Edition 89

B i m o n t h l y · Ye a r 03 · N u m b e r 89 · 20,000 c o p i e s · 24 Pages · J u l y 2 0 - A u g u s t 2 , 2 0 1 6

Ek Ba la m S MASP IDE

This easy day trip from the Riviera Maya offers excavated pyramids and ruins still covered with foliage to help bring out your inner Indiana Jones

t h e p l a y at i m e s . c o m

IN

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COZUMEL CONNECTION Coral Reef Restoration Program

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ENTERTAINMENT >P. 16 Photo: The Playa Times

What´s On

· TPT FOODIES

· ART & CULTURE

XKALUHAH DISC GOLF

PEDRO FRIEDEBERG

The famous American chef, restaurateur, author and television host was in town to celebrate fourth of July weekend with an event at the Thompson Hotel

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Photo: The Playa Times

Photo: Thompson Hotel

R I C K B AY L E S S I N T E R V I E W

· ENTERPRISE FOCUS

We sat down with the eccentric & influential Mexican artist to discuss art, what inspires him, and why just about everything disappoints him.

Looking for something fun and different to do?

We headed out to Puerto Morelos to visit the newest jungle activity!

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July 20 - August 2 2016

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July 20 - August 2 2016

Editorial DIRECTORY

Come For the Weather. Stay for the People.

Rebecca Page Editor edition@meridianmedia.mx

Edgar E. Mena Copy Editor copyeditor@meridianmedia.mx

Efrén Velázquez Art & Design design@meridianmedia.mx

Fabián Muñoz Key Account Manager Cell: 984 179 2110 ventas@meridianmedia.mx

Ana Martínez Brand Manager Cell: 984 169 1637 marketing@meridianmedia.mx

Erika Serra Public Relations Cell: 984 119 1586 publicrelations@meridianmedia.mx

Octavio Moreno Sales Executive Cell: 984 179 8347 octavio@meridianmedia.mx

Missey Dee Sales Executive Cell: 998 127 6071 melissa@meridianmedia.mx

CONTACT US AT: 984-803 1446 info@meridianmedia.mx /theplayatimes @ThePlayaTimes

BY REBECCA PAGE

W

hen you first decide you want to move to the Riviera Maya, you think about all the things you’re going to enjoy - the beach, the weather, the slower lifestyle. However, you don’t always think about the people you are going to meet and the relationships that you are going to form. We are incredibly fortunate here because the area attracts so many unique and interesting people from all over the world. My circle of friends and acquaintances has expanded in ways I could never have imagined growing up in New England. The people you meet teach you so much and help your mind grow and expand, even when you thought you’d reached an age where these isn’t much growing left to do! I have this unique opportunity to meet these people through The Playa Times.

This edition, I get to introduce you to a few of them.

First up is Mike at Xkaluhah Disc Golf. Mike is an American, who, like so many of us, fell in love with Playa and decided to make a life here. I found out about Xkaluhah on a local Facebook page where Mike had posted. I got in touch with him, and he invited me to Puerto Morelos to check it out. What a treat to escape into the jungle for a little while, to explore Mike´s property and talk to him about how he went from vacationing here to starting his business. You can read more about Mike and his disc golf adventure in this edition in our

Enterprise Focus section.

Next, I had the incredible opportunity to interview Pedro Friedeberg, a Mexican artist who has an exhibition currently being displayed at El Pueblito at Mayakoba. Pedro is classified by some as a surrealist artist and is well known for both his and creativity and his eccentricity. At 80 years old, Pedro is not afraid to speak his mind, although you get the impression he has never been afraid to speak his mind. We spoke of many things, including his love for British Literature and disappointing art. After the official interview, Pedro and I spoke casually over a glass (or two) of wine about everything from life in Mexico to our shared hatred of selfie sticks. My interview with Pedro appears in the Art and Culture section of this edition.

The weekend of July 4, I was off to The Thompson Hotel to interview Rick Bayless. Rick is a world famous chef, restaurateur, author, television host, and my sister´s gastronomic hero. I have eaten many of his meals in my sister’s kitchen as he taught her, through his cookbooks, the best of Mexican cooking. Yes, Rick is American. However, he is also a student of Mexican cooking, and his love and respect for Mexican culture are clearly evident in his work. Learn more about Mexican cuisine from Rick in our TPT Foodies section.

The last guys we get to introduce you to are the guys from Bajo Burger Bar. Bajo (meaning bass) will be opening up in a little more than a week, and I am super excited about

Meeting Pedro Friedeberg / Photo: The Playa Times

the concept. These four guys combined their business experience and love of Rock and Roll to bring a cool new concept to Playa - Rock and burgers. Talking with Pedro and Marco last week about how their plan came together reaffirmed for me how amazing this region is. People are traveling from all over the world, starting new lives, and creating

a young and vibrant community.

You can find my interview with the guys from Bajo in our TPT Foodies section.

I hope you enjoy this edition and in the process of reading it, you learn a little bit more about what makes this region so special. Yes, we all come for the beach, and the weather, but we stay for the people.

playatimes

THE PLAYA TIMES RIVIERA MAYA'S COMMUNITY PAPER Periódico Quincenal.

Número de Certificado de Reserva otorgado por el Instituto Nacional de Derechos de Autor: (PENDIENTE). Número de Certificado de Licitud de Título: (en trámite). Número de Certificado de Licitud de Contenido: (en trámite). Domicilio de la publicación: Plaza Paseo Coba, 2do piso local 301, Playacar fase II, Playa del Carmen, Solidaridad, Quintana Roo C.P. 77710. Impreso en talleres Grupo Megamedia Prolongación de Montejo número 301, entre 40 y 42, fraccionamiento Campestre, Mérida, Yucatán. Distribuidor: Meridian Media, S.A. de C.V., Plaza Paseo Coba, 2do piso local 301, Playacar fase II, Playa del Carmen, Solidaridad, Quintana Roo C.P. 77710.

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N E WS I N B R I E F

July 20 - Agust 2

2016

378,000

Summer High

# of patients seeking treatment outside home country

Season Predictions It is about to get busy in the Riviera Maya as the last week bg Cner Zg] ma^ Û klm p^^d h_ :n`nlm Zk^ i^Zdl p^^dl

BY MELISSA ROBLES

S

ummer season 2016 is forecasted to be a success, with hotel occupation over 95 percent, according to the General Director of Tourism, Elda Clementina del Tejo Corral.

The strongest market is the Mexican tourist market, mostly concentrated in two weeks, the last of July and the first of August, followed by American and Canadian tourists.

“People also come from South America because it is winter right now and this is a chance for them to come to a warmer climate”.

Although it is not the season with the most European visitors, they maintain an important presence that remains constant in most hotels.

#1 Mexican tourists

dominate the summer tourism market

The most important tourist niche is family tourism, with a variety of complexes for their needs, followed by adult tourism, in the romance and business sectors that help offset the low seasons.

There is stability and growth in all sectors, explained the Director, due to the fact that there are a hotel deals geared towards each market.

With more than 8,500 rooms, Tulum is also expecting a full house, as this season is the third most important of the year, after Winter and Easter.

At the Maya ruins in Tulum, between 6,000 and 7,000 people visit per day. In fact it is the most visited archaeological site in Quintana Roo and the second most visited in the Yucatan Peninsula, after Chichen Itza.

Lastly, the President of the Tourist Commission of Solidaridad, Jesús Martín Medina, said that even though England has left the European Union, this will not be felt immediately in the Riviera Maya.

In the future, there could be a change, as one of the economic effects on Great Britain could be reduction of trips abroad.

Other markets that could diminish during this vacation period are German and Spanish, if the Euro loses value to the dollar.

2016 summer season is forecasted to be a success / Photo: shutterstock_

The maximum amount which foreigners can invest has increased / Photo:Flickr/Andrew MaGill

Medical Tourism

BY JOE MALDONADO

Although Mexico is second in the world in medical tourism, some believe it could do more to attract a larger number of patients.

According to Rocío Flores, General Director of Mexico Medical Tourism, this segment is quite large, as most of those who come to the country for medical services are looking for plastic and reconstructive surgeries. In this sense, she shared data from the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), which indicates that each year, more than 378,000 patients have a specialty surgery outside their country, generating more than 140 million dollars. Because of this, she explained that medical tourism offers heath treatments not offered and cheaper services than in patients’ home countries.

According to data from the Secretary of Tourism, each year a million visitors come to Mexico for treatment, and only Thailand receives more. But, according to figures given

by Rocío Flores, a study done by MTA amplifies the information: More than 47,000 people require an orthopedic surgery each year, generating an income of approximately $25.6 million USD. Neurosurgeries are practiced at a rate of around 75,000 each year. In the case of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgeries, each year more than 40,000 patients are attended, bringing the total earnings to around $19 million USD. In general surgeries, more than 66,000 patients are served, which equates to approximately $35 million USD. She explained that different from the ordinary tourist, who stays for around 6 to 7 days, the medical tourist stays between two and three weeks, representing more spending. Additionally, she commented that Mexico has great medical specialists who are known worldwide.

Countries like Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia are beginning to develop their medical tourism market. Because of this Flores concluded Mexico cannot afford to lose in a market as Americans, Europeans, Chinese, and Japanese have more and more patients who search for medical services outside their countries each year.

July 20 - Agust 2

N E WS I N B R I E F

2016

5

National Engineer’s Day The Solidaridad College of Civil Engineers in Playa del Carmen hosted the day on July 1st at La Vagabunda Fiesta

BY MELISSA ROBLES

O

n July 1st, National Engineer’s Day was celebrated in Mexico. In Playa del Carmen, the celebration was hosted by the Solidaridad College of Civil Engineers, headed by José Tomás Farfán Bravo.

Among the goals this school has for the next administration (20162018) is improving the Construction Regulations, updating the Urban Development Program (PDU) and concluding the Local Ecological Organization Program, POEL. These three programs are focused on organized and sustainable development, “because of this, it is very important to update documents, as we always have, so we are able to collaborate with specialists and the community in general”, said Farfán Bravo. “As we face the dynamic growth of the city, it is necessary for us to determine which areas are able to sustain a greater population density and which can have more floors like plazas, malls and banks.” While they are considering an increase the number of floors allowed in certain zones, they will look to continue to restrict the number of floors allowed in the tourist zone.

The College of Civil Engineers will continue to actively participate in the construction of Playa del Carmen.

José Tomás Farfán Bravo

We have the responsibility to plan, in conjunction with the authorities, the development of Solidaridad Head of the Solidaridad College of Civil Engineers

They have participated in 70 projects to date. They are also practicing constant training and professional practices to guarantee responsibility. “We have the responsibility to plan, in conjunction with the authorities, the development of Solidaridad,” said the construction professional.

“We have sent officers to the Communication and Transport Minister to work on the bridges in Playa del

40 out of

100

students of university in Mexico take an engineering-related major

The college has participated in 70 construction projects to date / Photos: Melissa Robles

Carmen, as they need maintenance to show a good side of the country.”

Eduardo Morentín Ocejo, General Director of Environmental and Urban Planning, emphasized the good work of the College of Engineers and their participation in government projects stating, “matter is not created or destroyed, but engineers transform it.”

July 20 - Agust 2

7

BEACH LIFE

2016

Sun b u r n Treatments and Tips A little too much fun under the sun? Here´s have a handful of remedies that will help you with that relieve burn

BY MISSEY DEE

T

here is just something about a little sunkissed color on your face that can make you feel like a million bucks. But wait! Did you remember your sun block? You might be a little impatient to see that beautiful bronze color on your skin, but the last thing you want is to pass beautiful bronze and land at painful, lobster red sunburn. If you have ever had the likes of sunburn or seen it on someone else, we probably don’t have to tell you of the importance of wearing protectant. Not only does it hurt, but it is dangerous and can cause you to become very sick. Some of the most severe symptoms are fever, swollen glands, nausea, vomiting, blisters and headaches. If you are experiencing any of these signs, bypass the treatments we are suggesting and see a doctor immediately. For mild to moderate sunburns, some of the following remedies have proven to be soothing and helpful.

What you can add to a bath or prepare in a spray bottle: 2-3 cups of vinegar, white or apple cider. Either way, you might smell like a pickle, but it has proven to be the most soothing.

Add several tea bags to a cool bath but don’t drink the water.

2 cups of oatmeal and soak for at least 30 minutes.

1-2 cups of baking soda.

2 cups of tomato juice. It is not only good for skunk attacks!

Corn starch to cool water.

Witch Hazel works well for swelling or swollen areas. ¼ cup of lemon or lime juice to cool water in a spray bottle.

Mix milk and honey at a 50/50.

Fruits, Veggies, Plants and More: Sliced or mashed tomatoes. I use this technique when I burn myself in the kitchen. It prevents scarring!

Sliced or mashed cucumber.

Raw egg whites applied directly, cover with gauze or cool towels.

Fresh aloe vera gel from the plant.

It is incredibly easy to burn here - especially on your first day of vacation! / Photo: shutterstock

A book exchange takes place the third Saturday of each month at Parque la Ceiba / Photo: Facebook/Libros Libres

Libros Libres: Creating Yo un g Readers

BY NASH Reading is a very important activity for children and young people, yet books are expensive and with only one library in Playa, it is hard for most people to make buying a book a priority. Rossy Vivanco and Alejandra Cámara took the initiative to create Libros Libres (Free Books), a Spanish book exchange for children and adults in Playa del Carmen.

Libros Libres and their team of young volunteers hopes to encourage all chilRossy dren and young people to read and see the importance of reading. Also, to do something for themselves, to see a need and that there can be a solution. This project provides the opportunity for children and teens to get involved in books and shows them they can make important changes in their within their community through volunteer work.

Reading takes children to other worlds. It opens their minds, and through this program, they are connected to other readers.

Through book donations and sponsors,

Libros Libres has the opportunity to take new books to the Maya communities. It also donates books to public schools to help build up the school libraries.

The book exchange events feature story telling for the children with activities, getting them involved and building self-confidence and understanding of the story.

Plant a book is an event that takes place every three months.

They leave books in random places throughout the city, for example, a bus stop, basketball court, church, from Libros Libres or a restaurant. On this book, there will be a note, “This free book is looking for a reader. Read it and pass it on.” There are other events created to bring readers together, including lectures by local authors and editors, and children’s storytelling in city parks.

If you are interested in creating an English book exchange, Libros Libres may be able to help you get started.

For upcoming events, follow them on Facebook/Libros Libres.

Libros Libres is created with love, not money

Photo: Agency

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BEACH LIFE

July 20 - Agust 2

2016

Life Stories:

Education and investigation had the highest level of improvement

Rosario Pimentel

Water quality had the lowest level of improvement

Playa del Carmen doesn´t just attract tourists. It attracts people from all over Mexico who find jobs in the tourism industry. Today, we introduce you to another of Playa´s residents who is here to stay!

BY JOE MALDONADO

O

f the thousands of people who have arrived in this destination and have a story to tell, I decided to chat with Rosario Pimentel Hernández. She came to Playa del Carmen as a student of tourism to do her internship.

It was thanks to a contest to develop ecotourism projects (which she won) that she had an employment opportunity and the chance to live here.

At present, I don’t think I would g o back…

Rosario Pimentel

How is it that you came to Playa del Carmen?

I am originally from Ixtapa Zihuatanejo in the state of Guerrero, another tourist destination. I needed to do my internship to finish university, so I came to do do it here in the Department of Tourism. During my stay, there was a convocation for ecotourism projects, which all the universities in Quintana Roo were participating in, and I asked permission to participate as an out of state university. I won first prize and at that moment,

Melissa López Guzmán, Director of Tourism, offered me a job with her. I was in Ixtapa. I had finished my internship when she called me, so I came back to Playa del Carmen.

What project did you develop in order to win?

It was to build cabins in some part of the Maya Zone with people from the region to get to know their culture and help rescue their traditions, the way their ancestors lived, getting to know their traditional food and being able to cook it. Not those that are already made and industrialized (for example, achiote). How to discover people from the past, in the present.

What are the similarities and differences in Playa del Carmen and Ixtapa Zihuatanejo?

Both have beaches and are beautiful places, but Playa del Carmen has a larger diversity of activities and infrastructure and it’s growing very rapidly. Ixtapa is still very small, in spite of its age. Playa del Carmen is more attractive for investors. There are not only big hotels, there are big restaurants and parks.

Have you thought about returning to Ixtapa?

At present, I don’t think I would go back, I would stay in Playa del Carmen because I feel it is a calmer place for my family. I met my husband here, and we have a son. I want him to grow up here where he was born. I go visit my parents as often as I can, but I have adapted to Playa del Carmen. I am happy because of my work and family.

You have a degree in tourism, what do you think of this sector?

I think that tourism in Playa del Carmen is multicultural, with visitors from all over the world, is something very beautiful because of the diversity. You meet people from all over the world and you have the chance to find work here. I repeat, Playa del Carmen gave me the opportunity to work and meet people.

Tourism is one of the most beautiful activities because it gives you the chance to develop in beautiful places like Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. Being here is like traveling around the world because you see people from all over, the USA, Canada, the Americas in general, Europe, and even places like India, China, or Russia.

She comes from another tourist destination, but loves it here and wants to stay / Photos: Rosario Pimentel / Shutterstock

The Mesoamerican Reef is the second largest coral reef system on the planet / Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Healthy Reef

BY JOE MALDONADO In 2004, specialists, environmentalists, biologists, marine biologists and others created the Healthy Reefs Initiative with the goal of monitoring the status of the Mesoamerican Reef Zone, the second largest on the planet. This international initiative promotes practices that benefit the health and conservation of the reefs.

On a determined schedule, the members presented their progress on protecting the reef. We spoke about this with Marisol Rueda Flores, who is the head of this organization locally and who recently presented the results at the Sayab planetarium.

She commented that the 2016 Progress Report is an analysis of the collective regional efforts in protecting and managing the reef sustainability and documents show these recommendations have been used in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, as they are the countries closest to

the reef. It is a systematic and transparent report on the implementation of the 28 recommendations on seven topics: protected marine zones, fishing management and ecosystems, coast management, healing and treating waters, investigation, education, sustainability in the private Sector, and global themes.

Unfortunately, of the positive indicators of 2014, the one which had the lowest level of improvement was the topic of healing and treating waters. The most improvements were made in the area of investigation and education. Although, Rueda Flores clarified, the areas that need the most work are those which deal with the economic value of the reefs and the development of alliances which protect social and ecological aspects.

The second highest area was protected marine areas. Here, she commented that more work is needed to raise the level to “areas with good a regulatory application,” utilizing more workers with the goal of implementing protected marine areas. Rueda Flores indicated that the points which require most attention are the management of fisheries, a long term project, and sustainable fishing. Both areas will benefit both the reefs and population. The importance is also rooted in the annual fishing prohibitions that should be applied for the protection of certain marine life like the parrotfish. Finally, the other point is the management of the coastal zone, which is considered one of the necessities of the region, which needs additional measures to apply said plans.

July 20 - Agust 2

2016

DISCOVER MEXICO

9

Day Tripping:

Ek Balam

This easy day trip from the Riviera Maya offers excavated pyramids and ruins still covered with foliage to help bring out your inner Indiana Jones

BY MISSEY DEE

T

he Maya ruins of Ek Balam are what you might consider “off the beaten path”. As a tourist, you will hear more frequently about Chichen Itza or Tulum, but Ek Balam has just as much to offer travelers. Before visiting Ek Balam, I had traveled to several other nearby archaeological sites, discovering that each location has its own unique features and history. One thing that impressed me the most about Ek Balam was the sheer grandeur of the pyramids, as well as the amazing preservation of the stonework. Though Chichen Itza and Tulum are two of the most popular sites, climbing the pyramids is not permitted, while in Coba only one pyramid is available for hands-on exploration. Ek Balam, meaning black jaguar, has only recently (since the early 1980’s) started to be excavated by researchers. Standing at the base of the main pyramid and looking to the right, I could see a huge mound about the same size as the structure in front of me, still covered in foliage. Because the surrounding area is so flat, it is pretty apparent that the mound was actually a pyramid, patiently waiting to be excavated. I took me a minute to imagine

Climbing the pyramids is permitted in Ek Balam / Photo: Missey Dee

what the pyramid would look like, what kind of artifacts could be found and how much I wish I were the one to discover it.

With what has been uncovered by researchers, they have been able to determine that this complex is one of the most significant settlements of the Late Classic period of the Maya civilization. They have also learned that occupation began as early as 600 BC and lasted until 1600 AD. Research has found that, during that period, there was a king by the name of Ukin Lek’ Kan Tok’ who ruled Ek Balam, and whose decedents were able to extend the power of the city to the eastern part of the Yucatan.

Though the artwork and statues are more magnificent than that of other sites, Ek Balam is still considered a second class settlement because of its size, compared to Chichen Itza and Uxmal. The complex covers an area of 15 square kilometers, but the main area is concentrated within the walled area that contains more than 40 structures. The oldest and largest structure is the North Plaza that highlights the acropolis. This building has many stages of construction, with vaulted passageways and spaces that are divided into six levels. On the fourth level, you will find the so-called Reading

White House that was built by the king Ukin Lek’ Kan Tok’. This area is decorated with a series of winged figures flanking a facade, representing a monster of the earth element in Maya that refers to the access to the underworld. There are also statues of angels, animals and people that can be seen along the magnificently restored wall.

One of the activities that we enjoyed the most was swimming in the refreshingly cool cenote. Just past the entrance to the complex, there is a hut, where you can rent bikes for about $40 pesos. To enter the cenote, there are Tarzan-style rope swings, stairs or you can rappel down from the top ledge. There are life jackets and inflatable rings on the edge for those who need them.

After our refreshing swim, we ventured not far from the cenote to a palapa, where they had an array of hammocks available for some much needed time to relax.

The site is open to visitors from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and offers restrooms and a snack bar for refreshments. Only national currency is accepted.

Remember to bring cash in pesos, comfortable footwear, insect repellent (a must, if you don’t want to be dinner for the natives), swimsuit, sunblock, an extra change of clothes, towel and camera.

DISCOVER MEXICO

Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Project Coral reefs are at extreme risk here in the Mexican Caribbean and all over the world. Learn how you can get involved to help give these valuable ^\hlrlm^fl Z Û `ambg` \aZg\^'

BY MISSEY DEE

I

recently had the pleasure to sit with a very interesting and dedicated man by the name of Sergio Suarez, from Cozumel.

With a Masters degree in marine biology and hydrobiology, he has been an environmental consultant here in the Riviera Maya since the 80’s. Cozumel is world renowned for its diving activities, but what you won’t hear about are the critical threats to the coral reefs near the island and the immense efforts that are being made to restore and protect them.

The Coral Reef Restoration Program, that began three years ago, is designed for certified divers that not only want to experience the stunning waters surrounding Cozumel, but that want to be a part of program that ensures the future of the coral reefs encompassing the island. The objective is to locate and rescue living coral fragments, transport them to a nearby quarantine area and prepare them in an epoxy clay base where they will be cared for until they are ready to be transplanted to the restoration site outside of the Marine Park. Along with the actual recovery of the corals, you will learn all about life on the reef and finish up with the Project AWARE–PADI Coral Reef Conservation Specialty. Once you have completed the program, you can choose to become a volunteer.

By becoming a volunteer, you are invited to continue working with the coral in the quarantine area and transplant efforts offshore.

Once you become a volunteer, you are only obligated to pay for dive equipment, if you need it.

The program consists of twenty hours of participation over a two day period, four open water dives, tanks, weights and all learning materials. Additional diving equipment and underwater cameras are available for rent. If you want to be a part of something

Corals are ancient animals related to jellyfish and anemones.

An individual coral is known as a polyp, a very small and simple organism consisting mostly of a stomach topped by a tentacle-bearing mouth.

Thousands of identical polyps live together and form a coral colony.

Coral reefs cover less than 0.2% of our oceans but they contain 25% of the world’s marine fish species!

Coral reefs are second only to rainforests in biodiversity of species.

Source: Defenders of Wildlife (www.defenders.org) extraordinary and memorable you can contact Sergio via the website at www.expeditionsczm.com, or directly by email at ssdlc1959@hotmail.com. If diving doesn’t interest you, but you still want to be a part of the project, you can help spread the word or send donations. Please let them know that you found out about the project through The Playa Times!

A garden of corals that will be replanted / Photo: Sergio Suarez

July 20 - Agust 2

2016

COZUMEL CONECTION

The perfect view from the Cozumel Pearl Farm Beach / Photos: Raquel Garcia González

The Cozumel P e a r l Fa r m

Enjoy a unique experience away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds and cruise ship tours

BY RAQUEL GARCIA GONZÁLEZ

T

he Cozumel Pearl Farm is the only active pearl farm in the Caribbean and is the best-kept secret of the island.

Owned and operated by a local family this incredibly beautiful place remains pristine and offers visitors amazingly clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, coral reefs and a gentle breeze of clean, fresh air. Its private and secluded location allows guests to relax in a tranquil, natural environment away from the crowds and cruises tours. The Cozumel Pearl Farm Tour is for people from all ages,

and it is a great place to spend time with your friends, family or even a romantic beach day.

The tour begins with a scenic boat ride to the north of Cozumel where they take you to one of the best beaches on the Island. Depending on the weather conditions, this ride will take about 30-45 minutes. During the tour, you will also learn about the patience needed for the long cultivation process and see some of the island’s first farmed pearls.

You’ll be shown personally around the pearl farm and lab. Experts will be on hand to explain the process and answer any questions you have.

Once you have learned all about the cultivation process of pearls, you can take the boat to snorkel the oysters hatchery. There you will see a life-size Virgen de Guadalupe, an artificial reef and experience the ultimate snorkel experience…the speed snorkel!

After returning from snorkeling, and just when you are getting hungry, lunch is served!

Try the special grilled cheese hamburger with grilled pineapple!

The rest of the tour time is left for relaxing on the beach or in a hammock, walking along the beach or swim in these amazing Caribbean turquoise waters and enjoy paradise!

Includes: • Guide, boat ride, snorkel gear, bottled water, soft drinks, beers and lunch (vegetarian option available prior request).

Departs: 10:00 am (Monday to Saturday) Returns: 4:00 pm Duration: Approx. 6 hours Fitness level: Low- Medium

Row, Discover, P

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e

s

BY RAQUEL GARCIA GONZÁLEZ the Escuela Nativa de Remo Cozumel´s number one objective is the rescue and develop the sport of canoeing, which is a native sport in Cozumel. As this modernized world continues to develop and change in a place that continues to remain sacred, we remember the great navigators and warriors that once explored this beautiful land and came to know the “Old Cozumel”.

Since then, Cozumel has been transformed and modernized, and the way it has been developed has clearly shown the conscious effort to maintain its richness and powerful culture. The time has come to keep sharing the message of Ixchel, in the most modern way, healthy and productive.

The objectives of the school are to preserve, protect, and get the community involved. By preserve canoeing, they are preserving a native sport in Cozumel utilized by the ancient Maya. There is a responsibility of protecting this ancestral practice by creating new rowers and restoring this activity as a native sport in Cozumel, preserving this rich cultural practice for future generations. By involving the local community, they help to strengthen the Maya culture, the first original culture of the region. The Maya culture is at great risk from

e

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v

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the development of the tourism industry on the island students are categorized according to beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Each student at the Native School are taught the ancient ways and proper techniques that should be used, as well as, the understanding of the resistance and strength that it takes.

Through the school, students strengthen their character and form, learn to work as a team and to understand the importance of the discipline of the sport. Students also learn the importance of this native and unique sport to Cozumel and form competitive teams to participate in the sporting events. Additionally, the school strives to involve children and adolescents and put them in contact with natural and all it has to offer to them. By involving children, they foster a positive path to great physical and mental health, all while exploring the hidden beauties that Cozumel has to offer, with the adventure and exploration of rowing. Through observing and contemplating Mother Nature, they can pass down the teachings of the three basic principles, “Row, Discover, and Preserve” For more information visit: Facebook/ Escuela Nativa de Remo Cozumel

Students learn the ancient practice of canoeing in the sacred Cozumel waters / Photos: Raquel Garcia González

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TPT FOODIES

July 20 - Agust 2

2016

Chef Interview:

Rick Bayless The famous American chef, restaurateur, author and television host was in town to celebrate Fourth of July weekend with an event at the Thompson Hotel

BY REBECCA PAGE

A

merican chef, restaurateur, author, and television host Rick Bayless was in town to participate in the Thompson Hotel´s Fourth of July Weekend event showcasing the best of Mexican cuisine. The event included a taco party at their rooftop restaurant Cinco. Here Rick collaborated with other chefs including Paul Bentley, Australian chef and a Guadalajara resident, Chef Alfredo Villanueva from Monterrey, and the Thompson’s own Chef Pedro Abascal. I had the opportunity to sit down with Rick to discuss his love of Mexican food, culture, and the best street food around.

Why do you think Mexico still has such a strong food culture, more so than the U.S.?

In the United States, we’ve lost all sorts of regionality except small bits and pieces here and there, but basically the whole country eats pretty much the same thing. Even if you are in the American southwest or Maine or New Orleans, even though

there may be a local cuisine probably for breakfast everyone is still eating Cheerios and you know they all still love their mac and cheese, meatloaf or whatever. We’ve kind of lost our regionality. Mexico has not lost a lot of its regionality and about the time where people were starting to lose it here, there was this huge new swell of interest in regional cooking and the most important thing - chefs who can cook it. Because Mexico has never had chefs that could really cook the cuisine of Mexico in restaurants until the last 15 or 20 years. So it’s really changed a lot. I spent some time here doing a lot of research and television work about a decade ago, and we had

Right now, Mexico City is hard to get away from because it’s like every two weeks there is a great restaurant opening. It´s on fire right now.

trouble finding any Mexican chef in a hotel or restaurant that was cooking Mexican food. Now it’s just like completely exploded, and everywhere you go there are places like that.

Do you have a region in Mexico that you would go back to over and over?

I am a southern Mexican guy. I love the complexity of the food. I love the integrity of the culture. So, I spend most of my time in Mexico City and south. I love the triangle that is Mexico City, Veracruz, Oaxaca, and I tend to go to those places a lot, mostly Oaxaca because Oaxaca has such a vibrant chef community in restaurants there and I really love that. I spend a lot of time in Oaxaca. Right now, Mexico City is hard to get away from because it’s like every two weeks there is a great restaurant opening. It´s on fire right now.

I have a little apartment in Mexico City that I´ve developed as a training ground for our chefs in our restaurants to go with me. We’ve always had trouble finding a place to cook in, a professional kitchen. Now I put in a training facility, and it´s in the community where all the restaurants are, the Condesa-Roma area, and it’s just so amazing how incredible the food is there. But it’s not just the food it´s the galleries, it´s the shops, it´s the talleres. It´s all these really cool places that when you go there, you feel like this is the coolest place on earth.

Queso Relleno For Six

BY CATHERINE PAWELEK A Jim Nabors Surprise!Surprise! escaped my lips when a friend invited us to dinner and, behold! La abuela came in carrying a platter with an entire ball of Edam cheese. Being from the Netherlands, I thought they just wanted to make me feel at home and had gone looking for a comfort-inducing Edam cheese, a distinctly Dutch cheese with a red waxy coating.

I was astonished to find out that this was an authentic Mexican dish called queso relleno.

How this Dutch cheese made its way to the Yucatan peninsula is debatable. Either way, it has become an intrinsic part of Mexican cuisine.

4 lb. whole Edam cheese 2 lb. ground pork meat 6 hard-boiled eggs ½ tsp black pepper ¼ tsp saffron ½ tsp oregano 3 cloves garlic 1 clove ¼ cup olives ¼ cup capers 5 tsp raisins 2 eggs 2 diced Fresno peppers 1 diced red bell peppert 1 green chile (poblano or anaheim for mild flavor or jalapeno for a bit more heat) 1 lb. diced red tomatoes 1 lb. diced onions Remove the red wax from the cheese and cut a one-inch top off (will be used as a lid later). Hollow out the cheese, leaving 3/4 inch of outside shell. Cook the meat with

Closet caption / Photo:Agency

salt and 1 cup of water. Reserve the broth for later. Peel hard boiled eggs and separate the white from the yolks. Grind black pepper, garlic, oregano, clove and saffron. Add to the meat as well as a half of the diced peppers, raisins, olives, capers and cheese that was scooped from the ball. Remove meat mixture from heat, stir in two raw eggs and allow to cool. Fill the empty cheese shell with this stew, add the cooked yolks and place the top back on the ball. Wrap the ball in cheesecloth, put it on a rack in a steamer, with water at the bottom and steam for 40 minutes.

Remove from the steamer, allow to cool and remove the cheesecloth.

Make a red sauce by combining the rest of the ingredients including the broth. Stir for 30 minutes. Place the cheese ball on a platter, pour the sauce over and please invite me for dinner.

Buen Provecho!

This is just a taste of the things we talked about! To read the full interview with Rick, please visit our website www.theplayatimes.com.

Rick preparing one of his creations for the Sunday taco party / Photo:Thompson Hotel

July 20 - Agust 2

2016

Made with Rock

to Playa and what inspires them (hint: it´s Rock).

Pedro, why did you take the opportunity to come here to a place you had never been to before?

As a chef I really like to travel, try other foods, studying how to cook different foods, and learning the flavors. Every country has their spices and flavors. I really wanted to open my business and learn more about Mexican food. So, I said, ¨Why not?¨ If you don’t take risks, you don’t have successes in life.

What do you get when you mix four friends, rock and roll, beers, and burgers?

You get the new Bajo Burger Bar in Playa del Carmen

BY REBECCA PAGE

W

hen Ramiro González came to Playa del Carmen from Venezuela on vacation, he fell in love with it. He headed back to Venezuela and told his friend, and chef, Pedro Bermudez about Playa. How the city was growing, and there was a lot of opportunity. He also told him he wanted to try to open a restaurant here. Pedro, who had been working as an international chef since 2012, said, ¨Ok. Let´s go.¨ There wasn´t a lot of conversation and planning.

Ramiro told him the idea, they ran some numbers and bought the tickets to come here.

They teamed up with another fellow Venezuelan, Carlos Tablante, and a friend from Celaya, Guanajuato in Central Mexico, Marco López. The four business partners set their sights on opening a restaurant that would not just offer amazing burgers, but a place where people could come, stay a while, and listen to great music. I sat down with Pedro and Marco the other day to learn more about why they came

TPT FOODIES

Marco, how did you wind up here in Playa?

I came to Playa seven years ago with my best friend. We knew we wanted to live here and start a business so we could stay. I had the opportunity to work at Grand Velas. I familiarized myself with service, fine dining, different cuisines from all over the world. My family in Guanajuato has had a burger restaurant for more than 25 years.

The mouthwater burgers will be available starting 29 July / Photo: Bajo Burger Bar/Kukul Canvas

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self, and every burger has their own personality. When I create the recipe for every burger, I am inspired by cultural icons from music, movies, art.

For example, we have a burger that’s half burger/half pizza called the Mona Pizza. We don’t want people to just come for the burgers. We want them to hang out in the bar with us.

We have table games, music, we’ll have a TV with Playstation 4.

Come. Stay awhile. Eat good food. Listen to music.

What is the connection to Rock for all of you?

Marco: We all play an instrument.

Pedro and Ramiro play the bass, Carlos plays the guitar, and I play keyboards. That´s why the slogan of the burger bar is - Made with Rock. Because we all love Rock and Roll, and we tried to put the passion of Rock and Roll into the food.

What is the concept behind the restaurant?

Marco: It’s not only a burger bar, it´s a Rock bar. The concept of the place is to be in your own atmosphere. You can create your own atmosphere.

We’re not going to have a ton of tables. We want to give personalized service, and we want to hear your feedback. We want to give you a very good experience.

Pedro: We all love Rock. I really love Guns n Roses, Led Zeppelin, and Slipknot. Ramiro really likes Faith No More. For Carlos its Foo Fighters, Millencolin, and NoFx. The guys are planning on opening on July 29 in Paseo Coba on Calle 7 Sur Diagonal. They plan on being open every day starting at 12:00 p.m. and staying open until 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. They will be serving a variety of beers, eventually including some local craft beers. You can follow them on Facebook/BajoBurgerBar and Instagram/Bajoburgerbar.

Pedro: Each burger has a different bun with flavors that complement the burger. I make all the bread my-

To read the full interview with Pedro and Marco, please visit our website www.theplayatimes.com.

16

ENTERTAINMENT

July 20 - Agust 2

2016

SPECIAL EVENT July 21 & 22 at 7:30 p.m.

A fun musical that premiered on Broadway in 2000. It is a compilation of the stories of Dr. Seuss. Teatro de la Ciudad.

SUESSICAL,

July 22 & 24 at 8:00 p.m. A theatrical monologue. A look into the most important moments in the life of a two-time Nobel Prize winner. Gold Zone seats $250mxn. Silver Zone seats $200mxn. Bronze Zone seats $150mxn. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

EL RADIO DE MARIE CURIE,

LIVE MUSIC & DANCING TATTOO EXPO, July 30 & 31 from 11:00

a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Karen’s Restaurant 5th Avenue between Calles 2 & 4.

REIKI

KUNDALINI

CERTIFICATION.

July 31 (Level 1), August 7 (level 2) and August 14 (level 3) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Levels 1, 2 and 3. $3500mxn for all three levels or $1500mxn per level. Casa Ananda Avenue Andres Quintana Roo #2 with the corner of Avenue 75. For detail contact Fernando Fernandez ferfer@hotmail.com 998-842-0338.

FROM WOMAN TO GODDESS, July 31 from 12:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wake up your inner goddess and live the experience. “San Miguel Bonito” Ranch 7 km from the Avenue 115 and the Avenue Juarez. Info cynthia332@ gmail.com Cell & WhatsApp 984127-6357

every Saturday, 9 a.m. for 2 to 3 hours. Have fun helping dogs become leash trained, balanced and exercised. Volunteers are picked up at Mega Supermarket, 30th and Constituyentes. Contact info@playaanimalrescue.org.

CHARM SCHOOL,

Every Friday, 6 p.m.

- 9 p.m. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Music: Classical, Chanson and Boleros. El Jardín, 20th Street between Ave 10 and 15. Beers $20 MXN.

KARAOKE Every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

PG´s Mexican Caribe Bar & Grille, 6:30 p.m., Calle 26 on the corner of 1st Avenue next to the Grand Hyatt.

Every Wednesday and Saturday at 9 p.m. at The Dirty Martini located on 1st Avenue between Calles 10 and 12. It’s a more international Karaoke night, not only for Mexicans.

KARAOKE,

INTERNATIONAL

LIVE KARAOKE. Every Saturday at 11:00pm join the band RockStaraoke to live your Rock Star Fantasy. Choose from 100 songs! La Drinkeria, Av. Pe-

ANIMAL WELFARE ACCIÓN ANIMAL ADOPTION FAIR, every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tenth St. between Ave. 100 and Av. 105, Colonia Ejido. Don’t buy pets, rescue them! Check Facebook /Acción Animal.

NOCHE DE DIVAS ,

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR COCOS NEW CLINIC! Coco’s is looking for vol-

unteers who can commit to one day per week to help at our spay & neuter clinic. If you would like to be part of our amazing team of volunteers please contact Coco´s at 9841200572 or info@ cocosanimalwelfare.org

Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Le Lotus Rouge, 35th Ave & Calle 2. $200 pesos, materials included.

YOGA ASANA, PRANAYAMA & MEDITATION

Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. The Roof at Be Playa. Avenue 10 and Calle 26.

JULY 20 - 2 AUGUST

MARTIAL ARTS

2016

J I U J I T S U / M U AY T H A I /J U D O Jiu Jitsu: Mondays thru Thursdays

8 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9 a.m.

Muay Thai: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 7 p.m.

Judo: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 p.m. and Wednesdays 10 a.m.

Free trial classes for adults at Gracia Barra Jiu Jitsu. Avenue Constituyentes and Avenue 95, Ejido, in the Evolve Complex.

MARKETS KAVA KASA LOCAL MARKET every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kava Kasa, 22nd St. and 10th Ave. ECOTIANGUIS DESAYUNO , every Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Jardin de Todas Centro Comunitario, Avenida 80 & Calle 3 Sur (Ejido).

COCO BEACH MARKET Every Friday

from 9 am to 11 a.m. Les Alizes Condos Avenue Flamingo and Calle 46.

JARDIN DE TODOS MARKET Every Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. located on Calle 3 Sur between Avenues 75 and 80.

July 4 to August 19 Yoga, aerial dance, handcrafts, songs, games, mandalas and relax time . Ages 5 years and up.

$1300mxn per week or $300mxn per day. Spanish and English. Casa Ananda Avenue Andres Quintana Roo #2 on the corner of Avenue 75.

July 25 to August 5. Summer Course Ki’ Haha Ali’ 2016. Music, dance, theater,

handcrafts and much more! From Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ages 8 to 11 years old. Limited space.

El Centro Cultural of Playa del Carmen.

Avenue CTM with Avenue 115 across the Street from Plaza Las Americas.

887-3050 ext 10581.

July 19 to August 12. Kids Summer Astronomy Camp. 9:40 a.m. to 3:00

p.m. Ages 12-16. $990mxn per week.

Includes t-shirt, lunch and astronomy camp (science, robotics and astronomy). info@planetariodeplayadelcarmen.org

KIDS CLASSES

PLANETARIUM FOR KIDS Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.

Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. Learn about properties of plastics and elasticity. Ages 4 years and up. $25mxn per participant. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

ELASTIBALL.

Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m.

Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. Fridays at 1:00 p.m. Want to be an astronaut? Start with learning to build your own space ship to take you on various space missions. Ages 8 years and up. $25 mxn per participant. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

SPACE SHIP.

GEOMETRY. Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.

Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Review a bit of geometry make your own colored figures such as cubes and stars. Available different levels of difficulty to match your abilities. Ages 8 years and up. $15mxn per participant. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

FASCINATING

KID’S SUMMER COURSES

AERIAL DANCE/SILKS Wednesdays and Fridays 9-10 a.m. Free trial classes for adults at Parque La Ceiba 1st Avenue South and Avenue 60 Diagonal in the Ejido. Given by Aerofobia. Please wear pants or leggings.

KARAOKE ART NIGHT, Thursday nights at 9:00 p.m. Le Lotus Rouge, 35th Ave & Calle 2. Sing, dance, and paint. Free.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Have fun giving the dogs baths while allowing them to socialize. Check Facebook/SOS el Arca.

PARQUE LA CEIBA TIANGUIS, every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m, Parque La Ceiba, corner of Calle 1 Sur and Avenida 60.

every Saturday, 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Salon Salsanera Raices, calle 12 between 5th & 10th.

Free.

SALSA LESSONS,

ART CLASSES,

SOS el Arca DOG WASH , every Saturday

every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tulum Avenue, Local 6. Playacar Fase II.

Tuesday 11 a.m. & 1 p.m., Wednesday 4 p.m. & 6 p.m., Parque La Ceiba, corner of Calle 1 Sur and Avenida 60, For the month of April come try bachata, salsa, cumbia, & merengue. Fee: Donation

DANCE CLASSES,

ART CLASSES

Coco´s KITTEN CUDDLING, every Saturday 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. Volunteers needed to help socialize kittens.

It’s also a great de-stressor! For more information, contact info@cocosanimalwelfare.com.

EL ÁRBOL PLAYACAR MARKET,

tempich, Plaza Punto 115, Local 5, Residencial de los Olivos.

THE BRAIN. Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Fridays at 4:00 p.m. Sundays at 5:30 p.m.

Make your own brain hat and learn the parts that make it up and their function.

Take the hot home to to help you remember all that you learned. Ages 8 years and up. $25mxn per participant. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

Fridays at 3:00 p.m.

Sunday (July 24) at 12:00 p.m. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

VIRTUAL REALITY.

Sundays at 4:00 p.m. Travel back in time and discover plants and animals that have survived until now.

FOSSILS.

Learn about their story through centuries. Get your own fossil and paint is how you like. Ages 6 years and up. $25mxn per participant. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. Sundays at 1:00 p.m. You are invited to know about kaleidescopes and make your own to take home. Wonder at the diverse geometric forms that you decorate to your liking that transport you to your imagination. Ages 8 years and up. $35mxn per participant. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125 .

THROUGH MIRRORS.

Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Learn about the smallest micro-organisms that our eyes can see and some that we cannot without a microscope. Also learn about curious facts about fleas and bugs that have been taken to space. Ages 6 and up. $15mxn per participant. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125 .

MICROSCOPIC BUGS.

Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Learn the basics of the chess pieces, the rules of the game, history and legends. You are invited to practice this sport-science. Ages 7 and up. $15mxn per participant. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

BASIC CHESS.

SPIDERS. Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125 .

MATINEE for kids. Weekends 12:00 p.m. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125 .

TULUM

Saturdays 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Various art and cultural classes for kids. El Hongo, Calle 19 sur between Av 80 y 85 Ejido. Bring your own plate and cup for your food and drink.

And also a fruit donation to help with making fruit waters.

TULUM VEGAN FEST.

Thursdays 5 p.m.

Cooking workshop for kids 6 years and up. El Hongo, Calle 19 sur between Av 80 y 85 Ejido. Bring your own plate and cup for your food and drink. And also a fruit donation to help with making fruit waters.

LIVE MUSIC Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Chak Acoustic Session. Encantada Tulum Km 8.7 Carretera Tulum Boca Paila.

CULTURAL CLASSES

COOKING WORKSHOP

Tuesdays and Thursdays 3-4 p.m. Free trial classes for kids at Parque La Ceiba 1st Avenue South and Avenue 60 Diagonal in the Ejido.

Given by Aerofobia. Please wear pants or leggings.

AERIAL DANCE/SILKS

JIU JITSU/MUAY THAI/JUDO Mondays thru Fridays 6-7 p.m. Free trial classes for kids at Gracia Barra Jiu Jitsu. Avenue Constituyentes and Avenue 95, Ejido, in the Evolve Complex.

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Single class $60mxn or 5 classes for $200. Casa Ananda Avenue Andres Quintana Roo #2 with the corner of Avenue 75.

YOGA

DANCE Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m..Activation Fit. Mondays from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Break Dance. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Circuits. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Ballet. Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Jazz Funk. Fridays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Acrobats. Fridays from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.Hip Hop. Free trial classes. F & D Kids Club Avenue Constituyentes and Avenue 95, Ejido, in the Evolve Complex.

Sunday July 24 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Holistica Tulúm.

LIVE MUSIC Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Chak

Acoustic Session. Ahau Tulum Km 7.8 Carretera Tulum Boca Paila

YOGA Monday thru Saturday at 8:00

p.m. Sanara Tulum. Km 8.2 Carretera Tulum Boca Paila.

Current summer schedule: Monday to Saturday 9:30am & Monday to Friday 7:00 p.m. Yoga Dicha Studio on the corner of Avenue Tulum and Geminis Sur.

YOGA

ORGANIC MARKET Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Plaza del Municipio.

July 20 - Agust 2

ENTERTAINMENT

2016

17

Rauxa:

Where Everything is Possible Presented by Catalonia Hotel & Resorts, experience this one-of-a-kind live cabaret and burlesque-style dinner and show

BY CATALONIA HOTEL & RESORTS

Y On the One learns from eight to 12 songs per event just to keep sharp / Photos: Facebook/OnTheOneTulum

On the One

BY CRYSTAL MITCHELL In the small Pueblo Magico of Tulum, you will find a not so small band that will shake you off your beach lounger and get you dancing. I had the distinct honor to meet with Morgan Levi de Ornelas to get the skinny on this robust band.

How many members make up On the One and who are they?

On the One is made up of nine members. The longest-serving band members are Morgan Levi (lead singer and manager), Mauricio Mota Page (Musical Director and lead guitarist), and Surizadai Gomez (bass player). The horn section is made up of Zenen Acanda on trombone and Giampalo Galasso on saxophone. On keyboards, we have Pako Basilio, from Playa del Carmen, who also provides our fantastic audio equipment through his company ArtProMX. My backup singer is Carolina Andrea.

Where are you from and how did you find yourself in Tulum singing in your own band?

I’m originally from Hawaii and moved to Tulum in 2008. I have had bands and been in singing groups since high school, but it had been many years since I had the opportunity to perform! A few months after I moved here, a friend heard me singing in the car and introduced me to Sebastian Fontecilla, a friend of his who is also a drummer. He had played before with Ivan Leroy, so we formed a small band with Ivan on the bass and Manuel Velez on the guitar.

What type of music do you call all your own?

We only play covers. We play a lot of weddings, so we play the songs that our clients request. It´s a lot of fun and we love it. We don’t get stuck in any one kind of music.

We’ve played hip-hop songs, country, disco, funk, blues, pop, everything from Taylor Swift to Earth Wind & Fire to Prince to Kanye West, and everything in between.

Where and when do you guys play so

ou must experience the most captivating, live, cabaret and burlesque style dinner show for adults in the Riviera Maya - presented by Catalonia Hotels & Resorts. Discover your inner Rauxa!

You will experience an exciting show as you dine. Bite to bite, it will delight, not only your taste buds but also your soul, elevating your senses in the stimulating atmosphere of the theater.

Rauxa is the story of a girl who invites us to get to know her through her mirrors, displaying all of the Rauxas that she carries inside. She leads us through a story full of outbursts, madness and sensuality through dances, acrobatics, performance, characterizations, music, songs and an extraordinary dinner.

Our leading character will try to take you to her world to surround you with her wishes. She will take your breath away, and you will not resist to her whims. You will be charmed to meet everyone in her mind, and they will seduce you with wildness. In this world, you will be reflected in one of her mirrors, your own mirror.

She will invite you to take a delightful

four-course dinner, designed exclusively for the show, where the jazz and the ambiance will play an important role to achieve harmony between the service and the show.

Our menu incorporates different styles, a feature of the Fusion Cuisine that contemplates meat, poultry, fish, seafood and a vegetarian version to integrate the tastes of the different palates of our dinner guests - including the ethnic style, sprouts, reductions and the captivating organically handmade touch of its manufacture.

Welcome to my house, to my world, to my mind. I am Rauxa!

Let yourself be enveloped by my madness, in a tantalizing journey of desire, rapture and sensuality. My hosts will welcome you with a cocktail and welcome you to my theater! Dazzled by my madness.

When my doors are closed, the experience will begin! You will enjoy my party that has just started. Now Rauxa lives in you!

Dare to discover your madness, your outbursts, your sensuality, your daring...

Discover Rauxa.

we can check you out?

Apart from our private events, we play at Coco Tulum about once a month on Sundays, in the afternoons. We love those Sundays. Coco does a barbecue, they have great drinks and service, and it´s always a fun group of people.

What are your biggest accomplishments as a band?

They were small things, I think, but that we were proud of as musicians (once we learned 26 new songs for an event!). We have, since, put a limit on the amount of new songs we learn per event. We usually learn between eight and 12 per event, so it keeps us all sharp. At one event they had hired us and a DJ to play after us, but the DJ got wasted and totally lost it, so we had to play for 2 and a half hours straight to cover his time, no breaks! I had to run to the bathroom during a guitar solo. The crowd loved it, though. They had a blast and that was the most important thing.

Visit their page at Facebook/OntheOneTulum

Let yourself be seduced by the madness / Photos: Rauxa - Catalonia Hotel & Resorts

www.ra uxa t ulum.co m/e n / Facebook/RauxaTulum

18

ANIMAL WELFARE

July 20 - Agust 2

2016

A Conversation with Pedro Influential Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg, currently has an exhibition at the Bá al Studio in El Pueblito at Mayakoba Mr. Friedeberg´s art can be see in the Bá al Studio at El Pueblito / Photo: The Playa Times

Many artists, even the pop artists, think art is a very serious, solemn thing. They take it very seriously, and I don’t believe in that

BY REBECCA PAGE

T

he Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg is moody. ¨He doesn’t talk much,¨ is what I was told a few minutes before I sat down with the artist for an interview.

Moody is the adjective he uses to describe himself, and certainly not one I assigned to him. He sees the world differently than most people. He has more perspective, sees more detail. He has no tolerance of bad manners, bad grammar, bad spelling and the terrible way people dress nowadays. He doesn’t understand the ¨selfie¨ culture that has exploded over the last few years. He talks a great deal of things that disappoint him, like artists who have ruined art, but within this moodiness and disappointment is where his creations are born. So, where does Pedro find the inspiration that leads to his art? ¨I read a great deal,¨ replies Pedro. ¨I am very fond of literature - British Literature. Authors of the 20th century. Ronald Firbank, Lewis Carroll, Aldous Huxley, E.M. Forster.¨ Translating literature into art or finding a connection between the two is easy for him. ¨It´s just the mentality. They make fun of everything.

They don´t things too seriously. Tongue and cheek.¨ And this is what Pedro considers his art - tongue & cheek. ¨Many artists, even the pop artists, think art is a very serious, solemn thing. They take it very seriously, and I don’t

believe in that.¨ An incredibly important and influential artist whose work can be difficult to classify, Pedro Friedeberg was born in Italy to German parents in 1936. His family fled Italy just before the war began and made their way to Mexico where he was raised and has lived most of his life. I wondered if having this experience of moving at such a young age to a completely different culture during a tumultuous time had any influence on his work. He reflects that maybe subconsciously leaving when he was three had an impact on the path he took and on his art. ¨I was three years old in 1939 when I came to this country. Like Dali claims to have remembered being inside his mother, I have memories of when I was very young, three years old. Perhaps it’s true.¨ Pedro is most famous, perhaps, for his hand chair, and his exhibition at El Pueblito at Mayakoba in their contemporary art gallery, Bá al Studio, has these on display. However, his work is much more diverse that just this one piece.

His training as an architect makes an appearance quite frequently in his work with pieces displaying intricate geometrical designs and mirror images.

I was interested in what he thought of other modern artists. ¨Do you find yourself a critical judge of modern art?¨, I ask. ¨I find it all terrible. Very poor. But one gets used to it.

Pedro Friedeberg Artist

When I first saw Jackson Pollack, I thought it was just dribbles. Now, I find it quite...I would even have a Jackson Pollack in my house.¨ He continued, ¨I still can’t get used to Mark Rothko. I’m not very fond of him. Andy Warhol even less. I think he brought art down. What was left of art, he put in the garbage. Picasso, at first I thought he was very bad. I thought he was only a cartoon painting. But he makes fantastic cartoons. I even like Mondrian. I like everyone at some times and at times I dislike everybody. It´s my mood and my tolerance. Of course, man should be tolerant of everything.

Pretentiousness is boring and pathetic. Everyone thinks they´re very hot. But compared to Tintoretto or Veronese they are just a little ant.¨ he declares as he makes a squashing motion with his hand.

He then goes on to describe some of the artists who he admires. ¨At first I was very impressed by Canaletto and then Beardsley. Very melange. Very mixed up. Mad John Martin...he was a 19th-century British artist. There was another British artist Richard Dadd, who took an ax and murdered his father. There are a lot of Pre-Raphaelite artists that I admire very much.

Great detail. A love of detail. This was before photography. So I admire things that are very well done. That´s the problem of art.¨ ¨Anton Breton once told me that you can create surrealist art in any place. He came to Mexico in 1940 and said Mexico was the cradle of surrealism. Everything here is or was quite crazy. It is still quite crazy. Maybe that´s what influences. Many songs say that life is worthless in Mexico. That´s a surrealist form of philosophy¨. ¨Do you think that way? I ask, ¨That life is worthless.¨ ¨Yes, I do.¨ he replies with a sly grin, ¨but I wouldn´t murder anybody.¨

Markets and Fairs: from Pre-Hispanic Mexico to Modern Times

BY ALEJANDRA CAMPO, ANTHROPOLOGIST During colonial times, markets were a continuation of the PreHispanic tianguis, or market, and an extension of the Spanish markets located in main plazas and their surrounding portals or on neighboring streets.

There, different cultures came together. Indigenous people brought their crops of tomato, squash, beans, chili peppers, corn, avocado, and cocoa, along with weavings and other articles. Besides products native to Mexico, there were also food and merchandise from other countries like grains, spices, bread, and sweets, a result of trading between Europe, Asia, and the New World.

Over the years, the market became the main

center of supplies for towns and cities, and it also became a meeting place for different social classes: indigenous peoples, Spaniards, mestizos, black people, mulatos, and the different “castes”.

Without trying, the market created a space for the integration of the new society that was being formed. Imagine the scene, Spanish ladies with long gowns and their servants with baskets full of fruit and “exotic” products, indigenous peoples with their stalls on the ground, merchants offering their products, the sound of unknown languages, the different smells...

But not only were the markets the center of economic life in the villages and cities. Other important meeting places were the fairs. As part of religious celebrations in honor of a pa-

Tianguis in Mexico city in 1885 / Photo:- Wikimedia Commons

tron saint or some other Pre Hispanic-Catholic celebration, fairs were important, as they gave a different touch to the celebration. Fairs were an excellent opportunity to acquire products from other parts of the country. It was also a place for fun, dancing, partying, and courting

for young people, a way to break up the monotony of daily life.

Other special fairs were those in connection with the arrival of the Nao de China galleon in Acapulco starting in 1565, or those arriving in the port of Veracruz from Spain.

20

HEAlTH

July 20 - Agust 2

2016 Kefir is 99% lactose-free / Photo: Flickr/Bad Reichenhaller

Beat The Heat The temperatures in the summer can make you feel like we are living in an oven. Sara shares six ways to stay cool during the sweltering Caribbean summer.

BY SARA JONES

S

ummer is here again and almost every conversation, greeting or passing hello on La Quinta seems to involve some exclamation of the sweltering heat we are experiencing. Yes, even though we experience the same thing every year!

Other than hibernating in air conditioning, what else can you do to stay cool during the summer? Here are six ways to stay cool: Choose cotton (for clothing and bedding). Lightweight and breathable; cotton is great for allowing ventilation and will help you stay cooler than many synthetic fabrics or sheets.

Limit time outside to early morning and evening. Before the heat rises and after it subsides is the time to run errands, meet up with friends or take a stroll. If you are out in town in the middle of the day, take advantage of some of the over air conditioned stores on La Quinta; browse and cool down at the same time.

Eat frequent small meals. Smaller portions of cold food will help you stay cool while in comparison, a heavy cooked dinner will have a thermogenic effect, heating you up from the inside. Not ideal in this climate!

Chill your pulse points. A cold compress or cold pack kept in the fridge or

Kefir

BY SARA JONES

Temperatures in the Riviera Maya can go up to

40°C freezer can work wonders when applied to the pulse points on the wrists and to the forehead, temples and back of the neck. This literally cools your blood as it flows close to the skin at these points, therefore cooling the body as it circulates. Some ice cubes or a bag of frozen peas can also do the trick.

Get high! Rooftops are great places to meet up in the evenings as they are more exposed to the wonderful ocean breeze that can help you stay cool while you enjoy a night out.

Avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of iced water and limit caffeine and alcohol intake, which can dehydrate the body.

As someone who has always loved milk, but who has also read the overwhelming evidence suggesting that is it is actually quite bad for our health, I was so excited to try making kefir when a friend shared her culture with me last year. It’s simple, easy to make and so healthy.

Why not give it a try?

Fermented foods have been used by almost every culture across the globe for preservation.

Packed full of healthy microorganisms known as “probiotics” or “healthy bacteria,” kefir boosts the intestinal flora and helps maintain a healthy immune system.

Similar in taste to natural, unsweetened yogurt; kefir contains probiotics, enzymes and high levels of vitamin B12, B2, K2, biotin, folate, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Exact nutrition contents vary depending on the type of milk used and the kefir granules feed on the lactose in the milk, meaning that kefir is 99% lactose-free.

bound to know someone who can share some culture to get you started.

Place the kefir granules in a glass jar, add milk and cover with a breathable fabric, cheesecloth or paper napkin, fastening with a rubber band.

Leave to stand in room temperature away from direct sunlight.

Depending how much milk you used, the kefir will be ready in anywhere from 24 to 48 hours.

Strain the kefir through a plastic sieve and place it in the fridge where it will keep for up to 6 weeks.

Collect the kefir granules from the sieve and transfer to a clean glass jar, add milk and start the process again.

The culture of granules will likely double every 10 to 20 days, at which point you can share them with a friend!

If you need to take a break from making kefir, place the grains in a large glass jar with plenty of milk and store in the fridge for several weeks, perfect if you are traveling. On returning, just sieve out the granules and start again.

How to Make Kefir.

First, you need a starter culture, which can be bought from many health food stores. However, here in Playa, just ask around and you will be

Sara Jones Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert and Founder of Spa & Wellness Mexico magazine www.spawellnessmexico.com

Sara Jones Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert and Founder of Spa & Wellness Mexico magazine www.spawellnessmexico.com.

Displacement of bladder, bowel, or other pelvic organs Loss of stamina YOU HAVE OTHER OPTIONS There are many options, such as endometrial ablation, hormonal treatment, myomectomy, high focus ultrasound, and uterine artery embolization.

Fibroids: You Have Other Options

BY DR. GREGORIO VIRAMONTES-COSTAMED FACTS: ABOUT 70-80% of women develop fibroids (non-cancerous tumors) SYMPTOMS: Excessive menstrual bleeding, increased abdominal volume (appearance similar to that of a pregnant woman), and pressure on other organs TREATMENT: A hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries in the world of women (following a Cesarean-Section), in which the uterus is removed.

WHY DO I NEED A UTERUS? It is a sexual organ. After a hysterectomy, many women report a loss of physical sexual sensation.

Just having a nice day can turn out to be a really hard task in this climate / Photo: Flickr/jProgr

OTHER ADVERSE EFFECTS: Heart diseases increase due to the loss in the production of prostacyclin (a protective hormone against clot production) Weight gain Painful intercourse, vaginal damage

WHAT IS A UTERINE ARTERY EMBOLIZATION? It is a procedure done by interventional radiology.

Embolization agents are injected into the artery that leads to the uterus, cutting off blood flow to the smaller vessels leading to the fibroids.

Within a few hours, the fibroids die due to lack of blood supply and then shrink gradually.

HOW IS A UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION DONE? A tiny incision is made in the femoral artery.

A catheter is placed through the incision, and under x-ray guidance, maneuvered into the uterine arteries.

Embolization agents are injected to block the blood vessel supply.

Deprived of blood and oxygen, the fibroids die and gradually shrink.

IS IT ACCEPTED BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE? IN 2008, guidelines by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, called the procedure “safe and effective.”

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION Shorter hospital stay (one night) Faster return to normal activities Sedation is used, instead of general anesthetic MORE FACTS 86% of women were satisfied with their result Fibroid size decreased by 35-60% It is a procedure that still allows women to become pregnant Dr. Gregorio Viramontes the only Interventional Radiologist in the Riviera Maya

July 20 - Agust 2

ENTERPRISE FOCUS

2016

21

Xkaluah Disc Golf is located in Puerto Morelos on the Ruta de Cenotes / Photo: The Playa Times

Xkaluah Disc Golf Head to Puerto Morelos and down the Ruta de Cenotes road to find Mike Kalous and his new jungle golf course but forget your clubs, you won´t need them

BY REBECCA PAGE

I

headed north out of Playa one day to go meet up with American Mike Kalous in Puerto Morelos. He had recently posted on a Facebook forum that he opened a disc golf course, and I was intrigued. I grew up in New England, and Frisbee was a big sport for my circle of friends, although it was mostly just pick up games a few tricks thrown in. Disc golf was quite popular in my area as well, and a local town park had an extensive disc golf course that was always busy. As I made the turn from the Ruta de Cenotes road into the eco-community of Los Jaguares, I had no idea what to expect.

Here we were, in the middle of the jungle. How is this guy building a course here?

Mike Kalous is originally from Colorado. In college, he was given the name was Kaluah, the island boy. He had long blonde hair and threw Frisbees all the time. As time went on, Mike took the path many have, a career, a family, and about 15 years ago he came to Playa for the first time. Eventually, he and his wife bought a vacation property and well, the rest is history.

I met Mike at the end of the dirt road into Los Jaguares where his new course is located.

He offered to show me around and even gave me the chance to try the course out. (I´m terrible, for the record). The course is beautiful as you truly are right in the middle of the jungle.

Even on the stiflingly hot day, the temperature change as you find yourself in the shade of the trees is quite a relief. The birds were all around us, butterflies abounded, and the only sounds you could here were from the jungle. ¨When did you start this project?¨ I asked. ¨We got the land September of last year. I came down in November, and we started cutting a course through the jungle. Acre by acre they cut out all the underbrush. We left as many trees as we could. There are certain trees we can’t cut, like the Ceiba, that are protected. Again, we left as many as we could. It´s a tighter course than most American players are used to. It´s shorter but it´s a lot of fun because it’s really challenging.¨ ¨We thought it was a great sport for people to come and play if they are visiting or for the local people to learn how to play. It´s a cheap sport to play so we´re trying to introduce it to the local market.¨ I asked him to explain about disc golf and a bit of its history. ¨Disc golf started back in the 70s. They started playing with regular Frisbees but over time they developed a lot of different designs. There is a driver for long distances. The

Disc Golf is quite popular north of the border with over 4,000 courses in the United States and Canada.

The sport is new to Mexico with only six courses countrywide.

to bounce discs off trees and stumble through the course, kind of like how I play traditional golf. We continued to talk about his new business venture, how we both wound up here, and what surprised him most about setting up a business in Mexico.

As we said our goodbyes, I hoped in my car and dreaded heading back to hot, hectic Playa.

I’d rather spend the rest of the afternoon trying to master disc golf, surrounded by the incredi-

Xkaluah Disc Golf is the first course of its kind in the Riviera Maya.

ble beauty of the jungle at Xkaluah.

For additional information about Xkaluah Disc Golf, please visit them on Facebook/ XKaluah Disc Golf or www.xkaluahdiscgolf.com.

There’s more to read! Check out what else Mike had to say about starting a business in Mexico and what surprised him most on our website www.theplayatimes.com.

HAMMOCKS: A Variety of Qualities and Materials

By HAMACAMARTE

T

Mike Kalous

world record is over 1,000 feet now. There is a midrange disc. It’s flatter and wider than the driver. It´s made for shorter distances. Finally, there is a putter for short range. The putter flies flat and low.¨ He explains that disc golf is different than regular Frisbee. A few weeks earlier, he played with a bunch of ultimate (Frisbee) players, and they were throwing their discs all over the place. The size and weight of the discs are different, but it´s easy to make the transition.

The course has nine baskets (holes), and Mike is looking towards getting another nine to have a full 18 hole course. The game is scored like golf, and each player starts each hole in a tee box. He sets up to show me how the game is played, and his first (underhand) throw is perfection. Right through the trees and directly towards the basket.

We continued throughout the course with Mike making perfect tosses you would never think possible with so many trees. I continued

here are different qualities and materials among hammocks and it is important to know how they differ and which to choose depending on your needs.

The quality of a hammock depends on the thread, the thread count and the thickness of the thread used in the hammock’s making, all adding to its value. Hammocks can be made from cotton or nylon. Hammocks made with nylon thread are recommended for outdoor use and cotton is recommended for indoors.

Considering cotton is a natural fiber, a hammock of such material will have a shorter lifetime in changing climates compared to a hammock made of nylon. In other words, in places with a climate like Playa del Carmen, we recommend a hammock made of nylon.

Both materials can be found with different thickness of threads. When a hammock is made with thick thread, the final result is a wider woven fabric, where as one made with thinner thread will be of greater value as it entails more refined work with tighter weaving.

There are even hammocks made of thread so fine and thin like the thread used to sew buttons. Known as croché hammocks, they are true masterpieces, both soft and resistant, available only in king and jumbo sizes.

It is important to know there isn’t a bad hammock, only differences in their levels of comfort. When we are enjoying a hammock, we can appreciate their quality. The best will let you sleep in it as if you were on a cloud and others for a shorter rest that you’ll also enjoy. Remember, all of our hammocks at Hamacamarte are 100%

Hamacamarte is happy to teach how to get the most out of your hammock / Photo: The Playa Times

handmade, and your hammock’s durability always depends on its care.

We look forward to seeing you at Hamacamarte and helping you choose a hammock that best suits your needs. Visit us at our store - Calle 38 between 5th Avenue and the beach.

22

ANIMAL WELFARE

July 20 - Agust 2

2016

Pocket

You can help with a donation or by volunteering / Photo:Juan Antonio Martinez

Sized Silky Anteater

BY NASH This little nocturnal creature is hard to spot. He is no bigger than a human hand and blends in perfectly with the trees he calls home. Most of his time is spent in a ceiba tree, which has pods that blend with his coloring and provide camouflage and safety from birds of prey.

The silky anteater is the smallest of the species. He has a soft coat, which can vary from gray to yellow in color with a silky silver sheen. Thus the name silky anteater, a black stripe runs down its head, neck, and back. The anteater uses his long tail to grasp and hang in the treetops. There are two large clawed toes on his front paws, and the back legs are long and jointed as human hands for better mobility in the trees. He is best known for his long snout and sticky tongue. The tongue has spines and produces a sticky substance from the salivary glands, which gathers up insects, mainly ants and termites from hollowed out logs.

The gestation period of the silky anteater is approximately 120 to 150 days. The mother will give birth to just one cub, which will be raised by both parents and kept in a nest. The young nurses from mom and survives on regurgitated insects from the parents.

Male anteaters have a home range of about 11 hectares, and his space may cross over many females´ territories, meaning he is not monogamous

The silky anteater will consume up to 8,000 ants each night Anteaters have an acute sense of smell to make up for its bad vision The silky anteater does not have teeth They are hard to observe, but it thought their lifespan is about three years.

The Return of ViDAS Bm l maZm mbf^ h_ r^Zk Z`Zbg pa^g ma^ ohengm^^kl h_ OB=:L lmZkm `^Zkbg` ni _hk Zghma^k fZll lm^kbebsZmbhg \ebgb\ bg IeZrZ ]^e <Zkf^g

and goes where he pleases. This creature is very calm and nonaggressive but, if threatened, will put his clawed fists in front of his face ready to strike as if he was a boxer. Deforestation is the primary concern for this animal’s future, and although they haven’t been added to the endangered list, their environment continues to disappear.

BY NASH

T

he nonprofit groups VIDAS, Cocos Animal Welfare and many volunteers come together for six days each summer to help put an end to the overpopulation of dogs and cats in the area. The free sterilization clinic begins August 12 through to August 17 and will be held at the Poliforum on Benito Juarez and 115 Ave in Playa.

An amazing group of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary students, rescue groups and many volunteers work tirelessly as a team to provide free spaying and neutering to Playa del Carmen’s dog and cat population. Approximately 100 people per day volunteer at this event. The goal for this August is to sterilize 1400 or more animals.

Sterilization is an expense many families cannot afford. However, once their pets begin to multiply the situation is out of control. Extra food expenses, medical issues and many other problems arise, causing many animals to be abandoned to the street. During this event family pets, shelter animals, street dogs and feral cats, are sterilized at no cost.

By controlling the dog and cat population, there is a better chance of reducing the amount of animals that are neglected and abandoned on the streets of Playa.

VIDAS began in 2002. It is a non-profit organization, and all Vidas volunteers use their vacations and pay their own expenses to be here and provide this incredible service.

VIDAS is in need of donations for medical supplies, and volunteers.

If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity in Playa del Carmen, contact

1421 # of dogs & cats sterilized in August 2015 in just 6 days!

1613 # of dogs & cats sterilized in January 2015 in just six days!

17,000 # of animals in 8 cities around the Yucatan Peninsula sterilized by ViDAS

Coco´s Animal Welfare to sign up. They provide a free training session with a minimum of 5 people at 9:30 am or 2:30 pm July 20th, July 27th, and August 5th.

It is an amazing experience to be apart of this event, check out Voluntarios Coco´s Volunteers or VIDAS on Facebook.

Silky anteater / Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Tierra de animales Tierra de Animales A.C. is a non-profit located in Cancun. TDA has an area of approximately 3.5 hectares and is home to more than 400 animals. We are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, and the protection of abused and mistreated animals. We work very hard to raise donations and aware-

ness through education at conferences, schools, and companies; we spread the message to respect all species that inhabit the planet.

As well as dogs and cats, this sanctuary has many animals: bulls, goats, pigs, chickens, turtles, iguanas, coatis, opossums and many other species.

TDA has the support of veterinarians to ensure the welfare and proper treatment of the animals.

Help us by adopting, donating food, volunteering or purchasing TDA merchandise. www.tierradeanimales.org or Facebook/Tierra de Animales

July 20 - Agust 2

2016

Órale: Jobs And People ;r >]`Zk F^gZ

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B E AC H B O RA D

23

CLASSIFIEDS BEACH BOARD Want to sell something? Buy something? Find something? Why not take out an ad in our Beach Bulletin Board? For as little as 20 pesos per word (10 word minimum). Contact us at i nfo@me ri d i anmed i a. mx.

LEARN SPANISH! Private, semi-private classes, professional teachers. Special prices for local residents. 9841149090 (whatsapp/cell), agoralanguagecenter@gmail.com TRANSLATIONS Help with immigration process Concierge/driver/grocery shopping Anything you need I have my own car with A/C 9841697839

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