Edition 98 by theplayatimes

B i m o n t h l y · Ye a r 03 · N u m b e r 9 8 · 20,000 c o p i e s · 3 2 Pages · D e c e m b e r 0 7 - 2 0 , 2 0 1 6

Winter Visitors: S P A M

Bull Sharks

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

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Each year these important marine animals come to the coastal waters of the Mexican Caribbean where scientists and conservationists are able to study the amazing phenomenon of bull shark aggregations and migrations in the Caribbean Sea

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BEACH LIFE

A ( P o s i t i v e ) Ta x i S t o r y >P. 5

CANCUN

S ea Wa l l s Pro j ect >P. 12

Photo: Florencia Cerutti

· BEACH LIFE

· ENTERTAINMENT

NOMA POP UP

QUEER FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW

The Norwegian restaurant known for its avant-garde and incredibly expensive menu is making its way to Tulum. Is this good or bad for the town?

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Photo: : Nadia Morella

Photo: Wikimedia

December 7-20 In November, the seventh edition of the festival was held in Playa del Carmen and Cancun. It was the second year that the festival came to our region

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

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D e c e m b e r 07 - 20 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 Photo: Shutterstock

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

Octavio Moreno Sales Executive

Winter Visitors to the Caribbean

Cell: 984 179 8347 octavio@meridianmedia.mx

BY REBECCA PAGE

Omar Coral

Distribution

he end of 2016 is almost here and with it comes Christmas, high season, and bull sharks! Many of you may not know that bull sharks a regular visitor to the Mexican Caribbean. Most of the sharks that come to our waters from November until about March are pregnant females. It is believed that they come to give birth to their pups in the cooler waters during the winter months. In recent years, scientists have been studying the sharks that come here in an attempt to understand their behavior, migration patterns, and find out exactly why they are here. Certified SCUBA divers also make their way to the region to go on bull shark dives. Groups of divers are brought to areas where the

distribution@meridianmedia.mx

bull sharks are known to congregate. While I have never done a bull shark dive, I have had the opportunity to see bull sharks while diving. The experience is one I am never going to forget, and I consider my encounter one of the highlights of my diving experiences. In this edition, Florencia Cerutti, our resident marine biologist, provides more information on the bull sharks in her article, ¨Winter Visitors: Bull Sharks¨ found in our Discover Mexico section. Also in this edition, we hop the ferry to Cozumel where you can learn to surf with Nacho Gutierrez at his surf school or have a delicious meal with Gabriela Cámara Sanchez at her restaurant, La Cuisine. Speaking of restaurants, there is a controversial new installation coming to Tulum. Noma is going to be opening a pop-

up restaurant that will be open for just six weeks. (Wealthy) Foodies familiar with the restaurant´s reputation for its avant-garde preparation of local, seasonal foods may jump at the chance to spend $600 USD per plate (you read that correctly). But is this latest trendy hot spot to hit Tulum a positive addition or just another profit making venture for the owners without long-lasting benefits for Tulum? Check out Ashley Campo´s article ¨Noma Pop-Up: Good or Bad News?¨ in our Tulum section to find out more. We hope you enjoy this edition, and we hope you have a fabulous time visiting the Mexican Caribbean. On a side note, for those of you who live here, is it just me or is it way too warm for December?

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: Calle 2 entre 45 y Carretera Federal, Mza. 088 lote 003-1. 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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BEACH LIFE

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6 Thousands of snowbirds cannot be wrong! The weather is warm and inviting year round / Photo: The Playa Times

Ask Allan: Condo Questions Do you know how to keep your condo from smelling musty after being closed for a long period of time or how to avoid troublesome renters? Allan does! B Y A LLAN L OCKHART , O WNER OF N ORTH A MERICAN STANDARDS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

hen I leave my condo for more than a few months do I need to take any special steps to keep it from smelling musty when I come back? Julie Hi, Julie! Thanks for your question. If I was going to be gone for more than a few months or not sure when I was coming back, I would take preventive steps to help eliminate the mold and mildew. One step would be to leave the fans on. Moving air does not stagnate as quickly. Sometimes people will try the hanging dehumidifier bags. These will work in a smaller enclosed area, closets or your car, but not too well in a one or more bedroom dwelling. The next step would be to consider getting one or more dehumidifiers. It is important to know what the correct percent of humidity you want to remove so it will work best for you. Too low and it won’t work properly, too high, and it will try to suck the air in from outside, (like trying to dehumidify the town of Playa del Carmen). If the mustiness has gotten ahead of you, there is a way to get rid of most of the mold and mildew. An ozone treatment will work wonders on a musty smelling dwelling. If you have chosen the proper property manager, all of these items and knowledge should be available to you. Thanks again for asking. Allan I own a two bedroom condo and I do rentals. I know that the time to make hay is during the high season, but how do I know ahead of time who the right people will be for my unit? I have had some very bad experiences, parties and too much drinking. Thank you, Samantha Hi, Samantha. Thank you for your question. If you are in the rental market, nothing is guaranteed. You should try to work with

Do you have questions related to property management or vacation rentals? Allan is here to help! Send questions or concerns to allan@nasplaya.com.

an experienced rental manager and someone who is concerned about your property, not just their commission. Most experienced and reputable rental managers have an experienced, dedicated reservation specialist who will do some very good screening for you. This might result in fewer rentals, but your condo will still be standing when you get back. With experience comes the knowledge of where the requests are coming from and what time of the year it is for. For instance, if it is during spring break and we get a request for six or eight people we always ask for their ages first. If there are more than four people and their ages are in the 20’s, the chances are that there might be eight people in your unit before the second day and there might be a lot of partying going on. Not all young people are partiers, but through communicating with them, we usually find out what their ultimate goal is. Bottom line, choose a rental manager that is more concerned about your well-being and not just their commission. It’s also a very good idea to have an experienced property manager that is also your rental manager. This way they will control what your property looks like and who they are putting into it. If you have two separate companies, it could become a blame game when the renters call with a complaint. Thank you for asking. Allan

Allan is ready to answer your rental and property management questions! / Photo: Allan Lockhart

Benefits of Living in the

Riviera Maya BY THOMAS LLOYD, FOUNDER OF TOP MEXICO REAL ESTATE A lot has been said about the positive impact of living in Mexico, but the current times with so many things going on (a weak peso, Trump being elected), it’s a good idea to remind ourselves about the benefits of living in this country and specifically in the Riviera Maya. Of course I can’t cover all of them, so I chose just a few. • Nice weather Thousands of snowbirds cannot be wrong: the Riviera Maya has a warm and very inviting weather all year round, which allows you to keep active at all times. Taking a walk, visiting the water parks, going on a day trip, relaxing by the beach…all these options are possible when you have nice weather at your side. Plus, keeping physically active is great for your overall health. • Fresh food and fruits Related to having a friendly weather is the fact that in Mexico you have access to fresh fruit and produce all year round. This not only means being able to prepare delicious food, but also an option to keep your

expenses low. Look for the local producers and street vendors offering their vegetables and fruit; you will be surprised with how little money you need to keep your veggie drawers full! • Modern health services Whether it’s the relaxed lifestyle, more sunshine and outdoor activity, living in Mexico is good for people’s health in a variety of ways. But in case you need medical attention, the Riviera Maya has excellent clinics and modern hospitals that offer top-notch services and very good prices, which can be 50-70% lower than in the U.S., and this price reduction also applies to medical services, dentistry and rejuvenating procedures. • Well-connected airports Cancun’s Airport is one of the most important in Mexico, and has plenty of direct flights to the main cities in the USA, Canada and Europe, making it easy to visit the family or travel anywhere. To read more, ask for a free information kit about the benefits of living in Mexico. Send an email at info@topmexicorealestate.com.

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

BEACH LIFE

T a x i D r i v e r P ay s i t F o r w a r d When Dave lost his cell phone in a taxi after a trip to Walmart, he thought it was gone for good. Little did he know that the taxi driver, Henry Ake Hernandez was trying to track him down!

DEAR EDITOR,

y husband and I arrived from the U.S. in Playa del Carmen last week for a six month stay. We walked to Walmart on Thursday for an initial rather sizable grocery/ supply run and caught a taxi for the return to our condo, which is on the far side of Playacar. When we arrived upstairs in our condo, my husband immediately realized he did not have his cell phone and believed it must have fallen out of his pocket while in the taxi. He went to the guard gate and did his best to convey with limited Spanish that he had left his phone in the taxi. He then walked to one of the business plazas where he spotted a police officer. Again with limited Spanish & the police officer with a bit better English managed to get across that he had left his cell phone in a taxi. The police officer drove to our condo complex and spoke with the guard at the gate about the taxi and the lost phone. He asked the guard if he had recorded the taxi driver information. The guard had recorded the taxi number. While this was going on, I was inside the condo suspending service to the cell phone through Verizon. We heard nothing else about the

phone and believed it to be gone until last night when we returned from town. Some friends dropped us off at our condo gate. The guard approached us and managed to convey to us that the cell phone was found and gave us a number to call. He also asked for our condo number. Since our Spanish is so limited, we planned to ask a friend later this morning to help us make the call and get the particulars. As it turned out, our doorbell rang this morning and there stood the taxi driver with my husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cell phone! He, as best we could understand, had been holding onto it for these several days, waiting to learn which

condo unit we were in so that he could return it to us. When we gave our number to the guard last night, that connection was made somehow between the two of them. We were so excited and grateful! I gave him a hug, my husband gave him a reward, and we got his name & number for all our future taxi needs while here. For anyone in PDC needing a taxi, this driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s honesty and integrity speaks for itself. We hope to see his business blessed by lots of requests for him. Henry Ake Hernandez, Taxi #204. 984-745-3868. Respectfully submitted. Angela Benge (& Dave Benge)

Taxi driver Henry Ake Hernandez happily returned the lost phone to its owner, Dave / Photo: Henry Ake Hernandez/The Playa Times

From the Editor: I got in touch with Henry to hear his side of the story. He told me it was his pleasure to return the phone as he understand how valuable it was to Dave. He also wants everyone to know that there are good taxi drivers out there who value good service!

BEACH LIFE

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

Working Magic at Carboncitos & Hotel Cielo Doing business in Mexico isn´t easy, but Steve Krisztin has found success by providing a great product and outstanding customer service from his dedicated team BY CRYSTAL MITCHELL

otel Cielo and Carboncitos are well known in Playa del Carmen. I was honored to get the behind the scenes scoop with the man responsible for the success of both businesses, Steven Krisztin. Steve bought into Hotel Cielo 13 years ago as a 10% absentee partner. Within the first year, after he took control, Hotel Cielo tripled its sales, and Carboncitos’ quadrupled, all with no experience in Hotel/ Restaurant management. Let’s get to know the man responsible for all this success. Where are you from originally and how did you find yourself in Playa del Carmen? New York. A good friend sold me the dream. How long have you been here? Living here, six years Do you feel it is easy to run a business in a foreign country? Not in this country. It’s very tiring and tough to get used to their systems, especially if you are from the U.S. How long have Hotel Cielo and Carboncitos been open? 13 years in January. What has been the key to your success for the two businesses? Hard work, determination and there are no substitutes for great customer service and quality. What advice would you give to anyone who wants to start a business in Playa? Think very hard about it, study the environment. And ask a million and one questions. Do not get all sucked up into the “I’m going to be working in the Caribbean, how cool!”

“For me, it was an easy transition. I just miss the pizza, bagels and of course, my family,”

What makes Hotel Cielo and Carboncitos different from other hotels and restaurants here in Playa? I would have to say, besides providing clients with a great product, our customer service really sets us apart. We treat all of our guests as if they were family. Our staff is awesome. Many long term employees have eight, nine, 10 and 12 years with us, and they are now part of our extended family, and we could not be as successful as we are without them. What has been the most fun of starting this venture? I would have to say that just living in the Caribbean and not knowing a word of Spanish went taking on this venture. If you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Hotel Cielo or Carboncitos, they are located on Calle 4, just a few meters off of Fifth Avenue. Visit them on Facebook/Hotel Cielo Playa del Carmen and Facebook/Carboncitos.

Cesar Rivas artist at worki / Photos: Péter János Novák

TPT Meets: Cesar Rivas from Perla Negra Tattoo BY NASH Tattoos have become part of the mainstream culture, an artistic expression of personal memories, art and individuality. In the past, they were taboo, but they have become the norm for people from all walks of life. It is a permanent form of art with not much room for error. You need to select an artist you can trust to be precise and professional. If you are in search of a comfortable tattoo shop with talented artists, visit Perla Negra Tattoo Shop. We talked to local tattoo artist Cesar Rivas from Perla Negra, which has been open for one year and has already expanded their business. Cesar, who is originally from Veracruz, has been tattooing for ten years. How did you learn the art of tattooing? I have always drawn and painted, and as an adolescent, I started doing tattoos on my friends. Did you take art classes or are you a selftaught artist? I did not take an art class. I always tried to research and practice on my own.

share with us? On a couple of occasions, a customer has passed out. The customer’s reactions were funny but only after the fact.

Which is your favorite style of tattooing? I prefer tattoos in color. My favorite style is traditional

What advice to have for clients looking for a new tattoo? You must first check the photos of the artist’s works well before doing anything.

What do people typically regret when it comes to tattoos? Usually, what happens, either they do a tattoo with their partner, or the tattoo was simply one which was in style at the time. They are located on Calle 4 between 5th and 10th Avenues / Photos: Steve Krisztin & FB pages

What funny story about a client can you

The old age question, who can handle the pain better, men or women? The women can withstand more pain. Check out Perla Negra Tattoo Shop and his Facebook/Tattooing by Cesar Rivas.

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

BEACH LIFE

Journey to Standing Rock Local chiropractor, Dr. Michael Lande headed to North Dakota to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation with medical supplies and cold weather camping gear for the protestors standing against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Crystal interviewed Dr. Lande to find out more BY CRYSTAL MITCHELL

ditor´s note: Just before we went to print, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers announced it would seek alternative routes for the Dakota Access Pipeline that was originally planned to be installed near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Playa’s beloved Dr. Michael P. Lande, local chiropractor for eight years, has begun a journey to Standing Rock Indian Reservation to help the water protectors there. The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) could affect millions of people by contaminating their drinking water. Michael will fly to Washington, D.C. and then drive the 1,500 miles to Standing Rock to deliver cold weather camping and medical supplies to the water protectors, as medical services have been cut off to the indigenous people. How did you first find out about the situation in Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota? I first found out about standing rock in July through social media. Can you sum up briefly what is going on up there for our read-

Drawings and letters by local elementary school Ricardo Lopez Mendez 6th graders / Photo:Dr. Michael Lande

ers who do not know? They are trying to put an oil pipeline through the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and through the Missouri River without the consent of the people who live there. The river is their only source of water, and they and their children depend on it. That is why they say Mni Wiconi, ‘water is life’! Tell us about your project, Journey to Standing Rock, and what your goals are with it.

I am going to Standing Rock to work with the Medical and Healers Council and support the water protectors in this way.

unite hearts and minds at this time. We are bringing copal and sacred tools to Standing Rock to help the power of peace overcome the violence.

You have been meeting with Maya elders here in the Riviera Maya. Please, tell us more about their connection to Standing Rock. We interviewed a Maya woman just after Day of the Dead, who spoke of the prophecies and that we all need to

How do you feel the impact of Standing Rock is affecting the world? This will be a precedent for other situations. So many of the environmental situations are being hidden from public view. Thanks to social media, Standing Rock can no longer be hid-

Election Results are in:

Mexico Declared Win n er B y M EX L AW It is not easy to immigrate to Canada unless you are a refugee, Federal Skilled Worker, or married to a Canadian and even then there are challenges receiving Residency in Canada. Mexico may be a better option to escape the US. 10 Reasons Americans Who Want to Leave the US Should Consider Mexico A tranquil life, away from the politics and the uncertainty of the U.S. Realize a serene life in Mexico with a lower cost of living. Family life: For Americans who have not yet retired and are working remotely, this lifestyle offers more family time. Typically expat children attend private school in Mexico, a perk you may not afford in Canada or the U.S.

Economy: Mexico is the 11th-largest economy in the world, based on pay and cost of living, whereas Canada ranks 16th. The American dollar stretches farther in Mexico than it will in Canada, as of today the U.S. dollar is worth around 20 pesos. Renting and owning real estate: Mexico offers a better quality of life on a fixed income. Property owners enjoy low condo fees and minimal property taxes in Mexico. Excellent health care in Mexico at half or less than what you pay in Canada or the U.S., with minimal wait times. Mexico is an international melting pot of all backgrounds and different walks of life. The climate: escape the cold weather by settling in the Riviera Maya where there are warm tropical temperatures year round. Sunshine and an ocean breeze are good for the bones and the spirit. Mexico’s geographic proximity to the United States allows for quick and easy visits from friends and family.

Contact an Immigration Specialists at MEXLAW about Mexican Residency or business opportunities for foreigners.

Mexico is a much better option than Canada if you are considering leaving the U.S / Photo:Agency

“The Indigenous communities understand that we are all connected,” Dr. Michael P. Lande / Photo:The Heart of Love

den. The people are making a stand, and this could definitely affect future situations similar to this one. How can our readers support your project and the Water Protectors in Standing Rock? You can help to support us at our Go Fund Me account, as well the Standing Rock medic and healers council page. All of this can be found on Facebook/Journey to Standing Rock.

DISCOVER MEXICO

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

Feel the Rhythm: Salsa, Bachata and Cumbia BY CRYSTAL MITCHELL When we think of Latin Dance, no matter which style, we imagine high heels, fast and sexy moves, and for some like me, fear. Latin dance can be mesmerizing when you are enjoying a night out and the music takes your soul, watching couples move effortlessly and gracefully. It can also be totally overwhelming when you feel the urge to float around and move like that, but have no idea how. In this article I am going to address Salsa, Bachata and Cumbia, in order to take out some of the mystery. It will then be up to you to go face that fear and take some lessons, and become one of those couples on the floor who mesmerize all who watch. Salsa is the most popular style here in Playa since it is the most mainstream worldwide. Originating from Cuba and Puerto Rico, most people have heard of it and seen it, if not tried it. Salsa gets its name from the mixture of its’ different dance types such as Cha-Cha and mambo, just like salsas mix different tastes. Salsa rhythm is more elaborate than that of Merengue or Bachata. Bachata is becoming more popular now. It originated in the Dominican Republic and was more romantic and slower. Nowadays, it has picked up its pace, but it is still slower than Salsa. It evolved from Bolero and Merengue. The main instrument in Bachata music is the guitar, whereas with Salsa it is more trumpets and drums. Cumbia is also slower than Salsa. The beat is said to be easier to find and follow than its cousins’. Cumbia’s movements tend to be more circular in shape, which makes it easier to follow. Cumbia is known to be a more relaxed dance and often not in dance competitions like its more showy cousins. Instruments in Cumbia are the piano, bass, guitar and percussion. It lacks the brass section that dictates Salsa.

Now, where can you try out these dance styles? Check out the following pages for Salon Salsanera Raices, La Bodegita del Medio, Zenzi, Salseros de Quintana Roo and Mezcla Latina Clases de Baile. Facebook/SALON SALSANERA RAICES Facebook/La Bodeguita del Medio, Playa del Carmen. Facebook/Mezcla Latina Escuela de Baile de Casino Facebook/Salseros De Quintana Roo Facebook/Zenzi Beach

Las Pozas is located in the small town of Xilitla, San Luis Potosi. / Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Nowadays, bachata has picked up its pace, but it is still slower than Salsa / Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Las Pozas de Xiltila Discover the perfect antidote to the hectic buzz of everyday life, just a short flight from Cancun BY CATHERINE PAWELEK

Salsa gets its name from the mixture of its different dance types, like in salsas / Photo: Flickr/Dan Clements

ored of the same old, same old? Majestic mountains, bodacious beaches, cooling cenotes and prodigious pyramids, you’ve seen them, so it is time for a road trip. You may want to visit somewhere new, away from the maddening crowds, if so we may have found the perfect antidote to civilization, called Las Pozas. This enchanted garden, discovered over the decades by artists, world travelers, writers, photographers, and those looking for places off the beaten path is located in Xilitla, a small town of about ten thousand people in the southern part of San Luis Potosi. Reminding me of South Florida’s Coral Castle, Salvador Dali’s surrealism or a Harry Potter movie, here genius meets fantasy and a worthwhile a weeklong trip. Las Pozas is the creation of the eccentric Edward James, an English poet who ended up in exile in Mexico and purchased a coffee plantation in 1947, and who was friends with Brave New World’s Aldous Huxley, famed D.H. Lawrence and neurologist Sigmund Freud. Once he arrived in Mexico he authorized good friend Plutarco Gastelum to oversee construction and expansion of this amazingly lush site that he called “Surrealist Xanadu”. Gastelum, the ultimate metrosexual, is described by the Smithsonian Magazine as part Yaqui Indian, part Spanish aristocrat and a

Fly from Cancun to Tampico in the state of San Luis Potosi. Then, it´s just a three hour bus ride to a stunning spot that feels a million miles away

swashbuckling former rancher, boxer, telegrapher and amateur architect. The design of this 20 acre garden includes orchids, a garden with over 36 sculptures, the natural vegetation of the jungle, as well as architectural elements of the Surrealist movement he was so enthralled by, including winding staircases to nowhere reminiscent of M.C. Escher. Through the decades Gastelum, who now lives in an eclectic hotel in las Pozas, continues to expand the gardens even after James’ death in 1984. Fly into Tampico Airport, take a three hour bus to Xilitla and spend a couple of nights at Casa los Comales or even at Posada Casa James Xilitla (criss_gastel@hotmail.com) amidst his unique tropical paradise.

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

DISCOVER MEXICO

Lagunas Mayakoba:

P l a n t i n g t h e F i rs t S e e d The new project will be located in Ciudad Mayakoba, a planned community just a few minutes north of Playa del Carmen, with a focus on the environment

Photos: Lagunas Ciudad Mayakoba

BY IAN MACKENZIE

n the evening of Thursday, November 24, invited guests, VIPs, and clients gathered in Ciudad Mayakoba for a very special event: the celebration of the start of work of Lagunas Mayakoba, which was taking place in a lot located inside Ciudad Mayakoba. It also included a ceremony for the first seed of the first tree that would be planted, which would symbolize the growth of Lagunas. The organizers had set up a tent area, complete with furniture, a bar, and lighting that reminded me of a club lounge. Guests trickled in and situated themselves at a table or on one of the sofas, accepting complimentary drinks from the attentive and professional waitstaff. As everyone enjoyed a margarita or a Cuba libre some very talented performers juggling torches took their places and entertained onlookers with their with skill and precision, lighting up the night sky. Once the space had filled up, the guests were thanked for coming and for placing their trust in the project. The presentation began, accompanied by a video showing the vision behind Lagunas Mayakoba. It was explained that Ciudad Mayakoba will feature all the necessities and comforts for the planned community, including schools, hospitals, commercial areas, an urban park, sports venues, and cultural areas. All of this spread over an area of 24.7 acres of green space. Their objective is to have commercial and housing developments converging in a manner which is in harmony with nature. Some of the amenities that really stood out are the kayak club, swimming and infinity pool,

For more information on Lagunas Mayakoba or Ciudad Mayakoba Visit www.lagunasdemayakoba.com Or Facebook/LagunasDeMayakoba

recreational areas, a fitness zone outdoor grills, and 24/7 security. Lagunas is designed by architect Dennis Sheridan, who is responsible for some of the Four Seasons properties. After the presentation, live music followed, and appetizers were brought around to the tables with a selection of mini pizzas, chicken shish kebabs, and mushrooms. The wait staff was very attentive to ev-

eryone there, offering up wine to those who wished some. There were many happy faces all around, with much congratulating and handshaking. The night had gone very well, and the Lagunas Mayakoba project looks destined for success. For more information about Lagunas visit their website: www. lagunasdemayakoba.com or on Facebook/LagunasDeMayakoba.

DISCOVER MEXICO

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

Winter Visitors:

Bull Sharks Each year these important marine animals come to the coastal waters of the Mexican Caribbean where scientists and conservationists are able to study the amazing phenomenon of bull shark aggregations and migrations in the Caribbean Sea BY FLORENCIA CERUTTI

he Mexican Caribbean has marine life that changes with each season and provides an important attraction for wildlife tourism activities. For example, we can see nesting sea turtles, mantas, and whale sharks during summer; and we get to dive with spotted eagle rays and bull sharks during winter! Bull sharks (tiburón toro, Carcharhinus leucas) are long-lived (29-32 years) sharks that live in coastal waters in the tropics and subtropics. It is one of the few species of sharks that is physiologically capable of moving to freshwater, so it is commonly found in estuaries, rivers, and even in freshwater lakes! They have been reported about 3700 km up into the Amazon River in Peru and over 3000 km up the Mississippi River in the U.S.A. Bull sharks are named due to their stout appearance: a robust body and a rounded snout. This shark can reach up to 3.5 m long and takes 14-25 years to be able to have only a few pups which take almost a year to develop before birth! It is quite important we understand that these characteristics make this shark (like all sharks and rays) very vulnerable to fishing because it is not capable at all to keep up any sort of extraction. Importantly, sharks (and rays) have a vital role in the marine ecosystem because they are predators, so they control the populations of many fish within a food network. The presence of sharks is a sign of a healthy reef, and when removed, we create an unbalance in our precious reefs. Some areas of the world such as South Africa, Palau, Indonesia, and Playa del Carmen have wisely realized that sharks and rays are far worthier alive than dead. Al-

though care should be given to these practices too, diving with these magnificent animals provides an opportunity for us to admire sharks and realize that they are not human killers, despite what Jaws made you think. In PDC, scientists and conservationist take this opportunity to study the amazing phenomenon of bull sharks’ aggregations and migrations in the Caribbean Sea. Interested in what they do? Visit www.pelagioskakunja.org and www.savingoursharks.org.

Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific, not the Caribbean or Atlantic. / Photo: Florencia Cerutti

Unwanted Beauty:

Lionfish BY FLORENCIA CERUTTI Even if we love animals and nature, introducing animals or plants in environments they do not belong to does create an environmental issue. The main damage is by consuming na-

Bull Shark Facts: Life span 29 - 32 years. Capable of swimming in freshwater. Can reach 3.5 meters long. 14 to 25 years to reach sexual maturity. Important predator in marine ecosystem.

Sharks play an important role in controlling fish populations / Photo: Florencia Cerutti

tive species, competing for food or space and introducing diseases. When an ‘alien’ species arrives in a new location, the habitat lacks natural predators to control the populations, and the native species lack the skill to cope with the new species. There are many examples worldwide of invasive species that become pests. One of them is the lionfish in the Caribbean Sea. Two species of lionfish have successfully invaded the coastal waters of the Atlantic in less than a decade, posing a significant threat to reef systems. Lionfish are beautiful-looking creatures with amazing spines; given its attraction as aquarium fauna. It is thought that these species entered the Atlantic when aquarium in the east coast of the U.S. discarded lionfish around 1985 and when a hurricane destroyed another aquarium in Florida in 1992. Lionfish belong to a group of venomous fish native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean, and they range from 5 to 45 cm in the Atlantic. Their success as an invasive species has to do with being hunters, being able to eat many species of small fish and mollusks, reproduce quickly, not having any predators in the Atlantic, and being able to tolerate a huge range of water quality, salinity, temperature, and depth. Many control programs have been working on the eradication or control of these species. Fishing competitions among fishermen and divers have been a key to eradicating them, at least locally. They seem to be quite tasty too! So the creation of recipes and cooking competitions to introduce lionfish in the Caribbean cuisine have been just as important. In Quintana Roo, efforts started in 2009 and has joined strategies with Cuba and Colombia. So, if you do want to eat fish in the Caribbean, instead of having groupers or other overharvested fish, try to have a tasty lionfish cocktail. For more information on lionfish, visit www.oceanservice.noaa.gov and search lionfish.

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ART & CULTURE

The Legend Of

Quetzalcóatl Known as Kukulkan to the Maya, the feathered serpent is a symbol of great spiritual depth, represented in the art and iconography of the ancient cultures of Mexico BY ALEJANDRA CAMPO ROMO

egend has it that there once existed a wise and just king who, before disappearing into the sea, made a promise to return. Quetzalcoatl, or Kukulkan for the Maya, tall, bearded and light skinned, brought a time of peace to the Mesoamerican peoples, reason enough for them to await the return of this god and wise man. For this reason, the Spaniards invaders are well received by the Aztecs without offering any resistance, who believe the Spanish to be the return of Quetzalcoatl. In the pre-Hispanic worldview, speaking about Quetzalcoatl is very complex since it refers, on the one hand, to a man, a king and a priest, and on the other, the highest deity of the Mesoamerican peoples. The feathered serpent, as it is known, is a symbol of great spiritual depth, represented in the art and iconography of the ancient cultures of Mexico. The question then is ¨Was he a man or a god?¨ The answer is both. On the one hand, it was a Toltec priest-king, a culture settled in the central Altiplano, of which the main city was Tula. The name of this ruler was Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl, which means “Our Lord Cane Feathered Serpent.”

His reign was the time of greatest prosperity and peace for the Toltecs, for which his people loved and respected him since he had also taught them arts, trades, and smelting metals. Nevertheless, Tezcatlipoca, the god of the war and nemesis of Quetzalcoatl, banished him because the latter wanted to establish the cult to a single deity, an idea contrary to the warriors. Another legend tells that Tezcatlipoca laid a trap for him and got him drunk with pulque (a beverage made out of maguey) which causes him to pass out. When he woke up, he was so ashamed of what happened that returned to Tula, but not before hiding his treasures. On his way, he continued preaching peace until he reached a spot on the coast where he climbed onto a raft and left. Some say the raft was made of snakes. Other legends say he threw himself into the fire, and when he became ashes, they ascended to the sky to become the “star of the morning,” thus giving birth to Quetzalcoatl as a divinity. There are many legends about this character and god incarnated in the feathered serpent also representing the duality of the Mesoamerican worldview: the earthly and spiritual, the infinite, among many other meanings.

Quetazalcoatl, or Kulkulkan to the Maya, was both god and man / Photo:Agency

Music: Festivals, Songs And Sones BY ALEJANDRA CAMPO ROMO

Mexico is more than mariachi! Other musical styles include Jarana Yucateca, Huasteca and Huapango / Photos: Wikimedia

Have you ever stopped to think what life would be like without music? Without singing, or dancing? A life in silence, with no melodies to accompany every moment? It is hard to imagine, right? Music plays a very important role in all cultural and certainly has a prominent role in Mexican culture. Mexico is not only mariachi. There are many other rhythms such as jarana, which is the dance and music of the Yucatan. Jarana is a mixture derived from the Aragonese jota, the Spanish fandango and a bit of prehispanic music. In the region of la Huasteca (a pre-Hispanic culture belonging to a branch of the Maya), an area that includes the states of Veracruz, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, part of Tamaulipas, Puebla, Querétaro and Guanajuato, the huapango is played and danced. This music is derived from the Spanish fandango, pre-Hispanic rhythms and music of African-Mexican and African-Spanish descent. This music or sones is played by trios using the jarana huasteca (a small kind of guitar), quinta guitar (fifth) or huapanguera and violin. The lyrics speak of daily life, their way

of being and people’s regrets. You dance the huapango with your own outfit, doing a zapateado (a heavy stamping of the feet) on a tarima (a small stage). In San Joaquin, a village of the Sierra Gorda in Querétaro, the Concurso de Huapango (Huapango Contest) brings the entire Huasteca region together in April. This competition is nationally and internationally recognized. In another town named Xichú, in the Sierra of the State of Guanajuato, the Festival del Huapango is celebrated in December with a wide repertoire of trios, music and dance during the day and until dawn. Another type of festival has taken place since 1989 in Morelia, Michoacán, with a wide repertoire of classical and popular music. In November, streets, esplanades, gardens and theaters of the city become a great stage for national and international musicians. Mexico’s tradition and musical offerings are vast and very rich. Let us take a little tour to get to know, listen and enjoy this wonderful art. Music definitely accompanies, rejoices, relieves hearts and forms better human beings. Let us always celebrate music!

CANCUN

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

Protect Wh at You Love :

Artivism Meets Cancun The PangeaSeed Foundation brought their Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans to the city bringing art and awareness of the marine ecosystem BY AMOR LÓPEZ

or many years, graffiti was a synonym for vandalism. Many of us have woken up to an unwanted illegible tag on our front door. But since the rise of urban artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey (creator of the iconic Obama “Hope” poster) in the past decade, graffiti expanded its horizons in a drastic way. The internet was the biggest catalyst for street

art’s evolution, allowing creators from all over the world to compare techniques and share their experiences. As with tattoos, urban art went from a hobby to an actual profession (to the surprise of disappointed parents around the globe). With all this information traveling across the web, it was a matter of time for art and activism to meet again. Artivism is a term coined by the PangeaSeed Foundation, to describe their inspiring project Sea

Walls: Murals for Oceans, a successful attempt to bring art and awareness to coastal communities. It began in 2014 and is an initiative to educate people about their local marine ecosystem and the importance of preservation. Each mural addresses, in its own way, a different issue that puts marine life at risk, from coral bleaching to plastic pollution. And it doesn’t stop there. Sea Walls offers workshops for children, internships, informative talks and most of

Ar t i v i s m is a term coined by t he Pange aS e e d Fo u ndat io n, to de sc rib e th e i r i n s p i r i n g p roje c t S e a Wa lls / P h oto:Am or Lóp ez

all, the creation of new landmarks for people to remember we all belong to something worth protecting: life. After two fruitful activations in Isla Mujeres (2014) and Cozumel (2015), Murals for Oceans is back in perfect time to encounter Cancun’s street art revival. 2016 has been a great year for Cancun. The city hosted events like the 1st Urban Art Fest (a project by #Rutanader, a group of local entrepreneurs focusing on bringing Cancun’s downtown back to life) and

the Meeting of Styles 2016 (created by an international network of artists, a huge event on global graffiti culture). Sea Walls was held between November 4 and 13 in different locations around Cancun. The first installation was at Avenida Bonampak & Chichen Itzá by Mexican artist Minoz. For further information, visit www.pangeaseed.foundation/ sea-walls/ or Facebook/Sea Walls Murals for Oceans.

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

TULUM

Noma Pop-up: Good Or Bad News? The avant-garde Danish restaurant is making its way for a temporary lmZr bg Mnenf% [nm bl bml ik^l^g\^ [^g^Û \bZe mh ma^ k^`bhg hk ]h^l bm _nk& ther enhance the divide between rich and poor? BY ASHLEY CAMPO

B Ki’ bok means ‘nice smell’ in Mayan language / Photo:Ashley Campo

Where to Get Great Coffee in Tulum BY ASHLEY CAMPO Not long ago, it was a real challenge to get a nice cup of coffee or latte here in Tulum. Well, this coffee addict is happy to report that the situation has improved significantly. Now, there is something for just about everyone. Whether you are looking for a quiet garden patio to relax, a place to get some work done or fancy artwork along the walls, there is a coffee shop pouring great coffee just for you. Here are four coffee shops to check out while you are in Tulum: Ki’bok. It’s very simple, Ki’bok has great coffee. Family owned and operated, it is a mellow coffee shop with a fun walk-up bar and nice garden seating in the back. The walk-up bar is ideal to relax and do a little people watching on a fun, bustling side street of town. While you are there, try the Hemmingway, their signature drink. Tulum Art Club. Walking into Tulum Art Club feels like you are walking into a posh coffee shop/art gallery in San Francisco. There is a classic Indian motorcycle in the entrance; bright, modern murals in the back for you to snap the perfect Instagram shot and they host art classes and events every week. So much to see and… they even have air-conditioning! Del Cielo. It offers great breakfasts and juices along with the coffee. There is a light, airy, European vibe with lots and lots of morning sunshine. A visit to Del Cielo will leave you feeling invigorated and ready to take on the day strong. Campanella Cremerie. While Campanella Cremerie is best known for their award-winning gelato, you won’t want to miss their coffee. They have a cold brew tower that is not only fun to watch, but it also makes a well-balanced cup of iced coffee. Their patio out front has fans to keep you cool and they have unusually strong wifi. Next time you are in town, check out one of these spots, you won’t be disappointed.

ig news for foodies in the Riviera Maya and around the world. Internationally acclaimed Copenhagen restaurant Noma and chef Rene Redzepi have just announced they will be coming to Tulum in early 2017. Noma is known for avant-garde preparation of local, seasonal foods. They have been awarded the World’s Best Restaurant title by Restaurant magazine four times in the past six years and have made a tradition out of closing the restaurant for months at a time to open pop-up style venues around the world. Tulum marks Noma’s third pop-up, but a huge departure from the prior big city venues of Tokyo and Sydney. Noma Tulum will only be here for six weeks, beginning in April but for many in the area, that is six weeks too long. While Tulum is evolving into a ‘must see’ tourist destination, many locals are struggling to come to terms with the changes and polarization of this magical town. Well, a restaurant coming into town announcing meals at $600 USD a plate, not including the 16% VAT & 9% gra-

Followers will follow them, but many locals are angry / Photo: noma.dk

tuity that will be added to every bill… well… that certainly has people talking. Most of the locals in town are upset that this type of restaurant, particularly with these prices, is setting up shop here in Tulum. Perhaps the most difficult part of the news is that Noma will be bringing their entire staff of 90 to operate the restaurant. This means importing 90 presumably well-paying jobs into a country where many won’t make $600 USD in an entire month. There is hope that Redzepi

will hire local workers and help the local economy through his project, more than just the four they currently plan to hire to produce fresh tortillas. While locals are up in arms, followers of the progressive culinary scene, often followers of Redzepi and Noma, are already marking their calendars to make reservations as soon as they are made available on the restaurant’s website on December 6. So, the big question is … will you be making reservations?

ENTERTAINMENT

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

G ra n d O pen i n g Playacar celebrated the newest plaza in Playa del Carmen which offers shoppers the finest products Mexico has to offer BY IAN MACKENZIE

t was the evening of November 10 and almost sundown as I was greeted by the sounds of drums. I was approaching the entrance to the Playacar Center, which was having their grand opening, right across the street from the RIU palace hotel in Playacar, Phase I. I arrived by bicycle, which is the easiest and cheapest way to get here for residents. Easy to find, but just enough off the beaten path to make it feel like you are in a different world. As I entered, I walked past some fierce looking Maya warriors who guarded the entrance. They were conducting a ceremony, with some walking about, spreading incense, as the place filled up with local Playenses. Many seemed very familiar with one another, and a person that I knew who was there, remarked that they were likely neighbors. With the hotel across the street and several others nearby, many guests may have been drawn by the excitement on the street, or by the spotlights that lit up the sky once it got dark. The crowd gathered out front where an MC gave us a rundown of the nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proceedings. The dancers in front of us would be giving a performance later. There was a fair set up in the back for them and there was talk of prizes being given out. A VIP group stood for the cameras for a quick photo before the gathered mass of press, enduring a few moments of shouts and flashes going off all around them. I managed to get a few myself before it was called to an end and the entourage whisked away for a whirlwind tour of the premises.

Photos: Silvia Marchetti

Playacar Center P laya ca r Pha se I Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. As I followed the tour, I took a walk by the shops and got a sense of what the place has to offer to shoppers. There is a real intent to put some of the finest of what Mexico has under one roof here, with shops selling items that reflect culture, art and gastronomy. The space does look aimed at tourists, but local residents are likely to get much out of this place as well. I saw a

lot of great works on display in the shop windows from talented artisans. My tour finished. I took the escalator up to the second-floor restaurant area, where the performers were preparing to go on. After a buildup of tension, out they came, propelled forwards by the powerful rhythms of the drums. It was a fantastic display of energy, muscle, and even the limits of the human body. One of their members, a contortionist with tremendous flexibility and control, took over and showed her ability to curl and twist her form with grace and precision. A mariachi band to finish off the evening. The shopping center is now open, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit their website: www.playacarcenter. com or Facebook/Playacar Center, or head over for a visit.

Alternative Treatments And Holistic Massages BY VANESSA NINI Mexico has a large variety of medicinal plants, and alternative medicine is a significant part of its culture and history. I always prefer using alternative medicine to keep my immune system strong. Living in Mexico, I am learning to use these alternative therapies, and I love it, but it is important to know some good places that have professional and experienced therapists. In Cozumel, we have the healing Art Wellbeing Center. They have lots of experience, and they really know what they are doing. They have one of the best practices on the island along with another wellbeing center called Spa del Sol, located just opposite. They actually work together, sharing their therapists and experiences. They provide high-quality holistic massage with a large variety of services such as shiatsu, hand and foot reflexology, Swedish massage, Thai massage, lymphatic drainage, aromatherapy and alternative therapy and medicine. The owner Maria Cesteros is from Spain, where she studied naturopathy, Bach flowers, and alternative therapy. With her very friendly team, Maria offers a long list of alternative medicine and therapy services. Her vast knowledge and experience includes acupuncture therapy, reiki, holistic kinesiology, Bach flowers, ear candling, postural alignment, and biomagnetic therapy. I used biomagnetic therapy, and it worked for me. They also offer beauty therapy, rejuvenating facial massage, deep pore cleansing facial, and hydrating facial. There is a small but very complete boutique where you can find homeo-

Nacho guarantees you will stand up on your board by the end of the class / Photo: Raquel Garza Gonzalez

Cozumel Surfing with Nacho Always dreamed of learning to surf? Or ready to take your surfing to the next level? Nacho Gutiérrez and his team can help you get there! BY RAQUEL GARZA GONZALEZ

acho Gutiérrez is a native of the island of Cozumel, and a pioneer of surf on the island. He opened the first school on the island 30 years ago, teaching and sharing his love for the ocean. He learned to surf when he met someone from the U.S. who requested to go where the waves break. He took him to “the other side of the island” and hence, started to learn and love surfing. He taught him the basics of surfing, such as standing. He gave him his first surfboard with which he never ceased to practice this exciting and extreme sport. Students who want to learn in school may be from five years up to the age of 80. The only requirement is that you know how to swim. The school gives you your leashes, wax, rash guards (in most sizes) and a surfboard. The training consists of three hours and 20 minutes of theory in the sand and the rest consists of practice in the sea. The guarantee that Nacho provides is “if you don’t stand up, you do not pay for your class.” For more information, you can check out their Facebook/Cozumel Surfing with Nacho Gutierrez and Instagram/Cozumel Surfing with Nacho Gutierrez or on the website www. cozumelsurfing.com. The school is located in the restaurant El Pescado on the eastern side of the island, next of Chen Rio. Class hours are Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can write to surf@cozumelsurfing.com, or call 987 111 9290 (Mexico) or 6122875549 (U.S.). They offer transporta-

Alternative medicine is a significant part of Mexico’s heritage / Photo: Vanessa Nini

pathic treatment, plant extracts, herbal tea, oil massage, aromatherapy, natural soap, and much more. Between both boutiques, you will definitely find what you are looking for. Why the word Art in their name? Well, all the therapists on the team and other local artists contribute pieces to the boutique. They offer bracelets, necklaces, paintings, crystals, incense, and more. Healing Art Wellbeing Center and Spa del Sol are in the center of Cozumel, five minutes away from the ferry. You will find them on Calle 5, between 5th Avenue and Rafael Melgar, close to the international hospital. Check them on their website www.healingartscozumel.com or at Facebook/Healing Arts and Facebook/spa del sol.

Creando Movimiento Cozumel BY RAQUEL GARZA GONZALEZ In Cozumel, you will find a school where anyone can develop their dance techniques. Their gorgeous teacher Montero and her thoughtful project Creando Movimiento Cozumel (Creating Motion Cozumel) helps people develop their skills in this beautiful art. From children to adults, she has several dance styles with which to enhance your skills. Creando Movimiento Cozumel is an option for the residents of Cozumel to integrate into the world of dance and the circus. Through comprehensive classes, the pupils follow a focused training program where they explore their creativity in different areas. This project seeks to generate a space to integrate people of different cultures, ages, and social circles. Creando Movimiento is also an opportunity for national and international teachers to give workshops and teach different disciplines, such as floor acrobatics, dance techniques, yoga, flexibility, circus clown, and more. Every student who takes the workshops gains valuable tools and experiences. Creando Movimiento was generated from a need to communicate through art. The

teacher Consta Montero studied contemporary dance in the Conservatory El Barco in Costa Rica and has devoted herself to air dance for ten years. “I feel fulfilled as a teacher. I can see the results in my students’ workout. They can be surprised by what they are capable of doing if they strive to achieve what they want.” You can find them on Cozumel on Calle 3 Sur, between Calle 15 and Avenida 20 in the Karate Dojo, Shobakan. Information on classes: • Air dance with fabrics Friday 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:30 p.m. Ages 6 & up • Body movement Saturdays 12:30 p.m. For children 3 to 6 years • Contemporary Dance Saturday 3:30 pm Classes for all ages For more information about the instructor Consta Montero and her project, please call 9878781842. Or visit Facebook/Creando Movimiento Cozumel.

tion to get to the school. What you learn: • Surfing basics (intermediate and advanced techniques for more experienced surfers) • Surfing and ocean safety Rentals: • A wide variety of surfboard sizes and styles to choose from • One of their local instructors accompanies you and takes you to the local surf spots What you need: • Sunscreen, towel and rash guard (or t-shirt for surfing)

Students of Creando Movimento develop their dance techniques through a variety of dance disciplines / Photo: Raquel Garza Gonzalez

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COZUMEL

Dropping Anchor in Cozumel With an enviable lifestyle, this lovable, French-born couple shows us what it is like to be a citizen of the world BY VANESSA NINI

aptain Luké, Marie and their little dog Jeanne were traveling throughout the Americas on their boat while living aboard for 20 years. They have lived in different countries but they always keep travelling. Born in France, Luké studied in Paris to become a chef, but he always feels better when he is closer to the sea. Marie was born in south of France, where she became an teacher. After meeting each other, they decided to live their life on the boat and live an adventure! They have traveled from France to the Canary Islands, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Martinique, French Polynesia, Grenadines and Haiti. They recently bought a house in Cozumel, where they have been

since 2015. Their catamaran is now available on Airbnb for a night stay or for a snorkeling tour.

that I currently sell. As a french chef, I have always found a job and so has Marie as teacher.

Did you dream about this life Marie ? Marie: Absolutely not! Actually, I was born in a fishing family, but I never imagine living on a boat. But I have always loved the sea. When Luké told me, ¨I want to spend my life on the sea. I want a different life¨. At the beginning, I wasn’t entirely sure, but then I loved it.

So, now you are living in Cozumel and bought a house why ? Marie: When we arrived in Cozumel, we really fell in love with this Island. I needed something else, to have a house and do some gardening. I convinced Luké, and he’s now very busy building the new house. It is a new adventure for him

What did you do to be able to keep traveling and survive? Luké: I opened several restaurants in Germany, Grenadine Island, Panama. Each time, I would sell them, just to be able to leave again and keep traveling. I also wrote a cookbook called Une Casserole a la Mer,

Luké: It is just a break. I know that one day, we will leave again. Belle de Lys is a very comfortable catamaran. It is 38 feet long, made in South Africa, and it is available on Airbnb. You can spend one night in a comfortable double bed in a cabin with a private bathroom. Marie and

I was born in a fishermen family and I never imagine living on a boat,” Marie The name of their catamarán is Belle de Lys / Photo: Vanessa Nini

Luke will be with you on the boat during your stay. (Room 11888041 on Airbnb) You can also travel with

La Cuisine Cozumel BY VANESSA NINI

re you looking for healthy food in Cozumel that is vegan or vegetarian? Meet Gabriela Cámara Sanchez, nutritionist and owner of a health food restaurant called La Cuisine, in Cozumel. Is it difficult to talk about nutrition and healthy food in Cozumel? It is a challenge. People has forgotten why we eat. We do it to feed our body, to give it what it needs as vitamins, minerals, proteins and not just to fill our stomach. Quintana Roo has the record of obesity in Mexico. In 2007 I started to consult as nutritionist and naturopath, but the problem was to find the products for my clients. I opened my own small salad bar with products to take away, trying to answer the needs of my clients. In 2010, La Cuisine was born. It is now a restaurant and a boutique. Is La Cuisine the first place in Cozumel where you find real Juice Therapy? Yes. We are very proud of our large list of Juice Therapy products. We are using cold pressed juice. It means that your juice is alive and it will furnish your body with the perfect balance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, car-

bohydrates, antioxidants and enzymes. La Cuisine is also a place to learn. I organize every month a session of detox, juice therapy, and I teach a vegan cooking course. We offer a different kind of smoothie with vegan milk and fresh, natural water. We have a small boutique with a large choice of superfood and natural sugar like stevia, agave, coconuts sugar, etc. What about the food? We offer a different, well-balanced, daily menu, always with the three classic options chicken, vegetarian and vegan. Fish is always local and fresh from the same morning. We also offer sandwiches and salads, wraps, bagels. Everything is fresh and can be taken on the place or to go. Our main ingredient is love. We want to give the best balance to your body. We also offer you the best water to drink. We are using a nikken filter to produce alkaline water in La Cuisine.

Easy to find, La Cuisine is 10 minutes away by walking from the ferry, 5th a Avenue with Andres Quintana Roo, next to Ego gym. Open from Monday to Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check out Facebook/Cuisine Cozumel and gcamara@nutri-balance.com.mx.

La Cuisine offers healthy vegan and vegetarian dining options / Photo: Vanessa Nini

them to go snorkeling, traveling to Isla Mujeres or Belize. Contact them at lgdf34@gmail.com.

ENTERTAINMENT

SPECIAL EVENTS EL PUEBLITO MAYAKOBA MEXICAN CRAFT FOOD, Every Friday in December, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Various local producers, activities for kids and Mexican food. Free entry to the public. Federal Highway km. 298, 984 873 4900. FARMERS MARKET, Every Sunday in December from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A wide variety of gourmet products and handcraft from the community. Free entry to the public. Federal Highway km. 298, 984 873 4900. CHRISTMAS FAIR, Thursday, December 22 6:30 p.m. A celebration of Christmas food by renowned chefs, artisanal gifts, beers, wines, tequilas and mezcals and with live music. Entrance fee $100mxn drinks $50mxn per drink. JINGLE RUN, Friday, December 23 at 6:30 p.m. A fun 5 km race for the whole family with the true Spirit of Christmas that will go around Mayakoba to raise funds for local organizations. Donations: $100mxn Reservations con: Veronica.rosas@ mayakoba.com SOUNDS & FLAVORS OF MEXICO, Tuesday, December 20 & 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy a sunset with music and exquisite food. Free entrance. Federal highway km. 298, 984 873 4900.

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TULUM

LIVE MUSIC & DANCING

LIVE MUSIC Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Chak Acoustic Session. Ahau Tulum Km 7.8 Carretera Tulum Boca Paila.

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

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 8:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. On Sundays at 10:15 a.m. and 5: p.m. Sanara Tulum. Km 8.2 Carretera Tulum Boca Paila.

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.

DECEMBER 7-20

2016

MARKETS

DANCE CLASSES, 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

KAVA KASA LOCAL MARKET every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kava Kasa, 22nd St. and 10th Ave. ECOTIANGUIS DESAYUNO , every Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Jardin de Todas Centro Comunitario, Avenida 80 & Calle 3 Sur (Ejido). EL ÁRBOL PLAYACAR MARKET, every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tulum Avenue, Local 6. Playacar Fase II. PARQUE LA CEIBA TIANGUIS , every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m, Parque La Ceiba, corner of Calle 1 Sur and Avenida 60. COCO BEACH MARKET Every Friday from 9 am to 11 a.m. Les Alizes Condos Avenue Flamingo and Calle 46. Facebook/Coco-BeachEco-Market

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.

KIDS CLASSES CULTURAL CLASSES Saturdays 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Various art and cultural classes for kids. El Hongo, Calle 19 sur between Av 80 y 85 Ejido. Bring your own plate and cup for your food and drink. And also a fruit donation to help with making fruit waters. COOKING WORKSHOP Thursdays 5 p.m. Cooking workshop for kids 6 years and up. El Hongo, Calle 19 sur between Av 80 y 85 Ejido. Bring your own plate and cup for your food and drink. And also a fruit donation to help with making fruit waters. AERIAL DANCE/SILKS Tuesdays and Thursdays 3-4 p.m. Free trial classes for kids at Parque La Ceiba 1st Avenue South and Avenue 60 Diagonal in the Ejido. Given by Aerofobia. Please wear pants or leggings.

SALSA LESSONS, every Saturday, 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Salon Salsanera Raices, calle 12 between 5th & 10th. Free. AERIAL DANCE/SILKS Wednesdays and Fridays 9-10 a.m. Free trial classes for adults at Parque La Ceiba 1st Avenue South and Avenue 60 Diagonal in the Ejido. Given by Aerofobia. Please wear pants or leggings.

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

ENTERTAINMENT

Celebrating Another Successful OHL Classic at Mayakoba American golfer Pat Perez fought his way back from shoulder surger y to claim the top prize in 10th annual PGA tourgZf^gm% [nm a^ pZlg m ma^ hger hg^ \^e^[kZmbg` B y I a n M a c Ke n z i e

ayakoba is quite a spectacular resort complex, and its golf course is no less impressive. El Camaleon, designed by Greg Norman, held its 10th OHL Classic from November 7 to November 14. 132 professional golfers battled it out over four rounds of stroke play for a purse of $7,000,000, with only one winner in the end, and I was lucky enough to be there to witness it. I arrived on the day of the final round, and crossing through El Pueblito, I wandered through the exit to the course and then caught a shuttle from the clubhouse entrance, and onto the course where I was able to catch some players teeing off. I was familiar with the layout of the place and the course itself, but this time, it felt much different. There was a buzz of activity as well as many people, but I still found it quick and easy to get around the premises. A transport was arranged to take me to the Fairmont Hotel, where the media center was located. Set up in one of the confe re n ce h a lls fo r the visiting me di a t h e re we re va riou s table s line d up a n d m o n i to rs and screens showing up to date information and stats, along with the live feed of the tournament. After a quick tour of the premises, including their beach club, I was soon back on the course and mindful to get to the final 18th hole for the closing ceremony. Pat Perez had won, finishing in first place with a -21 under par, just ahead of Gary Woodland and

2 0 16 OHL

Classic Final Results 1. Pat Perez 2. Gary Woodland 3. Russell Knox 4. Kevin Streelman Russell Knox. Perez has some Mexican background, and when he got on the microphone after receiving his prize, he acknowledged the local support that he had received. He also went on to describe the experience of getting to the tournament in the first place, as he was

in recovery from an operation that took him off the golf course. It was impressive to hear him describe his experience, also fully aware of how difficult it is to shoot a score as low as he did. He hoisted up his prizes, and the crowd cheered. Thankfully, security had allowed me to get a spot on the other side of the public barriers, affording me the opportunity to get some nice shots of Perez on the podium. I looked around and could see plenty of families and couples of different ages in attendance. Canadians, Americans, Mexican, Argentinians. One fellow Canadian recognized my CBC media hat and commented “I come here every year. I’m retired now and spend my winters down here. And I love golf,

so this is like a vacation for me.” The crowd soon dispersed and headed to El Pueblito where the celebration continued. There were games for the kids, music was playing for those who wished to dance, and bottles of Strongbow and Heineken were handed out to those who wished drink. I t was a g reat d ay, an d I vi ew t h e gam e d i f fe re n t ly as a re s u lt . G ol f i s no t t h e same when you are on the ground walking the course. It gives you a real appreciation for the skill o f th e p laye r s , an d yo u ge t some exe rci se too. As someone one said, golf is a game for walking, and there’s no better place to enjoy a day outdoors than on the fabulou s g ro u n d s o f E l Cam ale o n an d M ayako ba.

ENTERTAINMENT

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

Morganna Love BY NADIA MORELLA

It was a thriving festival from the beginning to the end / Photos: Nadia Morella

Quintana Roo Queer Film Festival The community celebrated the Seventh Mexican edition of the exclusive cinema festival BY NADIA MORELLA

rom November 7 to 12 at el Teatro de la Ciudad in Playa del Carmen and Pink City Social Club in Cancun, touching and thoughtful, short and feature films were presented for the second edition of the Queer Film Festival in Quintana Roo and seventh edition in Mexico. The inauguration of the Queer Film Festival was an absolute success on Monday night November 7. I would like to thank Jan Novak from Playa Pride for coordinating this amazing festival. The ribbon cutting took place outside el Teatro de la Ciudad with members and partners of the LGBT community, such as the Commissioner of ONU, Jesus Pena, President of Human Rights of Quintana Roo, Harley Sosa, Municipal President Cristina Torres and the lovely trans actress and opera singer Morganna Love. Jan Novak even shed a tear during his speech while thanking his husband, Ariel Dzib for his unconditional love and support at the opening. In Playa del Carmen, for two nights in a row and once in Cancun, the audience had the chance to see Morganna Love perform a couple of songs at the end of the presentation. Films from Mexico, USA, Argentina, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic captured different aspects of the LGBT life on a daily basis. Drama, tears, suspense, laughs and confusion presented in the short and feature films as well as in the documentaries chosen by Jan Novak, were on the menu to open the mind of the Quintanarroense. Without a doubt, there was something

for everyone during the festival. The first documentary presented was Made in Bangkok by Flavio Florencio. It was my favorite of them all, due to the content of transsexuality, from which I’ve learned a lot. I must say, I’m pretty sure everyone learned something new. We were lucky enough to have a Q&A at the end of the presentation with Morganna Love herself, the star of the documentary. The short film P*to, by Martin Bautista, caught my attention because I could relate to being attracted to the same gender at a young age. I also knew someone with AIDS back then, and I was trying to understand what was happening with him and with me at the same time. When you are surrounded by ignorant people, it can be difficult to accept yourself and the others. That is why it is important to be amalgamated with people who supports you no matter what. I didn’t quite enjoy Dolares de Arena because it was simply too long. It would’ve been better as a short film and if it had gone straight to the point. I had a hard time understanding what they were saying because of the Dominican accent. Subtitles would have been a good addition, even in all the films, considering that the Quintana Roo population is very multicultural. Overall, we must admit it was a thriving festival from the beginning to the end. On a radiant Sunday afternoon, the closing of the Queer Film Festival Pool Party presented by Gay Travel occurred at the Reina Roja Rooftop. Pool, sun, free shots of tequila, DJ, sunset and moonrise made this event a memorable one. Guests also participated in a raffle to win three jungle tours by Marina Sunset in Cancun. We are definitely looking forward to the 3rd edition of the Queer Film Festival in Playa del Carmen and Cancun next year! The cities have shown their interest in the festival and its special guests and beyond any doubt, want more.

Morganna Love was the star of the recent Queer Film Festival that took place in Playa del Carmen in November. Morganna is a heterosexual transgender well-known in the LGBT community for her talents as an actress and opera singer. We were blessed with Morganna’s divine opera voice three nights in a row in Playa del Carmen and one night in Cancun. She performed at Divers Nightclub on Sunday night, at the Teatro de la Ciudad the following two days and at Pink City Cancun on Wednesday. Morganna is an extraordinarily talented woman, kind and sweet who has plenty of love to give; we were simply moved by her. The first presentation of the Queer Film Festival was the film, Made in Bangkok. It is a documentary about Morganna’s sex reassignment surgery performed by PAI Clinic in Thailand in 2012. Interesting and opened minded, we got to know Morganna as an authentic individual and caring towards others. The film director, Flavio Florencio and she are helping people to understand how it is to live a life where you know you are not in the appropriate body. It is not easy for anybody to go through this, especially if you have to go through it on your own. She went to a trans beauty pageant in Thailand and made the decision to go on with her surgery without telling her parents. She shared her wonderful life changing moment with us, on camera, no filter. Miss Love opened herself to her public and the whole world by exposing herself as she is.

Morganna Love, star of Made in Bangkok / Photo: Nadia Morella

It goes without saying that people were enlightened on the subject by watching the documentary which was shown in both Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Morganna responded to the crowd’s response to her performance by answering questions and listening to their comments. She was very sincere in her answers, emotionally engaging the audience. It was a beautiful and truthful moment. The world needs more people like Morganna Love. She is an inspiration for the trans community as well as the whole LGBT and heterosexual community. She is a very talented woman that needs more exposure - her singing and acting are absolutely sublime. Morganna is very charming; you will definitely fall for her!

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

Creating His Own Rhythm:

Rodrigo Lopez Ray A^ lmZkm^] ieZrbg` fnlb\ Zm Z`^ */ Zg] aZlg m lmhii^] ^oheobg` lbg\^ BY CRYSTAL MITCHELL

odrigo Lopez Ray is well known amongst those who live and frequent Tulum. His unique sound, when united with his guitar, mesmerizes you to get up and dance. The Flamenco base always uplifts you. Rodrigo revealed some history about himself and his musical background in an interview with me. How long have you been studying music and who inspired you? I started playing the guitar when my grandfather gave me one at age 16 but didn’t take it seriously until I was 25. What type of music do you call all your own? Well, my kind of music is rooted in Flamenco, but I’m not a Flamenco musician. I would call it “world music”. What makes you stand out from other musicians in the area? I think maybe the way that I see and feel the world. I see it differently from other people. Everybody is unique.

What was the first musical experience that inspired you to take this path? I remember when I was very young, I saw a Flamenco guitar player in Mexico City. I have this memory of the guitar and the way it was played. It was just magic and complex at the same time! After that, I met a good friend in Cancun when I was 16, who showed me the first powers of how to play Flamenco guitar. Who writes your songs and what inspires them? It is mostly instrumental music what comes to me as I live and explore the world, but I have some songs with mantras. I believe mantras can do magic in our minds and souls. I got these mantras from a book. Do you have an artist or stage name? And if so, what is the significance of the name? Kuantikoz, I chose it because I want my music to heal or create magic in our own world. Do you play in a musical group? I play with some different musicians that I have found around here.

What have been your most successful shows here in the Tulum? My success in my shows has been nonstop since I arrived four years ago. What are your biggest accomplishments as a musician? My biggest accomplishments are that I am still doing what I love and I feel an evolution with feeling better with my music. It is like a parallel world we have, as musicians, we get in there and fly high. Where do you play here in Tulum so our readers can come see you? Well, right now I’m playing at Ziggy’s on Mondays at 8 p.m., Maya Tulum on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and Encantada on Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. You can find Rodrigo playing in the previously mentioned restaurants. Check their pages to make reservations to get a good seat to see Rodrigo.

Instrumental music comes to me as I live and explore the world, but I have some songs with mantras / Photo: Barb & Manual Luna

ENTERTAINMENT

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

TPT FOODIES

Too Hot To Handle Chili peppers come in various forms, flavors and shapes. Some are exotic and others are very easy to find. Find out which are most popular in our region. BY CATHERINE PAWELEK

hili peppers in various forms can make you laugh and cry, at the same time. The person to thank for bringing this little wonder from the New World to Europe was Christopher Columbus. It has played a major role in the cuisines of most countries. Hundreds of varieties are indigenous to Mexico, with lengths from a mere ¼ inch to an enormous 12 inches. The cora, de arbol, piquin and tepin are some of the most exotic ones and harder to find, so I will concentrate on those that are easily purchased here in Quintana Roo fresh, smoked or dried. Chemist Wilbur Scoville, laying the groundwork for rating the spiciness of chiles, used actual people for taste tests. He simply took one grain of ground capsaicin, macerated it overnight in 100cc of alcohol, shook, filtered and added it to sweetened water assigning a Scoville Unit. This is why you will find some chiles with SU ratings of 500 and others of 325,000 (yes, you read that right.) Nowadays, they use High Liquid Chromatography- not people- for a more accurate reading, but the end results are still reported in SU’s. You must handle with extreme caution, though. Not wearing gloves or eye protection is a surefire way to land yourself in the hospital, gasping for air and gulping a tall glass of cold milk to help ease the pain, if not quite obliterate it.

Habanero. Literally meaning “from Havana,” it carries up to a 350,000SU rating, and it’s shaped like a hanging lantern with a bright orange-red color and about 2 inches long. Initially cultivated in Cuba, its heat index varies depending on the intensity of the sunlight received during the growing season. You may have tried a mild one and are skeptical of the SU rating, but a word to the wise: the next one you try might make you cry.

Photo:publicdomainpicures.net

Enchiladas Recipe By Catherine Pawelek Jalapeño. One of the best-known chili peppers, widely grown in arid climates like Mexico. With its medium-hot taste, it has become a mainstream pepper, often incorporated in salsa and called chipotle after being smoke-dried.

Ancho (wide), also known as Poblano, is widely used in Mexico, specifically for stuffing due to its size. It can be found in most Mexican restaurants and kitchens in recipes such as the famous chiles en nogada or chiles rellenos.

Tabasco. This ubiquitous pepper is indigenous to Tabasco, Mexico, where it has grown for centuries. If you can get your hands on some seeds, it’s easy to grow, and the plants resemble smallish apple trees brimming with red fruit when mature.

Handle with care! Use gloves when handling chilis that are high on the SU rating / Photos: Wikimedia Commons

(Serves 8) INGREDIENTS 4 cups shredded cooked chicken 4 large Green Chiles, roasted, peeled and diced ½ minced medium onion 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 cup media crema 1 cup chicken broth 2 avocados (one for the sauce, one for decoration into 8 slices) 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 tsp minced garlic 1 tsp ground cumin ½ tsp salt 1 lime, juiced 2 limes, sliced 3 cups shredded cheese (combine queso asadero, cotijo and oaxacan) 8 large flour tortillas ¼ cup chopped green onion

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. In a blender, add the media crema, broth, 1 diced avocado, 2/3 of the cilantro, cumin, garlic, salt, lime juice. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, chiles, onion and add ½ the cream mixture. Spray a large baking dish with non stick or smear lightly with vegetable oil and a thin layer of cream at the bottom. Assemble the enchiladas by placing ½ cup of the chicken mix along one side of the tortilla, top with ¼ cup of the cheese blend and place seam down into baking dish. Repeat for all 8 tortillas. Top with remaining cream sauce and cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove foil and bake 10 more minutes. Garnish with the green onion, slice of avocado, cilantro and slice of lime. Serve with a side of rice. TIP…With the busy holidays taking up all your time, you can prepare this dish in advance and reheat in the oven for a quick protein filled dinner or when friends unexpectedly drop by.

TPT FOODIES

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

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Photo:3XL

20 0 g ra m s o f sealed tuna loin

By Ian MacKenzie

was happy to f i n d t h a t P laya del Carmen h as a great burger place conveniently located downtown on Calle 8, across from the Walmart on 30th. It is called 3XL Burger, and they have a nove l conce pt that make s t h e i r b urge rs u niqu e. When I first entered the restaurant, I noticed that off to the side was what appears to be a salad bar. After ordering one of their medium-sized beef burgers with a side of corn, I sat down to speak with the owner Cheo and asked him about it. “The bar is there so that people can personalize their burger,” he said. “Everyone adds their touch. There are 35 elements that people can use, with various vegetables and sauces. There are so many you can use to build a burger, so we added a few that are in-

W e h av e n o signature burgers because yo u make your own, Cheo Owner 3XL Burger teresting. Cucumbers, radishes, sauces such as chipotle, BBQ, and 1000 island. There are no limits on how you make your burger here.” The burgers come in combos, which can include a side of fresh-cut fries, sweet potato fries or an half ear of corn. You have the option of beef, chicken breast, pork, vegetarian or tuna, which was recently added. They

also offer a BBQ rib combo. I asked Cheo how the public has responded so far to their business. “We opened 11 months ago, and the public has accepted our product so far. Our concept is that everything is fresh, not frozen. We have three sizes based on your appetite. All sauces are made here in-house, except for the buffalo. We have no signature burgers because you make your own.” I really liked that idea, as it makes the process of getting your food much quicker. 3XL also sells hot dogs, bratwurst sausages, and even milkshakes, but it remains a compact menu that includes options, like bacon, or mushrooms. When I arrived, at least a dozen more people entered to eat while I was there, so business looks good. Would you like to try one yourself? Their hours of operation are 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. For more information visit Facebook/3XL Comida Grande.

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

TPT FOODIES

Bas i c Fo o d i e With a focus on organic and natural ingredients, this artisan bakery and cafe offers visitors healthy, freshly prepared, delicious options for the whole family By Ian MacKenzie

hen I first walked into Basic Foodie, the Artisan Bakery and Cafe located in Plaza Steren that specializes in high-quality breads and food, I felt like I was at home. There is a cozy atmosphere in this place, with a nice design and setup of the room. There is much use of wood and iron for the tables and chairs, and brick walls, one of which displays a

large work of art. At one point I was actually reminded of the cafe from the TV series Friends. Perhaps this is what keeps customers coming back for repeat business, the familiarity. Before going down, I had been told about their bread, which is specially made, so I was eager to try some. As I awaited my food order of a veggie sandwich and drank one of their mocha coffees, I sat down with Muriel Schiffman, who is the chef and co-owner along with her hus-

band. They have been open now for about 15 months, and both she and her husband have been in this industry for a long time. “For our pastry and breads we use organic ingredients,” Muriel explained. “We feel that so many people are sensitive to gluten and have issues as part of the agriculture has become very industrialized. Conventional flour has sometimes been modified or is full of pesticides. We wanted it to be very tasty, and back

Basic Foodie has been open for 15 months and going strong / Photos: Basic Foodie

to basics, so we use sourdough. It’s what makes it more healthy. Sourdough is the ancient way to make bread. It rises much slower and has lots of time to create a lot of nutrients.” My order arrived, and I ate a delicious Mother Earth sandwich, made with hummus and veggies and goat cheese, cut into three slices on multigrain bread. It was like eating a combination of sandwich and salad, and with each bite, I could taste the difference in the bread. For dessert,

I tried the cheesecake, which was terrific. I even grabbed some fresh bread to take home with me. Naturally, I will be back soon for more. By now I am sure that you are eager to head down and try some for yourself, right? You can find them on Carretera Federal S/N Mz 30, in Plaza Steren. They open from 8:30 AM 7:30 PM. For more information for to their Facebook page www.facebook. com/basicfoodie or their website: www.basicfoodie.com

HEALTH

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

Lustrous Lashes BY SARA JONES With the holiday season approaching and parties, events and potentially, trips to see family and friends coming up, why not indulge in a new look? Eyelashes are one of the most attention grabbing features of a woman’s face and are fast becoming top of the list of women’s beauty priorities. Thicker, longer lashes create a youthful look and are an unmistakable sign of femininity; think of any female cartoon character and you will notice that eyelashes are one of the defining attributes! With the recent popularity of products such as eyelash serums to stimulate growth, individual eyelash extensions to instantly add length and volume and lash fibers for daily use to enhance natural lashes, the choices are mounting. The trend of eyelash extensions has swept the red carpets in recent years and this service can now be found in salons and spas worldwide. Not to be confused with full set, stick on fake eyelashes individual eyelash extensions are applied one by one to your lashes by a skilled technician. The procedure takes about 90 – 120 minutes for a full set and the result depends on your choice of lashes, a variety of lengths, thicknesses curls and even colors are available. The lashes last as long as your natural lashes which are lost every 4-6 weeks in the natural growth cycle. To maintain the look, a

In Playa del Carmen, be sure to visit Nancy Costa of Beauty Crush Playa. Check out their Facebook page for additional information touch up appointment should be scheduled to re-fill the lashes every 2-3 weeks. There are a few options in Playa del Carmen for eyelash extensions, but in my experience, the most professional and skilled by far is certainly Nancy Costa of Beauty Crush Playa. Trained in Canada and bringing quality, international products, Nancy offers eyelash extensions in addition to facials, facial waxing and sugaring and brow and lash tinting. She also specializes in wedding make up and make up for events and photo shoots. More info available at: Facebook/beautycrushplaya. Sara Jones is a Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert, Spa Consultant and Founder of Spa & Wellness Mexico magazine www.spawellnessmexico.com

Well, she´s obviously sleeping well and has no stress! / Photo: Agency

What Is Your Face

Telling You? Breakouts in certain areas may be a sign of your overall health BY SARA JONES

he state of your health is often reflected clearly in your face. A breakout in a certain area may mean nothing more than a random clogged pore or temporary exposure to bacteria. But repeated breakouts in the same area on your face can tell you a lot, along with dark circles, dull skin and dryness. Have you slept enough? Have you eaten well? Are you carrying excess toxicity? Are your hormones out of balance? Forehead Breakouts here could be related to poor digestion, bladder health and elimination of waste. As it relates to the digestion of food in the intestines you may be having difficulty processing a certain food group such as dairy. You may benefit from drinking more water and eating whole foods like fruit and vegetables. You could also try taking digestive enzymes or eliminating food groups to check for any improvement. Between The Eyebrows This area relates to the liver and congestion in the skin could indicate an excess of alcohol con-

sumption, irregular sleep patterns or high stress. Try reducing alcohol and increasing water intake. Increasing exercise can help with stress relief and encourages restful sleep. Nose Increased redness in the nose relates to the heart and can be a sign of high blood pressure or high salt intake. If the skin on the nose frequently peels and is always dry, this could be an indication of poor circulation. Foods rich in good fats such as oily fish, avocados, nuts and chia seeds can regulate blood pressure and keep the heart healthy. Chin & Jawline Breakouts around this area can signify hormonal imbalances, a common area for breakout in premenstrual women and one of the most difficult to treat. Poor diet can also play a role here so make sure you eat well and avoid resting your chin on your hand, which can encourage bacterial exposure. Sara Jones is a Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert, Spa Consultant and Founder of Spa & Wellness Mexico magazine www.spawellnessmexico.com

Eyelashes are one of the most attention grabbing features of a woman’s face / Photo: Pexels

ANIMAL WELFARE

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

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ogs fight for many reasons, but that doesn’t make them bad. Typically, a dog that has not been properly socialized is more apt to get involved in a fight out of fear or over territory. Most people would tell you not to get in the middle of a dogfight. That is hard to avoid if your dog is involved. Adrenaline and the automatic response to save and prevent your dog from hurting another take over. You must always remember that your dog may not realize it is you. People have been injured by their own dogs in the heat of the battle. The most important thing is your voice. If your dog hears you screaming and yelling, the situation becomes worse. If the dog becomes panicked, he believes he must continue to protect you.

We gathered a few tips for safely breaking up a fight: • Do not scream. Stay as calm as possible; dogs feel your anxiety and fear. • Do not pull on the dogs’ collar, as they may turn and snap. • Use the wheelbarrow method. Two people grab the back legs of each dog, lift them off the ground and try to pull the dogs apart. The dog’s jaws are usually locked on each other giving you time to get hold of the back legs. • If you are alone, loop the leash under one dog’s belly towards his back and end, and lift the dog off the ground. • Spray them with a hose or a citronella spray • The funniest solution, sticking your finger in their bum. Now, I am sure most of us are not willing to do this, but it is said to distract the dog from the fight immediately.

Photo: The Snoopi Project

Animal Welfare Volunteering Opportunities (Part One) BY NASH Contact any one of these amazing nonprofit organizations in Playa del Carmen to start making a difference. SOS el Arca. Come and visit SOS el Arca in their new larger shelter. This local non-profit dog shelter takes in as many street or pound dogs as they possibly can. Their needs include dog food, foster homes, volunteers for weekly dog walking on 5th Avenue, bathing, playing and socializing with the dogs. Make sure you check sosoelarca.org or Facebook/ SOS el Arca. Coco’s Animal Welfare. They are dedicated to low cost or free sterilization of pets and street dogs and cats. Volunteers are required for kitten cuddling, fostering, community outreach donations and fundraising. Contact them at info@cocosanimalwelfare.org or Facebook/Coco’s Animal Welfare Playa del Carmen. The Snoopi Project. Originally, this nonprofit’s mission was to provide protection to dogs from the harsh elements

Do not scream. Stay as calm as possible / Photo: Wikimedia

in the form of a dog house, but they find themselves providing medical treatment, sterilization and food for families who may not otherwise afford it, to provide for their pets. Foster homes are needed for abandoned and abused animals that they find along the way. If you would like more information, visit them on Facebook/The Snoopi Project – Riviera Maya. Mi Amigo de la Calle (my friend from the street) is a dedicated group of people with a mission to improve the life of unwanted pets in Playa del Carmen. This nonprofit organization has been collecting pet food (13.5 tons to date), which is donated to local animal shelters and Cebiam (city pound). They are committed to raising awareness doing children’s events and hosting sterilization campaigns and adoption fairs. Find them on Facebook/Mi Amigo de la Calle. Playa Animal Rescue is a local non-profit animal shelter, fostering, dog walking, spa & play days. Saturdays pick up for spa days in front of Mega at 9 a.m. Facebook/ Playa Animal Rescue.

M I A M I G O D E L A CA L L E Mi Amigo de la Calle (My Friend From The Street), is a dedicated group of people with a mi s s i o n to i m p r o v e t h e l i f e o f n e g l e c te d p e t s in Playa d e l Ca rme n . Since 2014, this nonprofit organization has been collecting pet food, 13.5 tons to date, which is donated

to local animal shelters and Cebiam (city pound). They are committed to raising awareness for street and shelter animals through education, including children’s events and animal conferences. Mi Amigo de la Calle hosts regular adoption events and just completed their 4th free steril-

ization campaign, sterilizing 94 dogs and cats, and vaccinating 60 pets in four of the Mayan communities: Three Reyes, Campamento Hidalgo, Punta Laguna y Nuevo Durango. If you would like to donate, attend an adoption event or donate food follow them on Facebook Mi Amigo de la Calle.

December 07 - 20 2 0 1 6

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