Biweekly · Year 02 · Number 46 · 20,000 copies · 16 Pages · November 12- 25, 2014 www.theplayatimes.com
COMMUNITY
OHL Classic Is In Full Swing
Money Exchange Closings
These offices are now obligated to report their users’ transactions to avoid money laundering and the financing of terrorism
The best PGA Tour golfers will be competing for the famous 1 million dollar prize until November 16 at Mayakoba
132 golfers will be playing at the tournament
$ 6.1 million dollars in prizes
Photo: Agency
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Photo: Agency
·SPECIAL · DISCOVER MEXICO
Riviera Highlights
Discover Costa Maya´s inland area and feel like the first explorer of its unique Mayan ruins and jungle ecosystems in our section for independent travelers
>06 ART & CULTURE Jazz Is Almost Here!
12 hours of live HD television coverage
Photo: Agency
The director of the Riviera Maya´s top free music festival, tells us about the origins of the event taking place on Nov 27-29
Photo: The Playa Times Photo: Cantina Don PP
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large collection of PGA Tour winners are due to compete in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba scheduled for this week, at El Camaleón Golf Club. A large group of multiple career tour winners are in the field, including Ben Martin and Robert Streb, who both won two of the most recent PGA Tour events. The group also includes Rory Sabbatini with six PGA Tour wins, Carl Pettersson and Scott Verplank with five each. Players currently in the field with four career victories include Robert Allenby, Chad Campbell, Sean O’Hair and Heath Slocum. Other PGA Tour stars in the field are: Nick Watney, Brian Harman and Andres Romero. In addition, Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, a multiple winner on the European Tour, will compete as will Cameron Tringale, who finished 20th in the FedExCup standings, and Patrick Rodgers, one of golf’s most decorated amateurs, who recently turned pro. Nine Major Championship winners have committed to play in Mexico— Ángel Cabrera (U.S. Open, Masters), Ben Curtis (British Open), Stewart Cink (British Open), Lucas Glover (U.S. Open), Retief Goosen (Two U.S. Opens), Davis Love III (PGA Championship), Padraig Harrington (Two British Opens, PGA Championship), Justin Leonard
(British Open) and Mike Weir (Masters). Cabrera, Goosen and Harrington will be playing in the tournament for the first time. What’s more, an outstanding group of Mexican players which include Web.com Tour Player of the Year Carlos Ortiz, Óscar Fraustro, Rodolfo Cazaubon, Roberto Díaz and José de Jesús Rodríguez. As the leading professional golf tournament in Latin America, the OHL Classic at Mayakoba features the largest prize purse in all of golf in Latin America at US$6.1 million including a first-place check of US$1.098 million. Additionally, the champion receives 500 FedExCup points and an automatic invitation to the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA. The event is contracted until 2018, representing a total commitment of 12 years by the PGA Tour to Mexico. Fans can enjoy the 2014 edition of Mexico’s PGA Tour event by attending the event or by enjoying 12 hours of live HD television coverage on the tournament’s broadcast partners—Golf Channel USA, ESPN2 in Latin America and Golf Channel Latin America For further information about the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, please visit ohlclassic.com or follow the event on Facebook or Twitter.
Photo: OHL Classic at Mayakoba
BY THE PLAYA TIMES
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>Editorial DIRECTORY María Morote Editor editor@meridianmedia.mx
Beatriz Lucas Copy Editor
Claudia Salas Director of Operations operations@meridianmedia.mx
Raúl Solano Sales Manager Cell: 984 169 1773 sales@meridianmedia.mx
Fabián Muñoz Sales Executive
November is the month of festivals and events and marks the beginning of the high season in Riviera Maya. Jazz and folk music, gastronomy, lectures and exhibitions are some of the options that residents and expats looking for a different vacation have within reach. First, we have the Caribbean Festival of Cultures (FECUCA) on November 12-18. Quintana Roo is mostly known for its nightlife, all-inclusives and natural beauty but if you are lucky enough to come here at this time of year you will be able to take home a nice souvenir by learning about Mexican and Caribbean culture. FECUCA brings music bands, artisans and artists from all around the Caribbean region to the different municipalities of Quintana Roo. The festival includes concerts featuring top singers and orchestras, a book fair in Cancun (the Book Day in Mexico is November 12), lectures and exhibitions on gastronomy and design, and film showings among other activities, all of
this for free. Check http://fecuca. com for more information. On November 21-28, El Cine Club celebrates its third year bringing the best of independent cinema to Playa del Carmen. The project has scheduled subtitled screenings for children and adults and a topof-the-range closing with electronic music at La Ceiba park. See more on page 13. The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is the icing on the cake. This free event celebrates its 13th edition by bringing international stars such as Chick Corea, Pat Metheny and Colin Hunter to Mamita´s beach. There is no need to be a jazz fan in order to attend this jazz fest, which has developed a solid reputation as a great party and a meeting point for the diverse population of Playa del Carmen. Remember that this is only the beginning of the high season. Be ready to face December and January when more festivals, Christmas holidays and the BPM make Playa go wild!
Cell: 984 188 3951 ventas@meridianmedia.mx
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THE PLAYA TIMES RIVIERA MAYA'S COMMUNITY PAPER Periódico Quincenal.
Número de Certificado de Reserva otorgado por el Instituto Nacional de Derechos de Autor: (PENDIENTE). Número de Certificado de Licitud de Título: (en trámite). Número de Certificado de Licitud de Contenido: (en trámite). Domicilio de la publicación: Plaza Paseo Coba, 2do piso local 301, Playacar fase II, Playa del Carmen, Solidaridad, Quintana Roo C.P. 77710. Impreso en talleres Grupo Megamedia Prolongación de Montejo número 301, entre 40 y 42, fraccionamiento Campestre, Mérida, Yucatán. Distribuidor: Meridian Media, S.A. de C.V., Plaza Paseo Coba, 2do piso local 301, Playacar fase II, Playa del Carmen, Solidaridad, Quintana Roo C.P. 77710.
CURRENCY
* November 11 * Source BANAMEX
DOLLAR Buy 13.30 Sell 13.90
EURO Buy 16.68 Sell 17.13
ARGENTINIAN PESO Buy 1.57 Sell 1.61
DOLLAR CANADA Buy 11.79 Sell 12.11
YEN Buy 0.11 Sell 0.1203
SWISS FRANC Buy 13.86 Sell 14.24
POUND Buy 21.29 Sell 21.87
REAL Buy 5.22 Sell 5.36
RUSSIAN RUBLE Buy 3.44 Sell 3.44
EMERGENCY 060
CIVIL PROTECTION 877 3053 / 54
CLINIC AMBULANCE 873 0885
POLICE 872 0599
RED CROSS 873 1233
HYPERBARIC CHAMBER 873 1365
TOURISTIC SECURITY 1800 987 8224
HARBOR MASTER 887 2695
TRANSIT 877 3340
FIRE DEPARTMENT 879 3669 / 70
HOSPITAL GENERAL 206 1690 / 91 / 92
SOS MARINA 767 627 462
November 12-25 2014
LOCAL NEWS
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Who Controls Money Exchange Offices? As a result of the current government’s legality concerning money laundering, many of these types of establishments have closed down BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD
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hanging currencies in a money exchange office on Fifth Avenue is as common as eating in a restaurant. For the majority of cities in Quintana Roo, these are often much more accessible than banks and they offer much better exchange rates. Over the last couple of months, some of these offices have started to close down and those remaining have started requesting that you show some form of ID when changing money.
Financial Reform Money Exchange offices are obligated to report their users’ transactions to avoid money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Rafael del Moral González, deputy director of the National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Institutions Users (Condusef), explained to The Playa Times that money exchange offices have been facing a crisis since 2012, and as a result many have closed down because of several federal regulation measures in
Remember to bring your passport when you need to change money / Photo:Agency
place to prevent money laundering. According to Condusef money exchange offices are “public limited societies that provide the
professional service of buying and selling currencies, including those carried out by transfer or transmission of funds within the
national territory and authorized by the Ministry of Finance, regulated by the Bank of Mexico and supervised by the National Bank-
Dr. Ricardo Segovia Gasque Ced. 748103 Universidad del Sureste
ing and Securities Commission.” The Ministry of Finance (SHCP, Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público) gives orders for the guidelines of money exchange offices throughout Mexico, which are now “obligated” to report their users’ transactions to avoid money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Through the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV, Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores), money exchange offices must “report activities, operations and services undertaken by their users.” The reports must include data on users, owners or shareholders, and “members of their respective boards of directors or managers, officers, employees and agents.” With the passing of the Financial Reform 2013-2014, Condusef can deal with complaints from users and immediately sanction banks that commit any irregularities. In Quintana Roo, the Condusef offices are located in Cancun, Tulum Ave. No.96 and 97, corner of Agua Street, Mza. No.15, Supermanzana No. 4, Cancun, Q. Roo. For further information, contact (998) 884 51 60, free line 01 800 999 8080 or email qrcond@condusef.gob.mx. Playa del Carmen does not have an office for Condusef.
Num de Permiso CLAVE: 32A039-2014 Cofepris
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COMMUNITY
Homeschooling,
a Way of Life A considerable amount of families have chosen to homeschool in Playa del Carmen, an education system which caters for the needs of the child and not to the needs of the establishment BY MARÍA MOROTE
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hen talking about education, many doubts arise. All parents want to give to their children what they did not have, and this would normally consist of parents discussing between sending their kids to public or private schools. It is easy to assume that education in a recognized establishment is something that is relatively new, as it arose in the late 17th century. Even though going to school is the norm for most of us, it might be worth considering the concept of education as something more progressive and continuously evolving. At least that is what parents who opted for homeschooling think. Homeschooling is a method that gives the child the power to decide, whose parents actively take part in their development and adapts around the parents’ work schedules.
“There are different teaching methods, some are freer than others, some families follow the curriculum as they would in school (homeschooling) and others who let their children decide what they are interested in and they work together on developing those interests (unschooling). The idea is that our kids can develop their abilities”, Lorena C. explains, mother of two homeschooled children. Within this model, each child is a unique case. Some children left conventional establishments for a variety of reasons, such as bullying, lack of quality education or motivation, and some never attended school in the first place. Some parents use books and teaching materials and others complement the education with classes suggested by the children themselves, such as piano, dance, languages, etc. The aim is to use time freely and in a way that captures the child’s interests, as an-
other mother, Sara B., explains. “My daughter is 7 years old and has never been to a traditional school. We don’t follow a conventional program or schedule. Yet, she is at the same level in math and writing as her peers that do go to school. This has shown us that learning is something we do naturally. A child that age starts needing to write and count because they need it in their everyday life.” One of the most common concerns is what to do if the child decides to attend a conventional education system after being homeschooled. “In Mexico, as in many countries, there is a legal loophole. The National Institute of Adult Education (INEA) is an accredited certification body for elementary, middle school and high school level studies for children. At 10 years old, my son already had his elementary education certificate, when normally, when they go to school, they have to wait till they are 11 or nearly
Homeschooling gives us the flexibility to travel and get personally involved with the child. Parents also become more aware of how their child learns” Carolyn K. If they like something they learn it instantly. A school can’t give this sort of attention to each child. The child has to keep up with the others”
Sara B.
It doesn’t matter if the school is public or private, there are always problems that schools are not interested in dealing with because they have so many children. Schools look to follow the curriculum and not the interests of each child”
Lorena C.
12 years old” said Lorena. In Playa del Carmen, parents who following this type of education can communicate through the Facebook page Homeschool Q. Roo, where meetings are scheduled allowing families to share their experiences, such as the one that we attended in La Ceiba Park. Lorena explains that around 80 families are members of this group; the majority are foreigners, although she is seeing more and more Mexicans interested in this method. The goal of these meetings is also to let children socialize with other children - another concern of home-
schooling. Parents participate in excursions or in collective classes. In this regard, parents are convinced that this type of setup for homeschooling is a great advantage. “Children are mixed together with others of different ages and they don’t compete with each other, they develop an understanding of the true value of friendship. Children who do not attend school socialize with older and younger kids equally, they don’t hang around only with those of the same age, they learn from everyone”, concludes Lorena.
November 12-25 2014
COMMUNITY
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Rotary Club Hosts Golf Tournament The event´s net proceeds will go towards charitable programs and initiatives in the community that help Playa´s children MICHELE KINNON
O The Winners J.J. Johnston Marcus Roehmer Dan Palka Sergio Rodríguez
n Saturday November 1, Rotary Club of Playa del Carmen Seaside hosted their 2nd annual Charity Golf Tournament, the Seaside Rotary Golf Classic presented by Tequila Barrel, at the Grand Coral Golf Course. It was a beautiful day out on the links and many of the Riviera Maya’s best golfers came out to compete and show their support of Seaside Rotary’s ongoing programs and charitable initiatives in the local community. Participating golfers took home a number of impressive honors and a variety of prizes all donated by local businesses. The foursome of Seaside Rotarian J.J. Johnston, Marcus Roehmer, Dan Palka and Sergio Rodríguez took first place in the tournament at 14 under par, a one stroke win
over second place finishers Shane Mullholand, Epifanio Soliano, Jorge Hamaellen and Glenn Preciado. Third place, at 12 under par, went to Andrés Balladares, Santiago Castilla, Juan Diego Díaz and Nicolas Tsakalos. The tournament’s “Longest Drive” was disputed on the 18th hole and won by Glenn Preciado, who was awarded a weekend at RIU
Peninsula Resort in Cancun and a foursome courtesy of Grand Coral. All participating golfers were challenged to “Beat The Pro” on Grand Coral’s beautiful par-3 hole #5. Top ranked, Junior golfer, Alejandro Dallava gave it his best shot but this year, a record 13 golfers were able to beat his tee shot: Seaside Rotarians Bill Sinclair and J.J. Johnston, Marcus Roehmer, Sergio Rodríguez, Dan Palka, Arturo Palatox, Francisco Lozano, Isaac De Anda, Shane Mullholand, Glenn Preciado, William Kingdon, Richard Broadwill, Juan Pablo Maldando and Pierre Ruegg. While hotly contested by Brian Lang, Epi Soliano and Dan Horan, the tournament’s signature event, the “Tequila Barrel Closest-To-The-Pin Shootout”, was settled on the first stroke by Jill Korowin whose beautiful shot hit the far edge of the green and stuck tight. Korowin went home with a brand new 16GB iPad Air and 2 coveted VIP passes for the 2014 OHL Classic at Mayakoba. President Lyall stressed that 100% of the tournament’s net proceeds will go toward charitable programs and initiatives in the community that support Seaside Rotary’s mission, “To Help Playa’s Kids”. For more information about the event, visit the official website www.seasiderotarygolfclassic.com. Photo:Seaside Rotary Golf Classic
Event Helps Fund Stray Dog
Rescue and Adoption
BY BEATRIZ LUCAS The first annual My Street Friend Festival (Feria Mi Amigo de la Calle) will take place on November 23, at the Caracol Marino Cultural Center, 80th street between 10th and 5th Ave., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will host a long list of workshops, music, dancing, theatre, food and most importantly, dogs looking for some love. The dog rescue group Acción Animal teamed up with like-minded organizations, including the Center for Animal Welfare in the Municipality (CEBIAM) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), in the hope that the festival will generate great exposure for rescuing and rehousing stray dogs. “It’s been wonderful”, said Lau-
ra Rendon from Patita de Perro, Services for Pets. “We’ve received so much interest from local organizations and community members who have recognized the importance of supporting dog rescue programs and who are joining us to make it a fun day for all.” “We are still counting on everyone to come and show their support on the day. Since this is the very first festival of its kind in the Riviera Maya, help us make history by beating our target of receiving one ton of dog food in donations,” said Laura. The festival is also hoping to become a great place to come and find a dog. Acción Animal will have two dogwalks showcasing some of their wide variety of dogs for adoption. Acción Animal is also responsible for one of the more popular
This beautiful dog will be available for adoption at the fair / Photo:Rodrigo de la Garza/ Polaron Media
attractions of the festival – “the dog kissing booth”, where for a small donation visitors can get a smooch from an impossibly cute dog along with their picture taken. Donations from the festival will
also help generate funds for vet bills, which are estimated at around $20,000 dollars this year. The festival will also have a number of informative talks on how to ride our bike with your dogs, from Bicineta, and
most importantly how to integrate a new member to your family by the biologist Alejandro Soto, among many other short talks. There will also be entertainment in the form of salsa dancing and live music, a raffle and a prize auction –with over 30 of Playa’s own businesses donating gifts for the cause-, a trivia quiz and a kid’s theatre performance led by Hena Moreno Corzo, director of the Caracol Marino Cultural Center. Hena has been an avid supporter from the very beginning, with two rescue dogs of her own, she says “At Caracol Marino, we are very animal friendly. We have always worked on promoting awareness of being environmentally responsible within the community and with the work we do. This is just an extension of that work.” The event is free but donations in cash or in kind (dog food) are requested. For more information or to donate to the cause, email info@ miamigodelacalle.com, or Facebook /MiAmigoDelaCalle.
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DISCOVER MEXICO
a e r A d n a l osta Maya-In
C POEM´s implementation could control the impact of aquatic activities on coral reefs / Photos: The Playa Times
POEM, a Virtual Protection of the Ocean BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD
P
laya del Carmen´s coastal areas and natural resources are threatened by different activities related to the tourism sector such as fishing, diving and snorkeling. In order to mitigate this impact, in 2011 the city joined the Regional Program of Ecological and Marine Regulation of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea (POEM), a measure to administrate and control land, coastal and maritime zones. POEM is supposed to provide a legal framework in order to regulate the coral reef area. Although local authorities have barely applied the program, its goal is to design an effective protection and natural resource use plan for this area which also assures sustenance to nautical tourism activities. Alfonso Torres Acosta, the director of the Association of Aquatic Services Operators (APSA), said that workers related to the tourism sector know that Playa del Carmen was included in the POEM because they participated in a public referendum in 2010; nevertheless, Torres Acosta feels they are not taking advantage of the benefits POEM could bring since they do not have enough information. “We knew about Playa del Carmen´s official adhesion to POEM. It was hard for us to accept it since it is a federal program which would affect
all coastal activities. We knew it was accepted but the protocols are devious and we do not know at what point of the development process it is in,” explained Torres. He suggested a special department in charge of supervising the compliance of POEM´s measures.
It is a federal program which would affect all coastal activities. The protocols are devious and we do not know at what point of the development process it is in” Alfonso Torres Acosta Director of APSA APSA´s director said that it was a great achievement to include Playa del Carmen as a “special region” in a program of this caliber. The municipal government´s main aim was to protect the reefs Tortugas, Sábalos and Jardines, which are the closest to Playa del Carmen and are those that have suffered the highest impact. Nevertheless, POEM´s rules are not compulsory so it depends on local authorities´ awareness to take advantage of its virtual protection. Now that Playa del Carmen has a remarkable framework to protect its ocean and reefs, it only needs the government and tourism sector’s will to apply the POEM, which could transform this place into a flagship destination for natural resource conservation.
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osta Maya comprises the southern area of Quintana Roo right before Belize´s border. This unique area surrounds the city of Chetumal and its varied destinations suit every taste. Due to Costa Maya´s considerable expanse we have divided it into three areas: the inland area, characterized by jungle ecosystems, Mayan ruins and by the beauty of the Magical Town of Bacalar; the Chetumal bay area, its lagoons and wildlife sanctuary; and the coastal area, a divers´ paradise, which goes from Punta Herrero to Xcalak along the Mesoamerican Reef. Distance in miles from Cancun: 212; Playa del Carmen: 170 miles (to Bacalar).
HOW TO GET THERE Car Bacalar has ground access throughout the Highway 307 from Cancun and the 184 from Chetumal. The trip from Playa del Carmen takes around three hours, or four if you come from Cancun. To get to the ruins, drive 10 miles south along Highway 307 from Bacalar and take 186 to Escárcega. Drive 18 miles and you will find the detour to Dzibanché and Kinichná on the right and Kohunlich´s 6 miles after on the left. Bus There is an ADO bus station on the Federal Highway and 28th St. in Bacalar´s downtown. There are buses every two hours from Playa del Carmen. Round trip tickets cost $264 pesos and this takes around four and a half hours each way. You can check routes and schedules on www.ado.com. mx. We do not know about any public transportation to the ruins, so the best option to visit them may be to rent a car.
WHAT TO SEE Bacalar. The Magical Town has so many attractions itself that we had already published a profile about it. You can find it on (http:// theplayatimes.com/2014/08/06/bacalar/.) Kohunlich. Opened to the public in 1994, Kohunlich is southern Quintana Roo´s most popular and studied archaeological site. It is known by its Masks Temple (Templo de los Mascarones) which has 6-feet
masks of Kinich Ahau, the god of the sun. Kohunlich site also stands out for its natural environment, the habitat to a large number of bird, reptile and mammal species. Distance from Chetumal: 40 miles Open: Every day 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $50 pesos
Dzibanché. This site comprises three settlements characterized by their large-sized buildings such as temples, pyramids or ball games. Dzibanché means “writing on wood” which alludes to a carved wooden lintel which was found there in the 20s. Abandoned by Mayans in the 11th century, the site remains mostly unexplored. Distance from Dzibanché: 3 miles Open: Every day 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $40 pesos Kinichná. Irish explorer Thomas Gann named the site so because of a gypsum remain on which the sun (kin) was sculpted. Kinichná mean “House of the Sun.” The place has an enormous 3-level Acropolis and numerous temples. Distance from Dzibanché: 1.5 miles Open: Every day 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $40 pesos
November 12-25 2014
ENTERPRISE FOCUS
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WTM Attracting More Brits to Q. Roo BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD
Japanese economic compesate recent world slump / Photo:Agency
Again, New Highs BY PATTIE BERRY - INTERCAM
O
nly two weeks ago, things looked pretty dicey for the markets. But other things happen, and perceptions change, even if the underlying fundamentals remain basically the same. This time, the game changer was Japan. The Bank of Japan published its regular semi-annual report on the outlook for the economy, and finally accepted that PM Shizo Abe’s plans to reactivate growth and trigger inflation are not working as desired. Inflation is up, but already starting to lose momentum. Growth is erratic, and also losing strength, due to the inability of consumption and investment to overcome the increase in sales tax implemented back in April. The central bank went ahead and unexpectedly announced a second massive stimulus program. The new plan entails an increase in monetary supply M3 (a measure of domestic money in circulation, used by the various central banks), more purchases of longer-term government bonds, more stocks, ETFs (Exchange Traded Fund) and Reits (Real Estate Investment Trust) to be bought in the marketplace. Also, the huge Japanese pension fund was authorized to double, from 12% to 25%, the amount of domestic stocks in its portfolio and the position in international stocks, as well as increase its holdings of Japanese government bonds. All in all, the plan more or less triples the amount of yen to be injected into the economy. Meanwhile, back in the US, the Fed held its monetary policy meeting and ended QE, or bond purchases, as expected, but surprised everyone with a mildly hawkish message. Given the very fragile situation in Europe, the deceleration in China, and the weak Jap-
anese economy, the Fed had been expected to be relatively soft in its message. But not only did they mostly ignore the poor global background, they referred to the US economy as strengthening moderately and labor market weakness diminishing, and they advised that if inflation were to move towards the 2% objective faster than expected, then the rate of interest would be raised sooner than thought. The European Central Bank also held its latest meeting and decided to make no changes to policy, in order to give the latest measures time to work, although Mario Draghi did reiterate that more stimulus will be applied, if needed. The Bank of England meeting also resulted in no action on the interest rate. In the end, it seems investors believe that the increase in Japanese monetary stimulus will at least offset the Fed’s end of QE, and that the general level of liquidity in the system will remain the same. In fact, the amount of money slushing around might even be greater, especially if the European Central Bank finally decides to buckle down on QE and start buying corporate and sovereign bonds in the market. Evidently, it is the central banks’ decisions, and not the economy’s behavior, that are shaping investors’ perceptions for now. In the markets, the US dollar climbed against the euro, jumped against the yen and gained against most currencies. Treasury bonds’ yields moved up, while German interest rates retreated even more. Commodity prices – oil, copper, gold – continued to drop in response to the dollar’s strength. In our view, the stock market’s uptrend is not really on solid footing if it depends on the money being created by the central banks, and is not really a reflection of an improving economic background.
The World Travel Market (WTM) London 2014 took place the first few days this November in the British capital. This event brings together companies and professionals in the travel industry and acts as a showcase for the travel agencies. Riviera Maya had a large presence during the forum and secured important business deals in order to encourage more tourists to the area for 2015. The Mexico forum launched the campaign “Mexico, live it to believe it”, as well as announcing that for a two year period the country will host a culinary event bringing together important chefs from around the world. The World Travel Market fair in London has become the event for the Riviera Maya, since the British are the third most popular nation to visit the area behind the US and Canada. In 2013, there were 300 thousand British visitors and in 2015 this number is estimated to increase considerably, up by 10 percent, according to Darío Flota Ocampo, director of the Riviera Maya Tourist Promotion Trust (FPTRM).
Flota explains that this year the Riviera Maya has surpassed last year’s 300 thousand British tourists. For 2014, with the increase of tourism from other countries, such as those from South America, the total number of visitors will be 4.4 million, a historical number. “The fair has been especially relevant since it started to bring tourists to us last year. We reached 300 thousand tourists in 2013 and we’ve estimated that there will be a significant increase next year. Virgin Atlantic has increased their flights by 10 percent, and we expect further growth,” said Flota, who added: “We have exceeded last year’s numbers, reaching an average of 79 percent in occupancy, and with a little more coming we’ll go over 80 percent. This type of tourism is relevant because the British holiday season does not match that of the US and Canada, they travel at another time.” From 2012 to date, the Riviera Maya has had an increase in visitors from Russia, Great Britain, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Peru. The world-wide promotion through tourism fairs has resulted in unprecedented numbers of occupancy and visitors.
In 2013
300
thousand British visitors arrived to the Riviera Maya, with an estimated 10 percent increase for 2015. British are the third most popular nation to visit the area behind the US and Canada / Photo:Ayuntamiento de Solidaridad
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CANCUN
November 12-25 2014
PLAYA DEL CARMEN
9
10
HEALTH & BEAUTY
World Diabetes Day BY ANA ACOSTA
W
orld Diabetes Day (#WDD) is celebrated annually on November 14 led by the International Diabetes Federation. Diabetes is a chronic disease in which a disturbance occurs in the utilization of sugars due to a partial or total lack of the insulin hormone. The first main type of diabetes is type 1, an autoimmune disease that mainly affects people under the age of 20, usually presenting itself when the person is a child or young adult. Type 2 diabetes (also called adult onset diabetes) is normally found in people who become overweight as they get older. However, in Mexico or USA, more and more children and young adults are being diagnosed with this type. The third main type is gestational diabetes, a very common condition that women can get when pregnant. This type will disappear after the baby is born. Diabetes risk factors usually depend on the family history, lack of exercise, unhealthy eating and being overweight. You might have diabetes if you suffer from frequent urination, weight loss, lack of energy or excessive thirst. 70 percent of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented by a healthy diet and physical activity; this would lead to a reduction of 150 million cases by 2035. Thirty minutes of exercise a day can reduce your risk of developing diabetes type 2 by 40 percent. Changes in your diet will also reduce your risk. You should try to: · Increase the intake of dietary fiber, raw
vegetables, pulses, seeds and some nuts. · Choose whole grain bread, preferably with barley, bulgur or quinoa. · Eat your fruits and seeds with their skin. · Start each meal with a salad. · Mix in with your pasta some broccoli, cauliflower or other vegetables. · Reduce the intake of sugars, fried foods and fats. · Sweeten with Stevia instead of sugar. A common recommendation is getting a Fasting Blood Sugar Test if your body mass index is higher than 25, if you are older than age 45 or if you have the symptoms listed above. Ana Acosta Rodríguez is a Nutritionist based in Playa del Carmen. Her specialties include Maternal-Child Nutrition, pregnancy & lactation. You can contact her at ana@ mompreneurs.mx - 984 5938702.
Chiropractic
care and Neck Pain BY DR. RICHARD MCCARTHY Neck pain is a common issue and the second most common problem that a chiropractor will treat. There are many causes of neck problems. Car accidents and falls are the most likely reasons to have neck imbalance. If you are in a car accident and have neck pain it is very important to have this area examined and treated by a chiropractor. They are the main professionals that can restore proper neck alignment, thereby helping you avoid many problems later on in your life. What usually occurs after neck injuries is that many people take pain pills and endure the pain for weeks or months. Yes, the pain can subside in this period of time because the body will adapt to the new imbalanced positions, but the joints will not realign themselves. As time progresses, people experience occasional pain or loss of proper movement thereby affecting their daily function. People that spend many hours in front of computers will often complain of neck pain. Having your head hunched down focused on a computer monitor can cause tightness of the neck muscles and because these muscles are attached to the vertebrae this results in vertebral imbalance. A neck
imbalance can lead to other symptoms such as headaches or pain along the brachial nerve which can radiate to the shoulders or down one or both arms. The most serious consequence of neck problems is that arthrosis or arthritis will develop many years before the normal time. Neck problems respond quickly to chiropractic care. Why wait to have a neck that feels good, has proper mobility and is not causing you problems? A chiropractor is there to help you live a better life, without the use of drugs or surgery. Good health to all.
CHIROPRACTOR For a safe, effective chiropractor
Dr. Richard McCarthy at The New Gym, Playa Del Carmen
Tel: 984 873 2098
November 12-25 2014
DINING OUT
11
Playa Taco Tours BY IAN KELLEY
It is hard to find Mexican wines to pair with the food / Photos: Rocío Norzagaray
Give Mexican Wine a Chance Although Mexico is producing affordable and good quality brands there is an undeserved lack of promotion and prestige BY ROCÍO NORZAGARAY
I
usually face the dilemma of what wine to buy for my clients. I am a private chef, most of my guests are foreigners and tend to be of the sort that cannot fathom eating without a glass of wine. This is where my responsibility as a Mexican chef starts. I love what I do as much as I love my country and its homemade products, but there are very few tourists or even nationals that consider Mexican wine to be a good choice, or even worse, some of them do not even know that this beautiful country produces wine. If they are aware that Mexican wines are available, they tend to think that it is bad and expensive. As a result, it is no wonder that, according to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in Mexico, 65 percent of the wine consumed in Mexico comes from abroad. When considering people´s preferences for wine, we could say that Mexico’s wines are struggling to make a mark. In fact, in other countries, such as those from the European Union, wine is classified as a “food complement” and receives government assistance such as tax reductions.
On the other hand Mexican wine producers, have to pay a 16 percent VAT and an additional Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) which reaches up to a 36 percent tax rate according the Mexican Institute of Public Accountants. This is because Mexican laws consider wine as a “beverage with alcoholic content”, which entails a list of tax obligations for producers and distributors as well as affects the consumer price, putting the country at a disadvantage against international competitors.
The tax rate on Mexican wines reaches up to
36%
with an estimated 10 percent increase for 2015 Over the last years, the consumption of wine in Mexico has increased but the production needs to be promoted as well. According to the Mexican Council of Viticulture (CMV), the number of vineyards in this country is limited and the wine production is well below the quan-
tity of imported wine. When you think about it, we always run into foreign wine brands but never national ones at the store. People from all over the world visit this Caribbean region and wish to know Mexican gastronomy but they only have Chilean, Argentinian or Spanish wines to pair with their food, which are not necessarily the best. This missed opportunity is disconcerting. However, there are more and more Mexican wine brands like Casa Madero from Tamaulipas (the oldest in the continent) or Adobe de Guadalupe from Baja California which are producing affordable and good quality wines and have achieved not only to survive but to compete, win prizes and prosper against wines from other countries. It is important that we support the Mexican wine industry by giving a chance to the wide variety of national brands that, in addition, offer very reasonable prices. Besides, it is scientifically proven that a glass of wine per day reduces the risk to a heart attack and act as an antioxidant against the premature aging. Rocío Norzagaray is a sommelier. Contact her on info@privatechefplaya. com and www.privatechefplaya.com.
One of the signs that you have found a good place to eat, like this taco stand, is that there is a crowd of people waiting for food. I hate to tell you guys about this place because you might get in the way when I’m getting mine! I won’t pretend I know the name of this stand, so I have included a photo. Their main item is tacos de cecina, which as far as I can tell, is a thin-pressed, lightly salt-cured beef. It is grilled, sliced and served with cooked onions and nopal cactus strips. I was told this style comes from the north and is not typical of the Yucatan. They also produce longaniza, which is spicy, ground pork. You can also purchase bottled sodas and nice juices and aguas frescas. There is a big guy who chops up a giant block of ice daily and he will help you pick out a nice refreshing drink. There is also jazzy sauce, which I believe, is called chicharrón, a tasty sauce made from pork skin. The beef is tender, lean and nothing is greasy. The condiments are good whilst they are still available. They have mild red or green salsas, a spicy onion-habanero mix, limes and a cream sauce to cool the fire. The tacos are great, but I do
Taco stand/ Photos:Agency
Tacos de cecina
have two minor criticisms about this place. If you arrive later in the day the salsas get thinner and fewer. This is good and bad. It means they make them fresh everyday, but come on guys, I used to be a chef, prep a little more and don’t add water when you’re running low. But I don’t think they care as they always have plenty of business. My other complaint is this; sometimes they are so busy that you have to fight the crowd to get your tacos. They also have a weird ordering system; you have to pay a guy on the side first and if you don’t know this, you could be waiting a while. But hey, you’ll be waiting a while anyway because that guy usually does the cooking too! Obviously, this is not a fancy place. But it is a place that delivers great value in a delicious 12-peso taco. Their dining area is a few plastic stools and some big rocks under a tree. They are located on Calle 38 between Ave. 45 and the highway. These guys are a daytime operation only, they serve from 8.30 am to 2 pm and are closed Thursdays (or whenever else they feel like it). I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and don’t worry if I see you there - I’ll be nice and won’t cut in line!
12
ENTERTAINMENT rino Cultural Center, 80th St. between 10th and Fifth. Exchange local and organic products, alternative therapies, books and more.
17 MONDAY
>NOVEMBER 12-25
12 WEDNESDAY CANCUN-RIVIERA MAYA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL. Until Nov 15. Concerts, master classes, contests. Fund raising event in benefit of Cancun Down Syndrome Foundation. Check the Facebook page Festival Internacional de Música Cancún Riviera Maya.
18 TUESDAY THE CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL OF CULTURE. Lectures, master classes and the best of Caribbean music with artist such as Willie Colón, Chichi Peralta and Luis Eduardo Aute. Check the line-up and the schedule on www. fecuca.com. Free entrance.
THE CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL OF CULTURE. Lectures, master classes and the best of Caribbean music with artist such as Willie Colón, Chichi Peralta and Luis Eduardo Aute. Check the line-up and the schedule on www. fecuca.com. Free entrance.
KAVA KASA LOCAL MARKET every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kava Kasa, 22nd St. and 10th Ave. Organic produce, fresh home baked goods, artisan crafts and more! Shop local and support Playa.
OLIVER STONE FILM SEASON, Platoon, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 St. in Colonia Ejido. Free entrance.
FREE TANGO LESSONS 8 p.m. Roof of The Palm at Playa Hotel, Eighth St. and 10th Ave. Classes by Diego and Lucila.
DOCUMENTARY WEDNESDAYS 8 p.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. in Colonia Ejidal. Free entrance. Check Facebook El Cine Club for the schedule.
19 WEDNESDAY
LATIN NIGHT every Wednesday, 11 p.m. Blue Parrot Beach Club, 12th St. and the beach. 2 x 1 on beers and bottles. Salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and Latin hits. Free entrance.
COMEDY PLAYA 8 p.m. Lucky Luciano’s, Fifth St. and 28th St. Stand-up comedy in English. Local and visiting U.S. acts. Every Wednesday and Sunday. $50 pesos .
13 THURSDAY
BICINETA BIKE RIDE 8 p.m. every Wednesday. City Hall, Plaza 28 de Julio, 8th St. and 15th Ave. Explore the cycle paths of Playa del Carmen and meet like-minded local bikers.
THE CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL OF CULTURE. Lectures, master classes and the best of Caribbean music with artist such as Willie Colón, Chichi Peralta and Luis Eduardo Aute. Check the line-up and the schedule on www.fecuca. com. Free entrance. FRACTAL-INTERNATIONAL DESIGN FORUM, 9 a.m. Crystal Palace Building, La Luna Av. Mza. 3 Lt 5-05. Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia, Switzerland as guest countries. Check http://fractal-eid.com. Free entrance. DOCUMENTARY FILMS every Thursday, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 St. in Colonia Ejido. Free entrance.
14 FRIDAY THE CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL OF CULTURE. Lectures, master classes and the best of Caribbean music with artist such as Willie Colón, Chichi Peralta and Luis Eduardo Aute. Check the line-up and the schedule on www.fecuca.com. Free entrance. COCOS BEACH ORGANIC MARKET every Friday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Condos Alizes, Avenida CTM and 46th St. Homemade bread and baked goods, gluten-free products, fresh herbs, organic eggs, handmade products, cosmetics, clothing and much more. FRACTAL-INTERNATIONAL DESIGN FORUM, 9 a.m. Crystal Palace Building, La Luna Av. Mza. 3 Lt 5-05. Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia, Switzerland as guest countries. Until Nov 15. Check http://fractal-eid.com. Free entrance. SPANISH CONVERSATION CLUB, every Friday from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Chichen Itza Language School on Fourth St. and 10th Ave. Practice your Spanish conversational skills for free with others students.
THE CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL OF CULTURE. Lectures, master classes and the best of Caribbean music with artist such as Willie Colón, Chichi Peralta and Luis Eduardo Aute. Check the line-up and the schedule on www. fecuca.com. Free entrance.
OLIVER STONE FILM SEASON, Born on the Fourth of July, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 St. in Colonia Ejido. Free entrance.
NOVEMBER 25 THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF ELCINECLUB. Workshops and the best of independent and children´s cinema at La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. Colonia Ejidal and other locations. Check www.elcineclub.mx. Voluntary contribution. CINEMA FRIDAYS 8 p.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. in Colonia Ejidal. Free entrance. Check Facebook El Cine Club for schedule. CONCERT THE MUSIC OF THE CARIBBEAN, 8.20 p.m. Cancun Theater, Kukulcan Blvd. Km. 4, Hotel Zone. Directed by Ricardo Corona. Tickets from $150 pesos available by calling 998 849 5580.
15 SATURDAY THE CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL OF CULTURE. Lectures, master classes and the best of Caribbean music with artist such as Willie Colón, Chichi Peralta and Luis Eduardo Aute. Check the line-up and the schedule on www.fecuca. com. Free entrance. FRACTAL-INTERNATIONAL DESIGN FORUM, 9 a.m. Crystal Palace Building, La Luna Av. Mza. 3 Lt 5-05. Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia, Switzerland as guest countries. Until Nov 15. Check http://fractal-eid.com. Free entrance. CONSCIOUS RELAXATION WORKSHOP 10 a.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th
Ave. Colonia Ejidal. Voluntary contribution. FLEA MARKET 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. Colonia Ejidal. Yoga, workshops, local food and more. PASEARTE COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION every Saturday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Along Sunyaxchen Ave. Photography, sculpture, poetry, music and more. CYCLING EMBASSY’S BIKE RIDE 5.30 p.m. every Saturday. Constituyentes Ave. and Diagonal 85. Bike loans and free drinks! Check out the route on Facebook Playa Bicicletero.
16 SUNDAY THE CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL OF CULTURE. Lectures, master classes and the best of Caribbean music with artist such as Willie Colón, Chichi Peralta and Luis Eduardo Aute. Check the line-up and the schedule on www.fecuca. com. Free entrance. MEXICAN FOLK MUSIC CONCERT, 12 p.m. Ka´Yok´ Planetarium, Palenque Ave. Sm. 21. By the Raíces Folk Camerata. $150 pesos. BARTER FAIR 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Caracol Ma-
DOCUMENTARY WEDNESDAYS 8 p.m. La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. in Colonia Ejidal. Free entrance. Check Facebook El Cine Club for the schedule.
20 THURSDAY
22 SATURDAY
poetry favorites. Free entrance. PASEARTE COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION every Saturday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Along Sunyaxchen Ave. Photography, sculpture, poetry, music and more. CYCLING EMBASSY’S BIKE RIDE 5.30 p.m. every Saturday. Constituyentes Ave. and Diagonal 85. Bike loans and free drinks! Check out the route on Facebook Playa Bicicletero. PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION, MEXICO HEART AND SOUL 6 p.m. Arts Gallery at the Puerto Aventuras Information Center. By Jayne A. Halle. Free entrance. THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF EL CINE CLUB. Workshops and the best of independent and children´s cinema at La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. Colonia Ejidal and other locations. Check www.elcineclub.mx. Voluntary contribution.
23 SUNDAY TULUM ORGANIC AND NATURAL MARKET 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commercial Area at Aldea Zamá. THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF EL CINE CLUB. Workshops and the best of independent and children´s cinema at La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. Colonia Ejidal and other locations. Check www.elcineclub.mx. Voluntary contribution. MY STREET FRIEND FESTIVAL 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dog rescue festival. Workshops, market, music, dog adoptions. Caracol Marino Cultural Center, 80th between 10th & 5th. Cash or dog food donations. Facebook Mi Amigo de la Calle.
24 MONDAY ACTING LESSONS every Monday, Wednesday and Friday 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Caracol Marino Cultural Centre, 80th St. between 10th and Fifth. For more information contact centrocaracol@gmail.com. THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF EL CINE CLUB. Workshops and the best of independent and children´s cinema at La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. Colonia Ejidal and other locations. Check www.elcineclub.mx. Voluntary contribution.
DOCUMENTARY FILMS every Thursday, 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 St. in Colonia Ejido. Free entrance.
25 TUESDAY
21 FRIDAY
PAINTING LESSONS every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Le Lotus Rouge, Second St. and 35th Ave.$100 pesos to cover materials.
COCOS BEACH ORGANIC MARKET every Friday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Condos Alizes, Avenida CTM and 46th St. Homemade bread and baked goods, gluten-free products, fresh herbs, organic eggs, handmade products, cosmetics, clothing and much more. FREE SALSA LESSONS every Friday from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Chichen Itza Language School on Fourth St. and 10th Ave. THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF EL CINE CLUB. Workshops and the best of independent and children´s cinema at La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. Colonia Ejidal and other locations. Check www.elcineclub. mx. Voluntary contribution. POETRY FRIDAY every Friday 8 p.m. El Eden Art Garden, Constituyentes Ave. and 95 Street in Colonia Ejido. Listen to and read poetry. Free entrance.
KAVA KASA LOCAL MARKET every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kava Kasa, 22nd St. and 10th Ave. Organic produce, fresh home baked goods, artisan crafts and more! Shop local and support Playa. THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF EL CINE CLUB. Workshops and the best of independent and children´s cinema at La Ceiba Park, First St. South and 60th Ave. Colonia Ejidal and other locations. Check www.elcineclub.mx. Voluntary contribution. THE ART OF SOCIALIZING every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Le Lotus Rouge, Second St. and 35th Ave. Paint, sip and socialize. Free entrance.
*For Cancun events, check the highlighted boxes!
November 12-25 2014
The Riviera Jazz Festival, Charming Our Ears Since 2001 Mexico’s unique music festival will include, for the first time in its history, workshops and lectures and the popular concerts around town all for free. Fernando Toussaint talks to The Playa Times to tells us more BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD
and the municipality realised they couldn’t escape from this notion.
T
hirteen years after it was founded, the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival has greatly evolved. This year, for the first time in its history, there will be workshops and panels with specialists on world music. The musician Fernando Toussaint heads the festivals from its origins as a “conversation in a local bar” until converting itself to what it has become now, a free concert billed by experts as one of the top ten best in the world, on par with the ones in Montreal, Tokyo and New York. From November 27 to 29 Jorge Vercillo, Take 6, Colin Hunter, Pato Machete, Pat Metheny, Hiram Gómez, Chick Corea, Kenny Garrett and Virgil Donati fire up the stage with music for Mamita’s Beach Club, where, in previous years, up to 30 thousand people have congregated. How did the Jazz Festival start? It was a strange story. I came to play in Cancun for 15 days and then came to Playa del Carmen to play at the Apasionado, and instead of just coming down for that one Wednesday, I ended up staying. I came to see a musician play and I then got invited to join him for a drink. It turned out that this guy was the president of Riviera Maya Hotels Association (AHRM), but he was also a saxophonist and a music lover. That’s how he suggested we start something here.
What has been the biggest challenge? Jealousy. There are dodggy people in this business. Success is a sin in Mexico, even if the event is directed by a jazz musician, people don’t like it. There are people who have gone out of their way to make the festival a failure, but the bad blood hasn’t stopped me.
Earth, Wind & Fire at The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival in 2013 / Photo: La Gaceta / Riviera Maya Jazz Festival
How did you start up the project? The authorities didn’t believe in the project, I was warned that if after three years the festival hadn’t grown, they would stop all support. It occurred to me that the festival was a component for tourism promotion due to the fact that it is a free high level international event. The state’s government and AHRM took to this idea and they realised that the occupancy increased during the week of the festival. How do you cover the costs of a free festival that has no sponsorship? It is complicated and at the same time that has helped to set us
apart. It’s the only free festival of its kind in Mexico and that surprises people. The traffic that comes along with the festival generates the income that allows it to pay for itself. We created a brand. We don’t buy, we sell. There are what I call “ghost” sponsors who provide for the festival in kind. This year the festival involved more of the city, what happened? It seems essential to me. We’ve been three times to Tónica, Guadalajara, and they do the opposite. The organizers there are more didactic in their approach and they have four gigs which close the festival. We learnt from that and the Tourist Promotion Trust (FPTRM)
What have you achieved in the last 13 years? There have been a lot of things, we’ve managed to charm the ears of the public. This year we didn’t bring an Incognito or an Earth, Wind & Fire as crowd bait. This time we brought Pat Metheny and Chick Corea for instance. One of our biggest achievements is to host more alternative groups, unknown in the rest of the country and that require a little more specialist knowledge, without forgetting that the festival is for the people and they also need to enjoy it. We’ve also got Pato Machete for example. Is there something you want to add? Invite people! It’s not music for those a little chubby or the elderly like me. I always say the same thing, it’s free and the worst that can happen is that they get bored and they leave. I invite people that given the chance would have fun.
El Cine Club, celebrating
their three-year commitment BY CARLOS UNDERWOOD From November 21 to 28 the Cine Club at La Ceiba park will host several events to celebrate their third anniversary. Victor Morillas, co-founder and director of El Cine Club spoke with The Playa Times about the scheduled activities. All screenings will be subtitled in English and will be age-rated. Further information is found on their website elcineclub.info and on their Facebook page El Cine Club. What do you have scheduled for the anniversary? We invited Cine Móvil Toto, an open air cinema which uses sustainable energy, such as Pedal-AWatt bicycle generators for spectators to use, as well as solar panels. It is a social project that will run all week and combines cinema with renewable energy as a way of engag-
ing people in generating energy. The anniversary will kick off with a matinee for children and we have invited schools to come along for this. The children’s movies we will be screening are educational as well as fun, but they are not Pixar. Will you have guests? We have a cinematography appreciation workshop on the schedule, which is run by Inti Aldasoro, a teacher from the Cinematrography Training Center (CCC) and the Film Studies Center (CEC). Will you have screenings in other areas other than in La Ceiba park during the anniversary? Two screenings will take place in Puerto Morelos and Chemuyil, those will be on the Tuesday and Thursday. Afterwards, we will team up with Bicineta (an associa-
Every Wednesday and Friday, El Cine Club organizes film screenings at La Ceiba park / Photo: El Cine Club
tion promoting cycling as a means of transport) to celebrate the anniversary. We will also showcase the work of the first generation of documentary producers Ambulantes más allá (Remote Travellers), a program for young students from Campeche and the Yucatan. This year, our goal was also to build alliances with other associations, and for this we received support from the Mexican Institute of Cinematography (IMCINE) who helped make these activities a reality.
What are you going to show? On Friday we will have a screening of The Hamsters, by Gilberto González. What will you have for the closing night? DJ Saiko will be playing, he is a renowned musician and has worked on a project called Licuadora Latina (Latin Merry-Go-Round). There will be music with visuals. Everyone is invited, just come join us and spread the word among your friends.
ART & CULTURE
13
My Odyssey Through Music Freddy (2) By Aitana
S
oon after we formed the band, we had 2 or 3 complete sets and were ready to go on stage. We had decided on “Agharta” for our band name, like the mythical subterranean world. The day came for our first (and only) official gig at a nice little restaurant in Puerto Aventuras. It was a perfect sunny October day, just a couple of weeks before the “Riviera Maya Jazz Festival”. Everything went as planned. Or almost everything, as there were some minor surprises. The restaurant´s audio equipment, which we gratefully accepted to use, was rather simple and the restaurant insisted on turning our volume down, in spite of us only being 2 musicians. A string on Freddy´s guitar broke during our performance and there was no replacement in sight… Generally speaking, it was almost perfect, the audience loved us and the owners wanted us to come back for more. Freddy, however, decided not to accept the invite as their pay was too low. At the time I was very disappointed with his decision, but looking back now I would have decided the same. A few weeks later was the start of the “Riviera Maya Jazz Festival” and it was amazing. It was extra special because it made me believe that sometimes miracles DO happen. In the middle of hundreds of people in the crowd, a retired couple, still on their 3-month vacation, recognized me from that gig in Puerto Aventuras. I can hardly express how surprised I was, because even though my outfit that day was totally different, they remembered me and congratulated me on my “excellent performance”. I was almost speechless and have never forgotten them or their kind words. The positive feedback Freddy and I received for our first gig and that first taste of success gave us the drive to keep going for more. For more information about the author and her band check out the Facebook pages /aitana.singer.jewelrydesigner and /NightBrain.
14
TAKE A BREAK Makes 4 servings
D
HOROSCOPES SCORPIO
Ingredients 1 cup of rice 1 coconut 1 cup of sugar 1 tsp. of salt 1 tsp. of ground cloves 1 small piece of ginger 6 cinnamon sticks ½ cup of raisins Cinnamon powder
Rice Pudding With Coconut
(OCTOBER 23RD- NOVEMBER 21ST)
You’ll be completely in your element. The cosmos conspires to bring even more passion and intensity to the days ahead. You may say something you don’t intend, so it helps to tread carefully.
SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22ND-DEC 21ST)
You may be more introspective than usual, causing you to spend more time reflecting or mulling things over. A major focus on your spiritual sector hints that you may be preoccupied with certain issues.
Directions Take the shredded coconut, add enough warm water to measure 6 cups, simmer until thick and creamy. Blend on high for a few minutes. Leave the rice in 5 cups of coconut milk for ½ hour. Keep a cup of coconut milk for later. To the coconut milk and rice mix in the chopped ginger, ground cloves, cinnamon sticks, salt, and leave to simmer. When the milk has almost gone, add the sugar, raisins and a cup of coconut milk. Dust with cinnamon.
CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22ND-JANUARY 19TH)
Your social life seems to be at the top of your agenda, bringing a chance to mix with folks. Go easy when making a deeper connection with certain people, especially if there’s a romantic involvement.
There’s a very strong accent on career which may lead you to ponder and think deeply about the direction you’re going and your priorities. Be honest with yourself about what works and what doesn’t.
RECIPE
AQUARIUS JANUARY 20THFEBRUARY 18TH
PISCES The idea of transforming your life so that it opens up new horizons for you could seem very appealing. You’ll likely find that you desire to make far-reaching changes.
ARIES (MARCH 21ST-APRIL 19TH)
You seem determined to succeed at a career goal, so much so that you might be willing to step on another’s toes to get there. You may prefer being with a love interest with a sense of humor.
CROSSWORD
(FEBRUARY 19TH-MARCH 20TH)
TAURUS (APRIL 20TH-MAY 20TH)
A relationship may reach a critical phase. Feelings could come to a head and could be rather intense. If you’re going out on a date, it could be a memorable event as passions develop quickly.
Across 1 8 9 10 11 13 14 16 17 19 20 21
Down
Make laws (9) Deceitful (5) Hot drug (anag) (7) Official recognition of achievement (8) Coconut husk fibre used for making matting (4) Indistinct — hazy in outline (6) Country formerly known as Nyasaland (6) Bring up (4) 17 Most abundant substance in the universe (8) Really (2,5) Sound of a soft, wet object striking a surface (5) Writer of Treasure Island, d. 1894 (9)
GEMINI (MAY 21TH-JUNE 21TH)
CANCER (JUNE 22ND- JULY 22ND)
Whatever your relationship status, interactions can be all-consuming. You may be overwhelmed by the strength of others’ feelings - as well as your own. Shopping might temporarily ease any angst.
COLLECTIBLES
WORD SEARCH
With a full house in your lifestyle sector, it’s time to make one or two major changes. Regarding finances, if you’re looking for a loan, be sure to deal with the right people.
LEO (JULY 23RD – AUGUST 22ND)
ANTIQUES AUTOGRAPHS BUTTONS CARDS COINS MAGAZINES MEMORABILIA MODELS PAINTINGS PLATES RECORDS SHELLS
VIRGO (AUGUST 23RD – SEPTEMBER 22ND)
You may want to pace yourself, as your thought processes could be fairly intense. If you’re researching a subject or hoping to solve a mystery, you may find it hard to tear yourself away.
LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23RD – OCTOBER 22ND)
You could get the shopping bug, particularly if you’re eager to upgrade your home. With a focus on recycling, this could be a period in which you sell or give away items you no longer need.
SUDOKU PUZZLE
Although you may be feeling upbeat, family life could be a different kettle of fish altogether. A work matter might have you on tenterhooks. You may appreciate the company of a good friend.
Enter digits from 9 to 1 into the blank spaces Every row most contain one of each digit So must every column, as must every 3x3 square
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 12 15 18
Binding used for strangulation (8) No dogs (anag) (6) Display (4) Behaving in an exemplary manner (2,4,2,4) Outrageously costly (12) Fruit (12) Small talk (6-6) Body of troops guarding a stronghold (8) Infectious disease oftenspread by lice (6) Unable to speak (4)
LAST ISSUE'S SOLUTION
November 12-25 2014
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CLASSIFIEDS
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Classifieds GENERAL SERVICES PLAYAEASY If you don’t speak fluent Spanish or are new to the area, we provide an educated, experienc ed, and multilingual team ready to get errands and personal task done so you can enjoy Playa del Carmen. Email: michelle@playaeasy.com facebook: Playaeasy
How do we avoid getting robbed in Playa del Carmen? We are going there on vacation and we don’t want to get robbed while we’re there. Anxious In Arkansas
RENTALS & PROPERTIES Hi there, Anxious, thanks for your question. The best way to get robbed in Playa is to simply ask someone to rob you. As anyone who has ever visited Playa will tell you, we Playenses LOVE to rob tourists. Personally, I like to rob tourists by using hypnotism. I use a pocket watch, or a cobra in a basket, to mesmerize my mark. Once they are under my spell, I make them give me all of their chewing gum and insect repellent. A friend of mine, originally from Merida, robs tourists by tickling them. As you’ll no doubt already know from watching cartoons, when you tickle people, all of their loose change falls out of their pockets. Using his toes like a simian, he picks up the coins as they hit the ground. He uses his “winnings” to buy chewing gum and insect repellent. There is a lady I know from Cheshire, England, who robs people by amazing them with feats of strength. She is only 5 feet tall, so nobody believes her when she claims that she can lift a dump truck with her bare hands. She completes the task, then drops the truck onto tourists. The truck is made out of papier-mâché, so nobody gets hurt, but it’s completely to scale, so the tourists are trapped underneath the upside down piñata. She only lets them out when they hand over all of their chewing gum and insect repellent. Why chewing gum and insect repellent, you ask? Because, in Mexico, you have to get
the chewing gum first. Then you get the insect repellent. Then you get the women. Another thing you can do is … Actually, I just reread your question. I got it all wrong - you DON’T want to get robbed, which changes things a bit. Not really sure how to proceed here on account of never getting robbed in 9 years of living in Mexico. Actually, I had my car broken into once, but since I left all of the windows open and the faceplate on my stereo connected, I can’t really blame anyone but myself. I suppose if you really DON’T want to get robbed, you might want to use some common sense when you are walking around. For example, if you own a fancy watch, don’t ask shady characters in dark alleys to tell you how impressed they are with your fancy watch. Or, if you own expensive jewellery, don’t brag about all of your karats at 3 in the morning while you are stumbling home drunk. Oh! Also? Don’t count your money out loud while you are walking down the street with your pants around your ankles saying, “Look how much MONEY I have! So much! Whoops! I tripped over my pants and lost count of all my money while I was talking about all of my money. Guess I’ll start again. It’s at least a thousand-million, though.” Hope that helps!
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Mexico, USA, Europe and beyond. 25% discount through The Caribbean Expatriate Medical Group / No application or agent fees. Vonage (USA) 512 296 4976 www.offshorehealthbenefits.com BOKANOVA DENTAL CENTRE Cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics ENGLISH SPOKEN Plaza Paraiso 10th Avenue South, near the entrance to Playacar, Playa del Carmen. Telephone 984 803 1043 MD PLAYA MEDICAL Specialists in endocrinology, cardiology, general medicine, psychiatry, orthopedics and trauma, dermatology, gynaecology ,obstetrics and children’s medicine. Plaza Paraiso Caribe. 5th Street between Avenues 10 & 15. For appointments call 984 803 0648.
RESTAURANTS
NORTH AMERICAN STANDARDS PROPERTY SERVICES Management, rentals and sales at their best. Playa del Carmen, Mexico. See our ad on the front page. CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY! 984 873 3548 website: rentals@nasplaya.com See our ad on the front page NORTH AMERICAN STANDARDS PROPERTY SERVICES Management, rentals and sales at their best. Playa del Carmen, Mexico. See our ad on the front page. CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY! 984 873 3548 website: rentals@nasplaya.com See our ad on the front page
MEDICAL & DENTAL
Craig Norton is a Canadian expat and the one of the founding members of Comedy Playa. If you have a question you would like to ask him (for a friend), please email dearcraig@theplayatimes.com
RESTAURANTE PATANEGRA Delicious homemade Spanish food. Try the best tapas, paellas, cold and more. Fine selection of Spanish red and white wines. On 26th St. between Avenues 10 and 15. Telephone 984 877 0701. Facebook Restaurante Patanegra
CONTACTS & PERSONALS ROTARY CLUB PLAYA DEL CARMEN SEASIDE Weekly meetings at SOHO HOTEL. 24 St and 10 st avenue. Tuesdays 12.30pm Visitors are welcome, for more information email kwdoug1@yahoo.com
Bonnie was born about January 2013 and arrived at the shelter August 2013. Bonnie is a medium size adult dog about 17 kg (37 pounds). She was rescued along with her mother and 3 of her siblings by a Playa local. All of them were suffering with skin problems upon arrival, but all have since received successful treatments. The local rescuer has managed to find homes for all of this pack, except Bonnie, and so she has been with us since August of 2013. Bonnie used to be nervous around new people, but now she is confident and outgoing. She loves to go for walks and to play! She is 100% ready for a family of her own.
ROTARY CLUB PLAYA DEL CARMEN SEASIDE Weekly meetings at LA FRAGATA Restaurant. 26 St and 1st avenue. Tuesdays 12.30pm Visitors are welcome, for more information email kwdoug1@yahoo.com
BONNIE
If you have any questions about the available dogs from Playa Animal Rescue, contact Pat at info@playaanimalrescue.org
OFFSHORE HEALTH BENEFITS LTD. Global medical insurance and air ambulance For expatriates throughout Latin America. Access to top-rated hospitals throughoout
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS English spoken Tuesdays and Fridays 5.30pm. Spanish spoken Monday to Friday 7pm. 35th Avenue and 34th Street, Playa del Carmen. info@naplaya.com
The legal forum
Invest in Mexico: individuals and corporations By Gerardo González
F
oreigners and foreign companies often ask what is the best way to start a business in Mexico. One of the first decisions to make is whether the business will be opened by an individual or through a society or association. It is important to be well informed on investments in Mexico due to the fact that once you start the process and the first steps are made, it later takes a lot of time and requires multiple visits to the government agencies that legalize everything. From a legal viewpoint, a subject (persona) is an entity who enjoys rights and may incur obligations. A subject can be either an individual or a corporation (persona física and persona moral, respectively), whereby the individual can be any human being, and a corporation is an organization of people grouped together for a lawful purpose, known as a social object (objeto social). Unlike the case of individuals,
corporations choose a name (denominación or razón social) for the corporation and all those involved in the corporation may exercise rights and obligations for that corporation. Both the individuals and the corporations may have a legacy. In the case of foreigners who are part of a corporation created in Mexico, it is important for them to know that, according to Mexican laws, the corporation is considered to be Mexican; which is not the case for individuals who invest here, they can have multiple nationalities. There are a great number of investment options in Mexico and they come in many forms. Each one reflects different situations and it is important that, once you’ve researched the topic, you seek reliable legal advice to help explain your particular situation in order to make the decision that is best adapted to your needs and those of your business.
Gerardo Gonzalez is lawyer specializing in corporate law, and a graduate from the Interamerican University for Development in Merida, where he originates from. If you have a topic in mind you would like him to address in his column, write to him at gonzalez@mexlaw.ca