VOL 6. Winter 2015 -2016
VISIT IT
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ALL MÉXICO The Pacific Coast
Visit México THE PACIFIC COAST, THIS ISSUE:
Acapulco Live México
to day Cultural Hints •Day Historical overview of • Acapulco Retire in Mexico, tips to • make your dreams come true!
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pronunciation El Fuerte de San Diego Useful expressions Alberto y Andrea
• • •
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CONTENTS ____________________________________________________
Acapulco
Acapulco, Historical
____________________________________________________
Overview, page 8
Historical Over view ____________________________________________________
Acapulco city ____________________________________________________
Beaches ____________________________________________________
Acapulco’s Beaches
LEARN SPANISH with Spanish World
page 20
El Fuerte de San Diego de Acapulco y las Reseñas Internacionales de Cine en los años 60
El Fuerte de San Diego de Acapulco y las Reseñas Internacionales page 12
____________________________________________________
Practica el pasado simple: Alberto y Andrea ____________________________________________________
Tips to make your retirements dreams come true!
Acapulco, The “Queen of
Mexican Beach Resorts,” is still Mexico’s favorite and as sunny and breezy as ever. Golden sandy beaches, fascinating museums and nigh-time extravaganza, all in one place.
Gabriela Ruiz Ramírez
ACAPULCO
with the rich and famous at choice-
The “Queen of Mexican Beach
and the view-of a seeming galaxy
Resorts,” is still Mexico’s favorite
of twinkling city lights-are equally
and as sunny and breezy as ever.
stunning.
By day, viewed either from the
What’s more, Acapulco offers
restaurants, where both the cuisine
http://www.integralwealth.com/ nanaimo/
shore or an airy hilltop, Acapulco’s manifold outdoor diversions, such as acquainting yourself with golden strand curves around its picture perfect half-moon bay, At
tropical fish either through the
night, myriad twinkling city lights
floor of a glass-bottomed boat or
decorate the same space, bordered
via a snorkeling or scuba diving
below by the bay’s ebony darkness adventure. On another day, explore and above by the starry firmament. the forested corners and hidden In Acapulco as in its latter-day
beach-nooks of offshore Isla
metropolitan cousins, Hollywood
Roqueta, and maybe hike through
and Las Vegas, the new, brash the
a sylvan mountainside park,
loud, and the bright far outshine
decorated by a trove of ancient
the quiet, charming side of
petroglyphs, and finally, at day’s
Acapulco that few visitors know.
end, soak up the sunset vista at
But despite the hullaballoo you can Hotel Los Flamingos. With more time, you can adventure easily enjoy Acapulco’s hidden feast of old-Mexico diversions:
beyond the edges of the Acapulco
intimate neighborhoods around the metropolis and discover hidden Acapulcos: such as the grand, zócalo, with their upcountry traditional food restaurants,
glassy Laguna Tres Palos via either
fascinating museums, and the
a breezy jet-boat ride or your own
fetching trove of handcrafts at
kayak, or by strolling the
Mercado de Parrazal.
driftwood-strewn strands of Playa
Of course, modern Acapulco was
Larga, or by tour boat to south-
built for people who like to party
seas islands, such as Isla Montosa,
and if you are so inclined you can
in wildlife-ricg mangrove Laguna
A good deal is a Fair deal
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sample Acapulco’s best, at a legion Coyuca; and if Acapulco has of bars, clubs, and discotheques; a persuaded you to linger, stay a shoreline nighttime bungee jump;
night or two at the palmy,
nightclub extravaganza shows; and charmingly out-of-date downscale resort village of Pie de la Cuesta.
A realtor who friends recommend
Planning you time Of course even in a month of Sundays you won’t be able to do everything that Acapulco offers, so you might as well save something for your next visit. But Spend at least a day around the old-town zócalo neighborhood. Start out with breakfast at Café Los Amigos, and sit down and do some peoplewatching from a bench beneath the shady trees. Wander south a few blocks to Fuerte San Diego and spend a couple of hours perusing its fascinating displays, climbing to its crenelated battlements to enjoy the airy bay view. On your way back be
Photo Tepeji57
sure to stop for a half hour at the
hidden beaches. On another day, you
Casa de la Máscara. By late
might taxi uphill to Palma Sola
afternoon, it will be time to enjoy
Archeological Site for a picnic and a
the sunset, so taxi over to Hotel
shady mountainside stroll among the
Los Flamingos for drinks at their
petroglyphs, In a third day, take a cuba
sunset gazebo and perhaps supper
diving lesson from Acapulco Scuba
in their adjacent restaurant. Later
Center or go to a fishing trop with Fish-
continue by taxi on to La
R-Us.
Quebrada to ooh and ahh at the
On the other hand, handicrafts shoppers
diver’s amazingly scary exhibition.
could spend at least an hour at the
Having hit some of the highlights,
Bonita handicrafts shop near the
you might concentrate on your own
zócalo, and at least another hour at the
interests. For example, from Playa
nearby Mercado de Parazal handicrafts
Caleta, lovers of the outdoors could
market. After lunch (maybe at
take a glass-bottomed boat tour, and
Sanborn’s near the zócalo), you could
spend the day hiking the forested
taxi to Acapulco town market to see the
paths of Isla Roqueta and doing
piñatas, then continue east for a couple
some sunning and snorkeling (bring
hours, browsing the handicrafts arcades
your own gear) from the island’s
and stores in mid-town.
s:
f s, as
nts
If you want a party you can always
seas island mini-paradise Isla
do that right in Acapulco. A good
Montosa. You might linger for a
place to start out would be
day or two more in a comfortable
Restaurant Olvido for dinner (or if
Pie de la Cuesta beachfront hotel,
you’re on a budget, Restaurant El
such as Villa Nirana or upscale
Zorrito or Taco Tumbra) and
Hotel Vaymas. Alternatively, head
continue to the lineup of clubs
southeast of town for a few hours
(Barbarrossa, Crazy Lobster, Beto)
of beach-combing and a picnic in a
and the bungee jump just east of the breezy Playa Larga or, continue to Diana Circle, which will probably
the palm-shaded end-of-the-road
occupy you until at least midnight.
village Barra Vieja for lunch in a
With time to spare, continue in to
rustic beachfront palapa restaurant
more clubs, such as Baby O and
and a tour and some bird-watching
Nina’s on the Costera east end.
(or a jet-boat ride) on the grand,
And finally if the night is still
mangrove Laguna Tres Palos.
young, continue to the super-disco
Yet another out-of-town option
Palladium on the far east-side Las
would be to head north for river
Brisas hillside.
rafting on the Río Papagayo from October to March.
Beyond the Town Limits
Alternatively, head southeast of town for a few hours of beach-
With another day or two you could explore some Acapulco’s county
Playa Larga or, continue to the palm-shaded end-of-the-road
corners. For example, head northwest to Pie deVastlaexperience Cuestauniversity for a boat tour of the
combing and a picnic in a breezy
village(group Barra Vieja for lunch in a or private) for all
and needs. Includes rustic levels beachfront palapa restaurant professor in international programs supportive learning material wildlife-rich First language Spanish books, dictionaries, and a (text tour and some bird-watching (also French, Portuguese and Italian) CD’s and DVD’s)
mangrove-laced Laguna Coyuca and its delightfully rustic south-
(or a jet-boat ride) on the grand, mangrove Laguna Tres Palos.
Spanish
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ACAPULCO
fascinating of finds are the ancient
southern coast and dispatched
paintings at the caves of
expeditions west and south,
Juxtlahuaca, not far from
founding villages and shipbuilding
Experts believe that Acapulco Bay,
Chilpancingo, in the mountains
ports in Oaxaca, at Huatulco and
with its trove of seafood ripe for a
north of Acapulco. Here, deep in a
Tehuántepec, and in the Acapulco
picking, was home to bands of
regal limestone-draped grotto,
region, at Zacatula and Acapulco.
hunter-gatherers beginning at least
captivating multicolored Olmec-
One of the earliest of those
4000 years ago. They left mute
origin paintings decorate the cavern expeditions, commanded by Juan
testimony, rock paintings of their
walls. Although a trove of similar
Rodríguez de Villafuerte, landed at
gods at Puerto Marqués, Pie de la
finds all over the state of Guerrero
Acapulco Bat on the feast day of
Cuesta, and the newly opened site
let historians to the conclusion that
Santa Lucia in 1523. Following
at Palma Sola, uphill from present-
Acapulco’s earliest inhabitants
Spanish custom, Villafuerte
day Acapulco town. Moreover,
were undoubtedly influenced by
christened his discovery the Bahía
these earliest inhabitants left direct
Mexico’s high civilizations -
de Santa Lucía, a name it retained
evidence of their daily life at
Olmec, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Aztec for years, A safe anchorage, good
seaside sites: stone metates and
-and frequently by their traders, the
fresh water, and an abundance of
pottery utensils that experts have
same experts believe that Acapulco
big trees led Villafuerte to establish
dated to around 2500 BC.
never came under their direct
an outpost and shipbuilding port by
Acapulco’s bounty eventually led
control but instead remained the
the latter 1520s. Word got back to
to more leisure and more
domain of a fiercely tenacious
the authorities, and by royal
sophistication. At Las Sabanas, at
tribe, known as the Yopes, until the
decree, in 1528, “Acapulco and her
the northerns edge of the Acapulco
Spanish conquest.
land... where the ships of the south
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
will be built...“ passed directly into
suburb, archeologists unearthed a trove of fetching female statuettes,
Conquest and Colonization
the hands of the Spanish Crown.
reminiscent of early Polynesian and Enter Hernán Cortés, who in 1519 sailed in command of a small fleet Asian artifacts. Such discoveries
Voyages of discovery set sail from
have added credence to widespread from Cuba. He didn’t find the legends of early Chinese influences elusive passage to China, but
California, and Asia. None
to the Mexican Pacific coast long
hearing of a grand Kingdom in the
however, until navigator-priest
before Columbus.
mountains to the west, marched
Father Andrés de Urdaneta
overland and boldly took the Aztec
discovered the northern Pacific
Emperor Moctezuma captive.
trade-winds, which propelled him
Nearly immediately, Cortés asked
and his ship, loaded with Chinese
Highland influences Evidence of far-flung influences is
equally intriguing. Among the most Moctezuma about Mexico’s
Acapulco for Peru, the Gulf of returned from across the Pacific,
treasure, to Acapulco in October 1565.
The Manila Galleon
Pirates and Forts
traded two dozen hostages they had captured in Peru.
From then on, for more than 250
Acapulco’s yearly treasure soon
Such attackers pushed Viceroy
years, a specially yearly trading
attracted marauders. In 1579,
Diego Fernandez de Córdoba to
ship, renowned in Mexico as the
Francis Drake, during his
Nao de China in England as the
circumnavigation of the globe, and
Bay. In 1615, he commissioned,
Manila galleon, set sail exclusively
blessed by England’s Queen
ironically, Dutch architect Adrian
from Acapulco for Asia. Tensely
Elizabeth, threatened the Spanish
Bott, who completed the citadel,
anticipating the Manila galleon’s
Pacific coast from Chile to
called Fuerte San Diego, with five
return, Acapulco authorities sent
California. One of his most
ships to scan the northwestern
notorious raids was at Huatulco, on
arranged in a formidable
horizon. Runners and signal fires
April 13, 1579, when he even stole
pentagonal array. Although the fort
brought the news to Acapulco and
the church bell. Drake waited
was mostly symbolic, it limited
Mexico City, setting in motion a
fruitlessly for the Manila galleon
subsequent attacks on Acapulco
long line of Acapulco-bound
as far north as Cape Mendocino,
traders.
before continuing west across the
centuries to a few unsuccessful
The galleon’s arrival sparkled an
Pacific.
attempts. In reality, sun, termites,
annual trade fair, swelling
Later, corsair Thomas Cavendish
and earthquakes posed the fort’s
Acapulco’s population with
managed similar mischief, burning
most serious hazards. Repairs
merchants from not only all of
Huatulco in 1586. He continued
Mexico, but from as far as Spain
northwest, where, off Cabo San
until a terrible earthquake in 1776
and Peru. Loaded down with gold-
Lucas, Cavendish was the first to
finished the old fort off.
filled purses, the traders jostled to
capture the Manila galleon, the
It was resurrected in grand style by
bargain for the Manilla galleon’s
Santa Ana. The cash booty alone,
military engineers Miguel
shiny trove of silks, satins,
1.2 million gold pesos, severely
damasks, porcelain, gold, ivory,
depressed the London gold market.
and Ramón Panón, who supervised
and lacquerware. Fortunes were
On October 11, 1614, a five-ship
the construction. The entire job,
not only exchanged at trading; they Dutch fleet, consisting of the Sun, were also gained and lost gambling Moon, Pechelinga Jager and
build a fort overlooking Acapulco
sturdy crenellated ramparts,
throughout the 16th and 17th
seemed to be constantly necessary
Constanzo, who drew the plans,
completed in July 1783, cost about 600,000 gold pesos, which would amount to many tens of millions of
at raucous cockfights and exciting
Meeuve, attacked the unfortified
horse races, in which African
village of Acapulco. Already
US dollars today. Now serving as a
Mexicans soon became the star
weakened by scurvy and hunger,
distinguished museum, the Fuerte
the Dutch sailors called off the
San Diego, austere and grand, still
attack and, for food and water,
proudly stands guard over
riders.
Acapulco Bay.
Independence Scarcely a month after Miguel Hidalgo’s impassioned grito that inspired revolt against Spain, Hidalgo’s insurgente compatriot, José María Morelos, was leading a rebel regiment against the royalist garrison in Acapulco. Attracted by the Manila galleon wealth he assumed was hidden there, Morelos besieged the Fuerte San Diego. Although he squeezed down on the fort, eventually
By the mid-1800s. Acapulco’s fine
in 1959, US presidents Dwight
natural harbor began to turn its
Eisenhower and Mexican president
fortunes around. After 1850,
Adolfo López Mateos convened
Acapulco became a stopover for a
their summit conference in a grand
flotilla of steamships filed with
Acapulco hostelry.
San Francisco-bound gold-rush
Thousands of Mexicans flocked to
adventures. Subsequently
fill jobs in the shiny hotels and
Acapulco also served as a coaling
restaurants. They built
station for British, American and
shantytowns, which climbed the
French navy steamers that were
hills and spilled over into
plying the Pacific in increasing
previously sleepy communities
numbers.
nearby. The government responded with streets, drainage, power,
Modern Acapulco
housing, and schools. However, by the 1980’s
surrounding it after a severalmonth siege, the royalist garrison
On November 11, 1927, the
overdevelopment was beginning to
broke out and scattered Morelos’s
Mexican government blasted
tarnish Acapulco’s luster. Hotels
through the first Mexico City-
had aged; some had become run-
soldiers. Consequently, the Manila less annually until 1820, when
Acapulco automobile road; the first down. Untreated sewage was cars shortly began arriving (after a beginning to pollute Acapulco’s
rebel forces cut off all support
six-day trip, however). The first
once-pristine bay.
from Mexico City, stopping the
luxury hotel, the Mirador, at La
Fortunately, the government acted
Manila galleon forever.
Quebrada, went up in 1933; soon
to reverse Acapulco’s decline. New
At the end of the war for
airplanes began arriving.
sewage works were built, clearing
was almost completely in ruins.
During the late 1940’s Mexican
parks were constructed, and dozens
Most of its 3000 inhabitants, the
President Miguel Alemán fell in
of middle-aged hotels were
majority poor African Mexicans,
love with Acapulco and thought
returned to their former grandeur.
were hungry and ill-clothed.
everyone else should have the
By the year 2000 Acapulco had
Housing consisted nearly entirely
same opportunity. He built new
galleon was able to land more or
independence, in 1821, Acapulco
of grass huts, except for the 30 or 0 boulevards, power plants, and modern Highway 95, which cut the stone or adobe homes of
up the pollution. New streets and
been largely restored and was attracting new investments. Its sky was gain blue, its azure waters
Acapulco’s business and
Mexico City driving time to six
were again clean, and it is now a
professional gentry.
hours. Investors responded with a
magnet for millions of yearly
line up of high-rise hotels. Finally,
visitors, foreign and domestic.
By day, viewed either from the shore or an airy hilltop, Acapulco’s golden strand curves around its picture perfect half-moon bay. At night, myriad twinkling city lights decorate the same space, bordered below by the bay’s ebony Gabriela Ruiz Ramírez
darkness and above by the starry firmament.
El Fuerte de San Diego de Acapulco y las Reseñas Internacionales de Cine en los Años 60 Sara Alvarado
El fuerte comenzó a construirse en 1778 y se terminó el 7 de julio de 1783. El arquitecto Ramón Panón y el ingeniero Miguel de Constanzó le dieron al proyecto la forma de un pentágono regular, con cinco bastiones enteramente iguales y de gran saliente.
habitación del castellano, capilla, calabozo, cocina, cuerpo de guardia del oficial, de la tropa, aljibe, letrinas, rampas, puente levadizo, foso, explanadas, claraboyas, desagüe–foso, lunetos, etc. La fortaleza tenía cabida para 2000 hombres, con víveres, municiones y agua potable para un año.
El fuerte, a través de los años, ha ido reciclando sus actividades; de su inicio como fortificación de defensa de la ciudad pasó a ser convento, cárcel, cuartel militar, La obra realizada por el arquitecto espacio de diferentes espectáculos Panón cumplía con todas las como las famosas corridas de necesidades de una fortificación, toros, arena de box y lucha y el con los baluartes La Concepción, clímax del glamour cuando se Santa Bárbara, San Luis, San colmaba su espacio con las Antonio y San José; la plaza que estrellas del cine mundial en las organizaba todos los espacios: la
reseñas internacionales de cine. Actualmente un excelente museo de historia, que bien vale la pena visitar.
las Reseñas originales tuvieron vigencia de 1959 a 1968. El escaparate de celebridades internacionales en el Fuerte de San Diego de Acapulco, iluminado por antorchas, enmarcaba a los invitados distinguidos como Brigitte Bardot, Alain Delon, Jeanne Moreau, los esposos Sharon Tate y Roman Polanski, Gina Lollobrigida, James Mason, Sue Lyon, Virna Lisi, Paul Newman y una larga lista más, los que hacían declaraciones sobre “el matrimonio, el suicidio, el divorcio, la nueva ola, los hippies, Shakespeare”, etc. Además se aparecía el jet-set nacional, también hospedado, al igual que las estrellas, en los hoteles Presidente y Las Brisas.
La primera reseña que se llevó a cabo en el fuerte de San Diego se realizó del 25 de noviembre al 17 de diciembre de 1959.
Mexicanos adinerados, escritores americanos, estrellas de Hollywood y europeos del jet-set pronto se congregaron en Acapulco. Fue allí donde Elizabeth Taylor contrajo matrimonio con Mike Todd, John F. Kennedy y Brigitte Bardot gozaron sus lunas de miel, y Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Harry Belafonte y el Baron de Rothschild se convirtieron en visitantes frecuentes. La Cabeza de Palenque, joya escultórica maya, fue reproducida en oro para instituirla como premio simbólico a todas las películas participantes por haber sido ganadoras de algún festival, como el de Cannes (Francia), Berlín (Alemania), Bruselas (Bélgica), Karlovy–Vary (Checoslovaquia), Mar del Plata (Argentina), Moscú (Rusia), San Sebastián (España) y Venecia (Italia).
Las reseñas continuaron en 1962; en 1963 destacó Lawrence de Arabia, ganadora de siete óscares concedidos por la Academia de Artes Cinematográficas de Los invitados especiales fueron, Hollywood. En 1964 los invitados por EU: James Stewart y Otto especiales fueron Anthony Primenger; por Francia: Jean Perkins, Angie Dickinson, James Pierre Leaud y Jean Marais; por Garner, Virna Lisi. En 1965 y Italia: Amadeo Nazzari y Roberto 1966 se exhibieron películas Rosselini; por la Unión Soviética: como Casanova, por México Sergei Bondarchuck. Fueron Tarahumara y Viento Negro. La varias las películas seleccionadas Guerra y la Paz, por la Unión entre ellas, por Francia–Italia– Soviética. Alfie con Michael Brasil, la famosa: Orfeo negro. Caine. Del 18 de noviembre al 6 de Hasta 1968 el glamour, las visitas diciembre de 1960. El Premio de actores, actrices, directores de Andrés Bazin se otorgó a las cine, el “el jet set internacional” cintas italianas La dulce vida y continuaron engalanando el Rocco y sus hermanos. Fuerte de San Diego. Por razones Del 22 de noviembre al 16 de económicas y políticas las reseñas diciembre de 1961; Acapulco fue fueron suspendidas, quedando visitado por John Gavin, Ernest sólo en el recuerdo. Borgnine, Silvana Pampanini, Vittorio de Sica y Vittorio de Seta.
ACAPULCO CITY
Costera Miguel Alemán (the (pre-1950) Acapulco, west of the
Getting oriented is one tremendous
Parque Papagayo amusement zone,
sweep, Acapulco curves around its
with new Acapulco, the lineup of
dazzling half-moon bay, Face the
big beach hotels that stretches
open ocean and you are looking due
around the bay the the Las Brisas
south. West will be on your right
condo headland. There, during the
hand, east on your left. (The Pacific
night, a big cross glows, marking
Ocean lies to the south, nor the
the hilltop lookout, Mirador La
west? Unexpected but true,
Capilla, above the bay’s east end.
Remember that everywhere on earth
On the opposite, old-town side of
the sun sets in the west and the
Parque Papagayo, the Costera
notice where the sun sets in
curves along the palmy uncluttered
Acapulco; not out to sea, as in San
Playas Hornos and Hamacas to the
Francisco or Seattle, but in a
steamship dock. Here the Costera,
direction approximately parallel to
called the malecón as it passes the
the shoreline.)
zócalo (town plaza), continues to
One continuos beachfront
the mansion-dotted hilly jumble of
boulevard, appropriately named
Peninsula de las Playas.
Gabriela Ruiz Ramírez
Getting around
“Costera” for short), unites old Buses run nearly continuously along the Costera. Fare averages the equivalent of about $0.40. Bus routes indicated by such labels as Base (BAHsay, the naval base on the east end), Centro (zócalo), Caleta (the beach, at the far west end), Cine (movie theater near the beach before the zócalo), and Hornos (the beach near Parque Papagayo) - run along the Costera. Taxis, on the other hand, cost between $2 and $6 for any in-town destination. They are not metered, so agree upon the price before you get in. If the driver demands too much, hailing another taxi often solves the problem.
A walk around old
to the right of the altar. Outside,
Inside, galleries within the original
Acapulco
cross the boulevard to the malecón
fort storerooms, barracks, chapel,
dockside; in mid-afternoon, you
and kitchen illustrate local pre-
may see huge marlin and swordfish
Columbian, conquest, and colonial
being hauled up from the boats.
history. The excellent, unusually
Fuerte San Diego Head out the
graphic displays include much
zócalo and left along the Costera
about pirates (such as Francis
and continue for about three blocks
Drake, Thomas Cavendish, and
beneath the big pedestrian bridge to
John Hawkins, known as
the uphill entrance stairway on the
“admirals” to the English speaking
left. (Or, alternatively, at the big
world); Spanish galleons, their
signaled Costera intersection, at
history and construction; and
Sanborn’s, head inland a block, and
famous visitors. One notable visitor
turn right at Jesús Carranza, at
was Japanese ambassador Hasekura
Woolworth’s. Continue uphill about
Tsunenaga, who in 1613 built a
three blocks to the parking lot
ship and sailed from Sendai, Japan,
entrance, on the right.) Continue
to Acapulco, he continued overland
ahead over the great moat and enter
to Mexico City, by sea to Spain, to
the grand Fuerte San Diego (open
the pope in Rome, and back again
daily except Monday), a pentagonal
through Acapulco to Japan. Before
maze of massive walls, all topped
you leave, be sure to visit the
by bristling battlements, completed
museum’s excellent bookstore, on
by engineer Miguel Constanzo in
the right after you pass the ticket
1783.
booth.
In old Acapulco, traffic slows and people turn to traditional ways. Couples promenade along the malecón dock front, fishing boats leave and return, while in the adjacent zócalo, families stroll past the church, musicians play, and tourist and businesspeople sip coffee in the shade of huge banyan trees. The Zócalo Start your walk beneath those zócalo trees. Under their pendulous air roots, browse the bookstalls, relax in one of the cafés; a night, watch the clowns perform, listen to a band concenter, or join in a pitch-penny game. Take a look inside the mod-style cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude. Admire its angel-filled sky-blue ceiling and visit the Virgin
Fuerte San Diego puts on a sound and light show, using symphonic melodies and dramatic projection upon curtains of water and the old fortress walls themselves to recount Acapulco’s remarkable history. Showtimes, customarily at around 7 pm, depend on season. Confirm the schedule at the museum or at the tourist information office. Foto Tepeji57
Casa de la Máscara As you exit
jaguars, and angelic cherubs, be
common in Mesoamerican
the Fuerte San Diego, continue
sure to see the masks that poke fun
tradition. Many ancient and Central
along the lane that begins just west
at the Spanish colonials, with
American stone glyphs and paper
of the museum parting lot. In half a
features such as three eyes, double
or bark codices show half human,
block, you’ll arrive at Casa de la
noses, bald heads, and big ears.
half jaguar personages, which
Máscara (10 am- 4 pm - Tuesday to
Although in moderns society masks
anthropologist commonly interpret
Sunday). Inside, enjoy six rooms
serve merely theatrical and
as depictions of priests in jaguar
decorated with a trove of
celebratory functions, in parts of
mask and costume, thus elevated to
fascinating indigenous masks, all
Mexico certain masks retain their
the powerful realm of the gods.
handcrafted for the myriad
pre-Columbian function and
Before leaving, be sure to visit the
traditional fiestas celebrated in
significance: By donning a mask, a
room of masks exotically
towns and villages all over the state
person soaks up the super natural
reminiscent of West Africa, made
of Guerrero.
powers of the god that the mask
by the costeños, or African
Besides the well-known examples,
depicts. Jaguar masks, for example,
Mexicans, most of whom now live
such as the clownish Viejitos (old
are a remnant of the jaguar cult,
along the Guerrero-Oaxaca coast
ones), grinning red devils, scary
east of Acapulco.
Pozo de la Nación Historic
square’s north, uphill, corner marks
Guadalupe across the square from
District Pozo de la Nación,
the pozo (well) for which the
the pozo. Behind the Guadalupe
Acapulco’s oldest permanent
district is named. In 1850, governor
shrine, pause (especially if it’s a
neighborhood, where the merchants
Juan Alvarez ordered the well dug
warm day) in the cool shade
that prospered from the Manila
to furnish a clean water source and
beneath the great Arbol del Fraile
galleon trade built their homes,
alleviate the devastating local
(Tree of the Friar), brought from
spreads uphill, behind the cathedral, cholera epidemic.
Peru as a seedling centuries ago.
north from the zócalo. The heart of
Acapulco people remember that
Locals enjoy the sweet yellow fruit
the several-square-block district is
wise and kindly act, especially
that it drops from its spreading
the small intersection-square, at the
around January 12, when droves of
branches during the month of June.
corner of Calles Allende and
folks arrive to pay homage at the
Another good place to pause,
Alarcón. A monument at the
illuminated shrine to the Virgin of
especially if you’re hungry, is at the clean comedor-style Restaurant El Nuevo Capullo Chilapeño, behind and to the right of the pozo monument. La Quebrada Head back to the zócalo and continue west from the front of the cathedral. After three short blocks to Avenida López Mateos, continue uphill to the La Quebrada diver’s point, marked by the big parking lot at the hillcrest. There, Acapulco’s energy focuses five times a day (at 1 pm and hourly 7-10 pm) as tense crowds watch the divers plummet more than 100 feet to the waves below. Admission is about $2, collected by the divers’ cooperative. Performers average less than $100 per dive from the proceeds. The adjacent Hotel Mirador charges about $5 cover to view the divers from its terrace.
Foto Tepeji57
Casa de Dolores Olmedo
Rising behind the mural is Dolores
Celebrated muralist and painter
Olmedo’s former house, where
Diego Rivera (1186-1957), whose
Rivera stayed and worked,
renown has received a boost from
covering the inside chamber walls
the latter-day fame of his second
with a treasury of stunning murals.
wife, Frida Kahlo, spent the last
It’s to be hoped that Señora
years of his life with his friend
Olmedo’s heirs will continue her
Dolores Olmedo, grand dame of
practice of allowing public
Acapulco. Señora Olmedo, who
viewing tours of some of the inside
herself died in July 2002 was
rooms. For more information,
perhaps the world’s foremost
contact Guerrero Turismo at tel.
collector of Rivera works. One of
744/484-4583 or 744/484-4416.
the most visible decorates the front wall of Olmedo’s former home
See Acapulco before geing there, here we recommend you a couple of videos:
PLAY hps:// www.youtube.co m/watch?
Palma Sola Archeological Site
compound, on a quiet side street in On a high hillside above the upscale Peninsula de las Playas Acapulco’s west-side neighborhood, not far from La
neighborhood, a trove of
Quebrada.
petroglyphs has been excavated for
The work is a rainbow-hued
public viewing (approximately 9
mosaic, dynamically depicting
am - 5 pm, daily, admission $2).
some of Rivera’s favorite prime
The site, at an elevation of about
actors of Mexican mythology.
1,200 feet, adjacent to ridge-top El
Foremost is the feathered serpent
Veladero ecological park, displays
god Quetzalcoatl, who writhes
a number of big (3-20 feet)
along more than half of the 100-
geometric-, animal-, and human-
foot length of the mosaic. Also
form petroglyphs. Created by an
present is the beloved Mexican
ancient people, known generically
hairless dog, Xoloitzcuitle.
as “Los Yopes,” the stone carvings
Rivera, weakened by age, toiled
date from between 200 BC and AD
for a year and a half during 1956
600. Get there most easily by tour
and 1957 to complete the mosaic.
or taxi, up Avenida Palma Sola to
Loyal to his own ideology, he
roads’s end before the hilltop,
included a red hammer and sickle;
where a path leads you the last few
in response to a government
hundred yards. Take a hat, water,
request, Rivera removed it before
and walking shoes. Local guides
he died.
will most likely be available onsite.
Luis Miguel, is a Mexican singer and an icon in Latin America, he is often referred to as El Sol de México. He is one of the most successful artists in Latin American history, having successfully performed in a wide range of musical styles. This video was entirely recorded in Acapulco, back in the 90’s; not much has changed, but some of the fashion and hairdos.
PLAY
hps:// www.youtube.c
BEACHES
Tlacopanocha, a petite strip of sand
Old Town Beaches These start not far from the zócalo.
Here, bay-tour launches wait for
beneath some spreading trees.
Villas La Lupita Hotel
passenger, and kids play in the
At the foot of the Fuerte San Diego, glassy water, which would be great for swimming if it weren’t for the the sand of Playa Hamacas (hammocks) begins, changing to
refuse from nearby fishing boats.
Playa de los Hornos (ovens) and curving northeasterly a mile to a
Playas Caleta and Caletilla
rocky shoal-line called Farallón de San Lorenzo. Hornos is he Sunday
From the inland side of the Costera,
favorite of Mexican families; boats
hop onto one of the parade of buses
buzz beyond the very tranquil
marked Caleta to gemlike Playa
weaves and retirees stroll the wide,
Caleta and its twin Playa Caletilla
yellow sand while vendors work
on the far side of the hilly
the sunbathing crowd.
peninsula (named, appropriately, Peninsula de las Playas). With
Moving south past the zócalo and
medium-coarse yellow sand and
the fishing boats, you’ll find Playa
blue ripples for waves, Caleta and
Photo Tepeji57
The Villas La Lupita hotel boasts that it is “a hotel that combines perfect and personalized service with the relaxed atmosphere of cordiality Mexicans are famous for”.
Caletilla are for people who want
hundred yards through the shady
include viewing underwater life,
company. They are often crowded, tropical deciduous forest to the
shoreline vistas, 1940s movie
sometimes nearly packed solid on
stars’ (Pedro Infante, John Wayne,
faro (lighthouse) at the island
Sundays and holidays. Boats offer summit. The few marines who
Johnny Weismuller) homes, The
banana-tube rides, and snorkel
guard the place are lonely and
Virgen Submarina (a holy image of
gear is rentable from beach
welcome company. Say hello
the Virgin of Guadalupe submerged in
concessionaires. Dozens of stalls
through the gate and the may let
the Isla Roqueta channel),a stop on
and restaurants serve food and
you in for a look around.
the island, and snorkeling. Beer and
refreshments. Prominent among
Afterward, you could cool off
soft drinks are customarily sold
them is his oyster divers, who
with a swimming, snorkeling, and
onboard.
serve their own catch-of-the-day
sunning excursion at the one of
An especially nice spot to linger and
mussels, oysters, and octopus
the island’s intimate hidden
kick back after your Isla Roqueta
right on the west end of the beach. beaches. For example, from the
exteriors is Polynesian-mode
lighthouse, continue uphill a few
Restaurant Palao (noon-6 pm daily),
Isla Roqueta
hundred yards, then fork right at
perched invitingly above the island’s
An Isla Roqueta ticket tour will
the cliff-top trail and stroll
west side channel-front. If you’ve got
often try to snare you as you get
downhill about a mile, where you
an appetite, satisfy it with their melt-
off the Caleta bus. The round-trip,
can cool off, paddling in the tide-
in-your mouth Hawaiian-style pork
which runs around $3, is usually
pools at Playa Las Palmitas, at
ribs.
in a boat with a glass bottom,
Roqueta’s secluded western tip.
through which you can peer at the
(Bring your snorkel, mask and
fish as the peek back from their
sunscreen).
Maralisa Hotel
aqua underwater world. On the
Alternatively, on the island’s east other side, you can relax on sunny side past the zoo, a trail climbs to little Playa Roqueta and have the hill-cress and leads steeply lunch at one of several beachside
downhill to tiny, secluded Playa
palapas.
Marin, where you can loll to your
Later, you might visit the small
heart’s content in the waves that
hillside zoo, in the forest above
funnel into the narrow channel.
the beach. Animals include some
A boat tour from Playa Caleta
of the endangered local species,
(from the Mágico island) is
such as spider monkey, jaguar,
another way to get to Isla
mountain lion, coatimundi, javelín Roqueta. Glass-bottomed boats (peccary), crocodile, and ocelot. leave several times and hour Other Isla Roqueta options
during mid-day, for 90-minute
include hiking the mid-island trail
tours (about $5 per person, last
uphill from Playa Roqueta a few
boat back around 5 pm) Trips
Located in the golden zone of Acapulco, settled near the beach, the Maralisa Hotel is an excellent choice of accommodation when visiting Acapulco, Mexico. This beautiful beachfront resort is situated in the heart of the main shopping area, within a few minutes walk of all the vibrant nightlife.
Playa Angosta
sun’s oft-spectacular twilight
The surf is mostly gentle, breaking
Back on the mainland, you can visit performance.
in one-or-two-foot waves near the
another hidden beach nearby, Playa
beach and receding with moderate
Angosta (Narrow beach), the only
Costera Beaches
undertow. This makes for safe
Acapulco strand with an
These are the hotel-lined golden
swimming within float-enclosed
unobstructed sunset horizon. A
shores where affluent Mexican and
beach areas, but waves generally
breezy dab of a beach, sandwiched
foreign visitors stay and play in the
break too near the beach for
between a pair of sandstone cliffs,
sun. They are variations on one
bodysurfing, boogie boarding, or
Angosta’s ocean waves roll in,
continuos curve of sand. Beginning
surfing. Beyond the swimming
swishing upon the sand. A food
at the west end with Playa Hornitos
floats, motorboats hurry along,
palapa occupies one side of the
(also known as Playa Papagayo), it
pulling para-sailers and banana-
beach and a few fishing launches
continues, changing name from
tube riders, while personal
and nets are on the other. With
Playa Morro to Playa Condesa and
watercraft cavort and careen over
caution, swimming, bodysurfing,
finally Playa Icacos, which curves
the swells.
and boogie boarding are sometimes
and stretches to its sheltered east
Such motorized hubbub lessens the
possible here; otherwise, Angosta is end past the naval base. All of the
safety and enjoyment of quieter
best for scenery and picnics.
same semi-coarse golden silica
sports off most new-town beaches.
Just uphill, a few hundred yards
sand, the beaches begin with fairly
Sailboaters and sailboarders with
along the southbound cliffside
broad 200-foot-wide Playas
their own equipment might try the
Avenida López Mateos, is Sinfonia
Papagayo and Morro. They narrow
remote, more tranquil east end of
del Sol sunset amphitheater. Here,
sharply to under 100 feet at Playa
Playa Icacos, however.
local folks begin gathering around
Condesa, then broaden again to
Water-skiing, officially restricted
5 pm daily during the winter (6:30
more than 200 feet along Playa
to certain parts of Acapulco Bay,
pm in the summer) to enjoy the
Icacos.
has largely moved to Laguna Coyuca northwest of the city. laguna Coyuca also has enough space for many good motorboatfree spots for sailboaters and sailboarders. Rocky outcroppings along Playas Papagayo, Morro, and Condesa add interest and intimacy to an already beautiful shoreline. The rocks are good for tide-pooling and fishing by pole-casting (or by net, Gabriela Ruiz Ramírez
as locals do) above the waters.
Beaches Southwest of Town Drive, taxi ($10), or ride a Puerto Marqués-or Lomas-marked bus along the Costera eastward. Past the naval base entrance on the right, the road climbs the hill, passing a number of panoramic bay viewpoints. After the Las Brisas condo-hotel complex, the road curves around the hill shoulder and heads downward past picture-perfect vistas of Bahía Puerto Marqués. At the bottom-of-the-hill intersection and overpass, a road branches right to Puerto Marqués. The little bayside town is mainly a Sunday seafood and picnicking retreat for Acapulco families. Dozens of palapa restaurants line its motorboat-dotted andy beach. One ramshackle hotel, at the far south end of the single main beachfront street, offers lodging. If you are driving, mark your odometer at the hill-bottom intersection and head east toward the airport. If traveling by bus, continue via one of the Lomas buses, which head east Acapulco about once an hour. About a mile farther, a turn-off road goes right to the Fairmont Acapulco Princess and the Pierre Marques hotels and golf course on Playa Revolcadero.
Gabriela Ruiz Ramirez
Beach access is by side roads or by
own boat or board. Some rentals
you will pass the lovely retreat Villas
walking directly through the hotel
may be available from the hotel
San Vicente, a collection of several
lobbies. If you come by bus, hail a
beach concession.
small villas and two studio cottages,
taxi from the highway to the Hotel
all nestled in their own palmy, private
Princess door for the sake of a good Playa Larga
beachside park.
entrance.
About seven miles (11 kms) from
A rustic campground and trailer park
the Puerto Marqués traffic
has opened up for business on Playa
Playa Revolcadero, a broad miles-
intersection, the Barra Vieja road
Larga. Watch for their sign about four
long, yellow-white strand, has the
forks right and heads along breezy,
miles from the fork. If you camp on
rolling open-ocean billows that
wild Playa Larga. If you are in the
Playa Larga, you’ll be able to share in
Acapulco Bay doesn’t. The
mood for some exercise, bring a
enjoying the wide, breezy strand,
sometimes rough waves are
bike and take advantage of the new
whose rolling waves, with ordinary
generally good for boogie boarding, ciclopista (bike path) that begins at
precautions, appear to be good for
bodysurfing, and even surfing,
Barra Vieja (Km 11) road fork and
boogie boarding, bodysurfing, and
especially near the shoals on the
parallels the road all the way to
possibly surfing. The sun sets on an
northwest end. Because of the
Barra Vieja. Although I didn’t see
unobstructed horizon, and the crab-
waves and sometimes hazardous
them on my last trip, my taxi driver
rich beach is good for surf fishing (or
currents, the hotel provides
said that concessionaires at both
by boat if you launch during morning
lifeguards. The Playa Revolcadero
ends of the ciclopista rent bicycles
calm). Additionally, the firm, level
breeze is also brisk enough for
on weekends.
sand is excellent for jogging,
sailing and sailboarding with your
About two miles from the fork,
walking, and beach-combing.
Photo Tepeji57
Barra Vieja and Laguna Tres Palos About a mile farther on, the stores (groceries and long-distance phone) and modest houses of fishing village Barra Vieja dot the roadside. Many seafood palapas line the beach side. The better among them include Don Beto’s and Gloria del Mar, both with pools (prices, however, are very steep. Expect to pay $2.50 for a beer or orangeade and $12-15 for a fish plate, although buying lunch entitles you to occupy your table for the rest of the day.) In addition to the beach, Barra Vieja visitors enjoy access to the vast Laguna Tres Palos mangrove wetland from the estero at the east end of town before the bridge. From there, boatmen (ask for JosÊ Organes, Beto Godoy, or Felipe or Pedro Sala) take parties on fishing and wildlife-viewing excursions for about $35 for six people. Horseback rides are also available for about $20 per person. The road (which maps routinely show going through to Highway 200) crosses a lagoon bridge and ends about two miles farther east at scruffy Lomas de Chapultepec village.
Foto Tepeji57
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Learn Spanish
VOCABULARIO
Alberto y Andrea Por Laura Montoya
Cacique. Overlord, powerful person locally. Sobrina. Niece Cazando. Hunting Ganado. Cattle
Seguro ______________ (1. conocerse) cuando eran niños, ______________ (2. tener) que haberse visto en alguna fiesta familiar en Tlacotepec del pueblo de sus abuelos, pero cuando se tiene 8 años, 7 años de diferencia si son muchos. Andrea ______________ (3. vivir) a unos 98 kms de Alberto, en Acapulco, la ciudad a la que su abuela Laura ______________ (4. mudarse) unos 40 años atrás. La abuela de Alberto, Estela era la hija de Don Raúl, un importante cacique de la época. Laura era su sobrina, hija de Teresa, la mas joven de los hermanos.
El Pasado The past (preterite) te nse allows you to refer to specific past actions performed at a fixed point in time, a specific number of tim es or during an enclosed amount of tim e. Yo cené a las 6:00 (I had dinner at 6:00) Cené contigo 3 veces (I had dinner with you 3 times) La cena duró 2 horas (The dinner lasted 2 hours)
To form the past, you will do the following: ar verbs: drop the -ar and add: yo: -é nosotros: -amos tu: -aste vosotros: -asteis él: -ó ustedes/ellos: -aron er and ir verbs: drop -e r or -ir and add: yo: -í nosotros: -imos tu: -iste vosotros: -isteis él: -ió ustedes/ellos: -ieron
Follow this formula to fill up the blanks. Watch out for irregular verbs!
Alberto ______________ (5. crecer) cazando, montando caballos y conduciendo grandes tractores de piedra y alimento para ganado. Andrea creció en Acapulco, subiéndose al transporte público, hablando inglés en las tiendas de extranjeros y leyendo libros de viajes. Extrañamente Alberto y Andrea ______________ (6. seguirse) frecuentemente por la vida, ambos vivieron un tiempo en la frontera del país, los dos ______________ (7. migrar) a la ciudad de México por un tiempo y los dos conocían las historias familiares a detalle. En Noviembre de 1989 ______________ (8. celebrarse) en Tlacotepec el cumpleaños 90 de Doña Teresa y toda la familia ______________ (9. ser) invitada al evento.
Fue una casualidad, si es que uno cree en casualidades, que ambos asistieran. Alberto vivía en Chilpancingo y Andrea estaba de visita en la casa de sus padres en Acapulco. ______________ (10. haber) mas de 200 invitados en la fiesta, hijos, nietos, sobrinos, hijos de hijos, esposos, esposas, hasta el cura del pueblo y el presidente municipal. Doña Teresa había heredado buena parte de las tierras de la familia y había sabido ganarse bien a la gente después de tantos años. Esa noche, Alberto ya de 31 anos llevaba un traje azul marino, una camisa de un azul muy claro y sin corbata. Tenía el pelo negro, la piel dorada y los ojos verdes. Andrea, de 24, llevaba un vestido negro con una franja blanca en el pecho, zapatos de tacón y un discreto dije que había pertenecido a la familia por generaciones. Andrea tenía el cabello castaño y largo, ojos cafés y un par de lindas piernas. Había mucha gente y las mesas de uno y otro estaban en lados opuestos del salón, pero de alguna manera, Alberto miró a Andrea a través de todas las personas y como en un acto de magia el resto ______________ (11. desaparecer) de su mirada. Alberto recordaba bien a los papás de Andrea, y eso le __________ (12. dar) la oportunidad para saludar. ______________ (13. recorrer) el salón en lo que parecieron unos 30 minutos. Los saludos __________ (14. ser) cariñosos, los papás de Andrea ___________ (15. recordar) cuando Alberto era un bebe y ___________ (16. empezar) a llorar a la mitad de la boda de una tía, justo cuando el padre ___________ (17. preguntar) si había algún impedimento para que los novios cerraran el trato.
VOCABULARIO Cura del pueblo. Town’s priest. Ganarse bien. Become friends with, be respected by. Traje. Suit. Dije. Necklace pendant. Papás. Parents. Impedimento. Hindrance, obstacle. Primos. Cousins. Vuelo. Flight. Eso era lo de menos. That was the least important. Con suerte. Luckily. Arrancó. Turned on the car. Carretera. Highway.
Respuestas Answers
Contaron algunas historias y Alberto __________ (18. invitar) a Andrea a una fiesta a la que asistirían solo los primos cuando la principal se hubiera terminado. Andrea __________ (19. decir) que no, ya que tenía que llevar a sus papás a casa al terminar la fiesta y el vuelo de regreso salía temprano a la mañana siguiente.
1. se conocieron 2. tuvieron 3. vivió
Alberto __________ (20. aceptar) la negativa, pero no se quedaría así, sabía que quería saber mas de ella, conocer cada detalle de su vida, perderse en su mirada y con suerte, en sus piernas.
4. se mudó 5. creció
En 1989 el internet era accesible sólo para uno que otro y ni que
6. se siguieron
pensar de Facebook, Skype ni toda esa tecnología que hoy en día acorta tanto las distancias.
7. migraron 8. se celebró 9. fue 10. Hubo 11. desapareció 12. dio 13. Recorrió 14. fueron
Alberto __________ (21. conseguir), después de muchas llamadas, el teléfono de la casa de Andrea y su dirección. Las llamadas de largadistancia eran caras, pero eso era lo de menos. Después de encontrar algún pretexto para hablarle, Alberto_________ (22. marcar) y Andrea _________ (23. contestar) el teléfono. Hablaron de la fiesta, de la familia y de algunas otras cosas. Hablaban por horas, se hacían reír y noche a noche se interesaban más el uno en el otro.
15. recordaron 16. empezó 17. preguntar 18. invitó 19. dijo 20. aceptar 21. consiguió 22. marcó 23. contestar 24. decidieron 25. tuvo
Así pasaron las semanas y los meses; cuando finalmente _________ (24. decidir) verse de nuevo. La reunión _________ (25. tener) lugar en Cuernavaca que les quedaba en un punto intermedio. Fue el mejor fin de semana de sus vidas y cuando Andrea se subió al auto de regreso, ambos sabían que podrían dejarlo todo con tal de estar juntos. Andrea arrancó, prendió los limpia-parabrisas para enfrentar la lluvia en la carretera, encendió la radio pero no llegó de regreso a la Cd. de México ... ¿Qué le pasó? Escoge el final de la historia, escríbela en nuestra página de Facebook, dando click al siguiente link: https:// www.facebook.com/Spanish-World-Nanaimo-ParksvilleAquí Errington-334383589929742/?notif_t=page_user_activity
RETIRE IN MEXICO One of the best places in the world to retire is Mexico
What to Do During Your Mexican Retirement
Are you considering retiring in some place warm and exotic without giving up life’s conveniences? Then you should definitely consider retiring in Mexico. The U.S.’s southern neighbor consistently makes International Living’s list of the 5 top countries to live in. Mexico boasts a great quality of life, natural beauty, modern infrastructure, and safety.
Whether your vision of the ideal retirement involves shopping, fishing, sunbathing, diving, biking, mountain climbing, parasailing, collecting crafts, visiting archaeological sites, partying, going to concerts, attending the theater, or fine dining, in Mexico you can engage in all these activities and many more. Retiring in Mexico is still very affordable, and your money will buy you much more here than north of the border. When a dinner for two with a couple glasses of wine is only $35, a night at the movies costs less than $10, and a taxi ride across town is only a few bucks, you can really indulge yourself and enjoy the good life during your
You should also consider retirement in Mexico because it offers you proximity to the United States, which in turn gives you more flexibility in making your retirement move. You could scout for property in Mexico during long weekends as you consider your move, and once you are here, you could drive back to the U.S. or Canada to spend holidays with your friends and family. And because of great cellular coverage and widely available highspeed Internet, Mexico is also appealing to an increasing number of professionals and business people who semi-retire to Mexico while continuing to work and manage their companies…while sitting on a beach with a laptop. You can also own the home of your dreams in Mexico–for much less than it would cost you most anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. The real estate market offers endless possibilities for your retirement in Mexico: You can buy land and build the house you always wanted to own, you can buy a colonial gem and have fun restoring it to its original splendor, or you can opt for a modern home in the city, or a villa in a gated community. You can retire on the Mexican beachfront, on a golf course, on a lakeshore, or in the mountains. You can also retire in a condo or in a house, in the city or in the country — the possibilities are virtually limitless. In fact, you could even retire on a ranch with farm animals, if that’s what your heart desires.
retirement in Mexico. And how about trying some new things, such as learning to dance salsa, mastering the secrets of Mexican cuisine, or exploring the rich history and culture of ancient Mayas and Aztecs? The possibilities are endless… Learn more: http://internationalliving.com/ countries/mexico/retire/
PelĂcula de Cine Alternaivo A smart, surprising story by creative Sylvia Andrews.
Montevideo Discover this city along with Lynn Welburnn.
Rebote A fun, beautifully written story of strength, heartache and love... life. By Kim Moes.
NEW FROM SPANISH WORLD Javier and other Easy to Read Spanish Stories
This new book published by Spanish World offers you interesting Spanish and English stories side by side so you can practice and improve your reading skills in Spanish, with the support of your native language. As you read, you can check your comprehension by comparing the two versions of the story. Â
Learn more at spanishworld.ca or give us a call (250) 585-1888