Elephant trees as one travels farther south. The forests fade by the time you reach the border of Baja California Sur, about 230 miles south of where they first appear, although some trees continue to be found around Highway 1 as it continues southeast across the peninsula to the volcano Tres Virgenes. Boojums also are found on the island Angel de la Guarda, which lies in the Sea of Cortez offshore and north of the Bahia de Los Angeles. A much smaller population of Boojums also grow in the Sierra Bacha, on the mainland directly across the Sea of Cortez from Isla Angel de la Guarda. Mexico's Baja California Peninsula
Blooms of the Cirio, or Boojum. Photo by Bob Bowers
The Baja California peninsula stretches for 800 miles below the U.S. state of California, and ranges from 30 to 150 miles wide. Long a favored destination for adventure-oriented tourists, the peninsula consists of desert, mountains and a 3,000 mile coastline. Baja California is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by the Sea of Cortez. The Mexican state of Baja California roughly covers the northern half of the peninsula, and the state of Baja California Sur covers the southern half. Although generally pictured as a desolate and barren desert, the two states of Baja in fact represent a widely varied landscape with many tourist attractions including fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving, sailing and kayaking, whale watching and wine tasting. The northeast corner of Baja resembles California's Napa valley, with rolling hills, miles of vineyards, Olive trees and wineries. From Ensenada, mountains dominate the landscape for hundreds of miles to the border with the southern state. Far from barren, these mountains are carpeted like a botanical garden with hundreds of plant species. One of the strangest of these is the Boojum tree. For those curious about the plant but unable to travel to Baja, several specimen trees can be found at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona, as well as at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum east of Phoenix.
about the author: Bob Bowers has traveled extensively in Mexico. He has written numerous articles about Mexico, driving in Mexico and Mexico's birds for the online magazine, Suite 101, where he is the feature writer for Birds and Birding. Bob and his wife live in the Santa Catalina Mountain foothills north of Tucson, Arizona.
Boojums look like Inverted Carrots. Photo by Bob Bowers
another day in paradise
Classifieds
Classifieds BOOKS Living the Dream in Mexico by Linda Leonard- is a personal sharing of our travels and experiences while RVing in Mexico over several years. It tells about how we planned, how we included my elderly Mom to have the “times of her life,” and about how we came to settle in Zihuatanejo. Order on www. livingthedreaminmexico.com or phone Linda 755-103-6032 in Zihua. Owen Lee has reopened his seaside bungalows on Las Gatas Beach as the Zihuatanejo Beach Retreat.com. For information regarding rentals or the purchase of his books and DVDs about Zih, please phone him at 755 1027111. Or check out his webpage at www. zihuatanejobeachretreat.com. Look for a dramatic reading of scenes from his new screenplay happening soon. What Time Do the Crocodiles Come Out? by Kathe Kokolias tells the story of Kathe and Brian who move to Zihuatanejo to help friends build a beachfront hotel. But when unforeseen tragedy strikes, the hotel plunges into chaos, and Paradise slips through their fingers. Available at www.kathekokolias.com and Fruity Keiko. Greed, A Love Story, an award-winning thriller, adventure, and romance novel written by Zihuatanejo resident, Douglas Beach, is available at iUniverse.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Borders.com. A courageous spirit, Douglas lost his fight to brain cancer and passed away on November 17, 2010. His book, Greed, A Love Story, debuted December 17, 2010.
18
www.adip.info
FELLOWSHIP IXTAPA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP nondenominational English language service every Sunday at 10am at Villas Paraiso in Ixtapa. Contact Ron 755-554-5919 or John & Joan at 755-553-1618 for more information. www.facebook.com/ IxtapaChristianFellowship ZIHUATANEJO CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP non-denominational English language service every Sunday morning in Zihuatanejo. Contact John & Betty 755554-7178 for more information. RECOVERY 12 STEP house English speaking recovery groups. Directly across from the biblioteca (library) on Cuauhtemoc. AA-Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6:00 PM. NA- Thursday 6:00 PM. Additional meetings November – April. For more info call or email Bob P. 755-5542034, Qigongporvida@yahoo.com, or Nick cell: 044 755 112 2124. FOR SALE Artesanias 2 GrinGOS signs and collectables made out of Mexican licenses plates. Map of Mexico- $450 USD, piggy banks- $15 USD, journals-
$15 USD, and custom signs-$30 USD, by Artesanias 2 Gringos. Email Luis at joseluissantiagobrito@yahoo.com.mx or djkostrick@aol.com Call Cel. 755-1162391. SEE SHOPPING SECTION. For Sale: 1997 Ford Expedition, 140,000 miles, cloth interior, power locks and windows, 50,000 pesos. Email to request more information or photos. publicidad@adip.info SERVICES CARPENTRY IN IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO. We build integral kitchens, closets, doors, dining room sets, armchairs, staircases, handrails, shelves. We also do restoration and carpentry maintenance in general. Guaranteed quality, all woods, call now !! Juan Pimentel: arqpimentel@hotmail.com Tel. 755-552-6956, Cel. 044-755-1132780. CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, interior decorating and consulting services. If you
are building, remodeling or thinking about building in the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo area, let us take the stress and worry out of your construction project. Please contact us on the web @ www.zihuaid.com by telephone: 044 755-101-9711 or via email: info@ zihuaid.com ZIHWATTS - Having trouble? or just need an upgrade…Computers, Dish TV, sound systems, security, telephone, electrical, and Intelligent Home Technology. We can install new, change the old, or troubleshoot existing problems. For more info contact J.C. by email: zihwatts@yahoo.com or by cell: 044 755-102-9093. Spanish and English spoken. MASSAGE on the beach, Barra de Potosi Enjoy Swedish & Reflexology massage in shady, breezy beach front cabana, 200 meters from Hotel Barra Potoisi, on the beach in front of the school, between Hotel and La Condesa Restaurant, some English spoken. Señora Ana Cel. 755-124-3670
[ art classes ] Painting classes by renowned local artists Alfredo Tapia and Guadalupe Gaytan at Studio Arte Nativo, Thursdays and Fridays 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., and Saturdays 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 pm. Price per class: $120 pesos for 2 Hours. Located at Studio Arte Nativo, Juan N. Alvarez # 67-A, (Behind restaurant La Sirena Gorda) in central Zihuatanejo, Gro. For more information, contact Alfredo Tapia Tel. 755-113-9371, or Guadalupe Gaytan, Tel. 755-104-5404
[ COOKING ] Al cilantro, A Taste of Mexico - fine food, traditional mexican Cooking Classes Spend a morning learning about history and art through Mexican cooking from a creative chef from Veracruz, who has 10 years experience offering classes in Ixtapa, contact Gabriela Tel. 755-102-6670, gabriela.pasquel@ hotmail.com Cooking School at Villa Casa Luna. Classes are held in an elegant residence surrounded by lush tropical gardens, offering a unique culinary experience. We offer a varied menu … Mondays (Chile Relleno), Wednesdays (Enchiladas) and Fridays (Seafood). Located just steps from La Ropa beach. Call 755 554-2743, 755 554-2743 or Cel 044 755 101-9711.
[ SPANISH ] HAVE FUN LEARNING SPANISH! Private classes, short and medium length courses by bilingual, experienced teacher. 60100 pesos/hour. Classes cover topics including doing usiness in Mexico, traveling, medical professionals, emergencies, shopping, domestic assistants and gardeners, asking for information, socializing, everyday language, etc. Contact Juan at navarretebrady@yahoo.com. Spanish classes - Free Spanish Conversation Classes Every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30-7:30pm at Zihuatanejo Café in Zihuatanejo. Each foreigner will be paired with a native Spanish speaker. ½ hour Spanish conversation, ½ hour in English. Donation are accepted and used to assist locals in improving their English skills. Daily “coach” will provide instruction upon arrival. For more information, contact Yadira Rios: yadira@pruzi.com.mx, or Janet Galeana, janet@ pruzi.com.mx, Tel. 755-544-8787. Sunrise on Zihuatanejo Bay, Zihuatanejo, Photo by Page Cameron.
community
Activities guide
[ tAI cHi ] Oceanfront Tai Chi Experience Certified instructor Hotel Irma, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. For more information, contact Gabriela Tel. 755-102-6670, gabriela. pasquel@hotmail.com
[ YOGA ] YOGA with Ana Scales. Practice in paradise! SUNSET YOGA at Bungalows la Madera. 5:30-6:45pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Morning classes at ZIHUAYOGA studio, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00-10:15am Mats and props are available. Schedule your own Private Session! For information e-mail anascales@ yahoo.com or call Cel 755-111-0857.
[ tours ] Experience our amazing ecosystem! Barra de Potosi: ocean, lagoon, mangrove channels, and awesome birdlife! Watch and learn the casting of native nets. Sharkboy is a native guide in our paradise. He can help you to feel the experience and learn about our magical Mexican Costeño way of life. Contact him at www.barratours.blogspot.com, avi-bp-@hotmail.com or cell 044-755-102-6509
another day in paradise
Community
Get Involved!
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Community Directory The Angel Tree program This is a worldwide program, a branch of which was started Zihuatanejo seven years ago. The project organizes gifts for the children of people incarcerated in the local jail. Gifts are delivered on January 6th of each year (Kings’ Day). The inmates also create high quality hammocks which are sold through local churches including Zihuatanejo Christian Fellowship and Ixtapa Christian Fellowship. The revenues of the hammocks go to offsetting their expenses while incarcerated and to supporting their families. If you are
interested in making a donation, in buying a hammock or in learning more about the many facets of the program contact Patti at ixtapapatti@hotmail.com.
BABY BUNDLE PROJECT A group of expat women initiated The Baby Bundle Project three years ago to create bundles of baby products required by new mothers. The group meets at an ex-pat’s home in Ixtapa every 2-3 months (year-round) for snacks around the pool and social time all-the-while creating bundles to help economically challenged, unwed teenage mothers living in the IxtapaZihuatanejo community. The group donates approximately 300 bundles per year. To contribute products for the bundles, for the address of the next meeting or for more information about how to get involved, contact Joan at 755-5531618 or playao-bispo@yahoo.com, or Elizabeth at bnfotografia@hotmail.com
Comisión para la Defensa de la Pesca Deportiva A.C. A group comprised of sport fishermen and sport fishing captains concerned with the conservation and protection of their natural resources, they support projects of conservation, preservation, catch and release in sport fishing, the ill effects of over fishing and education on these themes. For more information you can contact Comisión para la Defensa de la Pesca Deportiva A.C., founder and president, Capt. Ruben Lopez, at 755-108-6506, 755-554-6839, or by e-mail: ruben_lopez43@hotmail.com
Fundación Rene Ferguson A.C. This Foundation was set up in memory of Rene Ferguson and its objective is to support able young women, who are suffering financial hardship, through a degree course by assisting them with the expenses of college tuition and books. Donations to the foundation are tax deductible in the United States through The Rene Ferguson Foundation. Please contact Erica
Islas at La Quinta Troppo or at mexdrop@prodigy.net.mx
20
www.adip.info
Hablando Menos aMAndo Mas A. C. Hablando Menos Amando Mas, means "Speaking less, Loving more." The goal at hand is to construct a home for seniors who have been abandoned and who are at risk living on their own. The 2 story hacienda style home is being built to house 26 residents as well as full time missionary staff and administration. The progress can be seen in Las Pozas at the site or www. facebook.com/HMAM.Zihuatanejo For information, volunteer opportunities or to make a donation please contact Rosalind Hernandez Cavenagh at 755-554-5919 or Joan McKay at 755-553-1618 email : playaobispo@ yahoo.com The Netza Project The Netza Project is a U.S and Mexico registered non-profit organization that works to advance literacy, education and economic opportunity for all, in particular supporting the vision and expansion of The Netzahualcoyotl School and Kindergarten for Indigenous Children in Zihuatanejo, which today educates over 400 migrant, native and street children - many of
whom speak Nahuatl, Mixteco, Amusgo and Tlapaneco, and who otherwise might not be in school. See www.netzaproject.org; contact Lisa Martin info@ netzaproject.org; US cell 508-284-0078; Mexico cell 044 755 10 01173.
Por Los Niños de Zihuatanejo, AC. Mexico registered non-profit association, founded by the Zihua SailFest, now in its 9th year, to provide educational opportunities to economically disadvantaged children in Zihuatanejo. Por Los Niños supports learning and school repair projects at more than 12 under-funded primary schools and kindergartens. Volunteers are always needed as well as things that can be used in the schools. The dates of this years Sailfest are Febuary 1st through 6th. Contact: Lorenzo Marbut, home: 755-554-2115, cell: 755102-4463, Lorenzo@porlosninos.info, www.zihuasailfest.com
The Rotary Club is a world-wide service organization with the purpose to help those in need. In Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo there are two groups: Club Rotario Ixtapa - Nuevas Generaciones New Generations Rotary Club Ixtapa, meets at 8:30 P.M. on Thursdays at Dal Toscano Ristorante in Ixtapa.
Club Rotario de Zihuatanejo, A.C.
Zihuatanejo Rotary Club meets Tuesdays 3pm at the Hotel Catalina, on Playa La Ropa, Zihuatanejo. Phone: 755-554-9321
S.O.S. Bahia, A.C. Local non-profit group dedicated to the rescue and long-term preservation of the ecological integrity of the Bay of Zihuatanejo. Promotes environmental awareness, advocates the sustain-able development of the bay’s surroundings, and works to stop water pollution and the destruction of wildlife habitat in and around the bay. Collects and distributes information about the issues concerning the bay and organizes periodical beach cleanups. Gladly accepts volunteer contributions and donations. www.sosbahia.org, info@sosbahia.org.
SPAZ-HKP “Helene Krebs Posse” Humane Society of Zihuatanejo (Sociedad Protectora de Animales de Zihuatanejo Helene Krebs Posse) Offers sterilization clinics, free adoptions, educational out reach programs, treatment and rehabilitation for wounded, homeless or abandoned animals. Sells t-shirts and memberships to raise funds, gladly accepts donations. Located at Casa Marina, next to the basketball court facing the bay in central Zihuatanejo. Casa Marina, Paseo del Pescador #9, Col. Centro 40880 Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, México, Tel. 755-112-1648, talk to Christian. www.spazihua.org, info@spazihua.org.
ZI-GUITAR-FEST A.C. - The Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival Now in its eighth year, the Zihuatanejo International Guitar festival brings international musicians to Zihuatanejo from all across the world. The festival is a registered not-forprofit association in Mexico and a percentage of festival proceeds go toward supporting Music, Art and Cultural Education in the community. Sponsors, Donors, and Volunteers always needed. www.zihuafest.info, info@zihuafest.info.
If you don’t see your organization listed here, please send us your mission statement and contact information to get on the list, info@adip.info.
another day in paradise
Zscene
ADIP PRESENTS
Jay Frankston
Book Reading, Coconuts Restaurant
21
www.adip.info
Internationally published author, Jay Frankston reads from his latest work, El Sireno, January 5, at Coconuts Restaurant in downtown Zihuatanejo.
1
Greed, a Love Story Reading, Feb 1 Greed, A Love Story is an award-winning thriller, adventure, and romance novel written by Zihuatanejo resident, Douglas Beach, who passed away last year not long after finishing the book. A book presentation and memorial gathering of friends and fans was held by his wife, Denise DiPietro, with selections being read by John Reed, at Paty's Marimar on Playa La Ropa. 1. Denise dedicating copies of Doug's books, 2. John Reed reading Greed, 3. Joseph watches as Denise displays the cover art, Doug's photo can bee seen at left., 4. Local author Franca Facchetti chatting with Denise 5. .Jodi Henry and Bill Caulkin, 6. The crowd gathered upstairs at Paty's Marimar on Playa La Ropa. 3
2
4
5
6
2
2
1
3
Zihua SAILFEST 2011 - Chili Cook off & Street Fair, February 3 1. La Hija del Capitan Chili, 2nd place 2. Nisa Salmans 3. California firemen: Sky, Bart and Shiloh 4. Tanya Jones and Lety Sanchez maneuvering the boat, 5. Lisa Cardenas and Nisa Salmans with Zihuatanejo firemen, Team Los Bomberos, 6. Eloisa and Russel, 7. Marilyn Ross, 8. Treavor Redfern of Team Sotavento, 9. Team Spirit winners Nisa, Tanya Jones - 2nd place Chili winner, and Catherine Krantz, 10. Brandy and Rio Saunders, 11. Sailfest Street Fair, 12. Chili Cook off 1st Place Winners: Team Whisky, 13. Best Theme Winners: Team Jamaica
4 6
5 7
1
8 9 11
2
12 1
10
Zayury Jimenez's Birthday at Coconuts Restaurant, Jan 28
13
ADIP PRESENTS
Katalina & Angel Guererro Art EXHIBITION opening, Coconuts Restaurant
1
2
3
4
5
Multi-disciplinary international artists and father-daughter Katalina Guererro & Miguel Angel Guererro had their first 4 time showing in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, February 5.
1. Textile works by Kati Guerrero 2. The artists Angel and Kati, 3. Kathe Kokolias, Jim Dirmeitis and Elisabeth Ashe, 4. Gathering of attendees at the bar at Coconuts., 5. Iridescent paper mache sea monster, by Angel Guerrero, 6 Tania Scales, Michael Hackett, Peg & Sherwin Harris
6
another day in paradise
by Nancy Seeley
Living in Mexico
Here's where you get your health certificate, Centro De Salud El Embalse. Photo by Nancy Seeley
The entrance to Zihuatanejo's police station. N the kiosk to the left where hammocks ma
Getting a Mexican
Driver’s License
26
www.adip.info
It’s really not very difficult to get a Mexican driver’s license in Zihuatanejo if you have the right documentation. The word that best describes the process for those of us hailing from the U.S. and Canada is: puzzling. You don’t have to take a written test to prove you know the rules of the road. Not only that, you don’t have to take a practical test to show you know how to drive! To start with, you need a Certificate of Health, and the only place authorized to provide one in Zihuatanejo is the Centro de Salud in Colonia Embalse, located at the corner of Calle La Palma and Avenida Paseo de la Boquita. That’s about four long blocks past Comercial on the same side of the street as you’re heading south out of town. Go between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. any day of the week (including Sunday!) and join the line which ends at a glass-fronted window straight inside the main entrance. This is a busy place, and virtually no one speaks English. So if you don’t speak Spanish, bring a Spanish speaking friend and be prepared to wait a while. Though the center does have a phone line (554-2088), it’s often out of service, so calling ahead of time to see if it’s not too crowded may not work.
It will cost you 50 pesos for the medical staff to type your blood, including your RH factor. If you already have valid proof of your blood type (a Red Cross blood donor card is good), bring that along, and you can skip the part where they prick you with a needle. The one-page Certificate of Health itself costs another 50 pesos and is generally issued after an employee takes your blood pressure and you answer a few basic questions resulting in the conclusion that you’re in good shape. Next, assemble the paperwork you need to apply for your license. Besides the Certificate of Health, foreigners must present three things: (1) a copy of the picture page in your passport, (2) a copy of the picture page in your FM2 or FM3, and (3) a copy of a recent telephone or electric bill. Don’t worry if you’re a renter and the name on the bill isn’t yours. All they’re checking for is that the address on
Note the armed guard in the tower and ade by prisoners housed within are sold. Photo by Nancy Seeley
Inda Campos Vejar and Petry Paredes Ramos are waiting to help you get your Mexican driver's license at the police station in Zihuatanejo, Photo by Nancy Seeley
the bill matches what’s in your FM2 or FM3. You need to be at least 18 years old to apply. Take these four items to the Transito office in the Police Station across from the athletic field near Bodega Aurrera. (More specifically, if you’re exiting Bodega, turn left, walk to the first intersection – it’s a major one with traffic lights – turn left again, and you can’t miss the complex 1-1/2 blocks further down across the street.) Since the station was reinforced a couple years ago, it looks like a white fortress with its high walls and gunner turrets. Once you get inside the compound, head for the furthest door on your left, conveniently marked Licencias. Inside you’ll find Petry Paredes Ramos and Inda Campos Vejar waiting to assist you between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday or between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday. If you speak Spanish and have any additional questions, the phone number here is 554-5360 ext. 102. Years ago, both a vision test and a short exam to see if you recognized various traffic signs were given in the office, but those requirements seem to have fallen by the wayside. Petry or Inda will review your paperwork and take your picture with a digital camera. While you wait, they’ll produce your plasticized driver’s license. The whole process takes less than 20 minutes if everything’s in order and you don’t get stuck waiting for customers who got there ahead of you. You have several choices regarding the type of license you can buy. Most people get the 5-year chofer license. It costs 511 pesos and entitles
you to drive virtually anything short of a bus or long-haul trucker’s rig. A 3-year version costs 414 pesos. If you just want to drive a car – not a truck, not even a big Suburban – then you might want to save a few pesos and get an automovilista license. That one costs 406 pesos for 5 years and 347 pesos for 3 years. Neither of these two types authorizes you to operate a motorcycle. If you want a license for that purpose, you need the same paperwork and will have to fork over 232 pesos for a 5-year permit or 174 pesos for 3 years. Interestingly, you’re not required to get a Mexican driver’s license if you own a car sporting Mexican license plates. As long as you have a U.S. or Canadian license that is still valid, it works down here. Finally, even if have no desire to EVER sit behind the wheel of a car in Mexican traffic (count me as the charter member of this group), a driver’s license is a simple and relatively cheap form of photo identification. Personally, I hate to carry the original of my passport or FM3 with me unless I have to, and some places – banks, for example – don’t like copies. Your Mexican license could be just the ticket to prove you’re actually you.
about the author: Nancy Seeley moved down to Zihuatanejo from Wisconsin late in 1995, with the intention of staying for a threeyear sabbatical... but once she got here, she found there was no turning back. Traveling throughout Mexico has become a passion, and avoiding winter weather in the Midwest has become a goal. So far, she claims a pretty high success rate on both fronts.
another day in paradise
MEXICO ABROAD
MEXICO ABROAD
1
MAR 1- 19, Weaving Diversity: Textiles from Oaxaca, Mexican Cultural Institute, 2829 16th Street, NW Washington D.C. The Mexican
28
www.adip.info
2
3
Cultural Institute gallery spaces are showing an extraordinary exhibition of textiles from the Textile Museum of Oaxaca. Representing three important collections from the Textile Museum of Oaxaca, the elaborate pieces on display will showcase historical indigenous attire worn since the 1950ﾂｴs, as well as creations that feature unique weaving techniques and original textures. Curated by Alejandro de ﾃ」ila, this exhibition is the result of decades of travel, discovery and collecting on the part of ardent proponents of the Mexican textile and popular art tradition. The pieces featured in the show will also be for sale, with the proceeds going directly to sustainable development projects organized around the design, production and marketing of textiles to benefit the indigenous communities of Oaxaca and ensure the continuation of the tradition. The Textile Museum of Oaxaca is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of textiles from Mexico and around the world, and makes use of its gallery spaces, conservation laboratory and library to preserve this rich legacy.
7
Huipiles 4
5
5
1. Huipil, 1970s – 1980s Velvet hand-embroidered with cotton thread, using a long and short stitch. Cotton lining. Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Zapotec community Collection María Isabel Grañén Porrúa / Museo Textil de Oaxaca 2. Huipil, 1970s – 1980s Three cotton webs woven on the backstrap loom, using a plain weave and cotton and acrylic supplementary weft. Rayon ribbons over web seams and around neck. San Juan Copala, Triqui community Collection María Isabel Grañén Porrúa / Museo Textil de Oaxaca
web seams.San Juan Cotzocón, Mixe community Collection María Isabel Grañén Porrúa / Museo Textil de Oaxaca 5. Huipil, 1970s – 1980s Three cotton webs woven on the backstrap loom, using a plain weave, gauze, and cotton supplementary weft. Cotton embroidery over web seams Tlacuatzintepec, Chinantec community Collection María Isabel Grañén Porrúa / Museo Textil de Oaxaca 6. Huipil, 1970s – 1980s Three hand-spun cotton webs woven on the backstrap loom, using a plain weave. Rayon ribbons in joints and neck. Rayon and cotton embroidery. Santiago Jamiltepec, Mixtec community Collection María Isabel Grañén Porrúa / Museo Textil de Oaxaca
3. Huipil, 1970s – 1980s Cotton embroidery in false satin stitch on a regenerated fiber ground fabric. Cotton lace and ribbon applications. Ixcatlán, Mazatec community 7 Collection María Isabel Grañén Porrúa / Museo Huipil, c. 2000 Textil de Oaxaca Luisa Jiménez Three cotton webs woven on the backstrap 4. loom, using a plain weave, gauze, and cotton Huipil, 1970s – 1980s and hand spun silk Three cotton webs woven on the backstrap Laguna Guadalupe, Triqui community loom, using a plain weave, gauze, and cotton Collection María Isabel Grañén Porrúa / Museo supplementary weft. Cotton embroidery over Textil de Oaxaca
MAR 1- 19, Oaxaca: Masters of Folk Art, Mexican Cultural Institute, 2829 16th Street, NW Washington D.C. This exhibit features the impressive work of 38 of the finest artisans in the state of Oaxaca and highlights the rich folk art tradition of communities throughout the region in a variety of media. Ranging from spectacular wood carvings to intricately detailed pottery work, from elegant metal work to delicate filigreed jewelry, the exhibition demonstrates the vibrancy, talent, and strong artistic legacy that characterizes Oaxaca and marks it as one of the most exciting and diverse states in Mexico. The state of Oaxaca has had a long and renowned folk art tradition; don’t miss this rare opportunity to enrich your perspective on what you thought you knew about Mexican folk art. Each object was specially selected for its high quality, the degree to which it represents deeprooted artistic traditions, and its aesthetic appeal. All of the artisans represented have been given the designation of “Grand Master of Folk Art” by Fomento Cultural Banamex and the exhibition gives an in-depth look at these talented artists and their production methods, shining a spotlight on the human faces behind these marvelous creations. Top: Alebrije by Angélico Jiménez Felino, 2006 ABOVE: Left: Olla calado con nacimiento, by Irma García Blanco, 2008,
The Mexican Cultural Institute
The
Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of most important centers of Mexican art and culture established outside Mexico. Its primary mission is to promote and disseminate among the local community, the vast and rich traditions of Mexico's cultural past and present. Mexico has always placed a keen emphasis on culture and that has transcended as an important part of the country's identity. The site, which housed the Mexican Embassy for over six decades, opened in 1989 as the Mexican Cultural Center. The mansion, one of the most spectacular on 16th street, is historically significant for both countries. It was designed in 1910 by the prestigious architects Nathan Wyeth and George A. Fuller, who earned their reputation by designing the West Wing of The White House. It was built on request by Mrs. Emily MacVeagh, wife of the Secretary of the Treasury during the Taft Administration. The mansion was the family’s residence in the 1910’s becoming the site where some of the most outstanding celebrities of that time were entertained. In 1916, and for a period of five years, the United States government rented the mansion converting it into the official guest house for visiting dignitaries. It was during this time that the magnificent facilities of the mansion housed King Albert and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium during their visit to Washington, D.C. In 1921, the post-revolutionary government of President Alvaro Obregón purchased the mansion to house the Embassy of Mexico, while establishing it as the official residence of its representative in Washington, D.C. Mexico’s diplomatic relations with the United States would be conducted from this location
Right: The Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C.
over the next 69 years, making it a symbol of the bridges of understanding and friendship between the two neighboring countries. The Mexican government, in a successful attempt to enhance the mansion’s splendor, added a portico to the Italian-style façade. The interior of this magnificent mansion has aesthetically integrated and combined different styles and shapes, reflecting the dynamics of Mexican culture. Thus, the main hall, inspired by late fifteenth century Italian architecture, is a majestic setting for the mahogany English banister and eighteenth –century Mexican altarpiece. The three-story mural by Roberto Cueva del Río, depicting some of Mexico’s more colorful traditions, provides a breathtaking backdrop to this grand entrance hall. For more info: http://portal.sre.gob.mx/imw/
another day in paradise
Upcoming Events
upcoming events Mar
1-14, Feria Internacional Tapachula, Chiapas (Tapachula, Chiapas International Fair) One of the largest fairs in
Mar 10-27,
the region, state and country including; livestock, agriculture, commercial exhibitions, bullfights, rodeos, art, hand crafts, local cuisine, family shows and concerts, and don’t forget the rides.
Mexico in the Historic Center was created in 1985 as a non-profit organization, proceeds going towards the rescue and restoration of the historic art and architecture of the town center of Mexico City. Over the years it has earned its reputation as one of the most vibrant celebrations of art and culture in Latin America. For two weeks every year the festival offers a range of over 100 diverse events including opera, chamber and symphonic music, recitals, jazz, folk, pop and rock concerts, theatre, classical ballet, modern dance and dance theatre, exhibitions, installations and gourmet dinners for gastronomes. Experts come from around the world to give conferences and lectures, renowned authors and poets share their work in person and many of the visiting international stars give master classes and workshops to encourage local talent. http://www.festival.org.mx
Mar
3-9, Carnaval (Carnival), Nationwide. This festival is an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five-day celebration beginning the weekend before Catholic Lent; Carnaval is celebrated with parades, floats and dancing in the streets. Excellent places to watch the festivities are; Veracruz, Cozumel, Mazatlan and two towns near Mexico City - Huejotzingo and Tepoztlán (see below).
Mar 4-27, Festival Eurojazz, Mexico City. This week-long event features a series
of jazz performances in the Areas Verdes del Centro Nacional de las Artes (Green areas of the National Center for the Arts) featuring the best of the European contemporary jazz scene, attracting many prominent jazz musicians, singers and bands. Participating countries this year include Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy and Sweden.
Mar 6-9, Tepoztlán Carnaval, Tepoztlán.
The presence of the chinelos, the famed dancers of the Mexican state of Morelos, makes Tepoztlán Carnaval distinctly unique. Revelers dress in elaborate costumes and curious fake beards and dance wildly to live brass band music. The hypnotic dance, El Brinco del Chinelo, originated at the Tepoztlán Carnaval and unfailingly travels down through the generations - every Tepozteco is familiar with its mesmeric skip and hop.
32
www.adip.info
Mar 10-17, Fiesta de San Patricio (St. Patrick). A religious celebration in Mexico, honoring the patron saint of towns with that name, such as San Patricio Melaque, Jalisco. Renowned for a week, preceding his feast day, with fairs, processions, bullfights, fireworks and special Masses. Also, March 17th has special significance in Mexico. It is one of the two days that Mexicans pay tribute to the soldiers who were hung by the United States Army for deserting and defecting to the Mexican Army during the Mexican-American War known as the San Patricio Battalion. (Go to www.adip.info ADIP archives March 2002, Mexico’s Fighting Irish by Gregg Thompson, for the history of the San Patricio Battalion)
Festival de México en el Centro Histórico (Festival of Mexico in the Historic Center), Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. The Festival of
Mar 12, Indigenous Mexica New Year, El Zócalo, Mexico City. Elaborate headdresses and celebratory dances spring up in Mexico City's main square, el Zócalo, at the Indigenous Mexica New Year. Women perfume conch shells with incense before blowing them in a homage-paying nod towards the cardinal points. The Mexica calendar has a cycle of 52 years and each year is named with a number from 1-13 consecutively, succeeded by one of the four signs: Tochtli in Náhuatl or Conejo in Spanish (rabbit); Tecpatl or Pedernal (flint); Calli or Casa (house); Acatl or Carrizo (reed). To make things even more confusing, each year starts at a different time of the day, Tochtli begins at dawn, Tecpatl at dusk, Calli at midnight and Acatl at midday. Unlike the common Western idea of New Year that usually involves copious amounts of alcohol and raucous behavior, the Indigenous Mexica New Year is a respectful and intriguing affair.
Mar 17-21, Cumbre Tajin (Tajin Summit), Tajin,
Veracruz. This festival celebrates the Spring Equinox, archeological sites and natural beauty of Veracruz. The central theme of Tajin is the ritual. The culture of the Totonac people of Veracruz takes the spotlight at this annual event. The festival includes concerts, workshops and the opportunity to sample the unique cuisine of Veracruz, as well as a spectacular night show at the Tajin archaeological site. For more information: www.cumbretajin.com
Mar 21, Birthday of Benito Juárez (March 21, 1806- July 18, 1872), nationwide. This day is a
celebration and a national public holiday for one of Mexico's most beloved leaders. Sometimes referred to as the "Mexican Abraham Lincoln," Benito Juarez went from being a poor Zapotec Indian to become Mexico's first (and only) native president. He made education free and mandatory and brought in the separation between church and state.
Continued from Page 24
Mar 21,
Equinoccio de la Primavera (Spring Equinox), Chichen-Itzá, Yucatán. Thousands of people from around the world gather at this Mayan ruin on the Yucatan peninsula to witness the afternoon shadow of the snake-god Kukulcan slowly "crawl down" the country's largest Mayan pyramid, El Castillo.
Mar 21, Noche de la Primavera (Spring Night Festival), Centro Historico (Historic Center), Mexico City. During the Spring Night Festival, the streets and plazas of Mexico City's historic center fill with music and dancing until dawn, welcoming the new season in style. The roads in the historic center of the city center are closed off to cars, and dance shows, music, street theatre and opera take their place and many attractions in various central locations, such as the courtyards of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Teatro de la Ciudad and Plaza de la Constitucion.
Mar 25- Apr 1,
Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara (Guadalajara International Film Festival), Guadalajara, Jalisco. For 26 years, Guadalajara has hosted the
oldest and most important film festival in Mexico, offering the best selection of Mexican and Latin American films of the year. The festival features a variety of films including feature-length films, shorts, documentaries and children’s films. For more info: www.ficg.mx
january – March
Whale Watching, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Gro. One secret that the waters off the beach have to offer during winter months is the great whale-watching during their annual migration. In December and early January many of the fishing and sailing boats have already spotted great packs of dolphins, pods of whales with calves and quite a few sea turtles just floating along. You should be able to see whales if you go out in a boat just outside the bay of Zihuatanejo. You can hire a boat straight off the beach, contact the fishing collectives down on the waterfront near the pier or along Playa Municipal, or just ask around the marinas… It’s worth it!
MAR 8 -13
Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Gro. The Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, now in its eighth year, is a non-profit music festival that brings world class musicians from across the globe to beautiful Zihuatanejo, Mexico, each year for a week of live music in paradise. A percentage of funds generated go toward supporting art and cultural endeavors in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. This year's event brings international musicians from across Mexico, the United States, Canada and as far away as South Africa. Tickets prices are from $100 pesos to $250 pesos per event and there are also two free to the public concerts. For more information www.zihuafest.info www.facebook.com/zguitarfest www.youtube.com/zguitarfest
By Maura Taylor
Home & Living
another day in paradise
Home Building Series, Part V:
Choosing Your Home Appliances
Choosing the right appliances for your home is a matter of form and function. Whether you are looking for a utilitarian, modern, rustic or contemporary kitchen you can be sure to find a suite of appliances that will meet your style and cooking needs. Home appliances are no longer bulky hunks of metal and plastic; these days it’s quite easy to find stylish models for both budget and chic-minded consumers alike. Most well-recognized brands in the United States are also available here in Mexico, though their product offerings are slightly more limited. Eco-minded consumers will also note an improvement in the energy efficiency ratings of most household appliances, optimizing utility costs over time. Here we outline some things to consider when shopping for home appliances.
Traditional free-standing or built-in/under appliances
www.adip.info
Appliances are not the ugly giants of the past. Their designs have been updated and streamlined to fit the needs and individual styles of their consumers. Traditional free standing appliances now come in various colors and finishes and are less bulky and more space efficient than their predecessors. Free standing or stand alone units are independent of any kitchen component and can be placed anywhere practical. When considering the kitchen floor plan and design, it’s important to factor in your free standing appliances to ensure optimal placement and functionality.
34
Interiors:
Custom or built-in/under appliances are an interesting option for those who are looking for a clean, uniform appearance. Built-in units tend to be slimmer and shorter and are concealed either under or behind a matching kitchen door, cabinet or countertop. The advantage of using built-in appliances is the ability to create a seamless kitchen design. The main drawback to built-ins is their cost; they tend to be significantly more expensive as fewer are produced. If you are considering built-ins, it’s important that your architect/designer and builder are all well versed in proper installation of these units as they require
precise specifications for proper air flow and ventilation. If not, there may be damage to both the appliance and the kitchen component in which it’s housed.
Gas burning or electrical appliances Electricity is a limited and expensive resource in Mexico. Rates are regulated by the government through CFE (the national utility company) and fluctuate considerably depending on the time of year and overall energy demand. Energy costs increase during the summer and at the year’s end. During summer months, energy costs are driven up by the higher demand for A/C and at year-end to cover CFE’s equipment and maintenance fees, along with a nationally mandated yearly bonus which is given to all CFE employees. CFE’s aging infrastructure is in need of a serious overhaul; frequent power outages, surges and brownouts are a common occurrence here in Zihuatanejo. Therefore, it’s important to buy energy efficient and consider gas-burning appliances whenever possible. An alternative to electrical is LPG gas, a more economic choice. Most homes and condo complexes have a 300 liter or larger stationary gas tank, which is filled as necessary. LPG gas in Zihuatanejo is rated at $5.53 pesos per liter, and depending on usage, a 300 liter tank may last up to several months. Although electrical appliances may use energy more efficiently, they may over time cost more in Mexico than in the United States. Those appliances with electronic or computer automated features are more susceptible to corrosion, shortcircuits and deprogramming due to the high humidity and salt content of our local environs. Although the normal cycle in Mexico is 60Hz/ second, unreliable service by CFE may cause undue wear and tear on electrical appliances.
GE appliances, photos by Maura Taylor
Opt for appliances from reputable manufacturers; GE, Whirlpool, Maytag and LG are all well recognized brands with reliable local service technicians. Most all of these brands can be sourced at home stores such as Sears and Liverpool. Higher end models such as GE Monogram series are normally special order items. The retail price of these products is generally twice that of their U.S. equivalent and lead times for special orders can be lengthy. Higher end models are also more difficult to service locally and find replacement parts for when and if the occasion arises.
Imported or nationally manufactured appliances Considering the variety of built-in and stand alone appliances available in Mexico, it makes sense to buy these products here. Aside from supporting the national economy, there is a major advantage to buying in Mexico when it comes to warranty and servicing. All brand names mentioned in this article have a local office and provide general service, maintenance and part replacement. They also honor product warranties. Imported appliances, especially high end American or European products will be harder if not impossible to service here in Zihuatanejo; eventually leaving you with a very nice looking but ultimately useless piece of equipment. Bottom line is when shopping for your home appliances; consider these factors as part of your overall decision making process. The best home appliances are well-designed, reliable and will require only minimal ongoing maintenance. They are the workhorses of your household and choosing them with the appropriate due diligence is time and money well spent.
{
This is the 5th article in a series on the elements of home construction and the builder services & materials available here in Zihuatanejo. To read the previous articles, go to www.adipdigital.info.
about the author: maura taylor is a Zihuatanejo resident who provides highly personalized construction management, interior design and relocation services for expatriates emigrating to Mexico. You can find Maura on the web @ www.zihuaid. com, by phone #044 (755) 101 9711 or via email: info@zihuaid.com.
another day in paradise
BY linda neil and Don D. Nelson
real estate law
The Fideicomiso Controversy and Forms 3520 and 3520A Per Internal Revenue Code Section 6048, any trust established in a foreign country by a United States citizen requires filing certain forms with the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service) each year.
36
www.adip.info
Forms 3520 and 3520A must be filed by anyone who holds an interest in a foreign trust as a beneficiary. These forms are many pages long. The form 3520A is due on March 15th following the end of a calendar year. Form 3520 is due on the extended due date of the taxpayer’s personal tax return. These forms must be filed each year that the foreign trust is in existence. These forms report on the assets, liabilities and income and expenses of the foreign trust. If the U.S. taxpayer has deposits in foreign banks, stock brokerage accounts or other foreign financial accounts and when the highest balance in those combined accounts equals or exceeds 10,000 US dollars, during a calendar year, form TDF 90-22.1 must be filed by June 30th following the end of each calendar year. This form is not filed with taxpayer’s personal tax return and cannot be extended beyond that due date.
Any U.S. citizen who holds an interest of 10 percent or more in a foreign corporation must file form 5471 and must be filed on the due date of taxpayer’s personal form 1040 each year. There are similar rules and special forms for U.S. taxpayers that hold interests in foreign partnerships and foreign limited liability companies. The penalties for non-filing or late filing of any of the forms mentioned above can be 10,000.00 US dollars or more. Recently there has been news in the media and on the internet that the Mexican bank trust (fideicomiso) probably should not be included in this filing requirement. Some attorneys believe that the Mexican bank trust, (fideicomiso) may not be a foreign trust and does not meet the criteria which requires filing of forms 3520 and 3520A. Some of these attorneys have also hypothesized that no reportable event
Sunrise on Zihuatanejo Bay, Zihuatanejo, Photo by Page Cameron.
Is it, or is it not, a trust under IRS rules? occurs when a U.S. taxpayer acquires a property through a fideicomiso. This is great in theory, but here are the facts: -The IRS has never issued any written ruling or opinion whether or not a fideicomiso is a foreign trust and IRS sources state it has no intention of doing so in the near future. -Under U.S. tax law, an oral decision made in an individual’s tax matter CANNOT be cited as authority by another taxpayer in a similar factual situation.
Currently in almost all situations, anyone who has filed these forms late and included a late filing excuse has not been assessed penalties. Those who have filed the forms late and did not include a late filing explanation have been assessed penalties, but have subsequently been able to get the penalty abated after appealing. This could change in the future. In conclusion, common sense requires that the taxpayer file the Forms 3520 and 3520A, unless the IRS states in writing that it is not necessary to file these forms. Any U.S. taxpayer should file if he/she wishes to avoid time consuming and expensive audits and court litigation. The foreign trust forms do not change the existing rule that; rental income from the real estate held in fideicomiso must be reported on personal U.S. tax returns.
There are also reporting requirements in Mexico. If the property is sold, the gain or loss must be reported under the same rules that -No one has received a private letter ruling that the Mexican fideicomiso apply to personal or rental property located in the United States. is not a foreign trust nor have any court cases so decided. If sold at a gain, a credit for Mexican taxes paid on that gain can be taken against the U.S. income tax on any of the gain which is Unfortunately, most of the standard wording in a Mexican fideicomiso taxable on the taxpayer’s U.S. tax return. document reads just like the wording of a foreign trust. A representative of the IRS General Counsels Office has said that since the IRS has It should be kept in mind that there are attorneys out there writing not yet (nor may ever) issued a ruling that a fideicomiso is not a foreign articles and issuing written opinions stating various positions on trust; it is not advisable to rely on an opinion on that requirement that all aspects of the United States income tax law. Some of those does not come in writing from the IRS. opinions are correct and some are not. Generally the taxpayer must go to court to determine if the opinion is correct unless the IRS later The fact the IRS will not issue a written opinion on fideicomiso filing concedes this in writing. For approximately five years, the IRS has requirements should be cause to worry. It would be easy for them to known that certain attorneys have expressed that a fideicomiso issue written guidance if they really were certain that the beneficiaries should not have to file Forms 3520 and 3520A. The IRS has not of fideicomisos did not have to file the foreign trust forms. agreed as of this date.
another day in paradise
BY linda neil
real estate NEWS
MEXICO RENTAL INCOME: PAYING TAX IS NOW EASIER THAN EVER AND WITH STATESIDE BENEFITS! Those who have rental properties in Mexico can now rest easy. SAT, Mexico’s Uncle Sam, has provided a straightforward and relatively simple way to declare and pay taxes on rental income for those foreigners who have long wished to be in compliance but did not know the way to do so.
38
www.adip.info
As of February 2010, SAT eliminated the requirement for a taxpayer identification number (RFC) which had previously been obtained only through extreme efforts, Now the foreign taxpayer has two options: One to obtain the taxpayer identification number (RFC), file monthly declarations whether there is income or not, and enjoy a deduction of expenses. This is Option One. Option Two provides for the taxpayer to make a declaration when income is received, pay a flat tax and obtain a receipt to take to the tax authorities in
his/her tax residence, for credit or deduction of taxes in the home country. On any rental the owner, or his/her property managers, are responsible for collecting the IVA tax (the added value tax) which is 11% on the Baja and Yucatan peninsulas and 16% elsewhere. The owner or property manager must also collect the state hospitality tax which is 2 to 4% of the rental amount. These taxes must be delivered to the federal and local governments, as applicable. It is important for the foreigner with rental property in Mexico to make arrangements for payment of these taxes since penalties can be high in Mexico for nonpayment and, additionally, these same tax payments and expenses can be deducted or credited against income in taxpayer’s home country. The next part of the equation for the US taxpayer has been deciding how to declare this income and enjoy
-Taxpayer can take a Foreign Tax Credit against the US income tax paid on the net rental income for income taxes paid in Mexico on that income. -IVA (added value tax) collected from the renter must be included in rental income, but then deducted out so no double taxation. -The special Vacation Home rules applicable to US rental property occupied part time by the owner is also apply to Mexican rental property. -IN A SALE OF THE PROPERTY, net gain is taxed in the US at the applicable lower capital gains rates and Mexican ISR paid is a credit against that US tax on that profit. For further information on the Rental Payment Program for Mexican properties, please contact: Lic. Quirino Parra: quirino.parra@settlement-co. com. For further information on the payment of US taxes when Mexican income is involved, please contact attorney and CPA Don D. Nelson: ddnelson@ gmail.com. His website is at www.taxmeless.com Sunset on La Ropa Beach, Zihuatanejo, Photo by Page Cameron.
the deductions in their United States tax returns. Don Nelson, Attorney and Certified Public Accountant located in California reports the following regarding tax treatment for U.S. taxpayers: -If the Mexican rental property owned in an individuals name or through a fideicomiso, all rental income and expenses are reported on Schedule E of the form 1040. -Allowable rental expenses are the same as for a Unithed States property. -Management fees, interest, property taxes, utilities, repairs, maintenance, association dues, insurance‌ ALL are deductible! -Depreciation on a Mexican property is 40 years straight line
about the authors: Linda Neil is the founder of The Settlement Company-the first escrow company in Mexico, and is dedicated to processing the trusts and title transfers of Mexican real estate for foreign buyers and sellers for properties located ANYWHERE in Mexico. Ms. Neil is also licensed as a Real Estate Broker in California, is an Accredited Buyer Representative through NAR, and has over thirty five years experience in all aspects of Mexican real estate and holds membership in AMPI, NAR and FIABCI and PROFECO Certificate 00063/96. linda.neil@settlement-co.com Don D. Nelson. - Attorney and C.P.A. has over 31 years of experience in U.S. international taxation, tax law, expatriate taxation, and assisting US Citizens, Americans, permanent residents and nonresidents with their U.S. tax problems, returns, planning, and other tax and legal matters. Visit Don’s websites at www. taxmeless.com, www.expatattorneycpa.com e-mail: dondnelson@gmail.com