Edition 52 by theplayatimes

e best advice to get your body and mind in good shape >09-12

S MASP IDE

Biweekly · Year 02 · Number 52 · 20,000 copies · 20 Pages · February 4 - 17, 2015

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LOCAL NEWS

Liquor Sale Time

RELOCATE CAPTIVE

Know when convenience stores, restaurants and nightclubs in Playa stop selling alcoholic beverages so you never miss your beer!

Dolphins to a Sanctuary

Photo: Carlos Underwood

Activist Ric O’Barry visited Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum in order to raise awareness against this million dollar industry BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD

dreds of specimens that were not suitable for the This is the best place for a sanctuary in Amer- shows were killed and ica,” stated activist Ric O’Barry during his lec- sold for human consumption labeled as ture in Playa del Carmen on January 28. Internationally known for challenging com- whale meat. O’Barry’s explained panies that profit from marine animals exploitation, O’Barry came to the region in order to support local that this delicate speenvironmentalists, such as the association MexiConser- cies’ mortality rates are vación, which are struggling to end these animals’ life- very high in the dolphlong confinement inside the dolphinariums’ tanks where inariums. When a dolphin dies it is replaced they are pushed to train and suffer from stress. There are 30 dolphinariums in Mexico, 18 of and the acquisition them are in the state of Quintana Roo. According to continues. The activist’s O’Barry, one of these companies can make up to half answer is clear: to stop capturing dola billion USD a year. Although, the state’s govern- phins, rehabilitate and turn them to the ocean ment approved the Law on Circus Without Animals and take those who were born in captivity to a on December 2014, it only affects travelling shows; sanctuary and put them under birth control. For the activist, the arguments that detherefore they are working to include these establishfend dolphin captivity are not ments in the rule. valid: “it is not about science, “Quintana Roo is almost like the it is about ethics. They have McDonalds for captive dolphins. It the ability to choose their is not just about the dolphins it is freedom. They shouldn’t about all the children that are being be in captivity for the miseducated thinking they belong here same reason that people to amuse us,” said O’Barry to The Playa shouldn’t be slaves, they Times. He added that the first step in are prostituting themstopping dolphin shows is “educating selves and it is a form of people not to buy tickets.” bad education.” O’Barry was the world’s first After the launch of dolphin trainer when he worked for The Cove, O’Barry crusades the TV show Flipper. After developagainst men’s “domiing a deep knowledge of these cetanance” on those “freaks that ceans and the hard conditions they we have created for our amusement” lived in, he has dedicated his life to Demonstrator in Cancun -as he called them- has achieved that releasing them. In 2009, he starred in the famous documentary the number of dolphins killed dropped dramatically The Cove which showed the cruel dolphin captures and many dolphinariums have closed as a result. Acin Taiji, Japan. This country, being the size of Cali- cording to him, the captures will continue every year fornia, has 52 dolphinariums and leads the traffic of from September to March if people keep considering these animals to parks all around the world. Hun- dolphinariums as a leisure alternative.

“

dolphinariums a re in Qu intana Roo

500 million USD

per year revenue for a big dolphinarium

Photo: Agency

·SPECIAL · DISCOVER MEXICO

Riviera Highlights Isla Pasión, next to Cozumel, is known as “Heaven on Earth.” This is one of the raciest Valentine’s Day day trips in our section for independent travellers

>07

Photos: Carlos Underwood / MexiConservación

ART & CULTURE The Plays of NuncaMerlot

$154,000 / $500 USD Cost a live/dead dolphin

The theater company from Cancun is currently working on a performance about modern Mexico for the Royal Court Theatre in London

Photo: NuncaMerlot

>03

>15

>Editorial Claudia Salas Managing Director operations@meridianmedia.mx

Javier Escalante Business Development Director javier@meridianmedia.mx

Photo: Agency

DIRECTORY

The first Sunday of February took place in a funny Caribbean-style, when we all woke up asking ourselves, those around us and our contacts on the omnipresent Whatsapp what time it was. Most of our cell phones showed the old time although operators were supposed to update it automatically. Same goes on Google and many web pages, as they had the state of Quintana Roo in a wrong timezone. For those still confused, we now belong to the same time zone as New York i.e. GMT -5, not GMT-6. For more than one day, the whole world thought that we lived one hour behind. Despite the fact that the ADO bus company carried out a campaign during the last month reminding its passengers of the time change, and airlines sent out messages to customers of flight changes far in advance, many passengers still lost their buses and even their flights. Since it was a Sunday preceding a bank holiday -the Day of the Mexican Constitution-, the delay of stores’ opening time went pretty much unnoticed. For those who were lucky to have the day off, it was just a beautiful joyful sunny Sunday with one more hour of daylight with which to enjoy the Super Bowl barbecue.

María Morote Editor edition@meridianmedia.mx

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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.

TPT 10 DAY WEATHER WED 4

THU 5

FRI 6

SAT 7

SUN 8

MON 9

TUE 10

WED 11

THU 12

FRI 13

77°/68° F

79°/64° F

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79°/61° F

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Scattered Thunderstorms

PM Thunderstorms 80% chance of rain NNW at 5 mph

AM Shower 50% chance of rain NNE at 16 mph

Mostly Sunny 0% chance of rain NE at 9 mph

AM Showers 30% chance of rain E at 6 mph

Mostly Sunny 20% chance of rain N at 9 mph

Partly Cloudy 10% chance of rain N at 12 mph

Mostly Sunny 10% chance of rain NE at 8 mph

Partly Cloudy 10% chance of rain NNE at 7 mph

Partly Cloudy 10% chance of rain NNE at 9 mph

60% chance of rain SE at 10 mph

February 4 - 17 2015

LOCAL NEWS

Restriction of Alcohol Sales BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD

Measles vaccine is mandatory for children in Mexico / Photo: Unidad del Vocero

Shielded Against Measles Infection The state’s Health Department is actively working on preventing potential outbreaks in the region BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD

s a result of the measles outbreak a few weeks back in California, combined with the fact that Quintana Roo is one of the most popular tourism destinations of Mexico, the Department of Health confirmed that the state has 20 thousand doses of measles vaccines available, 15 thousand of which are for the municipalities of Solidaridad and Tulum.

20,000 DOSES

of measles vaccines in Quintana Roo Despite these localized prevention measures, at a federal level two people are reported to have caught the measles in Los Cabos and in Nuevo León, but according to Oscar Rodríguez Mendoza, director of the Health Department, there are no reported cases in Quintana Roo. Rodríguez indicated that there is a constant epidemiological surveillance in the municipality with regards to systemic febrile illnesses, and specifically in terms of the measles, the surveillance in the state is considered to be at the “forefront” and the illness has practically been eradicated in “indigenous” cases. “They have always vaccinated against the measles (in children of up to six years old), we do not have specific data but the epidemiological surveillance has always existed and we are at the forefront of measles prevention. There has never been a single case as a result of the

extensive cover,” stated the civil servant. For now, in Playa del Carmen there have not been any suspicious cases. In case of an alert, there are vaccines available to prevent an outbreak. Furthermore, “international health” monitors the airports as a way to ensure the illness does not propagate amongst people. “The cases found in Mexico have been moved away from where they were discovered. International Health always ensures that illnesses are not transmitted. If you are worried, check the flights from places where there has been an outbreak,” says Rodríguez. At the time of printing of this edition, there are no cases of measles reported in Playa del Carmen. These checks are carried out in all five health centers and in the mobile unit of the city. “Measles is an illness for which people always get vaccinated against, it is not comparable to the flu. There are no reported cases here and the coverage is done on an international level. It is mandatory for all children,” he reaffirmed. The Department of Health in Quintana Roo have been constantly monitoring for the last year and a half, in order to prevent outbreaks of systemic febrile diseases specifically, since this is a popular tourism destination which is always vulnerable as a result of the millions of tourists who come here every year. The measles are transmitted through a virus. It remains active on a surface for up to two hours. It is generally passed through sneezing and coughing and personal contact with infected bodily fluids. The symptoms manifest themselves eight to 12 days after exposure. The main symptom is an itchy rash on the skin, accompanied by a cough, fever, muscular aches and pains, a sore throat, white plaques on the tongue and photophobia.

The times at which you can buy alcohol in the city are determined by the authorities and these are enforced by the Police Department and the Measures of Good Governance (Bando de Policía y Buen Gobierno) for the municipality of Solidaridad, which are made available online. These documents dictate the conduct of citizens living in Solidaridad with regards to their behavior, responsibilities, obligations and relations with government authorities. Specifically for Playa del Carmen, the sale of alcohol has different schedules during the week and depends on whether the sale is for closed containers (bought in shops) or open containers (bought in bars, restaurants and nightclubs). In the case of the former, convenience stores and markets must stop selling alcohol at 9 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. Exceptions are made with regards to the location of the establishment, i.e., there must not be a school, church, government office or a hospital within a 100 meter radius. If this is the case, liquor licenses can be extended to 11 p.m. In touristic areas, open containers of alcohol can generally be sold until either 2 a.m. or 5 a.m., depending on what is stipulated in the liquor license. From Friday to Saturday, the permits are extended till 1 a.m., provided that the rules stipulated by the Police Department and the Measures of Good Governance are not violated. On Sundays, alcohol sales are cut short to 2 p.m. or 5 p.m., depending on the location of the business. There is only one exception on Sundays; the Europea market in the Quinta Alegria mall is allowed to sell alcohol until 9 p.m. in closed containers. According to Gabriel Castro Cárdenas, the municipal treasurer, permits for alcohol sale or liquor licenses are issued by the state’s Ministry of Finance. The municipality is in charge of deciding the schedule in each case. In Playa del Carmen, there is no legal sale of alcohol permitted in the Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood, due to the fact there are no property deeds in the area.

Liquor licenses are issued by the state’s Ministry of Finance / Photo: Carlos Underwood

“In the case of the Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood, the Municipal’s Development Plan does not allow the sale of alcohol as there is no legislation and as a result of the social framework of the population in the area. The Ministry of Finance and the department of Urban Development department are in charge of determining the feasibility,” explained the treasurer, who added: “The schedules for each zone in the municipality are defined by the Police Department and the Measures of Good Governance. The practicalities and regulations by which citizens must comply are clearly stated, and the authorities must control and enforce the schedules and social conduct.”

LOCAL NEWS

From the Boat to Your Kitchen Find out where to buy you fish fresh every day from the local fishermen cooperative BY THE PLAYA TIMES

n a daily basis, local fishermen catch three tons of fresh fish in Playa del Carmen, the main species being grouper, lobster, red snapper, hogfish, pollock and lionfish. The catch is then sold to local restaurants, shipped to neighboring cities and sent to merchants overseas.

Eating fresh fish straight off the boat is just another of the benefits of living in paradise, but where can you go buy some for yourself? The Playa Times interviewed José Gómez Burgos, president of the Xaman-Ha fishing cooperative. José has been a fisherman since his teens and he is now one of the supervisors in charge of protecting the fishing concession zones here in Playa. “The fish caught every morning sells really quickly and

The best time to buy your fish is early in the morning / Photos: Carlos Underwood

by around 9 a.m. people start making their orders.” He suggests that anyone who wishes to purchase fresh fish direct goes to 16th Street and the beach, or to the end of CTM Street adjacent to the Cocobay Hotel, from around 10 a.m., which is usually when the local fishermen return with their daily catch. “You need to get there early as demand is high and not many fishermen now have a commercial permit. A kilo of filet is normally priced somewhere between $40 and $60 pesos, it’s not

only the freshest you can buy, but also far cheaper. We also look after our regular customers and offer them good prices!” added José Gómez Burgos. The boat all fishermen used is known as a Ballenera, 25 foot in length and a horsepower of 60 with a four-cycle motor. The majority of the fishermen work six days a week with most taking Saturday as a rest day. During the cold front season (October to February) and hurricane season (October to De-

cember) the vast majority of fishermen’s work days are limited, often not being able to fish for at least 13 to 15 days due to the bad weather. The main equipment used for fishing in the region include longline and hooks, gps, and they use the practice of apnea underwater fishing. Support the local industry and buy directly from the fishermen.

February 4 - 17 2015

COMMUNITY

Equine Therapy for the Children BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD

Dogs in adoption are walked along Fifth Avenue in red chest guards / Photos: S.O.S El Arca

S.O.S, to the Rescue

For six years, the Southeast Kuxtal Echinotherapy Center has been offering free services to children from Playa del Carmen with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome and other mental disabilities. Although it may seem unconventional, patients of this center have found this alternative treatment very helpful. Brenda Ruiz Rojas, president of the echinotherapy center, explained that the project was conceived as a social service for the children with disabilities in the community. Having a team of three volunteers and a groom, the center staff has become an affordable alternative to conventional medicine.

of Stray Dogs

$600 pesos

The association carries out walks with rehabilitated animals along the Fifth Avenue in order to find them a new home

per month for equine therapy lessons

BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD

.O.S is an association in Playa del Carmen that rescues stray dogs; they take care of them, feed them and heal them so that people will adopt them. They currently have 77 dogs in the shelter waiting for a loving home. The shelter is located on 50th street with 44th, el Hueco, in the El Pedregal Colony of Playa del Carmen. In 2011, Sylvie Goetz, current president of the group, found out about the terrible conditions under which the city´s stray dogs lived and about the municipal pound´s crowdedness. From that moment, she decided to help those that were locked up -and that is how S.O.S El Arca was born. The shelter welcomes dogs who suffered from neglect or that are in any kind of detrimental situation. One of the objectives of the association was to establish a place where they could perform zoo-therapy with the rescued dogs, but as a result of the large number of abandoned or homeless dogs living on the street, the association has focused their efforts on rescuing and rehabilitating animals. Alan Perales, a volunteer for the group, explained that they

need the help of the community to rehabilitate the canines, since it is a lot of work simply feeding and healing all the animals. The association is able to survive thanks to donations from people.

77 dogs are currently under care of the association “We help dogs get a better life, we normally host between 70 and 80 dogs. This week, a new dog arrived, which brings us to 77 dogs. We welcome them in, give them shelter, a roof over their heads, food, and we walk them, until they are adopted,” he added: “There are all kinds of dogs, for example, ‘Negrita’ is missing a leg, she arrived with a gangrenous leg. Others are very thin and with some sort of illness. Some have scabies, which is not too much of a problem as it is easy to treat; others were seriously abused and these are harder to find adoptive homes for.” The shelter needs volunteers to help care for the animals, as well as donations to buy food and

pay for vet bills. “None of the staff are vets. Eduardo Cárdenas is the vet who tends to our dogs and he lets us have a tab for the vet bills. We always try and organize events to pay the vet, and so we can keep caring for dogs. We are three people dedicated to working with the dogs, to cleaning and maintaining the shelter, when we can we recover the costs of our work,” says Perales. “Volunteers come and go. People can show up at 11 a.m., there are never many volunteers however. Everything comes from private donations. That is how we survive.” Those interested in helping the association can either donate their time and help, or make food or cash donations. For more information, please refer to their webpage www. soselarca.org. “On the website, you can donate and/or sponsor us for $200 pesos a month. You can even choose a dog to adopt, and donate on our Facebook page.” Those interested in adopting a dog can go directly to the shelter or see them on their walks along Fifth Avenue, which take place between 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., every day. The dogs are dressed in a red bib to help identify them.

“The Southeast Kuxtal Echinotherapy Center is an altruistic association located on Avenida Constituyentes and 130th Ave. It is open every day from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. We assist a maximum of eight children,” said Brenda. People working at the center are volunteers: “We have other jobs. Each

one of us works in the morning and comes to the center in the afternoon. We have achieved positive results. I always say that I am the horse´s helper. We currently work with three horses,” Ruiz Rojas pointed. She explained that they do not charge anything, they only ask for a donation to feed and take care of the horses if possible. As well, the association offers riding lessons for people who want the experience. These lessons cost $600 pesos per month. The money is intended for the echinotherapy of children. “The horses are ours, we bought them but we borrow the land. We started six years ago. I liked horses but I had never ridden one. I learned about echinotherapy and started to work with it,” said Ruiz Rojas who added that they first borrowed their horses from Punta Venado Eco Park. According to Ruiz, echinotherapy gives patients autonomy, it calms them and improves their coordination. The benefits vary for each child disorder. The association is currently looking for support in order to improve its facilities. Ruiz Rojas invited people to give in-kind donations such as saddles, reins, horse food and didactic games for children like balls, abacuses and jigsaw puzzles. Those interested can call 984 879 5071 and 984 116 6645 or go to the association on Avenida Constituyentes and 130th ave.

Echinotherapy improves the patients´ coordination / Photo: Carlos Underwood

PEOPLE

INTERVIEW

Anita Gallagher, Coordinator of the Cancun Camerata

Opening the Big City´s

Ears to the Classics The Cancun Camerata is a non-profit symphonic orchestra which gathers national and international musicians around a unique fusion repertoire which goes from jazz to Mexican folk BY MARÍA MOROTE

rish bassoonist Anita Gallagher became the coordinator of the Cancun Camerata after moving from Mexico City, where she worked in the nonprofit sector. Founded in 2010 by conductor Ricardo Corona and the president of the Art and Culture Council, Manuel García Jurado, the orchestra has introduced classical music to a young and touristic Cancun by mixing it with more modern beats like jazz or Mexican folk. THE PLAYA TIMES (TPT): TELL US ABOUT YOU. HOW DID YOU END UP IN THE CANCUN CAMERATA? Anita Gallagher (AG): I grew up in Northern Ireland and played bassoon from the age of about 8, rising up through the public orchestra system. However, I opted to study International Relations and Spanish and ended up in Mexico City. My husband moved to Cancun and I followed him. Arriving here in 2004, I was quite dismayed to see there was so little music but I found out about the Cancun City Choir. I was the only bassoon player in the city for many years! The beginning of the Camerata coincided with me moving from full time work to being self employed as a consultant for the nonprofit sector, and so

I was the only bassoon player in the city for many years! Anita Gallagher Coordinator of the Cancun Camerata Manuel (García) and Ricardo (Corona) invited me to take part. (TPT): WHO FOUNDED THE CANCUN CAMERATA? (AG): The Camerata was founded by Ricardo Corona in 2010. In 2012

EXPAT PROFILES

The orchestra / Photos: Camerata de Cancún

we offered our first Concert Season in the Teatro de Cancun. Our special blend of repertoire comes down to a few reasons. First of all, we are not a symphony orchestra per se. There simply aren’t enough musicians living in Cancun and Playa to form a symphony orchestra. So by default, we have to play music that can still sound good with 30-40 musicians. Secondly, we are fortunate to have Ricardo as our Director and he is an excellent arranger. Thirdly, we realize that there is not a “built in” audience for classical music in Cancun, we have to open people’s ears, hearts

and minds to the wonders of classical music, but in the process make it enjoyable and accessible. (TPT): WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE CAMERATA? (AG): The Camerata could only become a reality when there were enough musicians living in the region. We started with a very small group, one of each wind instrument. The core members are professional musicians, trained in universities throughout Mexico and further afield from all over Mexico and the world, we have had up to 12 different nationalities in our group! We have of-

What can you tell us about

ten played with younger musicians who are still learning. It’s great to see students as young as 15-16, and even a 12 year old, on the stage with us. (TPT): HOW DOES THE CAMERATA FINANCE ITSELF? (AG): Ticket sales to our concerts represent about 50 percent of our income. Also at the beginning of each season we invite people to become Amigos de la Camerata. They give a donation of approximately $3,000 pesos and in return we offer them a seat in the preferential section for all the concerts in the season. The remaining part is made up by donations and sponsorships from businesses and individuals. (TPT): TELL US ABOUT CAMERATA´S FUTURE PROJECTS. (AG): We are developing the idea of carrying out smaller “lunchtime” style concerts with small string or wind ensembles. Also in the works will be a greater focus on work with children and schools. We have several didactic programs ready to go, we just need to secure funding. To find out about upcoming concerts or for more information about the Camerata, check their website www.cameratadecancun.org of the Facebook pages /CameratadeCancun and /AmigosdelaCamerata.

Do you want to take part of our Expat Profiles? Email edition@meridianmedia.mx

NAME Lawrence A. Stichweh ORIGIN Brooklyn, New York. My father was an accountant for the US Government and we were transferred to Philadelphia, Washington DC, Tampa, Louisville and Dayton, landing there for High School and off to Ohio State University. PROFESSION I served my military obligation in Marine Aviation before joinPhoto: Lawrence A. Stichweh ing Square D as a sales engineer and then to Boston as a regional manager for Kelek Corp. Eventually, I landed in the Chicago area for 40 years as a General Contractor and Land Developer, retiring five years ago. PLACE OF RESIDENCE IN RIVIERA MAYA Playacar where we purchased a condominium in Paseo del Sol. FAVORITE SPOT IN RIVIERA MAYA The solitude of the miles and miles of pristine beaches and the sparkling waters as well as the fantastic weather are the best attractions of Riviera Maya.

SAFETY IN RIVIERA MAYA You can walk virtually anywhere at any time and be safe in Playa del Carmen. We feel much safer here than in most areas of Chicago. COST OF LIVING Taxes are low and most produce is less than at home, but fish, meat and poultry are rapidly approaching the same cost as in the US. HEALTH CARE We have not personally needed care, but have taken several people to the new Hospiten on 307th by the South Playacar entrance and were impressed with the modern and up to date equipment and exceptional staff;

those treated were very happy. BUYING OR RENTING A PROPERTY Buying property here is an interesting adventure. We were fortunate to have a well qualified attorney and we received our title in four months. Patience is needed as obtaining documents from the notary and government offices requires much more time than the US. GETTING A RESIDENT VISA Application is relatively easy but again very time consuming. There are services available and after several renewals and a law change, I received my permanent visa last year

LEISURE ACTIVITIES We have enjoyed many activities here including golf courses, scuba diving, snorkeling, cenotes, biking, horseback riding but the best and most common activity we enjoy are the walks and the miles of beach. DID YOU KNOW THE PLAYA TIMES? We learned of The Playa Times from members of the Rotary Seaside Club when it was being formed. It has become a most valuable tool in keeping abreast with news and upcoming events in the area. When not here, we always check the site for the web addition to stay current.

R C

February 4 - 17 2015

DISCOVER MEXICO

N Ó I S A P A L IS Diamante K Hotel / Photo: Agency

Romantic Cabañas F P

ind your passion on this luxury island of passion on the northern end of Cozumel. Described as “Heaven on Earth”, Mother Nature has indeed been generous by bestowing this private Caribbean getaway with luscious natural bounty, perfect for a relaxation getaway from the crowds. It is set quite apart from the popular beaches and reefs of the southwestern coast of the island, but remains easily one of the most popular day-trips on the island.

BY THE PLAYA TIMES

assion and food are on every Valentine’s Day´s itinerary. Being in the Caribbean is a unique opportunity to confirm that you two are made for each other, and there is no better place to do this as going to a cabaña on the beach. Here is our selection for both exclusive and rustic lovers: THE CHARM OF LA ISLA Xaloc Resort in Holbox Holbox island near Cancun is one of the best destinations if you are looking for privacy and awesome landscapes. This exclusive hotel on the beach offers warm circular cabañas for couples with a private terrace and a swimming pool. $215 USD per night www.holbox-xalocresort.com LOVE AND LOBSTER Al Cielo Hotel in Xpuha This establishment is located on a secluded beach 20 miles south of Playa del Carmen. In addition to the intimate villas, Al Cielo has a

top seafood restaurant well-known for its lobster and perfect for a romantic dinner. It also offers massage services. $200 USD per night www.alcielohotel.com

PART OF A RELIC Diamante K Hotel in Tulum These cabañas are located on a private beach next to Tulum ruins and the Dzib Ak Tum caverns, where Mayan priests used to perform rituals. The hotel has a beautiful garden and also over 30 neighboring cenotes you can visit. $119 USD per night www.diamantek.com

THE RUSTIC CARIBBEAN Blue Kay Mahahual If you love the magic of wine and the festive atmosphere followed by a passionate night and a romantic sunrise this is the place for you. Blue Kay cabañas are on an incredible beach next to Mahahual´s lighthouse. A prime choice for any budget. $80 USD per night www.bluekaymahahual.com

Distance in miles from Cancun: 53; from Playa del Carmen 17

HOW TO GET THERE

Ferry Passenger ferries cross daily to Cozumel from the public pier on First St. and the beach. One way adult tickets from Playa del Carmen cost $163 pesos. There are crossings every two or three hours, depending on the season, and takes around half an hour. There are two companies offering services, check www. granpuerto.com.mx or www.mexicowaterjets.com for the schedules, the companies operate in tandem. Flights Playa del Carmen airport is on Avenida de la Aviación and 15th Ave. It costs around $225 USD (one way) per plane for up to five passengers plus taxes. For more information check www.cancunairplanetours. com. Flights from Cancun to Cozumel take 20 minutes and cost around $65 USD per person. For more information check www. mayair.com.mx. Access to the Island Once you arrive to Cozumel, your best option is to book an all-inclusive package deal to Isla Pasión. This generally involves the price of a taxi from downtown San Miguel to Baja Ciega, where you get on a boat for the 1 mile crossing to Isla Pasión (20 to 30 minutes depending on the wind). The package also includes food on the island, open bar, and access to all the water sports and activities. This basic package deal is priced at $70 USD for adults and $40 USD for children (4-12 years). If you prefer to find your own way to the ferry, you will need to take a taxi, with up to 4 passengers, which takes about 30 minutes from downtown for $30 pesos each way. All-inclusive deal with

just the boat transport from north Cozumel is $45 USD for adults and $30 USD for children (4-12 years). Day trips allow for three to three and half hours on the island. You are free to purchase as you go once you arrive to the island if you want to avoid the package deals but this generally works out more expensive over the course of the whole day. Tickets can be purchased in advance from the website www.isla-pasion.com.

WHAT TO DO Beach Activities Snorkel equipment, boogie boards, kayaks, paddleboards and aquacycles are offered throughout the day from the gift shop. You decide whether you want to swim, rest on a hammock, enjoy sipping a rum punch under a palapa, get a massage or go shopping. Delight in a delicious barbecue lunch, consisting of fish, chicken and guacamole.

CANCUN

February 4 - 17 2015

HEALTH SPECIAL

We Are What We Eat

Balanced diet, exercise and mental well-being are key elements to warding off diseases and illness BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD

ebruary 4 is World Cancer Day. In Mexico, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), since 2011 for each 100 patients admitted to hospital with tumours, 56 are malignant. Within the teen population, it is 71 out of 100, and in the adults, 53. It is known that the disease is a result of various genetic and external factors. Martha E. Ocampo Hidalgo, a specialist in orthomolecular nutrition and live blood studio samples, talks about the importance of eating habits to combat the illness in order to alter the risks. THE PLAYA TIMES (TPT): WHAT IS A BALANCED DIET? Martha Ocampo (MO): The key to a healthy, balanced diet is eating the right amount of food for how active you are, and eating a range of foods that contribute to the adequate supply of substances for the body to function properly. TPT: IN THE MEDICAL TREATMENT OF CHRONIC DEGENERATIVE DISEASES, DOCTORS TALK VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION, WHY IS THAT? MO: There are several factors. First, medical school does not teach or provide classes on nutrition. And if they do talk about food, it is mainly about counting calories. Secondly, the treatments focus on reaching the cell. In my opinion this is more important biologically. It is also true

Luchadores of cancer/ Photo: Sumando BiDas

A Network for

Cancer Survivors that there are bad genetics, but if you maintain good mental health, keep exercising and eating correctly, these three factor alone can cause any negative genetics you may carry to either not appear or only to present themselves at an elderly age. At medical school they teach doctors to medicate. TPT: HOW DO YOU MAKE A NUTRITIONAL PLAN FOR A PATIENT, WHO FOR EXAMPLE HAS CANCER, IF THEY HAVE THE SAME BAD HABITS SINCE CHILDHOOD OR THESE STEM FROM CULTURAL HABITS? MO: I always explain to my patients they have to change their bad habits. I have never come across a case of someone who actually takes care of all three aspects I mentioned previously and suffers from an inflammatory or chronic degenerative disease. In fact, it is a natural response of the body trying to survive as a result of a deficiency in nutrients and bad habits. It would be crazy to keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

TPT: HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT OUR BODY DOES AND DOESN’T NEED? MO: Turns out that man industrialized food about 150 years ago, that was the moment that diseases began. You want to know what you should consume? Think as if you lived 200 years ago, when there were no preservatives, colorings, nothing was refined, nor covered in deadly pesticides, hormones, harmful salts, nor were there the great inventions of today. That is the wonder of raw food. As always, balance is part of the success. TPT: IS THERE SOME SORT OF FORMULA IN TERMS OF NUTRITION FOR STAYING HEALTHY? MO: Eat fruits, a lot of fresh vegetables, grains, white proteins, cold pressed oils, mineral water, a few legumes and whole grains. Exercise for a healthy mind and life. There is no formula... Everyone of us is different and needs a personalized diet if you want to be 100 percent healthy. Martha E. Ocampo gives consultations in Querétaro. You can contact her at (442) 2340084.

Raw food, an anti-cancer alternative / Photos: Agency

BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD

leana Zuzuarregui founded the association Sumando BiDas in 2011 with the aim of creating a data base of the number of cancer survivors in Quintana Roo, as well as providing follow up care for these patients. To date, there is hardly any data on this, or with regards to the types of social hurdles cancer patients face, the available support they receive and if they are able to resume their lives as normal after overcoming this condition. Zuzuarregui is herself a lymphatic cancer survivor. She runs the association from Mexico City and they provide support to the survivors and their families. She is currently working on a joint project with the National Cancer Institute and 200 breast cancer survivors. The work in Playa del Carmen started two years ago, the idea was to research the people in the area and get more information on the situation. “The intention is to support survivors of chronic degenerative diseases as well as their families: we are all survivors. When you are sick, doctors do not generally give you clear information on what happens after chemotherapy. We normally suffer from memory loss. When we researched this, indicators in the US state memory loss as one of the side effects. Doctors sometimes do not give this as much importance, but for us it is,” she stressed. According to Zuzuarregui, many associations support the patient during treatment, but nobody provides a follow up, which is crucial in overcoming the illness, due to the fact that after receiving treatment you really need sociological and nutritional care. Besides the physical aspects of the illness, patients also

want to get back to work, but this is not always as straightforward to do. Patients suffer from physical scars or they have to go for checkups with the doctor, meaning more sick days from work, and which are not always well regarded by their bosses. “It opened our eyes to the fact that many associations support the patient during treatment but do nothing for them afterwards. That led us to create this initiative. We went to the National Cancer Institute and we started with a pilot project for breast cancer, we have the support of a doctor and we provide follow ups with patients,” explained Zuzuarregui, who then added: “Our intention in Playa del Carmen is to host events that broadcast what we are doing, allow our experience to become an example of how survivors live, help drive more research on the matter, and help ensure the cancer is detected early. There is no information or official statistics of survivors in Mexico, and the intention is to create a network which will allow us to uncover the current conditions and the recurrent needs of patients, so that in the future we can have studies on what works, why we are alive, and how to repeat this.” For the president of Bidas, it is essential to identify the side effects of cancer treatments and the necessary protocols. To support this cause or to find out more, go to the Facebook page Sumando BiDas AC. “There is no recipe for getting cancer. There are many factors involved and I am saying this as a survivor. But we have identified three factors that help prevent it. You must have a balanced diet, you must exercise and you have to have regular checkups, do not wait until you have a symptom,” she concluded.

The Champion of the champions Isis Pérez Breiter is a athlete competing in some of the world’s toughest challenges such as the 4 Deserts Race series BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD

Train For Free BY THE PLAYA TIMES Tired of running on the beach? Here is the list of the most popular public sports centers in Playa del Carmen. Most of them have been recently remodeled and their use and access is free! MARIO VILLANUEVA SPORTS CENTER Location: 10th Ave. and 34th St. Colonia Centro Opening Hours: Mon-Sun, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Facilities: Four tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, a soccer field, an athletic track and a covered area for aerobics and salsa classes. POLIFORUM Location: Avenida Juárez and 110th Ave. Colonia Ejidal

Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Facilities: Seven-a-side soccer field, outdoor and indoor basketball courts, two frontenis and three tennis courts, two soccer fields, a professional 400-meter tartan athletic and cycling tracks. RIVIERA MAYA SPORTS CENTER Location: Avenida Universidad and 110th Ave. Facilities: Baseball, soccer, seven-a-side soccer, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts and fields, and Olympic sized swimming pool, a motocross track and large green areas. LÁZARO CÁRDENAS SPORTS CENTER Location: 30th Ave. and 76th St. Colonia Colosio Facilities: Indoor and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, a soccer field, a covered court for combat sports and a large playground.

The Playa Times (TPT): WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHEN DID YOU START TAKING PART IN ULTRAMARATHONS? Isis Pérez (IP): I am from Tapachula, Chiapas, and I have been living in Playa del Carmen for 15 years. In fact I got married here and my kids were born here. I was a housewife and I had never done any extreme sports. I used to lift weights and two years ago I started running long distance. TPT: WHAT IS AN ULTRAMARATHON IP: An ultramarathon is any race longer than the classic marathon length, they generally start from 31 miles onwards. They are multiday, consecutive, non-stop races. This year I completed the 4 Deserts Race series, which is the hardest race in the world. It is a total of 155 miles spanning across Jordan, China, Atacama in Chile and finishes in the Antarctic. TPT: HOW DO YOU TRAIN? IP: I train six days a week and I rest for one. I run two to three hours a day, although during race time I run four hours, and on weekends I run seven hours. TPT: WHAT IS IT LIKE TO RUN IN SUCH INHOSPITABLE PLACES? IP: You have to take fewer risks. For instance, in the Sahara I never thought it would rain, even less so that it could rain for three consecutive days, and so I didn’t bring a raincoat with me. That is when I realized that I always needed to have my full kit. TPT: AND IN THE ARCTIC? IP: I come from a tropical climate and I had never run in snow, or at minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit and that worried me. I would be tired from the previous races but the first day of the Arctic race I came in first place. You learn to

Photo: Carlos Underwood

Mario Villa Nueva Sports Center / Photo: Gobierno Solidaridad

n only two years Isis Pérez Breiter is already considered an elite champion of ultramarathon runners. Over the course of 2014, she placed in sixth position in the women’s category and third in her category in Jordan, by running through the Sahara desert. She came in first position in the Atacama Crossing, Chile, in the Gobi March, China, and first again in the Antarctic race. Due to her triumphs and record times, this athlete from Chiapas, who is based in Playa del Carmen, is in the “wall of fame” of athletics.

value things, especially the climate that you live in! TPT: ARE THERE MANY ULTRAMARATHON RUNNERS IN MEXICO? IP: No, there are not many. We are few, but we bring back a lot of first places. It is not an Olympic sport and so it does not get much support. Although in Playa, I have received support. These are such hard races that so few people attempt them. In the Antarctic, only a select group is invited to participate after running across the first three deserts. The organization requires you to have a medical certificate and they make sure you are fully prepared. You are in the middle of the desert and hours away from the nearest hospital. In China, there were poisonous snakes and landslides. It is more of a mental challenge. (TPT): IS THE INSCRIPTION FEE EXPENSIVE? (IP): The fee is $3600 USD, not including the cost of the equipment, all this on top of the price of the airfare to get to the race. It is expensive but the municipal government helps out to cover the cost. (TPT): WHAT IS YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE? (IP): There are more long distances to do, I will decide which one exactly this month. The options are quite difficult, including a 100 mile race, and I have never competed in Latin America. Next up, I will be competing in the USA and in Nepal, where I will run at an elevation of 13 thousand feet. I’m not going to stop competing.

February 4- 17 2015

Vegetarians

and Memory Loss

Dietitians recommend diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids for those who do not eat meat or fish in order to prevent this issue BY ANA ACOSTA

y home life is a paradox. Being Argentinian, I’m a meat lover by default, but my partner has been a vegetarian for ten years and counting. We manage quite well and it’s not an issue in our home as I get my meat-fix when I got out with friends. However, I’ve noticed he’s been very forgetful lately, and it is not just the stereotypical case of the husband forgetting what his wife tells him, he has been getting progressively worse and he is far too young to be experiencing memory loss. As the caring dietitian, I looked into his diet to find a solution. My main concern was his omega-3 DHA and EPA intake. The easy option would be to have him take fish oil supplements for this, but obviously, as a vegetarian he can’t. After this whole ordeal at home, I decided to share with you all the vegetarian and vegan, vegetable source and metabolic precursors of DHA and EPA so your brain can start 2015 new and rejuvenated.

EPA and DHA stand for eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid respectively, they are the essential fatty structural components of neuronal membranes. The brain tissue of mammals consists of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, the omega-3 DHA being the main one in the brain. As shown from studies, a deficiency of DHA and EPA is associated with deficits in learning and in memory which is dependent on the frontal cortex. The intake of DHA and EPA sources is necessary for maintenance of the adult brain. The main sources of DHA and EPA in western diets come from oily fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, but there is an increased concern about the toxicity from heavy metals accumulated in these fish. Since vegetarians and vegans avoid consuming them, they opt for cleaner alternative sources of DHA like seaweed, fungi, marine bacteria, or manufactured omega-3 seaweed. Although take care, as the use of some seaweeds like Amer-

ican Kelp must be controlled because it can lead to excessive intake of iodine. Another option is to have a diet rich in alpha-linolenic fatty acid (Ȧ 3, ALA) which is the metabolic precursor of DHA and EPA. Major dietary sources of ALA are found in soy, canola, linseed, chia oils. It is best to prioritize the consumption of chia and linseed oil above canola and soy because these last two are often grown with pesticides. As a vegetarian, my husband eats eggs and milk, in that way he can cover his Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) requirements. If you are on a vegan diet, you should get some Vitamin B12 supplements since its deficiency is a rare cause of reversible dementia, which consists in a global cognitive dysfunction which slows down and causes memory lapses, increases the lack concentration. Ana Acosta is a Nutritionist specializing in Maternal-Child Nutrition, pregnancy & lactation. Contact her at ana@mompreneurs.mx - 984 5938702.

Seaweed, a natural source of omega-3 / Photo:Agency

Meditation for

Modern Times BY ARIELLE THOMAS NEWMAN

editation has been used for thousands of years to quiet the mind and foster inner calm. In today’s multi-tasking digital society, creating a regular, if not daily meditation practice, seems a savvy survival tool to bring balance to our lives. In recent studies, neuroscientists suggest that meditation can actually remodel the physical structure of the brain. A study published in the science publication, NeuroImage, compares the brains of meditators to age-matched non-meditators and found that meditators had more gray matter in regions of the brain related to attention, emotion regulation, and mental flexibility.

Additionally, researchers discovered “if you practice focusing attention on your breath or a mantra, the brain will restructure itself to make concentration easier, (...) you will develop a brain that is more resilient to stress.” The more you practice meditation, the more benefits you will reap and the more connected you will feel with those around you. There are a number of ways to meditate, and different options work better for different personalities and learning preferences. If one doesn’t work, try another; make sure that the setting is conducive for relaxing and going inward. For a classic crossed-legged sitting meditation position, do a few stretches beforehand to prepare

Start-up Meditation Suggestions · Take a meditation class or a yoga class that includes meditation · Sign up for one of the well-produced 21-Day Meditation Experience programs with Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey, which you can download, or stream online · Gaze at a seashell or flower, which will activate regions of the brain involved with controlling attention

your body. Sit up on enough cushions so that your hips are higher than your knees. Start with what you have time for. Five minutes a day is valuable if you do it consistently. You’ll probably surprise yourself and do more before too long. Soften your expectations. Some days it’s easier to tame the wild beast of the brain than others. It’s often helpful to place your awareness on your breath -inhale slowly through your nose for two counts and exhale slowly for two counts. Draw your focus gently back to your breath if you find your atten-

· Slowly and mindfully cut vegetables for a salad, noticing the shape, color and texture of the produce · Do a slow walking meditation by the sea, breathing consciously with each step · If meditating at home, choose a specific time to meditate, such as after waking. Create a dedicated clutter-free area where cell phones and people won’t disturb you

tion has wandered. You don’t have to sit on a cushion and chant OM to find inner peace; you can experience tranquility by mindfully placing your attention on your life as it unfolds moment-by-moment, remembering to breathe and release.

Structure and Function

BY RICHARD MCCARTHY The human body is such an amazing entity! The musculoskeletal system, the nervous system, the circulatory system and endocrine system all need to work in harmony for a person to be healthy. Today we will focus on structure and function. The major component of body structure is the skeleton, which is made of many bones of various shapes and sizes. Your arms and legs have the longest bones of the body; the smaller bones are located in the hands and feet; and finally the irregular shaped bones of the pelvis, the skull and spinal column, which, all together, account for most of the body’s structure. Bones have several main purposes. First, they are the support for all the body’s systems that weave their way to all areas. Secondly, they allow mobility which permits you to walk upright, climb, jump, run and do movements. Most people take all this ability to bend and move for granted. It is only when they have problems with movements or when pain arises that people take note. Problems with structure arise for many reasons. Here is a list of the more common ways to have structural imbalance: falls, car accidents, work accidents, poor posture, sports injuries, stress both physical and emotional, toxin intake, congenital anomalies, etc... The point of this discussion is that the structure is tied in directly to the functioning of the body, i.e., when your body is imbalanced your functions are altered and your health is altered. The body systems that weave their way around the structure can have pressure on them and can reduce the proper flow of energy with the nervous system or blood flow with the circulatory system. The Chiropractor is the expert with the most training in finding and correcting structural problems and enabling your body to function the way it should. Don’t let this situation remain unattended. Get balanced, get healthy!

CHIROPRACTOR For a safe, effective chiropractor

Dr. Richard McCarthy

at The New Gym, Playa Del Carmen

Tel: 984 873 2098

Running on the Beach and Prolotherapy

Discover the merits of this medical treatment to heal the joint and muscle pain common in amateur athletes BY DR. LUIS DAVID SUÁREZ

ost people know from their own experience that running on sand is far more challenging than running on pavement or any other even surface. Running on sand is also a harder workout, requiring 1.6 times more energy than on an even surface, as reported by a team of researchers from Belgium in 1998. The soft, uneven surface of the sand makes some of the work done by our muscles and tendons inefficient, thus increasing the mechanical work that our bodies require to keep the forward push. For those of us who love exercising outdoors this extra effort is greatly compensated by the views and the fresh breeze of the ocean filling up our lungs with salty oxygen. Unfortunately, when our tendons and muscles are not working efficiently, they are most prone to injury, since an increased work-

load on our joints from running on uneven surfaces will cause inflammation. The severity of this reaction depends on a great number of factors, including our diet and how accustomed our body is to working out, or how in shape or fit we are, and if we stretched our joints and muscles before and after our workout -if at all. A good tip to prevent these types of problems while running on the beach is to run on the most leveled, hard-packed sand that the low tide leaves behind. Keep an eye on the slant surface of the beach, since it can be especially hard on your knees and hips; try to at least level the work on both sides of your body by running out and then back on a set strip of oceanfront. Wear appropriate shoes and socks, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen. If you happen to suffer an injury, an excellent alternative to conventional care when dealing with tendon and joint injuries is prolotherapy. “Prolo” stands for “pro-

Nopal is used by Mayans to lower blood sugar levels / Photo:Agency

Mayan Herbalist,

the Living Heritage BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD Mayan medicine is part of the heritage of a culture that still lives in Quintana Roo and in the Yucatan Peninsula. Although its value is only known by few -the oral tradition plays a major role in the dissemination of this knowledge- there are ef-

forts to record and document Mayan herbalism and traditional medicine. To date there is no existing manual, and only the Institute for the Development of Mayan Culture of Yucatan (INDEMAYA) announced its intention to develop a compendium of Mayan medicine, which would catalog data from hundreds

liferation” since the objective of this therapy is to further irritate the affected structures injecting them with a solution that generates a “healthy” repair response triggered by controlled inflammation. Orthopedists, chiropractors and osteopaths in the US have used this technique extensively since the 1950s. Prolotherapy is performed with many different chemicals, often with a signature mixture for every doctor. The classic formula includes procaine, a local anesthetic, and a 50 percent glucose solution. Nowadays, prolotherapists inject Platelet Rich Plasma or Stem Cells in the affected areas, with far more promising results. The injections are not comfortable but the results are amazing since the pain stops almost immediately and the repaired structure grows in strength and flexibility. These results cannot compare with the fibrosis left by surgical repair; especially if we

of plants used as medicine to counteract various ailments. For Quintana Roo, according to Hermelindo Be Cituk, president of the National Indigenous Association for Autonomy (ANIPA) in the state, throughout the whole of Quintana Roo there are 25 specialists in the field, one of which is located in Playa del Carmen. The knowledge passed down from generation to generation, is sought after by the natives populations and some tourists who rely on the natural power of plants. “Plants are sacred, many heal the ills, such as a plant we call Chaca, that has many healing properties, or Chechen, which can harm you” Be Cituk says before adding: “Just as there are herbs that serve to poison, others can help treat diseases like diabetes. And there are many herbs, such as Pom, which are used in ceremonies.” Traditional Mayan medicine has used local plants like nopal cactus or zapote to alleviate the symptoms of diseases as common as hypertension or diabetes, respectively. “Medicine heals everything that

want to keep running on the beach for many more years. Dr. Luis David Suárez is a specialist in Medical Acupuncture and Phytotherapy and director of SANAR Center for Integrative Medicine.

causes the development of diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and even the ills that doctors categorized as serious, such as leukemia. The Maya doctors know how to treat these,” he said. “Mayan medicine does not cause humans any harm, and we should go back to the using this traditional knowledge.” “Something must be done; with the passing of each elder this valuable heritage is lost. There are currently 25 traditional doctors in the state. These are few. Some people who heal and help deliver babies, such as midwives, are reaching out to us as they want to use this type of medicine,” to which he added: “In fact, in the towns of Lázaro Cárdenas and José María Morelos they seek our advice. I have seen miracles as a result of Mayan medicine.” To access more information on the subject, you can find out more at the Cultural Center of Solidarity; there you will find Hermelindo Be Cituk, who can provide information of shamans and specialists in Mayan medicine.

February 4 - 17 2015

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PLAYA 13

ENTERTAINMENT

>FEBRUARY 4 - 17 4 WEDNESDAY

FREE SPANISH CLASSES, Beginners, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Chichen Itza Language School, Contact lsci.inf@hotmail.com, or call 984 174 5950

Castillo de Barbazul (Bartók), 6 p.m. Universidad del Caribe, SM 78, Mza 1, next to Fraccionamiento Tabachines, Entrance $150 MXN. Facebook ArteyCulturaUnicaribe

GUIDED MEDITATIONS, every Tuesday, 7 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 St. in Colonia Ejido. Free entrance.

CONSCIOUS RELAXATION WORKSHOP, every Saturday, 10 a.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. Colonia Ejidal. Voluntary contribution.

THE ART OF SOCIALIZING, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Le Lotus Rouge, Second St. and 35th Ave. Paint, sip and socialize. Free entrance. FREE TANGO LESSONS, every Tuesday, 8 p.m. Roof of The Palm at Playa Hotel, Eighth St. and 10th Ave. Classes by Diego and Lucila.

P ROJEC T I O N S FO R CHI L DR EN, eve r yd ay, 5 p.m . a nd 6 p.m . Ka ´Yok´ Plan e tar ium, Pale nq u e Ave. Sm . 2 1. $3 0/ $40 pe sos reside nt chi ld re n/a d u lts. C h e ck www. ventanaaluniverso.org.

COOLTURA FILM NIGHT, México Pelagico, Universidad del Caribe, 8 p.m. SM 78, Mza 1, next to Fraccionamiento Tabachines, Free entrance and popcorn.

COMEDY PLAYA, every Wednesday and Sunday, 8 p.m. Lucky Luciano’s, Fifth St. and 28th St. Stand-up comedy in English. Local and visiting U.S. acts. MXN$100.

11 WEDNESDAY

B IC IN ETA B I K E R I D E , eve r y We dn e sday, 8 p. m . C i ty H a ll, P la za 2 8 de Ju li o, 8 th St . a n d 1 5 th Ave. Ex p lo re t he cycle path s of P laya de l Ca r m e n a nd m e e t li ke -m i n de d lo ca l b ike r s .

EL PAPALOTE LOCAL MARKET every Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. El Papalote, Av. 25 Nte between 30th and 32nd St., Organic produce, fresh home baked goods, artisan crafts and more! Shop local and support Playa.

FILM PROJECTION, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 St. in Colonia Ejido. Free entrance. Check Facebook El Eden Jardin De Arte for schedule.

COMEDY PLAYA, every Wednesday and Sunday, 8 p.m. Lucky Luciano’s, Fifth St. and 28th St. Stand-up comedy in English. Local and visiting U.S. acts. MXN$100.

DOCUMENTARY WEDNESDAYS 8 p.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. in Colonia Ejidal. Free entrance. Check Facebook El Cine Club for the schedule.

BICINETA BIKE RIDE, every Wednesday, 8 p.m. City Hall, Plaza 28 de Julio, 8th St. and 15th Ave. Explore the cycle paths of Playa del Carmen and meet like-minded local bikers.

OSCAR´S MOVIE NIGHT, every Wednesday, 8 p.m. Roof terrace Be Playa Hotel, 26th St. and 10th Ave. Free entrance.

FILM PROJECTION, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 St. in Colonia Ejido. Free entrance. Check Facebook El Eden Jardin De Arte for schedule.

LATIN NIGHT, every Wednesday, 11 p.m. Blue Parrot Beach Club, 12th St. and the beach. 2 x 1 on beers and bottles. Salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and Latin hits. Free entrance.

DOCUMENTARY WEDNESDAYS, 8 p.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. in Colonia Ejidal. Free entrance. Check Facebook El Cine Club for the schedule. OSCAR´S MOVIE NIGHT, every Wednesday, 8 p.m. Roof terrace Be Playa Hotel, 26th St. and 10th Ave. Free entrance.

5 THURSDAY

LATIN NIGHT, every Wednesday, 11 p.m. Blue Parrot Beach Club, 12th St. and the beach. 2 x 1 on beers and bottles. Salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and Latin hits. Free entrance.

PAAMUL ECOMARKET, every Thursday, 8.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Community Fellowship Church Palapa. DOCUMENTARY FILMS, every Thursday, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 St. in Colonia Ejido. Free entrance. COOLTURA FILM NIGHT, El Amor Es Un Juego Cruel, 8 p.m., Universidad del Caribe, SM 78, Mza 1, next to Fraccionamiento Tabachines, Free entrance and popcorn..

FEBRUARY 14 EL JARDÍN LOCAL MARKET, every Saturday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. El Jardín Community Center, 20th St. and 10th Ave.

6 FRIDAY COCOS BEACH ORGANIC MARKET, every Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Condos Alizes, Avenida CTM and 46th St. Homemade bread and baked goods, gluten-free products, fresh herbs, organic eggs, handmade products, cosmetics, clothing and much more. FREE SALSA LESSONS, every Friday from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Chichen Itza Language School on Fourth St. and 10th Ave. SPANISH CONVERSATION CLUB, every Friday, 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Chichen Itza Language School on Fourth St. and 10th Ave. Practice your Spanish conversational skills for free with others students. CINEMA FRIDAYS, every Friday, 8 p.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. in Colonia Ejidal. Free entrance. Check Facebook El Cine Club for schedule. POETRY FRIDAY, every Friday, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 Street in Colonia Ejido. Listen to and read poetry. Free entrance.

12 THURSDAY

EL JARDÍN LOCAL MARKET, every Saturday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. El Jardín Community Center, 20th St. and 10th Ave.

9 MONDAY

PASEARTE COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION, every Saturday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Along Sunyaxchen Ave. Photography, sculpture, poetry, music and more.

FLAMENCO DANCE LESSONS, every Monday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Caracol Marino Cultural Centre, 80th Street, between 10th and Fifth. For more information contact centrocaracol@gmail.com

CYCLING EMBASSY’S BIKE RIDE, every Saturday, 5.30 p.m. Constituyentes Ave. and Diagonal 85. Bike loans and free drinks! Check out the route on Facebook Playa Bicicletero.

ACTING LESSONS, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Caracol Marino Cultural Centre, 80th St. between 10th and Fifth. For more information contact centrocaracol@gmail.com.

PROJECTIONS FOR CHILDREN, every Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Ka´Yok´ Planetarium, Palenque Ave. Sm. 21. $30/$40 pesos resident children/ adults. Check www.ventanaaluniverso.org.

PROJEC TI ONS FOR C H I LD REN, everyday, 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Ka´Yok´ Planetarium, Palenque Ave. Sm. 21. $30/$40 pesos resident children/adults. Check www.ventanaaluniverso.org.

8 SUNDAY

10 TUESDAY

LIFE CHANGE CHURCH SERVICE, non-denominational christians, every Sunday, 10:45 a.m. English Service. City Express Hotel Meeting Rooms, Playacar next to Sam’s Club on Carretera Federal 307.

PAI NTI NG LESSONS, ever y Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a. m. to 12 a. m. and 4 p. m. to 6 p. m. Le Lot us Rouge, Second St . and 35t h Ave. $100 pesos to cover materials.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP, every Sunday, 12 p.m. Ka´Yok´ Planetarium, Palenque Ave. Sm. 21. $40 MXN contribution. Children from 4 years old. Check the Facebook page Planetario de Cancún.

KAVA KASA LOCAL MARKET, every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kava Kasa, 22nd St. and 10th Ave. Organic produce, fresh home baked goods, artisan crafts and more! Shop local and support Playa.

CONSCIOUS RELAXATION WORKSHOP, every Saturday, 10 a.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. Colonia Ejidal. Voluntary contribution.

CHESS WITH CITIZENS FOR THE CULTURE, every Sunday, 5 p.m. Colonia Forjadores Park, 105th Ave. and 15th St. South. Learn and play chess. Free entrance.

SCIENCE FUN, every Tuesday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Ka´Yok´ Planetarium, Palenque Ave. Sm. 21. Check the http://www.ventanaaluniverso.org/ . Free Entrance.

ACCIÓN ANIMAL ADOPTION FAIR, every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tenth St. between Av. 100 and Av. 105, Colonia Ejido. Don´t buy pets, rescue them! Check Facebook Acción Animal.

FOAM PARTY, every Sunday, 11 p.m. Blue Parrot Beach Club, 12th St. and the beach. 2 x 1 on beers and bottles. Fire show and breakdancers. Open bar available.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP, every Sunday, 12 p.m. Ka´Yok´ Planetarium, Palenque Ave. Sm. 21. $40 MXN contribution. Children from 4 years old. Check the Facebook page Planetario de Cancún.

COOLTURA, National Theatre of London presents John, 8 p.m., Universidad del Caribe, SM 78, Mza 1, next to Fraccionamiento Tabachines, Entrance $100 MXN. Facebook ArteyCulturaUnicaribe

7 SATURDAY

PAAMUL ECOMARKET, every Thursday, 8.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Community Fellowship Church Palapa. FREE SPANISH CLASSES, Beginners, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Chichen Itza Language School, Contact lsci.inf@hotmail.com, or call 984 174 5950. DOCUMENTARY FILMS, every Thursday, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 St. in Colonia Ejido. Free entrance. COOLTURA FILM NIGHT, El Borracho, 8 p.m., Universidad del Caribe, SM 78, Mza 1, next to Fraccionamiento Tabachines, Free entrance and popcorn.

13 FRIDAY COCOS BEACH ORGANIC MARKET, every Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Condos Alizes, Avenida CTM and 46th St. Homemade bread and baked goods, gluten-free products, fresh herbs, organic eggs, handmade products, cosmetics, clothing and much more. FREE SALSA LESSONS, every Friday from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Chichen Itza Language School on Fourth St. and 10th Ave. SPANISH CONVERSATION CLUB, every Friday, 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Chichen Itza Language School on Fourth St. and 10th Ave. Practice your Spanish conversational skills for free with others students. CINEMA FRIDAYS, every Friday, 8 p.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. in Colonia Ejidal. Free entrance. Check Facebook El Cine Club for schedule. POETRY FRIDAY, every Friday, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 Street in Colonia Ejido. Listen to and read poetry. Free entrance.

14 SATURDAY

. COOLTURA, Opera from the New York Metropolitan Opera, Iolanta (Tchaikovsky) and El

ACCIÓN ANIMAL ADOPTION FAIR, every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tenth St. between Av. 100 and Av. 105, Colonia Ejido. Don´t buy pets, rescue them! Check Facebook Acción Animal. EL JARDÍN LOCAL MARKET, every Saturday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. El Jardín Community Center, 20th St. and 10th Ave. PASEARTE COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION, every Saturday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Along Sunyaxchen Ave. Photography, sculpture, poetry, music and more. CYCLING EMBASSY’S BIKE RIDE, every Saturday, 5.30 p.m. Constituyentes Ave. and Diagonal 85. Bike loans and free drinks! Check out the route on Facebook Playa Bicicletero. PROJECTIONS FOR CHILDREN, every Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Ka´Yok´ Planetarium, Palenque Ave. Sm. 21. $30/$40 pesos resident children/ adults. Check www.ventanaaluniverso.org.

15 SUNDAY CHESS WITH CITIZENS FOR THE CULTURE, every Sunday, 5 p.m. Colonia Forjadores Park, 105th Ave. and 15th St. South. Learn and play chess. Free entrance. FOAM PARTY, every Sunday, 11 p.m. Blue Parrot Beach Club, 12th St. and the beach. 2 x 1 on beers and bottles. Fire show and breakdancers. Open bar available. BARTER FAIR 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Caracol Marino Cultural Center, Caracol Marino Cultural Centre, 80th St. between 10th and Fifth. Exchange local and organic products, alternative therapies, books and more. ORIGAMI WORKSHOP, every Sunday, 12 p.m. Ka´Yok´ Planetarium, Palenque Ave. Sm. 21. $40 MXN contribution. Children from 4 years old. Check the Facebook page Planetario de Cancún.

16 MONDAY FLAMENCO DANCE LESSONS, every Monday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Caracol Marino Cultural Centre, 80th Street, between 10th and Fifth. For more information contact centrocaracol@gmail.com ACTING LESSONS, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Caracol Marino Cultural Centre, 80th St. between 10th and Fifth. For more information contact centrocaracol@gmail.com. PROJECTIONS FOR CHILDREN, ever yd ay, 5 and 6 p. m. Ka´ Yo k ´ Plane tari u m, Pale nq u e Ave. Sm. 2 1. $30/$4 0 p e sos re s i d e nt c hi ld re n/ad u lt s . C he c k www.ventanaaluniverso.org.

17 TUESDAY PAINTING LESSONS, every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Le Lotus Rouge, Second St. and 35th Ave.$100 pesos to cover materials. KAVA KASA LOCAL MARKET, every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kava Kasa, 22nd St. and 10th Ave. Organic produce, fresh home baked goods, artisan crafts and more! Shop local and support Playa. GUIDED MEDITATIONS, every Tuesday 7 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 St. in Colonia Ejido. Free entrance. THE ART OF SOCIALIZING, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Le Lotus Rouge, Second St. and 35th Ave. Paint, sip and socialize. Free entrance. FREE TANGO LESSONS, every Tuesday, 8 p.m. Roof of The Palm at Playa Hotel, Eighth St. and 10th Ave. Classes by Diego and Lucila. SCIENCE FUN, every Tuesday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Ka´Yok´ Planetarium, Palenque Ave. Sm. 21. Check the http://www.ventanaaluniverso.org/ . Free Entrance.

*For Cancun events, check the highlighted boxes!

February 4 - 17 2015

Theatre Under the Sun The Playa Times spoke with playwright and director Saúl Enríquez about his work and experiences putting on plays in Cancun BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD

TPT: WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MAIN HURDLES YOU HAVE COME ACROSS IN THEATRE? SE: Doing theatre is a leap of faith. You start off with nothing and you have to find your own path. The authorities do not provide any support, in terms of producing plays or for writing. I normally do it using my own funds in the hope that I will recover the expenses. The artist should not be made to suffer, on the contrary, what they produce should be beautiful, artistic, of great quality, and you need the means to achieve that. Although I have learned that there are two sides to the coin: the art and the business. I have had issues with actors, people coming and going, schedules, that is a problem when producing plays for my actors.

he actor, director and playwright Saúl Enríquez was born in Veracruz, in 1979. He started his career in Mexico City, where he took part in around 30 plays. He arrived to Cancun in 2006, where he founded the company NuncaMerlot. As a director, he has put on nine professional plays, but as a playwright, he has worked on more than 50 pieces. In nearly a decade, Enríquez has become a benchmark for theatre from Quintana Roo. With or without support, the theatre company NuncaMerlot has gone from strength to strength with every passing year and every new project. To the north of the state, there is more than just sun and beach, there is also theatre, talent and a cultural option for tourists and residents. To find out more about the company, and their plays, check their Facebook page NuncaMerlot Teatro. THE PLAYA TIMES (TPT): NUNCAMERLOT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR NEARLY A DECADE NOW, WITHOUT LOSING SIGHT OF WHAT REPRESENTS AN EMINENT TOURIST CITY LIKE CANCUN, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE EVOLUTION OF YOUR COMPANY? Saúl Enríquez (SE): It has been great. We have grown as a theatre group and on a national level, we have gained continual recognition. We started at the very bottom, with small-scale theatre performances, always ensuring that the next project would be bigger and more ambitious. We have received awards from outside (of the state), we have made sure that people take a double look at what we do. No one knew who we were at first and people didn’t know what to make of us. It was

NuncaMerlot on stage / Photo: NuncaMerlot / Jos

always my aim to seduce the city. The city has revolved around tourism, offering them cheap drinks and light entertainment. I was hungry for richer and better cultural experiences, something worthwhile. You still hear that there is little culture here, but there are good intentions to improve the situation. TPT: TELL US ABOUT YOUR PLAY, WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND WHAT IS THE STORY YOU WISH TO TELL? SE: It depends on the project. My objective will always be to make people think new thoughts, get them out of their comfort zone and to get them to

TPT: ARE YOU EDUCATING THE PUBLIC OR ARE YOU PROVIDING THEM WITH YOUR PERSONAL ARTISTIC VISION? SE: We have to get the public to appreciate the value of your work. At the end of the day they are the clients. They must consume, and if they don’t, whatever you do won’t work. I often hear people say “we Doing theatre is a leap of should go to…”, as if it were an obfaith. You start off with ligation for people to go see your play or your artwork. If people do nothing and you have to not like what you have to offer it is find your own path” because you are not doing a good Saúl Enríquez job and your work is unattractive to Founder of NuncaMerlot the public. If you are able to get an reflect. I use the characters in the play audience, make sure it is worth their and the new ways of looking at things while and that they want more. as a way to make an impact on society. I like to talk about those who TPT: WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY do not have a voice. If I was to set a WORKING ON? story in a shopping mall, I wouldn’t SE: I am writing a play for the Royal talk about the owner, I would talk Court Theatre in London, about modabout the people who go unnoticed. ern Mexico. It was for a competition, I ask myself why some people val- they chose five plays and among them they chose mine. ued more highly than others.

ART & CULTURE

My Odyssey Through Music Maltrata (1) By Aitana In August 2010, a few months after my brief and pleasant story with the Sirenis Hotel, and after having tried to get into some other projects, most of them just turning out to be “hot air”, I found another band which played original music, this time in Spanish, by the name Maltrata. We were the “usual” four: voice, guitar, drums and bass. I had been contacted somehow (I really can’t recall how we got to know each other) by the bassist, who was also the leader of the band. They had already some songs online on MySpace with their former singer who had to leave for personal reasons -very much to my delight-; now I finally had another band and even better, with original music, yeah! Though I did not write any of those lyrics, I really liked them and also the music style, a bit more Pop than Rock, very nice melodies with lots of feeling. The dynamic in the band was as well very harmonious, we would rehearse once a week on Saturday afternoons (only possible combination of our agendas), have a great time creating music and preparing for local gigs. Luckily we would rehearse in the drummer’s studio above a beauty shop very close to my home; that came in quite handy to my eventual laziness attacks (!).

Carnival in Mexico

why the name Maltrata, which

BY ALEJANDRA CAMPO

honest first I was quite a bit con-

As you have surely heard, the carnival has its roots in the pagan festivals of ancient civilizations, such as Greece and Rome, as well as the festivities that honored the Roman god Bacchus. With the Christianization of post-colonial societies, these celebrations were added to the catholic calendar, and their resurgence in popularity took the form of masquerade balls, like the infamous carnival of Venice. These festivities, known for the dancing, the wild abandon and the frolicking, take place just before Lent -forty days before Holy Weekproviding one last opportunity to let off some steam before the total abstinence from pleasure. The origin of the word “carnival” is said to be derived from the Latin word carne levare “without meat”; other definitions

suggest it comes from carrus navalis -the parade float that would come to Rome and around which people would dance. In Mexico, the carnival has become affiliated with the happy and lively character of the people, and is yet another example of the merger of the pre-Hispanic festivities that coincided with the catholic calendar and ceremonies. Furthermore, the carnival was also a moment to vent and make fun of the Spaniards by using masks, costumes and dances which mimicked the oppressor. The most traditional carnival in Mexico takes place in Veracruz, followed by the one in Mazatlán; many other towns also host their own carnival, like in Tepoztlán and Morelos - the latter known for the famous dance of the chinelos (where dancers dress up to impersonate the

For sure you will ask yourself translated means “abuse” or “mistreat” (in the verbal form). To be fused when I heard the name, especially for such nice music. But then it turned out, that it had nothing to do with the word itself, but with the name of a village in Veracruz, Mexico, which had fascinated the band leader. So the band name was dedicated to that village. And with that name and our music, after just a couple of weeks we were getting ready for

Carnival Quenn in Cozumel / Photo: Unidad del Vocero

Spaniards by wearing white skin masks and beards). The carnivals in Merida and Campeche, from the Yucatan Peninsula, are also renowned. They launch the festivities by burning effigies of “bad mood”, characterized by an unpopular person or figure in society.

our first live performance together In Playa del Carmen, a parade will take place on Feb 12-17 along Fifth Avenue, as well as samba contests at the 28 de Julio square in front of City Hall. In Cozumel, another renowned local spot for carnival, as well as a parade you can enjoy music from famous artists in the town square.

here in Playa del Carmen.

For more information about the author and her band check the Facebook pages Aitana Singer Freelance-Writer and Night Brain

DINING OUT

Photo: Agency

Gourmet Surprise By Rocío Norzagaray

alentine’s Day is nearly here and it is without a doubt a much anticipated date for lovers as well as restaurant

owners and department stores. I don’t consider myself to be the most romantic person and I must confess that I don’t get worked up about the

The Passion Within Food Since ancient times, humans have considered certain products indispensable for their success in love, these are known as aphrodisiacs BY MARÍA MOROTE

hino horns, oysters, leaf-cutter ants… there is a long list of weird food and concoctions behind the concept “aphrodisiac.” So far, there is no scientific evidence that these potions arouse our sexual appetite, but what is this magic spell around them that has captivated humans since the beginning of time? The term “aphrodisiac” comes from Latin aphrodisiacus which comes in turn from the Greek, “venereal” or a form of “sexual pleasure.” In fact, this word refers to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, who emerged from the sea´s foam (aphros means “foam”) after Cronos killed her father, Uranus, and threw his genitals to the ocean. Aphrodisiac mostly refers to a sensual experience rather than sexu-

al. Since ancient times, the food that feels, tastes, smells or looks like the sexual organs has been considered to be an aphrodisiac. Bananas or carrots´ phallic shape, honey or avocado´s gooey and greasiness or wine and seafood´s intense aroma are, oddly enough, are attributes to these foods´ stimulating properties, which has lead us to think that these food might invigorate sexual desire. Mexico has a wide variety of aphrodisiac products that you could incorporate in your Valentine´s Day roman-

Myth or Fact? Aztec emperor Moctezuma drank up to 50 cups of chocolate a day due to its properties as a “love drug”

tic dinner. Let´s take a closer look into some them. First, we have the avocado, aguacate in Spanish. This term comes from Nahualtl ahuacatl which means “testicle.” Aztecs already used to eat them for sexual invigoration because of their high content in vitamin D and E and theobromine. These substances provide energy and increase mental activity, respectively. In addition, Mexico is the land of avocados, 40 percent of the world´s production comes from this country. Hence why you need to include a guacamole in your dinner menu a la Mexicana. Honey is another legendary aphrodisiac and a well-known tonic abundant in the Riviera Maya. Egyptians made medicines against infertility and impotency from it and Cleopatra bathed in milk and honey in order to make her skin look irresistible. The

etymology of the term “honeymoon” is said to come from ancient Rome, when the newlywed couple would drink the honey-based alcoholic drink mead for a month before the wedding in belief that the groom could be virile on the wedding night. Last but not least is chocolate, the king of Valentine´s Day desserts. It is said that the Aztec emperor Moctezuma drank up to 50 cups of chocolate a day due to its properties as a “love drug.” Actually, when consumed this product releases chemical substances that are linked to pleasant emotions such as dopamine, theobromine and phenylethylamine, and which our brain naturally synthesizes when having an orgasm. Aphrodisiacs may only be suggestive of “real” sensual pleasure, but faith can move mountains.

idea of receiving flowers or chocolates; I spent far too long refusing to celebrate this day or coming up with a convincing plan to avoid it, but in the last couple of years I have changed my mind and this is strangely due to my job as a chef. By no means am I suggesting that one should be for or against this celebration, you are in your right to being a Grinch or passionately cheesy, each to their own to decide how to celebrate this day. What I can say and I am now convinced of, is that it is prime opportunity to tell your partner and loved ones how you feel and to make them feel special and loved -I never thought I would ever say such a thing-; time slips away so quickly and since our days are engulfed by all our pursuits, we easily take for granted our significant others and so, we should take the time to acknowledge them and let them know how much they mean to us. And let’s be totally honest, which woman or man doesn’t like to get pampered once in a while? I have seen faces lighten up with huge smiles when seductively surprised by their partners when they are presented with a gourmet meal in the most private, secluded, location you could imagine, with soft lighting, tableware and perfect linen -ingredients for the perfect

By Alejandra Campo

ambience designed exclusively for them without them having to lift a finger as I was able to tend to every detail.

The Children of the Corn (II) From Gastronomy to Industry

Honestly, even I was not convinced that something like that could make

here are dozens of varieties of corn, each differing in flavor, size, texture, use, number of cornrows and even colors: red, purple and blue, among others. Every part of the corn has a use: the leaves, the cob, the “silk” to make tea, even the fungus known as huitlacoche is edible and exquisite in taste; other derivatives include oil and honey.

USES Today, corn even has industrial uses for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, energy and sustainable, environmentally-friendly fuels. In many regions, it is used for artisanal purposes, as is the case with the murals from Tepoztlán made with corn kernels and other grains and seeds, or the colorful artwork from Guerrero using the corn leaves.

PLATES

But what really stands out are the hundreds of varieties of dishes, including drinks such as tejuino, the pozole very popular in this southeastern region, which is mixed with cocoa, or atole blanco which is enjoyed sweet, salty or cold

someone fall in love but the times I was hired to offer this service I was able to witness and share the experience with the client and it was exciting to be an accomplice and the provider of such a romantic and delicious plan. For this

and is served in gourds, and is used as an offering in both Mayan and catholic festivities and ceremonies. In central Mexico, the atole blanco is eaten with a typical candy or with breakfast. Other dishes include: gorditas, tlacoyos, sopes, pellizcadas, huaraches or typical salbutes and panuchos of the region that can be found in restaurants and regional dishes; or in tamales -which also come in a wide variety, such as colados (strained) and torteados (flattened or rolled) tamales-, used as a reference to the myths of creation and death. But, without a doubt, the queen is the tortilla or tlaxcalli, from the Náhuatl word, used to make tacos, enchiladas, flautas, delicious soups, chilaquiles, tostadas…

special night, you might not want to eat out in a restaurant as most do, due to the hassle of booking a table and being surrounded by people, and that is why I can attest to the value of an intimate Valentine’s dinner, which brings me, as a chef, great joy and satisfaction to see the surprised and delighted partner getting basically, the list is endless. In order to quench your thirst, how about some quesadillas with freshly cooked tortillas straight off the comal, or a boiled or grilled corn on the cob, elote, or esquites with salt, lime and chili powder while we continue to evoke the culture of corn?

swept off their feet. Until my next edition especially for foodies, happy Valentine’s Day to you all!

Rocío Norzagaray is a sommelier and private chef. Contact her at info@privatechefplaya.com and www.privatechefplaya.com

February 4 - 17 2015

ENTERPRISE FOCUS

Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps... At a time when inflation, bond yields, commodities, stocks and prices just can’t hold their heads up, will a push for stimulus from the European Central Bank be enough? BY PATRICIA BERRY - INTERCAM

t has certainly been a rough start to the year with inflation around the world dropping lower and lower. In the markets, the strengthening dollar is already affecting companies’ profits, while weakening currencies are hurting several emerging countries. Bond yields keep dropping in the US and in Europe, but private credit simply remains very hard to come by. Oil has lost some 60 percent in value in the last six months and gold will never really pick up as long as the dollar is strong and inflation is nowhere to be found. Even agricultural goods have been on a downtrend.

Stock prices rise or fall by whole percentage points, and movements are mainly on the downside. Now that the fourth quarter earnings results are coming in, positive surprises are due to the revised profit growth estimates, from 11 percent when the quarter started in October, to about three percent now. But things could be changing as of January 22, when the European Central Bank embraces a full QE program. This means the bank will go on a rampant spree of euro-printing and bond-buying, in an effort to jumpstart the economy and inflation in the region. Finally, the third largest economy in the world is getting the stim-

ulus that investors’ had so far only dreamed about. The ECB announced it will be buying 60 billion euros worth of private and public bonds, starting in March and ending in September 2016. It will be buying bonds issued by all member countries, and only Greece is on stand-by, until next Sunday, when their elections decide if they remain in the bailout program or not. The consequences of this are the growing hopes of a large increase in liquidity, an improvement in economic conditions, a reduction in risk aversion and an increasing demand for riskier assets. The better sentiment created by the ECB’s decision will last for a while,

The Legal Forum Real Estate and Social Networks By Jaime de Benito

owadays, social networks have gone from being a fun and simple way for users to stay in touch to an incredibly useful and powerful communication tool. Facebook or Twitter are able to make significant changes to society and even overthrow governments, such as was the case in the Arab Spring and the recent social activism in Hong Kong. In the latter case, the organizers of the protests managed, through social networking on Weibo and mobiles to congregate thousands of people and eventually impede the harsh restrictions imposed by the Chinese government with regards to the electoral system. Every day we become important witnesses to the importance of social networks in every aspect of our lives. You probably remember the viral selfie Ellen DeGeneres took during the last Oscars -which got over 3.3 million retweets- or the soccer world cup during which there were more than 618 thousand tweets per minute during the Germany-Argentina final. The biggest challenge that marketers face

today is how to use this enormously powerful tools to reach more clients. Due to the unique characteristics of the real estate world, independent brokers have a real chance to greatly benefit from these tools. A well-constructed and thought out profile on social networks, in addition to having a decent number of followers, will undoubtedly help to improve an online reputation and will make an agent much more credible in the real world. Other resources for this sector are the search engines for real estate or the 3D videos or views of properties on sale embedded within the social networks’ profiles. They offer boundless and varied opportunities. In order to shed the light and guide real estate agents on how to make the most of their social networks, MEXLAW has organized a seminar that will take place on February 19 at 9 a.m. in the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, located on the federal highway with Paseo Cobá Avenue, Playacar Fase I, Playa del Carmen. For more information please contact me at jaime@ mexlaw.ca or by telephone on 984 179 8084

Oil has lost 60 percent in value in the last six months / Photo: Agency

but caution should not be thrown to the winds. For starters, China and Japan, the second and fourth largest economies, are still weak and uncertain. Although QE has apparently

PROFILE:

Entrepreneurs

in the R i v i e r a

NAME: Javier Escalante COMPANY: Meridian Media

Jaime de Benito is the Vice President of Marketing and Sales for MexLaw. Contact him at jaime@mexlaw.ca - 9841798084

worked in the US and UK, success is by no means guaranteed and any visible improvement will take time. Seat-belts should remain buckled!Bank be enough?

POSITION: Business Developer Director CITY: Playa del Carmen

avier was born in Merida, Yucatan, but from a young age he travelled to the different reaches of Mexico and the world. He has lived in Mexico City, Monterrey, Campeche, Toluca and, on an international scale, in Sussex, England, where he went to high school, and San Antonio, in the US, a country he has had ties to for the longest time since part of this family, on his father’s side, live there. He majored in Communication Science at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, at the Mexico City campus, where he started working in broadcasting -a pursuit that has since made a mark in this life’s path ever since. His passions are music and communication. In the case of the former, he has worked as a music producer for Incorporated Sound Beat and as a production manager for various pop musicians as well as his own band, Tequila Vendetta, where he was also on guitars and vocals. His experience in the communication sector has been linked to music. In Mexico City, he worked for Grupo 7, operators of the radio station Neurótica. He finally made his way to this city towards the end of 2012, to escape the pressure and, according to him, “be able to talk about music once more” by working with Grupo Gaia, operators of Pirata F.M. In fact, he is currently combining his efforts as business developer for Meridian Media with being a radio DJ on the show Rockambolesco for this same station.

TAKE A BREAK

HOROSCOPES

Directions

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20THFEBRUARY 18TH

For the filling Cook the chicken meat with garlic, salt and some water. Grind the achiote with the allspice, cumin and add the broth. Pour over the chicken. Leave to boil until the chicken is fully cooked and the broth has reduced. Add the tomatoes, epazote and salt to taste.

Tamales Colados (“Strained”)

Whatever breaks come your way, especially if it involves love and romance, or you might have been hoping for acknowledgment at work, you won’t be the same as you finally get your lucky break.

PISCES (FEBRUARY 19TH-MARCH 20TH)

Changes in your home could take place now, a new pet, redecorating or moving to a new place. These are positive, though they might seem a bit overwhelming. Expect some internal emotional changes.

ARIES (MARCH 21ST-APRIL 19TH)

Makes 10 servings

Some great news could change your life forever. It might involve a new partnership or opportunities in your community. You will probably want to schedule a romantic evening with your partner.

Whatever work you do is likely to seem more emotionally rewarding than it has been. This should boost your spirits considerably. This could involve a raise, promotion or opportunities for freelance work.

RECIPE

TAURUS (APRIL 20TH-MAY 20TH)

Ingredients 35 ounces of tortilla masa flour 2 litres of water 18 ounces of lard 1 teaspoon of achiote 3 epazote leaves 40 square banana leaves 10 x 10 inches, fried For the filling 1 chicken, in pieces

21 ounces of pulled pork loin 4 garlic cloves, fried ¼ tablespoon of allspice A pinch of cumin ½ cup of broth 14 ounces of peeled and chopped tomatoes 3 epazote leaves Salt to taste Habanero sauce or tomato sauce with habaneros

For the tamales Dilute the masa in water and strain with cheesecloth. Leave the masa to rest, and keep adding a little water when the masa drops to the bottom of the container. Melt the lard with the achiote and the finely chopped epazote and pour over the masa, mix it in and add salt. Roll the masa into small balls and individually flatten them to form thick tortillas. Place each onto a banana leaves, add the filling, and a spoonful of the habanero sauce. Roll the lower leaf side up to close. Repeat until there is no more masa or filling. Place the tamales in a steamer pot containing some water. Cook over a medium-heat for 1 hour.

GEMINI You should be feeling especially creative and romantic , and you could spend a lot of your day either planning, working on projects, or getting together with a love partner.

CANCER (JUNE 22ND- JULY 22ND)

Past buried feelings about your family could come up. Don’t be afraid to show your pain. This is a positive development.

CROSSWORD

(MAY 21TH-JUNE 21TH)

LEO (JULY 23RD – AUGUST 22ND)

VIRGO (AUGUST 23RD – SEPTEMBER 22ND)

Acknowledgment for work well done could come your way. It might also involve an increase in income. This a project that you’ve been working on and accomplished successfully.

LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23RD – OCTOBER 22ND)

WORD SEARCH

Group activities could lead to positive changes in your community. You will enjoy exchanging ideas and information with others and could come away from these activities feeling exhilarated.

Communications received from distant states or foreign lands could have you entertaining the idea of traveling to those places. Learning about different cultures, ideas, and perspectives is very much on your mind.

Across 1 4 9 10 11 12 13 18 20 22 23 24 25

Down

Song type (6) Casual trousers (6) Sparred (anag) (7) Beautiful girl (5) Put up (5) Erudite (7) Characteristic of the 1890s (3,2,6) Lead (a team) (7) Galled (5) Physical appearance (5) Excluded (4,3) Protective covering (6) Slow down (6)

AMALGAM ANESTHETIC ARCH BRACES CANINE CROSSBITE CUSPID IMPLANT MAXILLARY MESIAL MOLAR TARTAR

SCORPIO

An old friend could suddenly reappear, and you might view this person in a different light as a potential business partner, source of inspiration, or even a romantic possibility.

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22ND-JANUARY 19TH)

The opportunity to spend time serving those in need could present itself. This could be in a professional capacity or helping someone who’s having troubles. Don’t resist and go with the flow.

SUDOKU PUZZLE

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22ND-DEC 21ST)

Chancellor of the Exchequer’s responsibility? (6) Permission (5) Tipped off (7) Where Idris was king (5) Military rank (7) On an even keel (6) Futility (11) Better (7) Gourmet (7) Weighing machine (6) Prepared for publication (6) Useful or valuable quality or possession (5) Swedish currency unit (5)

DENTAL TERMS

(OCTOBER 23RD- NOVEMBER 21ST)

Write down any dreams you remember. They might not make sense to you now, but if you analyze them later, you’re likely to find that they reveal a lot about you that you weren’t previously aware of.

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Enter digits from 9 to 1 into the blank spaces Every row most contain one of each digit So must every column, as must every 3x3 square

LAST ISSUE'S SOLUTION

February 4 - 17 2015

GENERAL SERVICES

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I’m afraid to ask this question because I know you’re going to make fun of me, but is it true that taxi drivers will kidnap you if your resort is really far away from town? We’re really nervous about it and thinking of renting a car.

BOKANOVA DENTAL CENTER Cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics ENGLISH SPOKEN. Plaza Paraiso 10th Avenue South, near the entrance to Playacar, Playa del Carmen. Telephone 984 803 1043

Nervous Nelly

While I cannot speak for all taxi drivers in Playa, I can tell you that a very large percentage of them do not kidnap tourists, no matter how far away their resort is from town. Think of it this way… to kidnap someone, you need to have at least some infrastructure in place to arrange for the ransom. You need a place to keep the kidnappee, a group of friends who are willing to ignore that you are keeping someone there against their will, and phones that are untraceable by local, state, and federal law enforcement who will just figure out where you are and come and arrest you. Then, you need to have a way for the kidnappee’s family to wire you the money. Since international wire transfers are not entirely the easiest things to manage on the best of days in Mexico, this is highly unlikely. So, you need to be able to figure out a way that the kidnappee’s family can bring you the money, probably in large canvas bags with huge dollar signs on them. Like, smuggling a lot of money is one of those things that customs doesn’t check for when people are entering a foreign country. This is all assuming that the taxi driver knows that the person who he or she is kidnapping

Classifieds

Dear Craig Dear Nelly,

CLASSIFIEDS

has a wealthy enough family to make the whole thing worth it. Put it another way: there are more tourists who get eaten by crocodiles in the lagoon in Cancun every year than who get kidnapped by taxi drivers. Last year, we had the lowest kidnapping rate by taxi drivers ever. The total was zero. The year before that, we nearly beat that number by also having zero taxi driver-related kidnappings. I can understand why you would think that I make fun of you because your question can easily be looked up on Google, like so many of the questions that I get asked each edition. A better question would have been, “Should I ask the cab driver to stop texting while he’s driving my family at highway speeds?” Another one would be, “Should I bother tipping a cab driver who doesn’t bother to have seat belts in his car?” Or “If my cab driver is clearly drunk, is it socially acceptable to nudge him in the back of the head to keep him from passing out?” Anyway, I hope I have assuaged your fear of being kidnapped by people who basically just tolerate you being in their country and could care less if you visit their country or not. All the best,

MD PLAYA MEDICAL Specialists in endocrinology, cardiology, general medicine, psychiatry, orthopedics and trauma, dermatology, gynaecology ,obstetrics and children’s medicine. Plaza Paraiso Caribe. 5th Street between Avenues 10 & 15. For appointments call 984 803 0648.

RENTALS & PROPERTIES

. g i a r C

RESTAURANTS

Craig Norton is a Canadian expat and one of the founding members of Comedy Playa. If you have a question email dcraignorton@gmail.com

Look at this happy face! Bella was born about January 2013 and arrived at the shelter July 2013. She weighs about 33 pounds, she is spayed and up to date on all vaccinations. When a local woman found Bella living on the beach, this beautiful girl had just had her first litter of pups at the tender age of six months. Although this woman could not keep Bella permanently, she cared for her in her own home for over two months, until room became available for her at PAR. Bella is a young, small/medium, eager angel, waiting for a great family!

B E L LA

If you have any questions about the available dogs from Playa Animal Rescue, contact Pat at info@playaanimalrescue.org

RESTAURANTE PATANEGRA Delicious homemade Spanish food. Try the best tapas, paellas and more. Fine selection of Spanish red and white wines. On 26th St. between Avenues 10 and 15. Telephone 984 877 0701. Facebook Restaurante Patanegra PORTO BELLO PRIVATE RESIDENCE CLUB Hassle free vacation homes with Porto Bello to speak to a desination specialist call 984 873 5909 or toll free from U.S. 1855 381 4282 or Canada 1855 744 6801 ownit@experienceportobello.com www.experienceportobello.com

ROTARY CLUB PLAYA DEL CARMEN SEASIDE Weekly meetings at SOHO HOTEL. 24 St and 10 st avenue. Tuesdays 12.30pm Visitors are welcome, for more information email: kwdoug1@yahoo.com

NORTH AMERICAN STANDARDS PROPERTY SERVICES Management, rentals and sales at their best. Playa del Carmen, Mexico. CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY! 984 873 3548 website: rentals@nasplaya.com

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS English spoken Tuesdays and Fridays 5.30pm. Spanish spoken Monday to Friday 7pm. 35th Avenue and 34th Street, Playa del Carmen. info@naplaya.com

CONTACTS & PERSONALS