Edition 94

B i m o n t h l y · Ye a r 03 · N u m b e r 9 4 · 2 0,0 0 0 c o p i e s · 2 0 Pages · O c t o b e r 0 5 - 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

S MASP IDE

3rd Annual Mini Fun Run!

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

Join us on Sunday, October 9 at 8:00 A.M. at the Mario Villanueva Stadium on Avenida 10 to cheer on our littlest Playenses as they race for fun

IN

COZUMEL

COZ Coffee Company >P. 9

HEALTH & FITNESS

World Amateur Team Championship >P. 17

Photo: Healthy Reefs Initiative (www.healthyreefs.org)

· DISCOVER MEXICO

· ART & CULTURE

SUNSCREEN

CUETZALAN

Protecting your skin from the sun is causing permanent damage to the world’s coral reefs.

Find out more in our Discover Mexico section

>P. 8

Photo: Fidanza

Photo: Florencia Cerutti

October 5 - 18

Visit this Pueblo Mágico in the beautiful state of Puebla lined with cobblestone streets and surrounded by caves and waterfalls

>P. 16

Check out our What’s On section for a list of things to do including live music and dancing, yoga, markets and special events

>P. 13

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October 05 - 18 2016

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October 05 - 18 2016

Editorial DIRECTORY Rebecca Page General Manager & Editor edition@meridianmedia.mx

Edgar E. Mena Ian MacKenzie Copy Editors copyeditor@meridianmedia.mx

Efrén Velázquez Art & Design design@meridianmedia.mx

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

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

Octavio Moreno

Photo: The Playa Times

3rd Annual Mini Fun Run

Sales Executive Cell: 984 179 8347

BY REBECCA PAGE

octavio@meridianmedia.mx

T

Omar Coral Distribution distribution@meridianmedia.mx

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

Deli Playa Chrysler La Vagabunda Acción Social Mayakoba Green Wash Hot Casual Food Personalika Instituto Tepeyac Grupo Libelula Artik Pop Tres Marias Sky Zone Starbucks Mundo Joven Coca Cola Inflamigos The municipality of Solidaridad Central de Medios Dotto El Maharaja

he team here at The Playa Times is very excited for this Sunday, October 9. Why? We have our third annual Mini Fun Run. This is a free event for kids from ages three to twelve and will be held at 8:00 A.M. at the Mario Villanueva Stadium on Avenida 10. The kids will run the entire track, but they will encounter some fun obstacles along the way - like bouncy houses, a tire course and a foam party! We started the event to encourage the children of Playa to participate in healthy and fun activities.

We could not put on this free event without the help of our sponsors. A huge, huge thanks to:

/theplayatimes

All our reserved spots (which includes a t-shirt) have been taken but your little one can still participate. Just come on down and join the fun!

@ThePlayaTimes playatimes

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

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

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NEWS

October 05 - 18 2016

Akumal Beach Finally Reopened The access to the beach closest to the pueblo, which has been in dispute the past few months, is once again open to the public

BY IAN MACKENZIE

O

n August 29, approval was given for the reopening to the general public of a highly disputed road in Akumal that gives access to the beach. Despite this victory for residents who have been fighting for this, there remains a conflict over who actually owns this piece of land.

The road is located between the

Ecological Center of Akumal and Hotel Akumal Caribe, and it is possible that access to the public beach may once again be closed until this is fully resolved.

The dispute, which seeks to resolve whether that stretch of land is public or private, has been an ongoing matter for quite some time.

A local resident, who is among the many people in Akumal fighting to reopen this road, told me that they

“Residents have had access to this beach for over forty years,” a local resident have spent three years trying to get access to the beach.

“Residents have had access to this beach for over forty years,” she told

Access to the popular beach has been reopened / Photo: The Playa Times

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Canceling Your Timeshare Contract

By MEXLAW It is easy to be caught up in a sales pitch while you are dreaming of owning a place in Mexico.

The sun, beach and of course all the free incentives the salesperson is offering are very alluring.

They make it sound so simple. There are many legitimate vacation or timeshare companies, but you need to be aware of the less scrupulous timeshare companies in Mexico.

Make sure you understand the financial obligations to the timeshare and which benefits and promises are included in your contract. Timeshare sales members want the deal closed in one day, but you need to step away and have an attorney review the contract before you sign. Verify the contract has a PROFECO (Federal Attorney’s Office of Consumers) registration number and investigate the company by calling the consumer call center, 1-800-468-8722.

If you feel you have been a victim of timeshare fraud, you need a real estate law firm in Mexico to dispute the contract.

Mexican timeshares are generally beach-

front condos and hotels, meaning that when you buy a timeshare in Mexico, you are purchasing a right to use the property, as opposed to an interest in the real estate. These timeshares can not be foreclosed on, but by defaulting on payments, you will be reported to the credit bureau, and it may result in legal action. There is a five-business-day-grace period to cancel a timeshare contract. Within this period, hire a Mexican real estate attorney to send a certified letter to the resort requesting a cancellation of the contract.

The salesperson may make you sign away the right to cancel. However, this will not affect your right to rescind, as this is an illegal practice. People usually realize they are a victim of timeshare fraud well after the grace period. It is necessary to file a complaint with PROFECO, the consumer protection agency delegated to protect consumers against fraud by companies in Mexico. The dispute can be a long and complicated process. Obstacles such as language and distance may hinder your dispute. Your claim is best handled by a real estate law firm in Mexico.

me. “We want to reclaim this for the public, who had access for so long.”

She informed me that documents have been filed in Cancun, and they are setting a date to get it in front of a judge with the hope of a resolution in the near future.

Locals have been marching against the privatization of the public beach area for months. On May 29, citizens held what began as a peaceful protest and ended in violence resulting in several

people being injured, including four policemen. They were marching to protest the installation of a fence that prohibits free access to the beach at Akumal Bay. The reopening of the beach is good news and the result of the efforts of many in the community who have been fighting for it to happen. But there is still a long process ahead in the courts until the issue can be fully resolved. We will keep you up to date on any new developments as they happen.

October 05 - 18 2016

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Playa del Carmen The transportation company is in the spotlight, as citizens of Playa del Carmen are demanding better service and this platform is willing to offer it. But it aZlg m [^^g Z[e^ mh hi^kZm^ a^k^ r^m

BY IAN MACKENZIE

M

y first experience of using Uber was last week in Canada when I was returning from a trip to Toronto. I downloaded their app to my phone and filled out an account, which included my credit card details. After logging in I was prompted to enter my current location and destination, and was soon notified that a car was available and only four minutes away. The price quoted was $20 cheaper than would I would normally pay to the airport, and also included the license number of the vehicle and a photo of the owner/operator.

Within four minutes a vehicle matching the license number arrived to pick me up and I was taken to my airport terminal. The driver seemed young and inexperienced, but he did a reasonably good job, although he did not remind me much of a typical taxi driver.

The bill was paid automatically upon arrival.

Once back in Playa del Carmen, I began asking local taxi drivers about their views on the Uber situation. They are currently not allowed to operate in Playa, and there has been a considerable outcry from angry taxi drivers who are loathed to see Uber operate on their turf, going as far as to post signs on their vehicles staging protests. In Cancun, the company’s activities have been met with the seizure of vehicles and taxi drivers blocking road accesses.

The first major issue that local taxi drivers raised was on the subject of safety.

“Who is your driver?” they ask “And what do you know about him?”. Drivers are all familiar with one another as members of a local sindicato.

There has been a considerable outcry from angry taxi drivers Their other main point centered on accountability. Unlike the local taxi union, which has a location where you can take your grievances, Uber would be unlikely to have anything comparable.

One driver puts it simply, it is in the nature of Mexicans to complain, and that regardless of how things are, there will always be issues of some kind that people want resolved in person with a representative in an office.

There is no doubt that taxi service in Playa has its share of problems to address, but if the technological benefits introduced by an app like Uber has can prompt changes here with an increase of quality and access to taxis, then Uber’s attempt at entering the local market might have a positive impact overall.

DISCOVER MEXICO 5

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ENTERTAINMENT

October 05 - 18 2016

October 05 - 18 2016

Inspiring People to Celebrate Clean Water in Innovative Ways Playa del Carmen is most known for its beautiful beaches with white sands and turquoise waters, but something that never comes to mind and is always on the beach is plastic.

The power of suggestion was shown, as local beachgoers soon were picking up trash / Photo: Crystal Mitchell

BY CRYSTAL MITCHELL

U

nfortunately, even on the cleanest beaches, you can find plastic or some type of trash as a consequence of human growth and ignorance. Plastic finds its way into the ocean upsetting the

ecosystem and affecting the world. The best solutions are education and providing positive examples, especially for the kids.

On September 18th, three organizations came together to do just that and I was honored to be there. Representatives from two local groups and an international one came to-

Local groups and an international one came together on the beach at Punta Playa Esmeralda to do a beach cleanup

BEACH LIFE

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gether on the beach at Punta Playa Esmeralda to do a beach cleanup that focused on kids. But it was not just any beach cleanup.

Organized by Medicine Tribe Water Warriors (started by the band followers of Nahko Bear and Medicine for the People) representative, Joei St. Germain, this cleanup stood out. With the help of a local project, Sonrisas Contagiosas, new elements were introduced.

Of course, there were black trash bags and the collecting of trash, but also with the help of another local group, Blueprint Conservation Project, people were able to experience the importance of water in a new medium.

On September 18, World Water Monitoring Day, Oscar Carranza of Blueprint Conservation Project, showed the importance of water and the care of it with his virtual reality goggles.

People that showed up for the cleanup, as well as some unknowing beach guests, tried and were amazed by the goggles that transported them to an African village getting a well for the first time and their awe at having fresh clean water. Blueprint Conservation project is also working with machines that extract clean, fresh water out of the humidity in the air. Oasi is a Mexican company and the distribution and sales of these machines will begin next month.

The power of suggestion was shown, as local beachgoers soon were picking up trash and asking for bags. Unfortunately, there were sights of a few throwing trash directly into the sea. The beauty of humanity was shown when others went behind them to pick up the trash that was not theirs.

Their plan is to have this be a monthly or even weekly event, taking place at different local area beaches. To see videos and photos from the September 18th event, go to Facebook.com/Sonrisas Contagiosas - Contagious Smiles and learn more on Facebook/Medicine Tribe Water Warriors and Facebook/Blueprint Conservation project.

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October 05 - 18 2016

DISCOVER MEXICO

If It’s On Your Skin, It´s On The Reef The sunscreen you you use to protect yourself from the sun is killing coral reefs

BY FLORENCIA CERUTTI

S

norkeling and diving around coral reefs is an amazing experience. Playing with the waves, swimming in the ocean or lying on the beach are some of our favorite activities to do during holidays. But there is a toll paid as we do not realize that products on our skin wash off when we enter the water leaving a long oil slick in the water after a day at the beach.

Studies say that up to 14,000 tons of sunscreen lotions are discharged into coral reef annually concentrating in tourists’ sites.

While fishing, pollution and urban development all pose major threats to the coral reef, scientists have found that sunscreen is a serious danger to the health of coral reef as it has chemicals harmful to the corals. Oxybenzone (also called BP-3 or benzophenone-3) is a chemical in sunscreens and other personal-care products that protects against the damaging effects of UV light- over 3,500 sunscreen products worldwide including the most

Effects of oxybenzone on coral: Deforms juvenile coral.

Awakens coral viruses that eventually kills them.

Alters the hormonal balance of many reefrelated animals. popular brands contain it. Studies have shown that this ingredient can damage coral’s DNA making them less able to reproduce or have less healthy offspring. Oxybenzone deforms juvenile coral, awakens cor-

al viruses which makes them sick which eventually kills them, and it also alters the hormonal balance of many reef-related animals.

Importantly, many local economies depend on tourism that coral reefs attract, so scientists suggest that the use of those products should be banned on islands and areas where coral reefs conservation is a critical issue, such as the Caribbean Sea region, where at least 80% of the Caribbean coral reefs have been lost. On the bright side, we can reduce the risk of harming coral by taking a reef-friendly approach to sun protection: Check the labels: Titanium oxide and zinc oxide have not been found harmful to corals, so we could use sunscreen with these chemicals that do not harm humans nor ocean creatures. A non-profit group made a list of alternative product (www.ewg. org/sunscreen/best-sunscreens/bestbeach-sport-sunscreens/) Cover up: Wear hats, sunglasses, long-sleeved clothing, rash guard to protect yourself as well as the reef.

Check the labels. Titanium oxide and zinc oxide are better options than oxybenzone / Photo: Florencia Cerutti

A Shift From Coral Reefs to Macroalgae Reefs

BY FLORENCIA CERUTTI Long-term shifts from coral to macroalgae-dominated reef systems are well documented in the Caribbean Sea region. Caribbean reefs have gotten increasingly furry with macroalgae over the past decade, resulting not only in a far less pretty picture, but also in a far less productive and resilient ecosystem.

About 80% of the reefs from the Caribbean Sea region have been lost, and although many politicians refuse to understand, coral reefs are a complex ecosystem which provides many important services to us such as tourism, fisheries, and coastal protection against storms. Protecting a small area of coral reef without considering its connectivity with other reefs and the key species for its health, is like attempting to build a castle on quicksand- it will be gone before you even finish building it.

Herbivore fish such as parrotfishes keep the reef’s health by eating a voracious coral com-

petitor: macroalgae. Macroalgae fights with corals for ground to settle and grow, and once it has grown, it creates shading for neighboring corals. Macroalgae is part of a healthy coral reef system because is kept in balance by herbivore fish. However, populations of key herbivore fish have diminished on many Caribbean reefs due to long-term overfishing across the region and lack of species protection. When macroalgae´s major predators disappear, it takes over creating a dramatic shift between colorful and healthy coral reefs to unhealthy macroalgae reefs.

Parrotfishes are beautiful colorful fish absolutely critical for the coral reef ’s health as they spend 90% of their time eating macroalgae that lives among corals. They are also important for beaches as they poop out sand (100 kg yearly). However, parrotfish have diminished in biomass in the Mexican Caribbean, which has contributed to the reef ’s health decline. Efforts led by the Healthy Reefs Initiative along with government agen-

Parrotfish are a absolutely critical for the health of coral reefs / Photo: Florencia Cerutti

cies (SEMARNAT & SEMA) and NGOs (COBI, CEMDA, & Kanan Kay Alliance) are currently working on communicating parrotfish impor-

tance towards species protection, and understanding the connectivity of larvae along the Mesoamerican Reef, which starts in Mexico.

October 05 - 18 2016

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COZ Coffee Roasting Company Mexican grown organic coffee just one block from the main square on Cozumel

BY VANESSA NINI

I

Wushu Kungfu offers classes for children and adults / Photo: Raquel Garza

Wushu Kungfu Cozumel

BY RAQUEL GARZA Cozumel is a beautiful island that offers world-class scuba diving and snorkeling. But, there is so much more to our little island.

Looking for something to different to do? Why not try a new sport or activity that will help bring you closer to your healthy lifestyle for both mind and body? Here on Cozumel, you will find the Wushu Kungfu school where you will learn different methodologies of lifestyles that will make your life & mind better, healthy and stronger.

Here, I was pleasantly surprised to meet Professor Juan Carlos Guerrero Robles. He offers classes for both children and adults. The discipline with which he manages his way of life, especially with kung fu showed me and the new students ways to generate healthy lifestyles tools.

Chinese martial art it is known with different names like Kungfu, Wushu or primarily, although some schools use both names. :XVKX :X :DU 0DUFLDO 6KX $UW

.XQJIX .XQJ ZRUN WLPH VWUHQJWK HIIRUW )X SHUVRQ PDWXUH DWWLWXGH 7KH PDLQ IHD ture is its ethical and philosophical principles based in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. $OWKRXJK LQ WKH EHJLQQLQJ LW ZDV FUHDWHG IRU

recently visited a special coffee shop called COZ Coffee Roasting Company.

The owner, Thomas Pugliano, decided WR OHDYH KLV OLIH LQ 0RQWDQD WR URDVW DQG provide organic coffee as a superfood in Co]XPHO 0H[LFR ´0\ SDVVLRQ EHJDQ ZKHQ P\ ZLIH %DU bara and I had possibly the best cup of coffee we had ever had. The beans were roastHG E\ 0DULR *ULPEDOGR 0RUDQWH $IWHU WZR years of finding reasons to travel to Playa 'HO &DUPHQ WR UHYLVLW 0DULR DQG EX\ PRUH coffee, a life-changing question was posed: ‘would you teach me?’�

When you consume coffee while it is ´DOLYH ¾ DV 7KRPDV H[SODLQV LW LV D VXSHU IRRG IXOO RI DQWLR[LGDQWV DQG QXWULHQWV ZLWKLQ GD\V RI WKH URDVW 1RW OLNH LQ the stores, which makes all the difference.

The fresh roasted coffee of COZ Coffee Roasting Company is a blend of two different sources: the Ruben Gomez family farm in Chiapas and a collective of small family coffee farm in Veracruz. That gives the perfect balance between sweetness and acidity. Totally unique, organic and fairtrade. $V VRRQ DV \RX WDVWH LW \RX ZLOO FRPSOHWH a beautiful artisanal chain that starts from grower and finishes in your well-being. $W WKH &2= &RIIHH 5RDVWLQJ &RPSDQ\ you can see the organic coffee beans when they are still green. Thomas is roasting coffee beans on site everyday. You can watch him from the open window and enjoy the nice smell of the fresh green bean roasted.

COZ Coffee Roasting Company is located in the heart of downtown Cozumel, just a half block from the main square. You will love sitting outside this comfortable place on the 5th street mall to enjoy your fresh roasting coffee with your favorite magazine

You can watch Thomas from the open window roasting coffee beans ever yday

or newspaper, like The Playa Times!

They offer a large choice of coffee in their menu. Regular coffee is 25 pesos, the famous Peanuts Butter Coffee is 50 pesos and the traditional Coffee de Olla sells for 50 pesos with cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and brown sugar. They also serve a very healthy breakfast.

You can take home a bag of their organic, high-altitude, shade-grown coffee roasted the same day as your visit.

COZ Coffee Roasting Company is open HYHU\GD\ IURP DP WR SP 2Q 6XQ days they close at 1 pm. They are on 5th avHQXH EHWZHHQ FDOOH DQG $YHQLGD -XDUH] RQH EORFN IURP WKH PLQLPDUNHW 6HYHQ (OHY en. For more info, visit their website: cozcoffeeroastingcompany.com or Facebook/ COZ Coffee Roasting Company Cozumel.

war, now it is practiced to maintain physical and mental health. The training is based on combat-related positions but with principles of traditional Chinese medicine. With the ancient practice more than 5,000 years old, it has kept pace with humanity, adapting in both the quantity and quality of their styles.

This school, which was established in Cozumel in 2007 but with a history since 1993 in 0H[LFR &LW\ LV GHGLFDWHG WR WKH GLVVHPLQDWLRQ of health, culture and sports of China through martial arts for all ages and genders. “The Wushu Kungfu strengthens the body, cultivates the mind and nourishes the spirit.�

Classes: Children´s class 0RQGD\ :HGQHVGD\ )ULGD\ 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Adult class 6DQVKRX )XOO &RQWDFW S P S P Wushu class 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Taichi Chuan class 8:00pm- 9:00pm Facebook/wushukungfumexico Phone: 987 111 5024 The school is located: $QWRQLR *RQ]jOH] )HUQiQGH] $Y EHWZHHQ $Y $Y One block from the Cozumel airport COZ Coffee Roasting Company is located in the heart of downtown Cozumel / PhotoS: Vanessa Nini

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DISCOVER TPT FOODIES MEXICO

People of all ages, families and friends gather for Noche de Baile / Photos: Raquel Garza Gonzalez

Noche de Baile

BY RAQUEL GARZA

I

t’s nighttime, and you don’t know anyone who wants to dance.

None of your friends want to hang out, and yet it is too early to go to the bar or disco. You can’t stay home not doing anything! Cozumel has the best and most original choices for a night out.

Every first Saturday of the month, the Foundation Parks and Museums of Cozumel organizes a dance night program called “Dance Night, No Obligations...Let’s be free” (Noche de Baile, una cana al aire…libre). The event takes place in the location between calle 4 and 6 on Avenida Rafael E. Melgar, just opposite of the Museum of Cozumel, next to the malecon, facing the ocean.

People of all ages, families and friends gather here. They can enjoy the opportunity to dance, watch other dancers, laugh and enjoy a very entertaining evening. This event welcomes to locals, as well as tourists, and all of the many visitors.

September 3rd from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., this anticipated event took place, with more than 150 people.

Dancing, of course, is not mandatory (but highly recommended!).

There are many families, who sit next to the boardwalk to enjoy the great celebration of life or to accompany a friend or family member who likes to go to show off their best dance moves. Laughing, living, meeting people, and enjoying the family atmosphere that, for sure, will take place every month.

A band that plays live music is in charge of organizing dance contests and making sure that all attendees spend their night in harmony. With different types of music, varied melodies and rhythms, each contestant shows their best dance moves.

It is an enjoyable, healthy. People participate in this event outside the museum, in full moonlight, with the sea as an accomplice. New friends are always being made. Everyone is invited to be a part of this event which is quickly becoming a tradition on the island of Cozumel.

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October 05 - 18 2016

SPECIAL EVENT Saturday, October 15, all day. Fair, flea market, shows and workshops celebrating Day of the Dead. Parque La Ceiba, Ejido Playa del Carmen, Av 1 Sur con Diagonal 60.

DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL,

AEROFOBIA DAY OF THE DEAD AERIAL DANCE SHOW , Saturday, Octo-

ber 15, 6:00 p.m. Fair, flea market, shows and workshops celebrating Day of the Dead. Parque La Ceiba, Ejido Playa del Carmen, Av 1 Sur con Diagonal 60.

TULUM

LIVE MUSIC & DANCING

LIVE MUSIC Fridays at 7:30 p.m.

Chak Acoustic Session. Ahau Tulum Km 7.8 Carretera Tulum Boca Paila.

LIVE MUSIC Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

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

YOGA Monday thru Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Sanara Tulum. Km 8.2 Carretera Tulum Boca Paila.

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

KARAOKE

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

KARAOKE,

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

LIVE KARAOKE. Every Saturday at 11:00pm join the band RockStaraoke to live your Rock Star Fantasy.

Choose from 100 songs! La Drinkeria, Av. Petempich, Plaza Punto 115, Local 5, Residencial de los Olivos.

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

Fee: Donation

DANCE CLASSES,

every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kava Kasa, 22nd St. and 10th Ave.

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

DESAYUNO , every Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Jardin de Todas Centro Comunitario, Avenida 80 & Calle 3 Sur (Ejido).

KARAOKE ART NIGHT,

ECOTIANGUIS

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

EL ÁRBOL PLAYACAR MARKET, ev-

ART CLASSES,

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

Tulum Avenue, Local 6. Playacar Fase II.

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

DANCE/SILKS Wednesdays and Fridays 9-10 a.m. Free trial classes for adults at Parque La Ceiba 1st Avenue South and Avenue 60 Diagonal in the Ejido.

Given by Aerofobia. Please wear pants or leggings.

AERIAL

MARKETS KAVA KASA LOCAL MARKET

JIU JITSU/MUAY THAI/JUDO Jiu Jitsu : Mondays thru Thursdays

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

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

PARQUE LA CEIBA TIANGUIS,

COCO BEACH MARKET Every

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

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

JARDIN DE TODOS MARKET

ANIMAL WELFARE

OCTOBER 05 - 18

2016

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

Judo: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 p.m. and Wednesdays 10 a.m.Free trial classes for adults at Gracia Barra Jiu Jitsu. Avenue Constituyentes and Avenue 95, Ejido, in the Evolve Complex.

every Saturday 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. Volunteers needed to help socialize kittens. It’s also a great de-stressor!

For more information, contact info@ cocosanimalwelfare.com

ACCIÓN ANIMAL ADOPTION FAIR,

Coco´s KITTEN CUDDLING,

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.

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

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.

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

PLANETARIUM FOR KIDS Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.

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

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

Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.

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

VIRTUAL REALITY. Fridays at 3:00 p.m. Sunday (July 24) at 12:00 p.m. Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

SPIDERS .

FOSSILS. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.

Travel back in time and discover plants and animals that have survived until now. Learn about their story through centuries. Get your own fossil and paint is how you like. Ages 6 years and up. $25mxn per participant. Sayab Planetarium Av-

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

ELASTIBALL.

SPACE SHIP.

FASCINATING GEOMETRY .

Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. Thursdays at 5:30

enue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

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

Sayab Planetarium Avenue Paseo Central between Avenue Kanthena and Avenue 125.

BASIC CHESS.

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

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TPT FOODIES

October 05 - 18 2016

Café Chou Chou

BY CATHERINE PAWELEK

T

his newcomer to the area is more than just a term of endearment. Café Chou Chou (pronounced shoe-shoe) is a gathering spot for nurturing our soul. A place where good food is served, filling our tummies and feeding our body. And it is a place to recycle, giving us the sense that we are all contributing a little bit towards the environment. Win-win all around.

Photo: Theplayatimes

Walk into this space and the art on the wall competes for your attention with the beautifully presented food, that in itself could be art. With Playa del Carmen’s expansion, our food options have grown and it seems like Café Chou Chou is following this new trend, style and attitude. For them, like most of us, it is no longer only about eating because the clock dictates it. It is about the conversation, atmosphere, presentation, décor, pricing, service and the food, all rolled in one. It is about being eclectic and appealing to our eyes, taste buds and pocketbooks (prices average from 55 to 95 pesos).

The menu is an eyeful. Granola or French toast for breakfast, a French Pan Bagnat sandwich (where olives meet tuna, tomatoes and more) or a filling Greek salad or sliced fresh seared Tuna. You can order these with a side of their specialty coffee or fruit juice. You can choose where to enjoy your meal, whether in a recycled shipping container, interior dining area or patio, Being environmentally conscious, they encourage their guests to participate in their recycling efforts. Although Playa has a monthly recycling program, Chou Chou has taken it one step further. You can bring in any item for recycling directly to the restaurant where it is deposited into a variety of bins and taken to the recycling center when they are full. Sign a commitment with the Café’ to do so consistently and you will even receive a 15% discount at the restaurant. Didn’t I say Win-win?

Located on 20 Avenue between calle 20 and 24 in Playa del Carmen. Visit chouchoucafe.com or call 984-118-4313.

Photo: agency

SEARED TUNA TORTA (for 4)

By Catherine Pawelek On every street corner there is a taqueria and heladeria, but you will also find torta shops in each block. In Mexico, a torta or sandwich often starts with a simple roll, filled with pork, fish, ham or sausage.

Below you will find a great recipe for a quick and delicious sandwich made with fresh tuna. Want to use grouper or shrimp?

Go for it! ½ Lb fresh tuna 4 crusty rolls, sliced in half 4 Tbsp mustard 2 Tbsp fresh herbs and microgreens 2 eggs hard boiled, sliced ¼ tsp toasted sesame seeds 4 sliced black olives 1 small red or white potato, cooked, sliced

¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup red wine vinegar 2 cups mixed lettuce Salt and Pepper to taste In a saute pan pour half of the olive oil, and heat till almost smoking. Place the fresh tuna fillet and sear for 1 minute on all sides, remove from pan and let rest.

Meanwhile take the herbs, sesame seeds, black olives and potato and toss with the rest of the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and toss with microgreens. Lightly spread the rolls with mustard, top with the sliced eggs and mixture. Top with the thinly sliced seared tuna. Serve this with a small mixed salad for a satisfying lunch.

FYI: Substitute the tuna with a different protein.

Add a touch of minced habanero for a nice kick.

October 05 - 18 2016

ENTERTAINMENT

15

Reinventing Mexican Traditions

T h ro u g h S c u l pt u r e

Pabe^ Zkm m^g]l mh eZ\d Z \hgl\bhnlg^ll h_ mbf^% bm bl g^\^llZkr mh ni]Zm^ bm _khf mbf^ mh mbf^ mh Û m ma^ mZlm^l h_ ma^ ]b__^k^gm \nemnk^l and generations How has Playa inspired the designs of your sculptures?

In fact, it has been the tourism itself.

Tourism is so astonished and fascinated with the Mexican culture, that they are what inspire me to create these pieces. A mix of tradition and a friendlier image for their cultures.

By Crystal Mitchell

W

e know that Playa del Carmen is a magnet and birthplace to many artists and musicians. I love that, even after many years, I find new artists and even new techniques that are not mainstream. Recently, I met Vladimir Oropeza Huerta, who makes incredible sculptures with a very Mexican feel. They are perfect for the upcoming holiday, Dia de Muertos.

Where are you from and how did you find yourself in Playa?

I was born in Mexico City and lived for 30 years in the state of Mexico when I decided to move to Playa. My sister was already living in Playa and I was looking for a very touristic place to develop my vision of Mexican artisanship.

What kind of art do you do?

Contemporary, with the use of different or new materials. The idea of keeping the traditional beauty remains in my work.

What inspired you to use this unique medium and how did you learn it?

What inspires me is the aesthetics and

What has been the most fun of starting this venture?

To talk to people who have purchased my pieces. Knowing the vision different people had of our culture and to see it as it changes or improves when I explain their meaning.

What inspires me is the esthetics and beauty of the traditional Dia de Muertos / Photos: Vladimir Oropeza Huerta

beauty of the traditional Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a wonderful and unique celebration in the world. I learned in my high school years with my friends and teachers Victor Angel Vasquez and Pedro Banda, the Cartoneria technique (a similar technique to papier mache). They taught me the technique and helped me to develop it

to the next level so that I could use it to my requirements to achieve my vision.

What are the highlights and challenges of this talent in Playa and how do you overcome them?

The main challenge is that people don’t value the work that I do. On

The idea of keeping the traditional beauty remains in my work.

multiple occasions, they ask for a lower price than of the true value of the work they are buying. The quality that I give to my pieces is very necessary for me, it is my signature. The details are made to finally obtain a product with a finish that is worth what you are paying for it.

When you are not busy with the daily life of your art, what do you enjoy doing with your time?

Currently, I don’t have much free time, but I always try to use the little free time I have to nurture my creativity with some reading, cinema, music and many facts about Mexico that, besides a lifetime, is neverending.

You can see Vladamir’s creations on his Facebook Fanpage Facebook/ elgatoazulartesanias or you can visit the little wagon on 5th Ave between Calles 34 and 38 in front of La Bodeguita de en Medio.

16

ART & CULTURE

October 05 - 18 2016

Seven Reasons To Get Artsy Ma^ \hffhg [^eb^_ bl maZm Zkm bl k^l^ko^] _hk mahl^ pbma ma^ kb`am l^glbmbobmr [nm Zl LZkZ ^qieZbgl% bm ]h^lg m mZd^ Z ehm mh lmZkm \k^Zmbg` Zg] bm bl% bg _Z\m% [^g^Û\bZe _hk rhn

BY SARA JONES

W

hether or not you are an artist, you have probably come across the multitude of adult coloring books and apps now available.

Getting in touch with your creative side can have numerous benefits. Here are few to inspire you to draw, paint, sculpt or color.

Besides nature, what makes Cuetzalan unique is its’ history and culture / Photo: Wikimedia

Reduce stress. Coloring Mandalas or other geometric shapes with concentric circles has been shown to lower overall stress levels and induce a calming effect. It’s also shown to reduce the stress reaction to future stressful situations.

It is meditative. You know that state of flow you get into when doing something you love?

Creating art can help you relax and clear the mind, taking you into a meditative state and reducing the chatter of a restless mind.

Spark creativity. The act of doing something artistic can encourage your mind to become even more creative and spark new innovative ideas or perhaps even solutions to problems you have been mulling over.

It is therapeutic. Mandala coloring has been actually prescribed to patients by psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists and occupational therapists for centuries.

Carl Jung believed that coloring mandalas represented the “inner process by which individuals grow toward fulfilling their potential for wholeness.”

Reconnect with your inner child.

Break negative thinking patterns and stop being so hard on yourself by doing something that makes you feel young, happy and confident. Getting in touch with our inner child can help us be better adults and nurtures positivity.

Cuetzalan: Tourism, Coffee and a Rich Past

BY ALEJANDRA CAMPO

Think coloring books are just for kids? Think again!

Mindfulness. Creating art helps us stay present and mindful. Being ‘in the moment’ means we are not anxiously worrying about the future or replaying events from the past that we can’t change. Living in the present and staying focused on a creative activity allows us to feel at peace.

Develop fine motor skills and vision. Requiring the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate, drawing and coloring can actually improve logic and creativity and may also prevent dementia in older individuals.

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

The act of doing something artistic can encourage you to be creative / Photo: 01Colorful elephant = public domain

After hours of driving through the mountains we arrived in Cuetzalan, formerly “Quetzalan” (the place of the beautifully feathered birds). It is a Pueblo Mágico nestled in the mountains of Puebla, containing steep stonepaved streets, a main square, a kiosk and temple. It is surrounded by caves and waterfalls, and you need only take the highway to reach either one within minutes.

Besides nature, what makes Cuetzalan unique is its’ history and culture. Here you will find the community of Yohualichan, where Totonaca culture was born and which would later move to Veracruz after the Nahuatl invasion. This is why the archaeological site of El Tajín, in the state of Veracruz, has architecture that similar to that of Yohualichan.

The locals are very proud of this fact and are currently working with this recognition and vindication, shown with the agricultural ritual of The Papantla Flyers, or “Los Voladores de Papantla” (Municipality of Veracruz) Syncretism is present here with the two main Catholic churches, reflecting the indigenous worldview. The neoclassic church of “jarritos” is dedicated to Tonantzin or Virgen de Guadalupe, and the San Francisco temple is dedicated to a male deity.

During the XIX and XX centuries these people experienced a period of abundance, where foreign families and locals prospered from the cultivation of coffee. Today, after

Cuetzalan is nestled in the mountains of Puebla, containing steep stone-paved streets and surrounded by caves and waterfalls two large cold spells and the international drop of coffee prices, Cuetzalan bets on cultural and adventure tourism.

Its main festival is on October 4 when they celebrate San Francisco. Coincidentally, the locals celebrated one of their deities on this date, a fact which was used by the Spaniards to ease the evangelization process. This date is special to visit Cuetzalan, as there is a deployment of Nahuatl and Totonac culture and traditions.

A fact worthy of admiration is that in Cuetzalan, signs and notices are written in both Nahuatl and Spanish, as 70% of the current population belongs to this origin.

The village has a very good range of hotels to suit all tastes and budgets, as well as small restaurants with delicious regional food.

One thing you shouldn’t miss is the Sunday flea market, located in the main square and main street. Nahuatls place hundreds of stalls filled with crafts, clothing, fruits and vegetables, coffee and local food. Living Culture!

October 05 - 18 2016

H E A LT H & F I T N ESS 17

Congratulations Team Australia!

The Aussie men take home the Eisenhower Trophy at the 30th World Amateur Team Championship

BY IAN MACKENZIE

T

he 30th World Amateur Team Championship was held last week (21 September - 24 September) at Mayakoba El Camaleón Golf Club and the Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club. This year, it was Team Australia taking the Eisenhower Trophy with their 4th championship win. They clinched their win at the Mayakoba El Camaleon Golf Club. The par-71, 6,771-yard course was host to some of the world’s top young golfing talent, which saw England finish as runner-up with the silver medal and Austria and Ireland sharing the bronze medal. Host nation Mexico ended up tied for 16th at 564.

Australian captain Matt Cutler said that it was “great for the game of golf back home.” He praised his teammates for the way they “executed the plan perfectly this week,” talking about their determination to get it done. Their victory margin is the third-largest in championship history. Australians Cameron Davis and Curtis Luck each shot 3-under 68s, and Australia tied the 72-hole scoring record. This is the fourth time that they have won the World Amateur Team Championship (WATC), claiming the Eisenhower Trophy for the first time since 1996.

Davis turned in the lowest individual score at 17-under 269, with

Congratulations to Team Australia on their win / Photo: www.igfgolf.org/

birdies on three consecutive holes and six during the final round. His teammate Curtis Luck, the 2016 U.S. Amateur champion, finished at 15-under overall. Davis puts their victory down to having a good strategy

around both courses. “We did a really good job in the practice rounds of setting out where the pins were as well as their extreme professionalism¨.

The WATC is a bi-annual international amateur competition con-

ducted by the International Golf Federation (IGF) and made up of 147 national governing bodies in 141 countries and 22 professional members.The competition is rotated among three geographic zones and

this year’s event was hosted by the Mexican Golf Federation.

Yoga Studios around Playa Del Carmen

BY SARA JONES Kava Kasa (Hotel Aventura Mexicana Calle 24, between 5th & 10th). This open-air, palapa covered studio offers a full schedule of morning (9am & 11am) and evening (6pm & 7.30pm) yoga classes all week long. With no membership required, classes are donation based and participants are invited to ‘pay what they can’. My favorite classes include Kat’s Vinyasa, Arun’s Ashtanga, Mariel’s Power Yoga and Heidi’s Laughter Yoga. Classes here are often bi-lingual (Tip: Use bug repellant as this space can attract mosquitos) Casa Ananda (Calle 34 with Avenida 75). A great option if you’re over the highway, this yoga center has various spacious studios and offers a variety of weekday classes from 7.30am to 8pm. The highlight here is a 2-hour Saturday morning class at 8.30 followed by a vegetarian buffet breakfast in the front courtyard.

Yoga Company (Calle 26 between 5th & 10th, entrance through Bio-Organicos). Focusing on Vinyasa Yoga, this Studio is run by one of Playa’s favorite instructors: David Campos. Located 3 floors up you are often treated to refreshing ocean breezes during class and the clean, polished wooden floor makes this one of Playa’s nicest studios. Class-

es on weekdays at 7am, 8.30am, 6pm & 7.30pm, African Dance and Yoga Nidra Meditation are also on the schedule here.

A few benefits of yoga…

Improves blood flow Increases flexibility Builds muscle strength Perfects your posture Yoga District (Plaza Paseo Coba).

Perfect for those living in Playacar or the south end of Playa, this studio located on Avenida Aviacion, teaches power and vinyasa flow yoga at 8.30am, 10am, 6pm & 7.30pm during weekdays and 9am and 10.15am on weekends. Offering memberships with unlimited use, pricing for locals and 3 classes by donation per week.

Yoga By The Sea (Rooftop of Soho Hotel, Calle 24 and Avenida 10). With a schedule of Hatha Flow classes, Yoga By The Sea is perfect for beginners or those with injuries.

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

Doing yoga improves your blood flow and increases your flexibility / Photo: Wikimedia Commons

For the complete results of the tournament visit their website www.igfgolf.org.

October 05 - 18 2016

Being Caught May Be a Second Chance at Life In the past, the words “city pound” produced a feeling of fear and sadness in both humans and dogs, but the staff of CEBIAM is working hard to change that stereotype.

BY NASH

C

EBIAM works alongside Playa del Carmen’s animal welfare and rescue organizations to promote adoption, sterilization and education throughout the community. Besides the duties of dog catcher and attending abuse or neglect complaints, they are also able to work with the community through school visits, kindergarten through high school, promoting animal welfare. They promote sterilization, attend adoption fairs, and collaborate with Municipal Health Department in the community providing free rabies vaccines and deworming. We spoke to Dr. Rodrigo Cruz, the General Manager of CEBIAM, about their efforts at the city pound.

Dr Rodrigo reports that many building upgrades were done to make the area safer for both dogs and humans, including a new surgical table and upgraded lighting. He says that the dogs at CEBIAM are well taken care of, kept clean and fed twice a day. Puppies and sick dogs may eat up to five times a day and the shelter animals have 24-hour supervision.

The CEBIAM team was on hand at the recent VIDAS clinic in Playa, a six day, free sterilization clinic where 1,594 animals were sterilized. At the event CEBIAM participated with surgeries and transportation, as well as offering education and free rabies vaccines.

CEBIAM is working with a canine behavior specialist, José María Fernández, at

Help give these dogs a second chance via adoption / Photo: Wikimedia Commons

the CEBIAM dog park. If you have questions about your dogs, check Facebook for details.

Sadly, CEBIAM is not a no-kill shelter.

They can only hold 56 dogs maximum, but by working closely with other animal rescue groups and promoting adoptions through social media, they can make a big difference in the lives of these dogs.

Dr. Rodrigo invites the public to come by the shelter, see the improvements and visit the dogs that are available for adoption.

Find them on Facebook/Centro de Bienestar Animal Municipal CEBIAM, and share the dogs that are looking for their second chance.

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CLASSIFIEDS SPANISH CLASSES. Private, semi-private, small groups. Quality teaching, low prices.

9841149090 ( w h a t s a p p /c e l l ) agoralanguagecenter@gmail.com