Edition 73 by theplayatimes

Biweekly · Year 02 · Number 73 · 20,000 copies · 24 Pages · N o v e m b e r 2 5 - D e c e m b e r 8 , 2 0 1 5

Riviera Maya 2015 International Dance Festival S MASP IDE

Free performances will take place at Playa’s City Theatre and Blue Parrot from December 7 to 13, with workshops at Explayarte, Playa’s Cultural Center and the City Theater

theplayatimes.c o m

Photo: FI Danza

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TPT FOODIES

· DISCOVER MEXICO

V E G A N F E S T I VA L A N D C O O K I N G C L A S S E S

ANIMAL WELFARE DECLARATION FOR ANIMAL WELFARE

RIVIERA HIGHLIGHTS

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December 8 to 13, divers can revel in the annual festival, and for those looking for unique artisans should check our list of go-to places in our guide for independent travelers

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Photo: IFAW

Tulum showcases and supports the premise of veganism and we provide a listing of courses for those wishing to improve their culinary skills

Photo: Pixabay

Craft Route & Cozumel Scuba Fest

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November 25 - December 8 2015

>Editorial DIRECTORY Javier Escalante Managing Director javier@meridianmedia.mx

Beatriz Lucas Editor edition@meridianmedia.mx

Cyrielle Noblesse French Copy Editor

Efrén Velázquez Graphic Design design@meridianmedia.mx

Fabián Muñoz Ilustration: Creative Commons

Sales Manager Cell: 984 188 3951 ventas@meridianmedia.mx

Erika Serra Sales Executive directmarketing@meridianmedia.mx

Karla Mora Sales Executive Promopack@meridianmedia.mx

An Unforgettable Mexican Winter

Ana Martínez Community Manager & Marketing marketing@meridianmedia.mx

BY BEATRIZ LUCAS

Milton Rosel Distribution Supervisor distribution@meridianmedia.mx

There is no denying that the Riviera Maya truly comes alive in winter. Alfresco festivals transform streets with live music, film, art and entertainment; beaches buzz with sun seekers, kite surfers and paddle boarders; divers disappear into the depths of the oceans seeking out Nemo; cafes, taco stands, restaurants and bars welcome foodies early and stay open late; and the mu-

sicians from the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival and dancers for FIDanza step into the spotlight. In this issue of The Playa Times, we bring you the essential ingredients to make the most of the Mexican Caribbean over the festive season. Savour a lazy brunch in town and enjoy a few early evening drinks, or head over to Tulum and explore the Vegan Food Festival. Explore the historic cobblestoned streets of Izamal as you go on our Ar-

tisan Route through the peninsula, before doing a spot of shopping in town in preparation for Christmas and treat yourself by picking up some beautiful handcrafted souvenirs. We have also put together a jampacked calendar of all the events that should be on your radar for the next two weeks, so you don’t miss a beat. We hope you enjoy this issue. Here is to an unforgettable Mexican Winter!

ERRATUM

/theplayatimes

In Edition 72 ( November 11 to 24, 2015), on page 26, The Playa Times made the false claim that Intercam has a gold and platinum card. Intercam does not provide this service to people, and The Playa Times apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.

@ThePlayaTimes 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 25

THU 26

FRI 27

SAT 28

SUN 29

MON 30

TUE 1

WED 2

THU 3

FRI 4

27°/21° C

26°/20° C

27°/20° C

27°/18° C

Some sun, a couple of showers

Partly sunny, showers around

Some sun with a stray shower

A little more rain

28°/22° C

28°/18° C

28°/21° C

28°/26° C

28°/19° C

27°/22° C

Rather cloudy, a little rain

Partly sunny

Time of clouds and sun

Partly sunny with a shower

Mostly cloudy a little rain

65% chance of rain NE at 15 km/h

60% chance of rain NNE at 17 km/h

41% chance of rain NNW at 15 km/h

55% chance of rain NNW at 15 km/h

Mostly sunny

55% chance of rain NE at 20 km/h

0% chance of rain NNE at 11 km/h

4% chance of rain N at 18 km/h

55% chance of rain NE at 18 km/h

55% chance of rain ENE at 26 km/h

10% chance of rain NW at 11 km/h

NEWS IN BRIEF

Riviera Maya 2015 International Dance Festival Free performances will take place at Playa’s City Theatre and Blue Parrot from December 7 to 13, with workshops at Explayarte, Playa’s Cultural Center and the City Theater BY MELISSA ROBLES

he Riviera Maya 2015 Festival Internacional de Danza, FIDanza, one of the most important events of the year, will take place in Playa del Carmen from December 7 to 13. Dance companies such as Cuatro por Cuatro, Delfos, Moving Borders, Camerino 4, and Contracuerpo will perform for free during the event at the Teatro de la Ciudad and the Blue Parrot, according to event director Liliana Alarcón Martínez. The invited country is Spain, represented by Mar Gómez. The workshops will take place at Explayarte, the Cultural Center, and Playa del Carmen theater while the talks about dance will be in Casa Sofia restaurant. The format will be the same as the FITeatro as both events are or-

Delfos / Photo: Martín Gavita

ganized by the cultural promotion group Mujeres en Acción Escénica (Women on Stage), whose objective is to promote the arts and support new talent through showcasing local and international talent. Through an invitation to

4,500 peo ple

$3,000,000

are expected to attend FI Danza over the course of the week.

by government officials and private investors.

pesos invested

participate, they were able to unite different talents. Bajo Luz will present Saberse Agua, Colectivo Playa is presenting Con-Juntos and the State Dance Company will present Gala Contemporánea. According to Alarcón Martínez, the expected attendance is 4,500 during the whole week. The dance festival has invested three million pesos in the event, supported by the National Council for Culture and the Arts, the Secretary of Culture of Quintana Roo, the local government, and private investors. In Playa del Carmen, we are avid cultural consumers, it is exciting to be able to support dancers and choreographers, and provide a platform for their artform. This event is supported by an important lineup of dance companies and the support of many. The International Dance Festival will bring the public and performers closer together.

November 25 - December 8 2015

NEWS IN BRIEF

NATIONAL NEWS

NEWSNewsNEWA

for the last two decades, resulting in a $1.5 billion dollar investment and clinical trials on more than 40,000 people. Mexico is expected to be one of the first countries in the world to receive this vaccine. Photo: Sanofi

A Vaccine for Dengue Could Be Available in 2016

Photo: Wikipedia

BY THE PLAYA TIMES

fter 80 years of investigation, next year by the latest, dengue will become a preventable illness. This viral illness is transmitted by the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year between 50 and 100 million people get infected with dengue around the world. Approximately, two out of every 100 people with dengue die. Dengue is an inconsistent illness, with some years the illness is more prevalent than others. In 2013, there were 60,000 confirmed cases in Mexico, in 2014 there were 30,000 and so far in 2015, there are already 32,000 confirmed cases, which is outpacing reported data from this time last year. The Federal Commission for Health Protection (COFEPRIS) expressed confidence that by November 2016, the dengue vaccine developed by French drugmaker Sanofi will be made commercially available. Sanofi has been working on a vaccine

Mexican Beekeepers Beat Monsanto

BY THE PLAYA TIMES

here is a buzz amongst the Mexican honey producers after a big win against Monsanto, the agrochemical, agricultural biotechnology company. In August, a Mexican district judge in the state of Yucatan ruled to overturn the 2012 permit issued by Semarnat, which would have allowed Monsanto to plant more than 253,000 hectares of its Roundup Ready Seeds. The company would have planted the crops in the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche, and Yucatan. The Mexican honey producers fought against the permit as scientific evidence pointed to the fact that GM crops negatively impact honey bee pollination and in turn honey production. More than 25,000 families in the Yucatan rely on honey production for their livelihood.

November 25 - December 8 2015

ART & CULTURE

Solidaridad Art Festival Prizes The first municipal art and photography contest celebrated local artists in photography, painting, sculpture, and film BY JUAN SOSA A few days ago at the Teatro de la Ciudad, prizes were given to winners of the first municipal Art and Photography Contest, with the intention of promoting local artists. The Solidaridad Government in conjunction with the Department of Culture and the National Council for the Arts, recognized these contributions to the arts in our community. The jury awarded the following artists prizes:

Celebration of Jacinto Canek in Merida, on December 14 / Photo: Wikimedia

M aya Culture celeb rati ons i n Decem b e r BY MELISSA ROBLES To close the year, the Municipal Coordination for Diffusion of Indigenous Cultures has prepared two events which will preserve and teach about the traditions of our Maya ancestors. Hermelindo Be Cituk, head of the group, explained that Playa del Carmen is a multicultural destination where 16 of the 72 ethnic groups of Mexico reside. It is important to conserve the culture and its richness for new generations and transmit it to the more than 4.6 million tourists who arrive in Playa del Carmen each year. On December 14, the anniversary of Jacinto Canek’s death will be celebrated with floral offerings at the monument of Jacinto Canek in Ave. Jacinto Canek in Merida. He was one of the precursors to the indigenous movement against the Spanish conquest, which started the Mayan social war of 1761. Jacinto Canek’s life and death is similar to Peru’s indigenous leader Túpac Amaru, who also was one of the first indigenous people to rebel against European domination. Both were captured and dismembered in public. Although they were both raised by Catholic priests, Jacinto was ex-

pelled from the convent because of his rebellious nature and began the fight for freedom. He was so popular that they assigned him the title of “Jacinto Canek, Little Moctezuma” and there is a large statue in his honor located in the Avenue Jacinto Canek in Merida. Even though the movement did not last more than a week, he is remembered in the spirit of the people for having expressed his desire for liberty. Another event prepared by the cultural office will be on December 22. There will be a ceremony to receive the winter solstice at the archeological site at Playacar. The program is open to the general public. For the Maya culture, a new cycle begins with every season. The spring is the beginning of the planting season for corn, while in December the harvest began. Furthermore, the pyramid of Kukulkán in Chichén Itza also functions as a calendar. Thanks to these markers of time, they developed a complete and exact numerical system. The Maya calendar system is related to agriculture and religion in order to receive the cycles of the year, which are still represented in Playa del Carmen.

Photography: First place: Adrián Hernández Binz Second place: Hans Reinhard Third place: Iago Leonardo Fernández Cabrera Painting: First place: Jacobo Roa Carmona Second place: Peter Terrin Third place: Bernardo Soriano Gatica Sculpture: First place: Carlos José Michieli Alvarado Second place: Gerardo Serrano Fuentes Third place: Octavio Galicia rojas Film: First place: Lourdes Ibarra Calvo Second place: Felipe Espinosa Díaz Third place: Octavio Galicia Rojas

First Place Winners: Adrián Hernández Binz for Photography Jacobo Roa Carmona for Painting Carlos José Michieli Alvarado for Sculpture Lourdes Ibarra Calvo for Film This event also gave a dozen special recognitions to promote culture and art in the Riviera Maya. These were given to support the work of artists who are often not given enough recognition, according to Luis Ernesto López Vargas, director of culture in Solidaridad There was also a concert given by the Valsassina Chamber Music Ensemble, of Vienna, Austria, directed by Marta Gardolinska. They delighted the event attendees with their collection of classic themes by Mozart and Paganini, and also played pieces by Latin artists Jorge Moral and Arturo Tolentino. Yucatecan tenor singer León de Castillo was also a special guest. At the end of the event, attendees enjoyed the exhibition in the theater lobby.

The first annual contest was created to recognize local artists / Photo: Solidaridad Department of Culture

ART & CULTURE

E X PAT P R O F I L E S Quit Your Job and Become a Fashion Designer in Tulum

Quit Your Job and Become an Artist in Akumal

Making a List and Checking It Twice Riviera Maya Holiday Shopping Ideas BY CATHERINE PAWELEK

R Photo: Jonathan Plata

Photo: Isabel Schober

Name: Cynthia Beckwith-Conran

Name: Isabel Schober

Tulum is a big jump from London or Los Angeles. How did you find your way to a small Maya fishing town in Mexico? Yes, I am a native of L.A. and have been living in London for the past 15 years raising my three young daughters. I started modelling at the young age of 15 years old, and I found Tulum 15 years ago and have returned every year, without fail. Although it has changed dramatically since that first trip, it still holds the torch to my heart and soul!

Where are you from and how did you find yourself in the Akumal? I was born in Kansas City, Kansas but called Vail, Colorado home for 32 years. My new home since 1995 is Akumal. I have been a full-time Akumal resident for 20 years.

How has Tulum inspired your line of designs? Tulum inspires my life and work, hugely. Starting with the peace and calm it brings to me which allows me to be open and creative, to the natural beauty surrounding me in the land, huge sky and sea. I often lie in my hamaca and stare at the gold moon and stars and these moments bring loads of clarity that defines my collection! What are the challenges and highlights of living in Tulum? That is an appropriate question at this moment as I am finishing building my jungle dream home that has brought many challenges! At the moment, it’s dealing with electricity! My label, Cynthia Conran AnyEveryWear, is London designed and Tulum produced. Therefore, most of my work highlights are happening here. Who inspires you in Mexican fashion and your creations? My biggest is Frida Kahlo. Her strength, beauty, talent and an immense sense of style is what I see in Mexican women and their fashion. I believe this is in the core of my collection which is strongly Goddess-based. Will you continue to live here or are other parts of the world calling you? I have visited and lived in many beautiful places around the world, but none has enraptured me as Tulum. I never dreamt I would find my Nirvana in this charming piece of Mexico, and as long as I am welcome, I am staying!

See Cynthia and her incredible designs at www.cynthia-conran.com or Facebook/Cynthia Conran.

What are your mediums for your artwork? I have always expressed myself through art. I started off as a sculpture and bronze artist and expanded my education/ creativity through historical reenactment in the fur trade era. At that time, my antique bead collection and custom jewelry making business took off. In the last 20 years I have gained recognition in Akumal for my oil paintings, acrylic paintings, mosaic tiling, and jewelry. What motivates your creations? Wildlife and wild people! Native birds and animals, as well as, regalia indigenous to the Maya/Mexico culture, as depicted in “Mayan Warrior”, “Mayan Woman”, and “My Garden Friends”. How has your art been supported in the Akumal area? Mostly though private home and villa owners interested in decorating by using the tropical paintings and mosaic tables or wall designs. I show and sell my art through appointments and invitations to my home gallery.

osalia Maya Textiles on 5th Avenue, between 12th Street and 14th, features Mexican textiles, made by a women’s cooperative from Chiapas. Here you will find magnificently embroidered table runners, clothes, pillows and carpetbagger purses that are all distinctly Mexican and will be loved by anyone on your list. Sol Jaguar is an authentic Mexican craft store full of treasures, including ceramics and hand-painted wood carvings. These are perfect to display on a sideboard or as a present for that hard working partner. They are located on 5th Avenue between 4th and 6th Street. La Troupe with its unique women’s clothing line is a true one of a kind shop. Here you will find a hand embellished vest, unique top or fringed embroidered shawl that doubles as a skirt. All would be much appreciated by your favorite sister. Located on Quinta between Calle 28 and 30. Tierra Huichol Gallery in Playa offers beautiful one of a kind art pieces for that spotlighted display shelf. On 5th Ave (between Calle 38 and 40), you can choose from a small beaded turtle, a larger than life unicorn or a

yarn painting depicting Maya life - all handmade by Huichol artists. We can´t say it enough! Visit this gallery for truly authentic and inexpensive gifts. The Tulum Honey Store on the Coba road is the ideal place to purchase honey shampoo or honey candies for a thoughtful friend. These are made from our local melipona bee and quintessentially represents Quintana Roo. Also, try the delicious cacao infused honey jars at The Little Mexican Cooking School in Puerto Aventuras. Candle Boutique/ Arte Velas will light up your life with a gamut of candles in every imaginable shape, color and size as well as corresponding bowls and stands to showcase their product. Check out the cone shaped candles that look like wall sconces. Two, please! Find them on 1st Avenue between Calle 12 and 14 El Jaguar Dorado stands behind their made in Mexico products. Purchase a handcrafted book that doubles as a diary for a young niece. The large neutral-hued bags, made in Chiapas on a loom with leather straps will be appreciated by the neighbor that watches your home. Don’t have time to stop by the store, simply shop their convenient online store. Calle 8 between 10th Avenue and 15th.

When not creating art, what do you do daily in Akumal? Snorkel, visit historical sites, attend local restaurants and events with friends and family, hanging out at Farsidetara, my nickname for my Jungle villa, and of course make more art! What has been the biggest challenge for you living here and how do you overcome it? Prior to Playa’s growth the hardest challenge was finding supplies and other home items that were not regularly available. None really. Do you feel Akumal will be your last home or are other parts of the world calling to you? Yes, Akumal is my final home. They’re digging a hole for me right now! I hope to travel more. However, Akumal is my final home, and I plan on joining the friends and loved ones I have had the honor of sprinkling to their final destinations in the Caribbean Sea. Isabel can be reached at icbschob@gmail.com for appointments to see her artwork.

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

Beautiful handmade products made in Mexico can be found in El Jaguar Dorado /Photo: eljaguardorado.com

November 25 - December 8 2015

TPT FOODIES

The Art of Cooking Whether you are the next Top Chef or need your cookbook for making hard boiled eggs, there is a cooking class in the Riviera Maya created just for you BY CATHERINE PAWELEK

o.Cos (Cocina.Cosmopolita) Chef Coty Villarreal’s cooking classes in Playa del Carmen are for beginners, kids, couples and professionals. Learn the intricacies of preparing a medley of cooking styles from Mexican to Mediterranean and Asian. They are not only about teaching you how to cook but about Mexico’s culture, food and spirits. Catering and chef services are also available. Culinary courses start at $115 USD daily, with bi-weekly and monthly classes also available. Every Friday there is a “Drinking School” mixology class. www.cookinplaya.com

inal recipes, locate the ingredients and cook with them. Each dish is authentically prepared from scratch, with natural and the best ingredients in the privacy of your home. The cost for the hands-on cooking classes are one person $85 USD or 4 or more people at $44 USD per person. This cost includes the ingredients, the recipe book (in English) and a full dinner at the end of the class. http://xileverde.tripod.com/ Mexico Lindo Cooking focuses each class on a region in Mexico. Whether you want to learn how to make tamales, Yucatecan delicacies or seafood

Chile Verde Mexican Cooking Classes teach you how to prepare orig-

D i d yo u kn ow? Many 5-star resorts offer seasonal cooking classes. If you’re staying at a resort, check with the front desk to see if they offer a class.

dishes, there is a class for you. Classes are held in a large open kitchen in a classic Mexican casita, surrounded by nature, but only 5 minutes from Puerto Morelos. The price of $195 USD includes not only the 6 to 10 item classes but also breakfast, apron, recipe book and much more. www.mexicolindo.com The Little Mexican Cooking School is located in Puerto Morelos. These classes provide an adventure in cooking, as well as preparing and tasting authentic and modern Mexican dishes. There are currently seven different menus on the schedule, representing the various regions of Mexico. Classes are limited to 18 students are $128 USD per person for a five-hour class. The day starts with breakfast and ends with a mid-afternoon libation and goodie bag to take home. www.thelittlemexicancookingschool.com Food Motion Cooking Workshop was formed with the primary aim of providing top quality classes in the privacy of your home. Events, catering and personal chef services are provided as well. Classes are approximately 3 hours long, and although Chef Alexandra’s specialty is Mexican cuisine, she prepares Asian, children’s, vegetarian and aphrodisiac classes as well. Prices depend on the menu you choose to cook. www.foodmotionmexico.com

Lettuce Be Happy The Tulum Vegan Fest BY CATHERINE PAWELEK The Tulum Vegan Fest was born out of a desire to support a variety of groups and organizations, whose objectives are to respect the life of all beings and showcase the premise that veganism is beneficial not only to your help but the environment as well. A variety of activities will be offered during the festival including cooking classes, yoga classes, music, seminars, workshops and more. If you want to learn how to cook or expand your repertoire of vegan dishes, then take the cooking classes spearheaded by excellent Mexican chefs, specializing in vegan cooking. Once you have learned how to feed your stomach, it is time for the spirit to get nourished, giving you the abil-

ity to practice with internationally renowned yoga teachers. Enjoying the live musical concerts amidst a jungle atmosphere will certainly be a natural medicine for the soul. Spend some time at the various seminars and conferences and you will surely take away a lot of useful information. The workshops featuring permaculture (which is a system of agricultural and social design principles, centered around, simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems) are intended to leave an everlasting impression. This celebration’s penultimate focus is to raise money for local organizations and sanctuaries. 100 percent of the profits will be distributed to organizations and sanctuaries like

100% of the profits to benefit local area organizations and sanctuaries / Photo:Tulum Vegan Fest

Anima Naturalis Mexico and Tierra de Animales, the second largest sanctuary in all of Mexico and home to over 400 rescued animals. Since Tulum has become a destination for those that are ecologically minded, health conscious and have an interest in archeology, this event will be held at Holistika Tulum, on November 28. It positions Tulum as the center and catalyst for this life-

style and whether you are vegan or just have an interest in finding out more, it is the perfect opportunity to expand your horizons. Some of the participants include Ana Forrest (yoga), Leonora Esquivel (Animal Naturalis), Jose Calarco (musician and producer), Jane Briceño (Vegan Planet), Ricardo Pimentel (founder Tierra de Animales), David Donaldson (Biomilpa), Karla Acevedo (Her-

bolaria Maya) and many more. The organizers, which also includes Roberto Terrazas, chef, and co-owner of Restaurare, one of the most important vegan restaurants in the Riviera Maya, expect over 3,000 visitors to this event. Another coordinator is Isro Vergara, coofounder, and director of the Band of Designers, an agency specializing in communications and design.

TPT FOODIES

ina c o C N A Ui t e r r a n e a Med

s ta u ra n t e n e d re M e d ite rp o ly w h e n e e rs t h e b e s t o f h e o ri g N AU o ff u is in e, m ix in g t e s w it h ra n e a n c f s ig n a t u re d is ha l g ri ll . in a li ty o ke d o n a c h a rcoc u s to m o d co o s u rp ri s e t h e ir ri o s ity fo f o it io n e cu t h e t ra d m e n u c re a te d to a t a ro u s y or p t io n s t ht h e ta rta r t ri lo g o In a l ra e v e , s s t re o a h . s d e rs , t h e reh e s p ic y p o ta to e d o n a fa k ir b e t h e lo b s te r t s u c h a s s ri b s te a k co o k is t h e fi s h a n d s h is flo w n fi u t h e A n g “ca tc h o f d ay ” s h e rm e n . S h e ll t c u s to m e rs T h e ir y by lo ca l fi a c if ic s o t h a ms eP d a il ” a n d “ C la b ro u g h t h e r d ay fro m t h - s ty le m u s s e ls o ce a n . e ve ry o t y t h e ir “ M a ri n e ra a s ce n t o f t h e G in a n d To n ca n e n jo w in e” s t ill w it h te re s t is t h e ir b ra n d s a n d in w h ite t h e r fa c to r o f in d e s d if fe re n t t io n to “ M a in c lu Ano r a tte n rra n o p e p u , w h ic h raw yo u e ic ’s m e nt io n s o f g in s . D M ex ica n g in , s h ra it a r p w re d p spoilt fo p re p a re r. li n c h e”, h ib is c u s flo w e ell, you will beatalana” is p e r a n d for desserts, w n! Of Crema C this tradiAs n of vatio rpretatio he “Inno M o u s s e” choice. Tf’s personal intee “Passion Fruit passion the Che essert, while th strawberry and ays the tional d s the flavors of rse, there is alw mingle nd then, of cou n”. Av fruit. A late Temptatio a te d o n 15 t h C ity “Choco n ve n ie n t ly lo c t , in fro n t o f joy en Co t re e p la ce to d 8th S e n u e a n AU is t h e id e a l e r fo r b u s in e s s H a ll , N o r d in n e r, e it h fr ie n d s . Fu rlu n c h h fa m il y a n d e rs a ll it s o r w it o re, N AU o ff rs o f fre e ou t h e rm rs tw o h c u s to m e g . ta u p a rk in efi n ite ly a re s in g , D is it v h rt o ra n t w n d ove r a ga in . ove r a

NAU

15th Avenue and 8th Street, in front of City Hall 984 197 4121 * correo@nau.mx Facebook/ Restaurante NAU

November 25 - December 8 2015

ANIMAL WELFARE

HEALTH & YOGA

Fridays, 2-4 p.m. Volunteers needed to help socialize kittens. It’s also a great de-stressor!

MEDIATION TUESDAYS ,

COCO’s KITTEN CUDDLE.

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

ENTERTAINMENT

SPECIAL EVENT

at Palapa Suuk. Every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. on Av. CTM between 5a Av. and 10th Av. Cost: $60 MXN. For more info visit www.posadasuuk.com.

YOGA SHALA , at Palapa Suuk. Multiple classes offered Monday through Friday, including Kundalini, Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga. Cost: $10 USD per class. They also have discounted multiple day & local rate. For more info and schedule visit www.posadasuuk.com.

daily classes, all levels welcome, limited mats & blocks to borrow. Kava Kasa located in Hotel Aventura Mexicana, Calle 24 between 5 and 10. Cost: Donation. For more info and schedule visit Facebook /Kava Kasa

“PAY WHAT YOU CAN” YOGA,

ZUMBA, Weekdays, 7:10 a.m. Mario Villanueva Madrid Stadium, 10th Avenue and 34th Street. Cost: Donation.

13th ANNUAL RIVIERA MAYA JAZZ FESTIVAL, Three nights of jazz on

the beach. Artists include Sheila E, Zappa Plays Zappa, Tio Gus, Guacamole, and more. Thursday November 26 - Saturday November 28, Mamita’s Beach Club. Starts 7:00 p.m. Free. More information at Facebook/Riviera Maya Jazz Festival.

HEINEKEN WINTER BEACH, DJ

Festival , December 3rd through December 6th. Various locations. More information at heinekenwinterbeach.mx.

ACCIÓN ANIMAL ADOPTION FAIR, every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7

p.m. Tenth St. between Ave. 100 and Av. 105, Colonia Ejido. Don’t buy pets, rescue them! Check Facebook /Acción Animal.

SINTERKLAAS CELEBRATION , 5th Avenue, evening of December 6. Dominique Restaurant, 10th street and the beach, Playa. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adults $180, kids from 3 to 11 y.o. $100, kids 2 or younger go free. Includes buffet, beer and wine. Max. gift cost $300 pesos.

For more information and to register visit Facebook/BelgicaCancun

MARKETS 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.

KAVA KASA LOCAL MARKET

NOV 25- DEC 8

2015

EL ÁRBOL PLAYACAR MARKET , every Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tulum Avenue, Local 6. Playacar Fase II.

THANKSGIVING

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.

SALT ROCK GRILLE + Cocktails THANKSGIVING DINNER SPECIAL ,

Thursday November 26, Fifth Ave. between Calle 34 and 38, Playa del Carmen. $195 pesos p/p includes a house salad, oven roasted turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato, mashed potato, vegetables and stuffing. We will also be baking a variety of pies for dessert. Make reservations at info@saltrockgrille.com, or 984-147-7925.

WORKSHOPS & COURSES

ART & MUSIC

BAKING AND COOKING WORKSHOP at Basic Foodie, Plaza

Playa del Carmen. Adult Singing Group. No experience and no audition. Songs in English, from 60s to present day. $205 pesos for four sessions. Facebook/Pop Choir Playa, or Whatsapp/ Contact: Ynez 984 143 8716 (English).

Steren, Federal Highway. Fridays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Call (984)1091948 or (984)109-4129 to reserve your space. $600 pesos per class. $2000 pesos for four classes. Extra: Ingredients are between $50 and $150 pesos per class. Facebook/Basic Foodie

POP CHOIR,

Saturday nights at Zenzi, 8 p.m., 10th Street and the beach. Free.

SALSA, BACHATA & KIZOMBA,

COMEDY & SPOKEN WORD ART FORUM ,

Thursdays, 7 p.m. Free Entry. Forum for young artists to present their talents. Le Lotus Rouge, 35th Ave. and 2nd Street, Playa del Carmen. Facebook/Lotus Rouge Playa. Every Friday, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Music: Classical, Chanson and Boleros. El Jardín, 20th Street between Ave 10 and 15. Beers $20 MXN.

NOCHE DE DIVAS,

MOM’S BAR THANKSGIVING BUFFET , Thursday November 26th, 7 p.m., corner of 30th Avenue and 4th Street. $200 pesos p/p includes a traditional Thanksgiving dinner buffet with all the trimmings plus dessert. Make reservations at momsbarpdc@gmail.com.

COMEDY PLAYA, Every Wednesday and Sundays, Stand Up Comedy at Lucky Luciano’s, 28th and 5th. 8 p.m. $100 pesos. Facebook/Comedy Below Sea Level

ZENZI CLASSIC THANKSGIVING DINNER, Thursday November 26, 4 p.m.

POETRY FRI DAY, every Friday, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 Street in Colonia Ejido. Listen to and read poetry. Free entrance.

WAH WAH´s THANKSGIVING DINNER, Thursday November 25, 4 p.m.

10th Street and the beach. $380 pesos. Make reservations at 984 803 5738.

to 7:00 p.m. 2nd Street and the beach. $250 pesos.

DISCOVER MEXICO

Artisanal Treasures in the Yucatan

Cozumel is considered a mecca among scuba divers / Photo: Scuba Fest

Cozumel Scuba Fest

BY CATHERINE PAWELEK

row of stores, kiosk and stands will greet you.

La Fundacion Melipona Maya is an organization focused on nature, the environment, the Maya culture and organic products. Their emphasis is not only on the protection of the Melipona bee, but to construct strategies with indigenous communities for sustainable enterprise. This local bee produces a delectable nectar but is absent of a stinger. Purchase any of their products and help generations of indigenous families. Find them in Tulum on Calle Tulum. www.meliponamaya.org. How to get there: Take Highway 307 south to Tulum or the ADO bus or colectivo from Playa.

Artisan Workshops of Izamal: ¨The City of Three Cultures¨ was the first city to be named a Pueblo Magico of Mexico. Take a walking tour of the homes of local artisans and the handcraft route to see the workshops where miniatures and papier-mâché butterflies are made. You can also find wooden jaguars and boxes carved by hand and jewelry created from cocoyol seeds and the tips of henequen. How to get there: Izamal is about 2.5 hours west of Playa del Carmen by car. You can also take the ADO bus to Merida and connect at the Noreste Station to continue to Izamal.

The Coba Road: Drive this route whether the Coba ruins are your end destination or not. Find 25 kilometers of mostly family-run small businesses that all highlight Maya craftsmanship. In one, you might find hand chiseled wooden chairs while another displays its hand knitted, colorful hammocks. Check out the intricately woven huipil (traditional Maya garb) and shawls. Don’t pass up the opportunity to buy products made from henequen fiber and admire the filigree work. How to get there: Take Highway 307 south to Tulum. At the San Francisco de Assis grocery store turn right, within 20 minutes row upon

December 8 to 13, the island considered to be “America’s Diving Capital” is hosting their annual festival, with special guests from the Jacques Cousteau and Manuel Lascano Foundation BY JOE MALDONADO

S It is a time to celebrate and pay tribute to the men and women who have left the legacy to protect and enjoy the world’s oceans.” Organizing Diver Committee

ince 2012, Cozumel has hosted one of the most important international scuba festivals. Juan Manuel González Castelán, director of Tourism for Cozumel, indicated that the event is very important for attracting scuba divers and tourists, the two main sources of income for the island. The festival will take place from December 8 to 13 and will offer diverse activities such as the El Buzo de Oro (The Golden Diver) award. Those who promote and teach diving to new generations are eligible for this award. The head of tourism for Cozumel indicated that this year the Jacques Cousteau and Manuel Lascano Foundation will be at the festival. “This event has gained more interest with each passing year, and Cozumel is the mecca for scuba diving with its crystal clear, calm waters; the location is great for diving,” said González Castelán. The festival is not only about scuba diving, but there are also cultural and sporting activities, as well as food sampling and different contests. In the words of the Scuba Fest organizing committee, “It is a time to celebrate and pay tribute to the men and women who have left the legacy to protect and enjoy the world’s oceans.”

Creating the intricately woven huipil / Photo: Pintrest

Handwoven hammocks in the Yucatan / Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Mercado 23 in Cancun is the oldest in a series of markets in the city. It resembles an open-air flea market with vendors that sell local items like piñatas, pottery, crafts and ceramics. The shops are open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Then, sit down at one of the many restaurants and order lomitas with corn tortillas, pork, egg, and onions. Watch butchers selling their product hand in hand with fishmongers. How to get there: Take the ADO bus from Playa to Cancun. The market is within walking distance.

November 25 - December 8 2015

n 1

GRAND HYATT

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info@meridianmedia.mx t. 984 8031446

November 25 - December 8 2015 A field of agave in Jalisco, where tequila was born / Photo: Creative Commons

ANIMAL WELFARE

Improving Animal We l fa r e i n M e x i c o BY NASH Joaquín de la Torre Ponce, Companion Animals Project Manager for Latin America of IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare, made the trip to the Senate in Mexico City November 10, 2015 to represent the animals of Mexico.

Back to Basics, B ats a nd Tequi la Interfering with nature has put one of our favorite drinks and a very important animal at risk. The agave plant which provides us with tequila and the already endangered bat. Getting back to nature may save them both

Yesterday, in a historical event, legislators (senators), academics and representatives from animal welfare organizations signed the “Declaration for Animal Welfare in Mexico. Joaquin de la Torre Ponce

BY NASH e have talked about some species of bats being endangered before, and their importance to the ecosystem, but do you realize that as long as long as bats are endangered so is your tequila? Through human interference we have put the agave and the bat in danger. In an effort to increase production of tequila, the industry has managed to cut out the bat from the process. The bats feed off the flower of the agave while pollinating the plant. These days the shoots are cut back so the plant can put all its energy into the heart of the agave. This process does not allow for flowering, the bats have no pollen to spread and no nectar to drink. By harvesting the agave before it flowers and basically cloning the plant instead of creating new crops naturally through pollination, it has created a weaker crop that is more susceptible to disease. Rodrigo Medellin is a scientist who has been working to protect and educate people about bats for over 20 years, he is referred to as “The Bat Man of Mexico”. With his efforts to save the bat he is also saving our margaritas. He has teamed up with a project called The Tequila Interchange Project Their goal is to convince the whole industry to revert back to a bat-friendly production and allow natural pollination, and eventually create a “bat-friendly tequila” certification. Medellin acknowledges, the blue agave’s problems are severe. “Bats are not going to solve the problem overnight.” For years he has tried to warn the Mexican Tequila Regulatory Council about the dangers of this practice and saw the devastating effects come true in the 1990’s when a fungal and bacterial disease hit the agave industry. “They were losing all genetic diversity and with it all resistance to any disease that would come along.” Rodrigo Medellin has stated.

Joaquin states, “Yesterday in a historical event, legislators (senators), academics and representatives from animal welfare organizations signed the ’Declaration for Animal Welfare in Mexico.’ This is an important step forward to push for the approval of a General (Federal) Animal Welfare Law in Mexico that hopefully will be passed soon. IFAW started working in 2003 on the development of this law. But back then, animal welfare was a new and not well understood issue within all the sectors.” Mexico has several animal welfare

Main problem Cloning the agave has not only led to a severe absence of genetic diversity in blue agave, but it has deprived bats of food. Proposed short-term solutions A project called The Tequila Interchange Project, is working to convince the whole industry to revert back to a bat-friendly production and allow natural pollination, and eventually create a “bat-friendly tequila” certification.

laws, but they vary from state to state and are not compiled in one complete document. The goal is to group those articles and laws in one document to provide consistent protection for animals across the whole country. Joaquin states, “Since animal welfare is its main objective and is based on the five freedoms, consider that animals are capable of experiencing pain and distress, thus affecting their welfare. In partnership with the Faculty of Veterinary Studies from the National University of Mexico (UNAM), we coordinated a multidisciplinary team of legal experts, academics and animal welfare and protection groups to develop the document and, even though the law was needed, it didn’t pass mainly because the livestock sector claimed we wanted to over-regulate their practices.” Finally, after 12 years and several attempts to pass this law, they are able to provide scientific proof that investing in animal welfare benefits not only animals, but society and mankind in general. This legal document has evolved and has been continuously improved by academics from UNAM and the Animal Welfare Collaboration Center for Mexico from the World Organization for Animal Health (OiE). “I applaud and congratulate Senators Lilia Merodio, Jesus Casillas and Mario Delgado for their interest in the promotion of animal welfare in the national agenda, and we hope that finally the General Animal Welfare Law will be approved soon.” says Joaquin.

Until this process is rectified you can always make your margarita with Mezcal, which is naturally bat friendly, it is sustainable and grown in the wild rather than the fields.

Until this process is rectified you can always make your margarita with mezcal, which is naturally bat friendly, sustainable and grown in the wild rather than the fields. You can follow this project on Facebook/ Tequila Interchange Project or Facebook/The Bat Man of Mexico

Joaquin de la Torre Ponce at the senate / Photo: Joaquin de la Torre Ponce

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

If you’re looking for a very happy girl, then India is for you! India was born about May 2012 and arrived at the shelter July 2012. She weighs about 33 pounds (15 kg), is spayed and current on all vaccinations. India was brought to the shelter along with the other members of her litter immediately after her mother

was fatally wounded by a car. She is a wonderful girl, who enjoys playing with all of the other members of her enclosure. She has been in the shelter for two and a half years, and is waiting patiently to find her real family! She is always the first to greet any visitors to her pen and is a happy and playful girl. India is medium sized, and is a very elegant female dog

In di a

Jade was born about April of 2012 and arrived at the shelter March 2, 2015. She is spayed and current on all vaccinations. Jade joined us at the shelter after her humans dumped her on a busy road near us. They came back every now and then to see her, and she was so terribly confused every

time they drove off. She is healthy now and ready for adoption, to people she can learn to trust with all she has. She takes a minute to get to know you, then she is the sweetest dog ever. Jade, pronounced in the Mexican style (Haday), will make a wonderful family member for anyone.

J ad e

HEALTH

How to Overcome Disappointment? We have all been let down when reality doesn’t meet our expectations. Find out some ways to get past the negative emotions and move forward to a positive mindset BY ROSAN OUWERKERK

disappointment concerns a mismatch between our expectations and reality. Maybe we didn’t get the apology we had foreseen or the promotion we expected. Obviously disap-

Feeling disappointed is a signal that you care, and that is a good thing Photo:Wikipedia Commons

pointment is part of life because we all have expectations. Big disappointments can be hard to overcome. They can make us feel misunderstood, alone and sad. We might doubt ourselves and feelings like despondency and dejection are quite common. The fact that we experience emotions means we have passion. To feel disappointed is a signal that we care, and that is not a bad thing at all. In general, there are three ways to deal with disappointment. We get carried away with emotions. We take it personally and linger in sadness and anger. Or we think we don’t deserve what we expected and let these thoughts undermine our self-esteem. Because we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by our emotions we aren’t able to learn from this experience. We displace the disappointment because we don’t allow ourselves to feel the corresponding emotions. Obviously this is not a good way to deal with it either. We can only grow if we experience the emotions of disappointment and reflect on them. We investigate the meaning of our disappointment. We consider this as an opportunity

for personal growth. First, we need to acknowledge and accept the emotions of disappointment. Allowing them to take over will eventually limit ourselves. To prevent this from happening it is helpful to undertake activities that have always made us feel good. Also, it is important to reach out for emotional support from friends and family. Next, we should be aware that disappointment can be caused by an unclear or unrealistic idea of the result we had in mind. We can change our mindset by analyzing if the intended result was indeed reasonable to expect. If that is not the case, we should adjust our expectations to protect ourselves from further disappointments. Finally, we may have been strongly guided by our primary focus on the result. We can change our mindset by focusing on the process and regarding our goal as just a direction. By evaluating the process, we learn about dealing with hurdles and using our tools, which will contribute to our future goals. To change a disappointment into a constructive mindset can be quite challenging, but in the end it will prevent us from giving up trying to achieve our goals. Rosan Ouwerkerk is a Dutch registered psychotherapist and she runs a private practice in Playa del Carmen. If you think her help is required, you can contact her: rosan.ouwerkerk@gmail.com

November 25 - December 8 2015

SPORTS

2015 OHL Classic at Mayakoba Final Results The ninth annual PGA Tournament saw Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland take home the top prize and over a $1 million USD in prize money BY JUAN SOSA

The Mexican team in Kaohsiung / Photo: Mexican National Team

Local Skaters Participate in 2015 World Speed Skating Championships BY JUAN SOSA Since they placed in the National Olympics a few years ago, Leslie Gómez Caballero and Monserrat Ocampo Sánchez have dreamed of representing Mexico in international competition. Their dreams have come true, as they recently participated in the 2015 World Speed Skating Championships which took place in Kaohsiung, Taiwan from November 13 to November 22. Competing with the fastest women in the world, the young Playa del Carmen residents did not waste this opportunity. Leslie was the highest ranked juvenile skater in Mexico in 2013, and Monserrat won the honor in 2014. This year, Leslie won a large number of medals in the National Olympics. Leslie finished in 22nd place in the

10,000-meter race and 21st in the 15,000 meter, while Monserrat won 22nd in the 300 meter and the 500-meter races. Their competition with athletes all over the world will help them improve their scores while still retaining their humble and hardworking characters. This is the third time that Leslie has gone to a world championship, first to Belgium, then Argentina, and now Taiwan. Leslie also received awards from the state and municipal governments. She was also invited to join the group Atletas Mayakoba, made up of important athletes including Leo Morales, Marcos Velázquez, and Isis Breiter - all athletes with worldwide recognition and receive the support of one of the most important hotel chains in the Riviera Maya.

he ninth annual OHL Classic at Mayakoba wrapped up play on November 15 and saw Graeme McDowell take home top prize and his first PGA win in two years. Rounding out the top three were Jason Bohn from the United States and Russell Knox from Scotland. Unfortunately it wasn’t the best tournament for the Mexican players who didn’t fare as well as hoped. Carlos Ortiz and Oscar Fraustro were the only two out of five Mexican players to go to the second round, both were defeated at T9. These were the best placings that any Mexican players have obtained in the history of the event, similar to Rodolfo Cazaubon, who played the Mayakoba Junior Golf Classic of the American Junior Golf Association in 2007. For this tournament, the Mexican players included: Abraham Ancer (Reynosa, Tamaulipas), Carlos Ortiz (Guadalajara, Jalisco), Rodolfo Cazaubón (Tampico, Tamaulipas), Yoshio Yamamoto (Guadalajara, Jalisco) and Oscar Fraustro (Chihuahua, Chihuahua). The ninth edition of the OHL Classic, which is the only PGA Tour event in Mexico and Latin America, has a prize of $6.2 million USD, along with an opportunity to play in the FedExCup and an invitation to the Masters. For all information on the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, including 2015 final results and earnings, visit www.ohlclassic.com. The following Mexican players are current or previous members of the PGA TOUR:

Top Three Finishers & Their Prize Money

Photo: OHL Classic at Mayakoba

Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland over $1 million USD Jason Bohn from the United States earned $545,600 USD Russell Knox from Scotland earned $545,600 USD

ENTERPRISE FOCUS

TPT Meets Matt Weatherbee and Allan Lockhart BY CATHERINE PAWELEK

We are getting ever closer to possible momentous changes in the U.S. and European monetary policies / Photo: wikimedia commons

Better Safe

Than Sorry Although there are promising signs in the economy, following the terror attacks of November 13, it is best not to throw caution to the financial wind BY PATTIE BERRY - INTERCAM

he second week of November was horrible. Not only was there little updated financial information and dropping markets, but we closed on Friday the 13 with the Paris attacks. Given the gravity of the event, we expected the following week to be a terrible time for the markets. But nothing is further from the truth. Over the weekend, the markets seemed to decide that the attack on Paris would have no lasting effect on the global economy with only, perhaps, a temporary impact to the French economy. By the following Tuesday, the Fed was back at the center of investors’ attention. Because of solid figures published lately, comments by several Fed members, and the discussion described in the latest Fed minutes, the great majority of investors, traders and analysts have arrived at two conclusions: The Fed will raise the fed funds rate target in December by ¼ basis point, to between 0.25 and 0.50 percent.

Even if the tragedy in Paris has been all but ignored financially, the truth is that terrorism is again rearing its head and that only complicates the global financial situation. The rate normalization process will be very slow so that it will probably be several months before a second hike is considered. On the other hand, maybe with a little help from the events in Paris, investors’ expectations of the European Central Bank moving in December have strengthened. They now think the bank will lower the deposit rate further into negative territory, and increase or

widen asset purchases to inject more money into the economy. In the markets, the dollar’s strength, the rise in Treasury bond yields, European yield drop, and the bounce in stock markets, are logical responses to what the Fed and the ECB are expected to do. Commodities’ prices sustained downtrends are the result of weak global growth, especially in China. And the prices of oil won’t be able to sustain any recovery while the enormous oversupply exists. The economies are not doing well, and we are getting ever closer to possible momentous changes in the U.S. and European monetary policies, without really knowing their implications or how the markets will respond. Even if the tragedy in Paris has been all but ignored financially, the truth is that terrorism is again rearing its head and that only complicates the global financial situation. We believe it is not yet the right time to do away with caution. At Intercam, we are interested in receiving your feedback on our articles. Contact us at ftfernandez@intercam.com.mx

We got the opportunity to speak with Boston, Massachusetts natives, Matt Weatherbee and Allan Lockhart, who started North American Standards in 2008 during a fateful spring vacation to Playa del Carmen. They had planned to go to Scotland but with the dollar/pound exchange rate it made the trip financially impractical. A client of Matt’s suggested Playa del Carmen and once they arrived, they noticed Playa’s rapid real estate growth, the need for competent, attentive, efficient and experienced property managers in the Riviera Maya. Falling in love with Playa sealed the deal. Matt and Allan decided to transport their combined 40 years’ of property management experience from Boston to Mexico – literally. The Playa Times: Walk us through what happened when you returned to Boston after your vacation? Matt Weatherbee / Allan Lockhart: We sold everything, and three months later packed up our SUV and drove 4,500 miles from Boston to Playa del Carmen to start our new business venture. You both had been in property management in New England, but what were your backgrounds before that? Matt: I graduated cum laude from Ithaca College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and minors in Theatre and Spanish and had nine years of experience managing a highend Boston law firm. Allan: I owned and operated my businesses for years, including nursing homes, fast food restaurants and health clubs, including the build out and maintenance of a fitness facility with more than 2000 member. Matt/Allan: Together we managed a 35 unit condominium complex along the Charles River in the high-end Back Bay neighborhood of Boston. What do you like to do on your day off? Matt/Allan: When we are not working, Matt enjoys working out, reading, playing bridge, cooking gourmet meals and visiting the beach. Allan enjoys

watching TV, playing blackjack, eating out, going to the movies and also visiting the beach. What sets your business apart from others in the area? Matt/Allan: North American Standards Property Management Company (NAS) is a boutique Playa del Carmen property management and vacation rental business founded by us. We seek to distinguish ourselves by providing the quality of care clients expect from a major property management firm as well as the personal attention clients require from a dedicated manager. Unlike many larger companies in the industry, NAS focuses solely on property management and rentals, allowing us to provide our clients with more tailored service. Only through this type of personal attention can NAS hope to cultivate long-lasting relationships with its clients. What are some of the challenges you have faced doing business here? Matt/Allan: Adapting to the way business is done here can be challenging. Some people tend to have different attitudes about work and time schedules which can be aversive to productivity. What advice do you have for people who tell you they want to quit their jobs and move to the Yucatan to start a business? Matt/Allan: Make sure you have an income source whether it be social security, savings or a potential job. Speaking Spanish is helpful but not required in tourist areas like Playa del Carmen; in smaller towns Spanish is necessary. Who are your customers? How do they hear about you? Matt/Allan: Most of our customers come from word-of-mouth, or online, and are American, Canadian and Mexican, though we serve clients from all over the globe and from every continent, except Antarctica. How many people do you employ? Matt/Allan: We employ a staff of 15 people. Find them at www.nasplaya.com

Matt Weatherbee (left) and Allan Lockhart (right) / Photo: North American Standards

November 25 - December 8 2015

ENTERPRISE FOCUS

TPT Meets Marc Pujol GMB has more ten development projects under their belt, including the most successful condo project “Menesse, the city” nearing completion. We spoke to the CEO and founder about living and working in the Riviera Maya, and the magic touch that makes GMB a market leader in the Mexican Caribbean’s real estate sector

he Playa Times: Can you give us a little about your background? Marc Pujol: I was born in 1977 in Tortosa, Tarragona; one hour’s drive from Barcelona. I studied tourism and hotel management. For over ten years I worked in the hotel industry, opening hotels around Europe, Costa Parada where I worked for Universal Studios, Barcelona, Canary Islands, etc., until 2006, when I moved to Mexico. What brought you to the Riviera Maya? One of the five biggest Spanish bank institutions offered me an overseas experience as a sales and marketing director for a $5 billion dollar project in the Riviera Maya.

GMB’s new offices in Playa del Carmen/ Photos: GMB CEO and Founder of GMB

What were the main highlights and challenges of working in your native Spain and in Europe, compared to working in the Mexican Caribbean? Mostly, the maturity of the tourism and leisure, and real estate industry. There are many professionals looking for new opportunities and it is very difficult to get a good salary, whereas in the Caribbean, there is a lack of professionals and people with experience. So, that represents a great opportunity for young people like me when moving to Mexico. What do you like about living in the Riviera Maya? First of all, I love the people. The locals are very honest and unpretentious people, and also there is a mix of cultures because there are people from all over the world willing to live a better life. I also love the way Mexicans welcome you! They are very friendly. GMB is the top-producing real estate agent, what are you doing that

We love giving our clients the real experience of living in the Mexican Caribbean. To do that, before we launch a new project, we aim to understand what the customers needs are. After we define a product, we make sure we offer the best location and the best prices

Menesse The City

is so appreciably different from your competitors? We love giving our clients the real experience of living in the Mexican Caribbean. To do that, before we launch a new project, we aim to understand what the customers needs are. After we define a product, we make sure we offer the best location and the best prices.

As the General Director of GMB, what is the key to business longevity in the Riviera Maya? To be able to interact with our clients and communicate the benefits of having a piece of the Riviera Maya. It is very important to educate international buyers how the process of living and purchasing in the Riviera Maya is. And of course, to make sure that Quintana

CEO and Founder GMB Roo is a better destination every day. What tips would you give our readers interested in buying/ selling/ renting in the area? First of all define if you are looking for a place to live or if you are looking for an investment. We specialize in ROI (Return

on Investment) giving our clients a great return. Location. Location. Location. Can you tell us about your current projects, including “Menesse, The City”? GMB has more than 10 developments under construction and Menesse, The City is one of the best projects in Playa del Carmen: the great location, the best amenities in downtown, and the best price. In less than six months on the market, we sold out over 400 condos. Delivery is planned for summer 2017. What are GMB’s plans for the future? Our main goal is to keep helping investors and buyers to make the best investment in the Riviera Maya. We have the best projects around, Tulum, Puerto Aventuras, Playa del Carmen. GMB is focused in giving investors a great ROI (Return on Investments) from 8-13 percent through our vacation rental company. Our goal is to be our buyers’ best friend and to offer advice and confidence all together with honesty.

ENTERPRISE FOCUS

The Value of Real Estate Professional Services BY STEFAN KNEFFEL, DIRECTOR COSTA REALTY

ou are looking to purchase property, and you are feeling overwhelmed. You know you should seek help, but as you face a sea of agents, whom do you choose? How can you be sure you are working with the right professional? And what is it a real estate professional does exactly? A recognized real estate professional is known as a broker, and they represent the seller of a property. A brokerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s duties may include: determining market values, negotiate abilities, advertising properties for sale, showing properties to prospective buyers, and advising clients about offers and related matters. A real estate professional has the ability and knowledge to transmit all their experience and expertise to the customer. This added value allows them to understand the needs of the buyers and sellers. Nowadays, for a real estate professional to provide effective results within the dynamic and interactive real estate industry, a valuable and successful broker has the following skills: Technology and a network: Leading-edge tools and training, bringing innovation to the real estate industry. Additionally, successful real estate professionals intentionally develop friendly relationships in their communities.

and honesty, they have the integrity to do the right thing, always putting the customer needs first. Service: They have the commitment to deliver a high standard service by receiving constant training, coaching, being assisted and motivated. Win-Win: They always seek a win-win agreement and benefits. Expertise: They have specialist knowledge in listing, pricing, staging and selling in the area. A real estate professional gains leverage by keeping track of the continuously updating market trends, they seek coaching and specialized training under the structure of an innovative real estate company and operate with a platform based on effective models and systems, which fortunately already exists in Mexico. The true value of a real estate professional services and assistance is to assure you a quality professional service with specialized consultancy, to guide you step by step through all the process of a successful transaction, in less time and stress. Do not hesitate and get support right away from a real estate professional!

Teamwork: Real Estate professionals strive toward a common goal rather than individual interests. Knowledge: They stay ahead of trends to provide an unparalleled service. Reliability: Founded on the principles of trust

Photo: Pixabay

November 25 - December 8 2015

BEACH LIFE 21

Anímate a Estudiar

Dare to Study BY MELISSA ROBLES

Donations are needed / Photo: Agency

Club Rotaract Christmas Drive Every year since 1994, the local Rotary International chapters, help make this festive season magic for hundreds of children, and they need your help to keep it up the holiday cheer BY MALÚ MARTÍNEZ

Eleven years ago in the state of Mexico, the Anímate a Ayudar organization began to promote education in the country by giving children from indigenous communities, low socioeconomic resources, and vulnerable populations the tools they need to continue studying. Daniela García Galván, the program coordinator, stated that the organization currently operates in seven states and the federal district. More than 7,000 children have benefited to date. There are two programs that make up their organization, Cumple Un Sueño (Grant a Wish) and Beca Anímate, which is a scholarship program. Cumple Un Sueño fulfills the wish of a child as a result of their effort and not by their grades. “We chat with them to find out what their wish is, and if it is within the realm of possibility, we make it come true. They ask for mattresses so they can sleep in a bed, shoes, bicycles, sports shoes. Any wish less than $1,200 pesos is granted,” explained Daniela. They also give away high-quality backpacks worth more than $400 pesos. The organization asks

schools for the lists of school supplies, and they cover the cost of those supplies completely. One of the characteristics of Anímate a Estudiar is the personalized service, each backpack, and all the supplies are labeled with the child’s name. “We also offer multiple intelligence workshops. Professionals give their knowledge on a variety of topics: natural, kinesthetic, auditory, visual, musical intelligence. What we want is for the kids to have the opportunity to develop all their skills, and not just in mathematics or linguistics,” she added. The other program is Beca Animate that donates between $500 and $600 pesos monthly to beneficiaries, makes sure they have transportation to and from school, Internet access, and lunch. This program is currently only available in the state of Mexico. This is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, donations from the community are well received. Companies and schools can ask for some of the training courses, and if you wish to make a donation and help stop students from dropping out of school, please visit www.animateaestudiar.org/como-ayudar-involucrate/

he Club Rotaract of Playa del Carmen - the local Spanish-speaking chapter part of Rotary International - looks to promote ethical and professional values through service to the community and friendship, and also hopes to impact society positively through leadership. It is a tradition in the local chapter to hold one of the most important events in December: La Navidad de la Niñez Indígena (Christmas for Indigenous Youth), or NNI, which has been held since 1994 after being proposed by Club Rotaract Valles. It gives these children a chance to enjoy themselves, giving them toys, piñatas, sweets, and holiday cheer. Through the years, the NNI has also donated clothing, food, blankets, and other articles to the community. This year, the Club Rotaract of Playa del Carmen, working together with the Rotary Club (the English speaking chapter of Playa), will visit the Nuevo Noh-Bec community in Solidaridad on December 13, where 450 children and their families will enjoy the NNI. There will be a Christmas party full of gifts, workshops, and informative talks, with the goal of making a positive change and supporting education, the environment, and general health through love, togetherness, and learning. To be able to hold this event, we ask for your valuable help, with donations of: Toys for boys and girls (no fireworks or toys that require batteries). Clothes, new or in good condition. Books, new or in good condition.

Photo: Agency

Your donations, either monetary or in kind, are needed in order to provide 450 kids and their families in the Nuevo Noh-Bex community with: Toys for boys and girls (no fireworks or toys that require batteries). Clothes, new or in good condition. Books, new or in good condition. The donations can be monetary or in kind. We also invite you to volunteer your time to help with this project. We hope you can help with this project, together we will make

magic this Christmas.

Contact: cel. 9841082175 rotaract.playa@gmail.com

Donations welcomed to help kids stay in school / Photo: Anímate A Estudiar

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