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Responsibility and Respect
for the Riviera Maya
Responsible tourism and environmental awareness: join us in preparation for Earth Day 2018
>>BEACH LIFE
Vicente Ferreyra of Sustentur
>P. 5
>> HEALTH
Go Plogging for Playa
Photo: Siobhán Gallagher
>P. 18
ART & CULTURE 15 YEARS OF PARQUE LA CEIBA
PEOPLE OF PLAYA ANA BELEN GOMEZ HERNANDEZ
Playa del Carmen’s famous park celebrated its birthday in March with visits from representatives of local and state government
Photo:Alejandra Campo
>P. 8
Meet the founder of Cuantas Cosas, creating recycled treasures and giving new life and beauty to disposable objects and materials
Photo: Crystal Mitchell
>P. 12
April 4 - 17
2018
Looking for something to do? Check out our What’s On section online at www.theplayatimes.com for a list of things to do including live music and dancing, yoga, markets and special events.
April 4 - 17, 2018
3
Editorial
DIRECTORY
Imagine …
Rebecca Page
General Manager edition@meridianmedia.mx
Never mind the negative impact of 40 million tourists per year; imagine the positive impact if we all did our bit
Siobhán Gallagher
Editor theplayatimeseditor@gmail.com
By Siobhán Gallagher
Ian MacKenzie
S
Copy Editor copyeditor@meridianmedia.mx
pring is well and truly here, and the Riviera Maya is in full bloom. The hot temperatures have returned and after Semana Santa and the Easter holidays, there is a real feeling of life and energy here in Playa del Carmen. The holidays filled our beaches and streets with visitors and the local economy has had a boost. The energy lingers long after the visitors leave, but that’s not all. Such an influx of people has a cost. Our beautiful, yet fragile natural surroundings come under immense pressure, and the negative impact of tourism is both immediate and long-term, and often not perceptible until it’s too late and the damage is done. I don’t want to focus on that though. I want to focus on what could be. I invite you to join me, and imagine …
Efrén Velázquez
Art & Design efrenmmedia@gmail.com
Ana Martínez
Brand Manager Cell: 984 169 1637 marketing@meridianmedia.mx
Erika Serra
Public Relations Cell: 984 119 1586 publicrelations@meridianmedia.mx
Sales
Cell: 984 -147 5597 & 147 5571 info@meridianmedia.mx
Omar Coral
Distribution distribution@meridianmedia.mx
Can you imagine if every single tourist did something positive for the nature of the Riviera Maya during their time here? Imagine if everyone (including residents) neutralized their footprint on these shores, consciously counteracting potential damage with daily action. Imagine if everyone refused straws and non-recyclable packaging in restaurants. Imagine if everyone disposed of their trash responsibly. Imagine if everyone left every beach, cenote and jungle area cleaner than they found it, every time. Imagine if everyone used bicycles or walked when travelling short distances. Imagine if everyone supported local community businesses. Imagine if everyone volunteered or donated to local charities at least once during their stay. Imagine if everyone refused to exploit captive animals.
Doing it isn’t hard; this edition’s pages are full of ideas on how to do just that. Convincing ourselves to consciously, actively do it every day may be the harder part. But it’s never too late to start. Break the habits of a lifetime, and create a better lifetime for the future. According to the Tourism Secretary, almost 40 million tourists visited Quintana Roo last year - can you imagine if they all, we all, became conscious, responsible visitors and residents? Imagine how our precious local environment would be transformed (and we already think this is paradise)! Imagine all the people; it’s easy if you try … Happy Earth Day, April 22, 2018 Source: https://quintafuerza.mx/ quintana-roo/crece-en-mas-de-12-el-numerode-turistas-en-mexico/
CONTACT US AT: 984 -147 5597 & 147 5571 info@meridianmedia.mx /theplayatimes @ThePlayaTimes playatimes theplayatimes Photo: Pixabay/Qimono
The Playa Times
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., Calle 2 entre 45 y Carretera Federal, Mza. 088 lote 003-1, Playa del Carmen, Solidaridad, Quintana Roo C.P. 77710.
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BEACH LIFE
April 4 - 17, 2018
Raising Children in a Multicultural Environment
Raising children in a cosmopolitan city like Playa del Carmen can be a life-changing experience. The expat community keeps growing, and children learn to respect and enjoy differences as part of life.
Parque Fundadores / Photo: The Playa Times
By Thomas Lloyd, Founder of Top Mexico Real Estate
P
laya del Carmen has grown to be an ideal place to raise children; there are multiple schools, hospitals and services aimed at families. If you are exploring the idea of exposing your children to a different culture, this might be the place to do it. There are many advantages of taking a year to immerse your children in the Mexican culture:
Ask Allan:
Is Playa del Carmen Still Safe? By Allan Lockhart Hi, Allan I have been hearing that Playa is not safe now. What’s going on there? Teresa
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Learning Spanish: With 37 million speakers, Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the United States. It is also widely spoken around the globe, with 400 million native speakers, making it the second-most spoken language in the world. Familiarity with the food and culture: Tamales, tacos, enchiladas…. We are all familiar with these Mexican food staples. There is also a big expat community living in the Riviera, so the supermarkets will have most of your favorite foods. Geographical proximity: One of the biggest advantages of the Riviera as an expat destination is its proximity to the U.S. and Canada. Many airlines offer direct flights to Cancun airport, and for most cities it is a flight of six hours or less.
The Riviera Maya is one of the most popular destinations for expats from all over the world, from Canada to Argentina, from Italy to Russia. People enjoy living, working and calling Mexico their home, and they have become an important element of this multicultural city. Children growing up in Playa del Carmen will experience first-hand food, languages and traditions from all over the world. This is a big plus in a world that is growing more globalized, being able to adapt and accept different cultures as valuable as our own. To learn more about the benefits of living in the Riviera Maya, download our free guide about this subject here: https://topmre.com/kitlivinginmexico
Photo: Max Goncharov – unsplash.com
Hi, Teresa Thanks for your question. First of all I have lived in Playa for 10 years and I consider it very safe. That being said, Playa is a city with a population of over 200,000 people so there are bound to be some bad elements. As in any city just use common sense. Most crime happens in non-tourist areas to people involved in the underside of Playa’s economy. The old saying applies - if you play with fire you are going to get burned. Touching on recent events like the ferry bombing, it has been ruled to not be a terrorist event and not related to any criminal organization. There seems to have been foul play, and without speculation it makes me question who would set a bomb on a good ferry and have it go off when it was parked on shore? It seems to be to be economically or politically driven. To me it was an isolated event that does not impact Playa’s overall safety. In terms of the US travel advisory urging travelers and US government workers to avoid certain areas of Playa, that advisory has already been lifted. From my research it appears to be politically driven as well and is no longer a con-
Allan and Moli / Photo: Allan Lockhart
cern. The US press was very quick to warn people about the “threat”. They have not been so quick to now assuage their fears and let them know it’s safe to return. Best, Allan Allan Lockhart Co-owner, North American Standards
April 4 - 17, 2018
BEACH LIFE
5
Vicente Ferreyra of Sustentur Meet the director of an organization striving to bring changes and awareness to the issue of sustainable tourism in Mexico
Photos: Sustentur
By Erika Serra
V
icente Ferreyra is Director General of Sustentur, a person who is working to make changes that help companies improve tourism. The Playa Times: Who is Vicente Ferreyra? Vicente Ferreyra: First off, a worried citizen, but above all, someone who is occupied with reviving how we run tourism in Mexico and Latin America. I am originally from Mex-
ico City, and have been living in the Mexican Caribbean for 13 years. I have dedicated a large part of my professional career to sustainable tourism, trying to minimize the negative impact that this noble activity generates. I support projects that maximize the social benefits of this activity, especially in rural and indigenous communities. What is Sustentur? How was it born? We began in 2015, in response to an opportunity to work in education
and communication in sustainable tourism. Although it has been spoken about a lot, it is not well understood or applied in government, business and organizations. We can identify many bad examples of the impact of tourism, but rarely do we know how to develop successful projects that care for natural re-
sources and generate wellbeing for the communities. At Sustentur we believe that we can change the way that we see and develop tourism. What do you think is the most important theme of sustainability in our destination? Without a doubt, to form a common vision as a destination. We cannot
keep thinking that we are isolated, and that our actions for sustainability should only be developed for my hotel, company, home or office. It accomplishes nothing to have the perfect company, if the surroundings are not adequate. We need to work with a wider vision on a large scale, deciding what we need for our future destiny, and above all, committing ourselves to accomplishing it. What message do you have for tourists that visit us? It is important that as they enjoy the beaches, mangroves, reefs, jungles, cenotes, they are also responsible for looking after them. Every year 17 million visitors come to the Quintana Roo; if they all contribute a little to conserving what we have, we will have won major battles. At Sustentur we have some important suggestions for responsible tourists: • Travel light • Create responsible companies • Get to know the local culture • Respect the flora and fauna • Support local artisans • Get informed Continue reading the full interview at: http://www.theplayatimes.com/category/community/organizations/ www.sustentur.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.
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BEACH LIFE
April 4 - 17, 2018
A Better
Drainage System
for the Riviera Maya A better drainage system is required for the Riviera Maya to deal with the consequences of pollution By Melissa Méndez Orantes
O
rganic waste is poisoning the sea and the subsoil of the Mayan Riviera, killing the few remaining reefs. Dr. Gabriela Rico Ferrat has spent more than 40 years studying the behavior of the flora and fauna of the Riviera Maya. Her research on reefs and underwater ecosystems shows severe contamination of the subsoil and groundwater of the entire state, due to the lack of a drainage system. Dr Ferrat is Director of the Center for Research and Protection of the Biosphere, based in the Benito Juarez municipality. She confirmed that dirty waters are destroying our subsoil and water reserves, contaminating our coasts and the Caribbean Sea, and killing the few reefs that remain. Only 30 percent remains of what existed in 1971 when she did studies for the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). “Reefs are dead all over the north zone beyond Playa del Carmen and Cozumel,” Ferrat told me. “Hotels and housing developments are growing, but not the infrastructure to protect the environment”. She pointed out that the massive growth of sargassum on the beaches of Quintana Roo and Yucatan is due to the pollution generated by fecal matter from tourist developments and human settlements that are increasing in number. “More and more sargassum grows because there are large quantities of food for sargassum. And what is that food? Organic matter, such as human excrement, dog droppings and other natural waste that goes into the sea. Unfortunately, the ma-
Photo: Siobhán Gallagher
I can tell you that reefs are dead all over the north zone beyond Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel. Unfortunately hotels and housing developments are growing, but not the infrastructure to protect the environment. Dr. Gabriela Rico Ferra jority of the population lacks drainage. In the entire continental area of Isla Mujeres there is no drainage, and in the Ejido it is common for people to bury excrement in the ground. When I was a director in Isla Mujeres, the people used to tell me, ‘Listen, my children are covered in rashes, what is happening?’ I told them that the answer was dirty water, since a few meters from where they bury the excrement they draw water to bathe. They are bathing with the same dirty water.” The scientist insisted that a large drainage system is needed throughout the Riviera Maya, mainly in the holiday destinations that continue to grow in an excessive way. She regretted the government’s lack of will to attack the problem that is increasingly getting worse. So let us spread the word and demand that the authorities eradicate the problem before it’s too late!
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ART & CULTURE
April 4 - 17, 2018
Paradise in Danger: Photography Contest and Exhibition By Alejandra Campo For the second consecutive year we are celebrating World Earth Day with the Eco Cultural Festival of the Riviera Maya on Saturday April 21 and Sunday April 22. During this second edition, the festival organizers are launching a call for the first annual environmental/ecological photography contest “Paradise in Danger”. The selection of photos will be made by a special jury to guarantee the quality and strive to make an impact by making the public conscious of “the preservation of our areas and natural resources in a sustainable manner”, and take care of the paradise that we have here and enjoy the Riviera Maya.
Photo: Alejandra Campo
15 Years of Parque La Ceiba IeZrZ ]^e <Zkf^g l _Zfhnl iZkd \^e^[kZm^] bml [bkma]Zr mabl fhgma pbma oblbml _khf k^ik^l^gmZmbo^l h_ eh\Ze Zg] lmZm^ `ho^kgf^gm' By Alejandra Campo
P
arque La Ceiba celebrated its 15-year anniversary by organizing various activities on March 17. The celebration lasted all day, but the peak moment came at 6 pm when all the gathered representatives of state and municipal government, collaborators, sponsors, friends, social guests, media, the general public and representatives of Flora Fauna and Culture of Mexico and Grupo Xcaret, sang Las Mañanitas and blew out the candles on the cake, which they later shared with all the assistants in the park.
This little piece of jungle in Playa del Carmen is the result of many years of work among collaborators, friends, sponsors and government. The 15-year anniversary party saw visits from the Municipal President Cristina Torres, the Secretary of the Environment representing the Gover-
nor of the State, the President of Grupo Xcaret Miguel Quintana, and Lupita Quintana, Director of Flora, Fauna and Cultura Mexico, which Parque La Cieba belongs to. Lupita Quintana spoke of the great efforts and the significance of the park, its battles, good decisions, and past success. This includes programs that have supported Camp Xcacel for the protection of marine turtles over the past 30 years, the recovery of mangroves, the community centres of Chemuyil and Tulum, and the recycling program and separation of garbage in cooperation with the municipal government. Parque La Ceiba, directed by Ley de Landaros, is a cultural space different from many others, with trees, dirt paths, children’s toys made of wood, tires and ropes, interior spaces, plants that are representative of the region, classrooms for workshops, open areas for theatre, live music, and the popular open air cinema. In the centre of the park is a cafeteria with delicious food served by kind and enthusiastic people. This little piece of jungle in Playa del Carmen is the result of many years of work among collaborators, friends, sponsors and government. It is a unique place in Playa and in the nation for its architectural design, harmony with nature and what it offers locals. Congratulations to Parque La Ceiba on its anniversary!
The end result of the festival is to make us conscious of our activities and consumption habits in nature. The public can also participate through the festival’s social media. The photograph that has the most “likes” will receive an honourable mention and prizes from our sponsors. The public can view the winning photographs and selected works in Plaza Quinta Alegria. The inauguration of the exhibition will be on Saturday 21 in the afternoon. There will be cash prizes for the those who
Photo: Eco Cultural Festival of the Riviera Maya
place in the top three. The festival is organized by the Association for Civil Culture, Preservation and Sustainability of the Caribbean, presided over by artist and promoter Leo Escamilla. The end result of the festival is to make us conscious of our activities and consumption habits in nature, the destruction of this environment in which we live, which 15 years ago was a real paradise. The idea is that we each do what corresponds to us; not leave trash, change our habits of consumption, take small actions like not take plastic bags every time we go to the store, reuse empty bottles, use the same bags that we already have and other things that can make a difference. Through art and culture the association hopes that the message will not be forgotten because the damage to our planet is real and unfortunately is growing every day. Let’s be conscientious! The final day to submit photographs is April 8.
a Maya
April 4 - 17, 2018
ART & CULTURE
9
Meet Nicolas the rescue spider monkey By Michael Maurus
F
riends in the jungle and I got this baby spider monkey off a guy who stole him from the jungle and wanted to sell him to those people who take photos of tourists with wild animals on their shoulders. We knew that after he was separated from his mother and the group it was impossible to re-introduce him to the wild because the other monkeys would not have accepted him anymore. So we took him in and we cared for him for a few months while we were looking for a suitable place. We took shifts throughout the days and nights so that he could always be on someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body just as he would have been with his mother. We
mostly were half naked during our shifts because of course he was not potty trained and just went when he had to. He long since lives in a sanctuary but I still can sometimes feel his little tail around my neck while he was sleeping on my shoulder and I miss him dearly. I am also very grateful for the experience and whenever I have monkeys swinging by my hut I feel connected to them since I was allowed to be a surrogate parent to one of their own. For more stories from the jungle: http://mmaurus.com https://www.facebook.com/mikemaurus Instagram: @michaelmaurus Twitter: @michaelmaurus
Photo: Michael Maurus
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Photo: Crystal Mitchell
People of Playa: Ana Belen Gomez Hernandez Meet the founder of Cuantas Cosas, Creating Recycled Treasures
By Crystal Mitchell
T
he Playa Times: Where are you from originally? Ana: Barcelona (Spain), I arrived here almost six years ago. How was your project Cuantas Cosas born? My husband was working on different projects in the Riviera Maya, and I was bored at home. I wanted to start my own business and generate my own income. I did not want to start something having to invest a lot of money. Since I had many plastic bags accumulated in my house, I searched the internet to see what I could do with all those bags and found that I could weave them. What is your objective with your recycling project? I understood how important it is to make use of trash. When I saw that in this part of Mexico there was no garbage separation in 2014, I started to see what I could do with my own waste. I dedicated myself to making garbage something beautiful, nice, with a new use. My goal is that every day people do something similar to what I do: give beauty to disposable objects and materials that are difficult to disintegrate over time and that can serve even if different from the use for which they were originally created. What has been your greatest achievement with your project? Seeing my creations on a catwalk of a local middle school event a few weeks ago; my fabrics were part of a recycled dress and my dedication reached more people through such an event.
Give beauty to disposable objects and materials that are difficult to disintegrate over time and that can serve, even if different from the use for which they were originally created. Ana Belen Gomez Hernandez What message do you have for our readers? Giving a new use to materials that are used up is to give new life to another useful object and learning how to recycle is something that people can feel comfortable about. It is very rewarding to see that with a bottle of PET plastic you can get a soap dish, that with several plastic bags you can give life to a basket in your home weaving a new experience for you. It is not necessary to buy and spend on things for your house. How many things can you do to change this world? I wait for you on Facebook/CuantasCosasbyAna to contribute ideas, answer questions, and teach what I do to more responsible people who want to add that little grain of sand to this real cause. Continue reading the full interview at: http://www.theplayatimes.com/category/art-culture/
14
TPT FOODIES
APRIL 4 - 17, 2018
Hartwood / Photo: Photographer Doug Young
Green Hospitality in Tulum Our future is green if other establishments follow the example of these Tulum venues inmmbg` ma^ ^gobkhgf^gm Ûklm By Catherine Pawelek
E
nvironmental concerns, no negative impact on our habitat, and lowering our carbon footprint are just some of the things hospitality businesses are considering to go green. Lowering utility costs, incorporating viable ingredients on menus, reusing items and limiting disposable products like straws, paper napkins, Styrofoam and plastic to-go containers are steps that they are taking. We have hundreds of restaurants and hotels up and down the coast that have partially put this ethos into practice, but I limit to-
day’s article to a few standouts in Tulum (in future issues we will look at more options). When we first arrived in the area, a new restaurant had just opened: Hartwood. With an emphasis on becoming off-the-grid, this thriving venue has stood by its initial thinking by using solar panels, a wood-burning oven and grill, and turning their waste into compost for area farms. With an ever-changing menu, the freshest ingredients are dished up daily. The owners of The Kitchen Table built their structure by integrating reused natural local materials and procuring sustainable food
items. There are no big commercial refrigerators around here as the restaurant purchases daily from local farmers and fishermen and the true open-kitchen concept comes to life. Ocean breezes and ceiling fans replace air-conditioning, there are candles in lieu of harsh lighting, conversation and hammocks supplant the boob-tube, and natural waste water filtration systems all add up to eco-friendliness, even when generators (wind-driven preferred) kick in on cloudy days. Some resorts just look eco-friendly and rustic, while others like Azulik (clothing-optional) constructed their palapa-roofed, stilted buildings from natural materials like bamboo and beach driftwood. They integrated elevated bridges to give you better-than-National-Geographic views of the jungle or beach while enjoying a simple breakfast. Zamas’ owners want you to unplug, with wi-fi only available in common areas, so remember to bring a juiced-up portable charger. Expect mosquito netting, a somewhat rocky beach, and authentic Mexican-inspired restaurant. Suenos is a true getaway with a dozen rooms, but they realized that 100% roughing it may not be foremost on everybody’s mind, so bug spray, organic sunblock, books and power strips are provided. We can all participate in our own small way, so we have bought reusable containers for our leftovers, metal popote, and our own chopsticks.
Ensambles Cafes Sails to Germany Photo: Ian MacKenzie
By Ian MacKenzie On March 13, Ensambles Cafes Mexicanos held a press conference to announce the imminent launch of their sail boat transport ship docked in Puerto Morelos and its long journey to its destination in Germany. Manned by a crew of various nationalities, they will navigate the North Sea, the Baltic sea and the English Channel, with an expected arrival in Germany in mid-May. 10,000 people will be waiting for them, and upon arrival they will offload and deliver directly to members of Teikei Coffee, a community agricultural initiative dedicated to responsible distribution and consumption. Ensambles is a Mexican coffee company focused on specialty coffee from different regions including Veracruz and Puebla. They offer responsibly grown and fairly traded Mexican coffee to the international market, with the goal of getting Mexican producers and international consumers of specialty coffees, helping producers improve coffee
quality by promoting better trade relations that increase the quality of life of their families. At the press conference for their launch, representatives and crew members explained the significance of their venture. More than 50,000 commercial ships are currently destroying our oceans and emitting toxins into the atmosphere. The journey from Puerto Morelos is part of a viable alternative to the current situation which sees commercial transport practices as the biggest polluters of the Earth’s oceans and an unsustainable practice which threatens the environment and humankind. Unlike cargo transport in container ships which produce greenhouse gas emissions and coastal pollution, Ensambles’ boat the Avontuur uses wind energy and has almost no emissions. This source of power is being used to connect sustainable producers to ecologically aware consumers, with the hope of promoting sustainability in the transport industry and a real change in the industry of coffee and cargo shipping.
APRIL 4 - 17, 2018
Milpa Soup ?heehp Eber l _Zfber k^\bi^ _hk Z \hf_hkmbg` F^qb\Zg ]bla pbma bg`k^]b^gml `khpg nlbg` mkZ]bmbhgZe f^Zgl
TPT FOODIES
15
Children of the Ancient Maya Society By Kantunchi The Maya society was characterized by having a considerable difference between social classes. The first and highest was the priestly class, the most cultured since they knew how to read and organized the calendar through astronomy and mathematics. The second group was the nobles and warriors, the former were officials and administrators of the city-state, and the latter occupied defense and expansion. Merchants maintained a close relationship with the higher sectors and shared a good part of their customs. The lower class was comprised of artisans and peasants, called ah chembal uinicoob; they had to work and also pay tributes to the high civil and religious dignitaries. In general, the peasants were in the jungles, grouped in small communities; they lived quite a distance from the center of the cities, but close to the cultivation grounds. For both men and women, their future and work was dictated by a priest through the horoscope. The children were educated or instructed depending on the caste to which
they belonged. For example, the noble-class Maya youth were instructed in writing, calculus, liturgy, astrology and genealogy. Children of the warrior class were trained in military arts, while children of peasants collaborated in planting, harvesting, hunting, fishing, among other activities. At age 12, they were baptized consecrating them for public life, meaning that from this age they left their home to be integrated into educational sites that had an internship regime. Such places were classified according to the origin of the children; in other words, they didn’t mix.
CENOTE 2 / Photos: Kantunchi
Photo: Lily Espinosa
By Lily Espinosa
I
n Mexico, for thousands of years, a traditional crop growing system has existed known as “milpa” (from the náhuatl language: “milli” meaning cultivated field, and “pan” meaning above), it literally means “what is cultivated on top of the field”. The heart of a milpa is corn, and with it, you will always find beans, squash, tomatoes, chiles and many others ingredients grown, depending on the part of the country. In a milpa soup we use every plant, including wild greens, to add flavor and improve digestion; the leaves of corn, the flowers of squash, everything will be used! Here I share with you my family recipe for this delicious and comforting soup, full of colorful, healthy and delicious veggies! Let’s do this! • SOPA DE MILPA Ingredients: 3 liters chicken broth, 1/4 medium white onion, diced, 2 garlic cloves finely chopped, 1/3 cup of chopped epazote, 1 chile serrano, seedless and finely chopped, 2 ancho chiles and 1 chipotle chile, seedless and simmered in hot water for 15 minutes, 2 spoons avocado oil, 1 cup diced mushrooms, 1 cup diced oyster mushrooms, 2 fresh de-kerneled corns, 1 cup diced local squash, 5 medium tomatoes blended with onion and garlic and the dry chiles we simmered. What do I do? Using a big pot for soup, add the avocado oil and fry the onion until it is soft. Now add the garlic, and as
soon as you smell it include the epazote and chile serrano; keep stirring. Now add the corn and keep frying; mix in both the mushrooms and squash and stir a bit. Now pour in the blended tomato mix. Incorporate the chicken broth and when it starts to boil, bring it to a medium heat and leave it there for about 20 minutes. Check salt and pepper and let it simmer for 10 more minutes.
The heart of a milpa is corn, and with it, you will always find beans, squash, tomatoes, chiles and many others ingredients grown, depending the part of the country. It’s better if you serve this soup with freshly made tortillas, salsa verde or roja and avocado tacos. Enjoy! Don´t know how to prepare tortillas? No problem! Send us an email! Any question, don´t be shy! Email riverakitchentulum@gmail.com, I will gladly answer your questions about traditional Mexican food. Lily Espinosa, Rivera Kitchen Tulum, Mexican Cooking Classes and Culinary Tours.
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DISCOVER MEXICO
April 4 - 17, 2018
On the Ball with Atlante FC in Cancun By Michael Renouf Are you looking for something different? How about traveling up to Cancun to watch former Mexican soccer champions Atlante FC? I recently saw the Iron Colts play at home against Alebrijes de Oaxaca and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and for somebody not used to watching games in Mexico, a unique experience to say the least. Something I had never experienced before was the sound every few minutes of a horse neighing over the PA system - it took a few seconds for it to register that this was because of their nickname. Atlante currently play in the second division of Mexican football called the Ascenso – literally, the rising league. This is split into two halves and the winners of the first half meet the winners of the second in a playoff to have the right to ascend to the top league, Liga MX. The stadium is entirely open air. Although the stadium includes a running track between the spectators and the pitch you get a good view from anywhere within the 17,000 capacity Estadio Andres Quintana Roo. You can purchase tickets from the
ticket office in Cancun, or buy them from the Ahorra pharmacy at the corner of 35th and Constituyentes in Playa. They are very reasonably priced from 50 to 200 pesos. Games are normally played on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night, with kick off around 8 pm. With a current average crowd of 5,000, getting a ticket should not prove a problem unless they play one of the big teams such as Club America or Chivas from Guadalajara. I would advise getting to the stadium at least half an hour before start time as the traffic around the stadium gets extremely busy. Many people are still arriving up to 30 minutes after the commencement of the game. To the game: early in the first half the home side were given a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty. Their number 27 Francisco Uscanga, hit a weak shot to the goalkeeper’s right which was easily saved. Unfortunately there would be no goals and the game finished 0-0. Go and watch Atlante and discover for yourself why soccer is the number one sport in the world, and don’t give up if the first time you go you don’t get a great game because as with all sports, not every match is a classic.
Be an
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By Florencia Cerutti
wild animals kept in captivity only for tourists’ amusement. Why humans find here are many ways to be an envi- amusement in seeing captive animals is ronmentally responsible tourist or something I cannot understand. Although animals in captivity is a traveler. Tons of tips can be found online and from many conserva- topic of its own, there are many animals tion organizations regarding this topic. But that still can be seen in the wild in the given that I work in science for conserva- Riviera Maya, the Yucatan Peninsula, and tion, I am always trying to send some ba- many other parts of the world. Codes of conduct for observing sic messages to friends, wildlife in nature exist family, and whoever is in many protected areas, keen to listen about In the Riviera hotspots of biodiversity, changing habits for more environmentally Maya, many of its and areas where some animals aggregate in conscious living. I’ve attractions include large enough numbers written a few articles attract attention. around this topic on enhandling, touching to These codes are creatvironmentally responed to raise awareness sible travelling, about and getting close of appropriate behavresponsible diving, the to wild animals ior when observing impacts of sunscreen and enjoying wildlife on corals, reducing kept in captivity so we lower our disturplastics, seafood, like only for tourists’ bance and impact. But shark soup and lobster, let me summarize that teaching our younger amusement. the very first and most generations about encommon thing found in vironment in summer all codes of conduct is camps and education keeping distance, not touching, and movprograms for schools. Respecting wildlife like sea turtles, ing carefully around any animal, includwhale sharks or crabs is an issue that ing corals (did you know that your finger keeps surprising me as I travel or move touching a coral can kill them?), turtles, around. I believe we are getting more rays, sharks, fish, snakes, parrots, tigers. Dear reader, I would like to call to conscious about plastic use and education as a society, but we seem to be far your attention that respecting the personal behind when it comes to animal rights space of animals (and not supporting comand respect for wildlife. In the Riviera panies that do the opposite) may be one Maya, many of its attractions include of the best principles for environmentally handling, touching and getting close to conscious travelling that you could adopt.
T Teams coming out to play
Fans enjoying the game / Photos: Michael Renouf
Photo: Pixabay.com/12019
April 4 - 17, 2018
ENTERTAINMENT
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Environmental, Socio-Cultural and Business Sustainability at Paradisus Playa del Carmen The local hotel invests in various areas of sustainability and responsible tourism and invites its guests to do the same
Photos: Paradisus Playa del Carmen
By Paradisus Playa del Carmen
P
aradisus Playa del Carmen has an environmental, socio-cultural and business sustainability policy documented and formally approved by the highest management level. When you visit Paradisus Playa del Carmen, you are staying with responsible consumers; we do not
consume, sell, or exhibit products or species that are considered protected, threatened or in danger of extinction. We also propose a code of conduct for the responsible traveler: we invite our guests to maintain a conscious behavior, demonstrating their commitment to the maintenance and conservation of protected areas. Since our opening six years ago we have been running a marine tur-
tle conservation program. We have developed the necessary strategies and programs for sea turtle protection during nesting season, through training, night tours and signaling, and participation in government programs and volunteering. Paradisus Playa del Carmen also performs best practices for water conservation. The hotel advises and encourages guests to be active par-
Since our opening six years ago we have been running a marine turtle conservation program.
ticipants in programs and best practices for sustainable use of water. Paradisus Playa del Carmen is the first hotel in Riviera Maya to successfully implement a zero emissions program. The hotel has implemented measures to promote the neutralization of greenhouse gases and has been certified for its strategies in offsetting the carbon footprint of each guest.
Red Sparrow By Michael Renouf
At the Reina Roja / Photo: Ginger M./ Life is a Beach Productions
Friendly Events at Reina Roja Join Ginger and her collaborators for the latest LGBT nights of friendly fun By Ginger M. Playa del Carmen has taken a new turn with its LGBT events, thanks to Friendly and its team. A little more than a year ago, I presented the monthly event by Julio Niño at Live Aqua. He has now expanded with a couple more venues and weekly evenings. Among his events, are aPecar and Sungays. The one that has had the most success so far is aPecar, which means “to sin” in Spanish. aPecar takes place every Friday from 8 pm to 1 am in the lobby bar of the hotel Reina Roja, located on 20th street between 5th and 10th Avenue. You can’t miss it! “La Bien Querida”, Reina Roja’s restaurant and bar, have all sorts of delicious drinks and food on their menu. Friendly has joined forces with Boys&Boys and LesMex for this event. They are doing things differently than any other LGBT event in the area.
The night consists of different local guest DJs and various types of performance every week for everyone’s taste. The show takes place around 11:30 on Friday nights. So far, we’ve had super drags, burlesque shows, Indian dance, duo, and more. The well-mixed public has shown its interest to the fullest. The entrance fee is only 70 pesos and if you purchase it in pre-sale with me you will receive the welcome shot of the week. For LesMex’s second anniversary, celebrated in collaboration with aPecar last March 23, we had three types of vodka skittles shots! On another evening, there were mezcal shots produced by a local business. The team of organizers are great, from Julio who takes care of running the administration of the event, the venues and the sponsors, to Jorge Amalguer, who produces the shows and has been in the industry for more than 15 years now. Then, there’s me, Ginger, who takes care of the promotion on social networks and takes pictures during the event through Life is a Beach Productions. Join us every Friday and bring your friends, you don’t want to miss it!
In the film Red Sparrow (or Operación Red Sparrow as it is known here) Austrian director Francis Lawrence superbly crafts Jason Matthew’s book into a gritty and enthralling spy drama. The fact that Matthews is a retired CIA operative comes tumbling out of the screen onto the viewer’s lap. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence in the lead role of Dominika Egorova, who we first meet as a dancer for the Bolshoi Ballet. Unfortunately, she suffers a career ending injury which brings her into close contact with her uncle Vanya (played by Vladimir Putin lookalike Matthias Schoenaerts) who is high up in the Russian military. She agrees to do a job for him, but events take an unforeseen turn and she is forced to attend “Sparrow School.” Here she is taught the dark arts of seduction and manipulation by Matron, ably portrayed by Charlotte Rampling, which she will put into practice while working for the Russian Secret Service. Dominika is posted to the stunning Hungarian capital of Budapest where she meets American agent Nate Nash (Joel Edgerton). The film then seamlessly switches gear and the viewer is left to figure out the relationship between the two. Just who is playing who? In a tour of some of Europe’s grandest cities we also get to visit Moscow, London and Vienna, but scenery wise the twin cities of Buda and Pest steal the show, with some
Photo: Agency
scenes shot in the ornate New York Cafe and Boscolo Hotel. If you prefer your spy dramas to be realistic rather than the shaken and stirred variety, this film is for you. Sometimes I find this genre of film a little dry, but on this occasion, I was thoroughly entertained and hope that the author’s other two books in the Red Sparrow trilogy will be made into films as well. The film producers have stumbled upon some opportune timing with their movie. The release is happening at the same time as the real-world drama of the poisoning of an ex Russian spy in the city where I grew up Salisbury in southern England. This week’s star of the show is Jennifer Lawrence. The American actress not only treats us to a very convincing Russian accent, but portrays her part in a sexy yet threatening manner. 8 out of 10 Matron.
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HEALTH
April 4 - 17, 2018
Benefit from Binaural Beats Try this technique for a host of positive effects on your wellbeing including stress reduction and improved concentration By Sara Jones
B
inaural Beats The practice of listening to binaural beats can assist with everything from deepening meditation, aiding relaxation to improved memory, heightened focus and enhanced learning ability. What are binaural beats? Binaural beats happen when each ear perceives a tone of a different frequency. To achieve this, headphones must be used otherwise the tones converge outside the ear and you will hear just one acoustic tone. When listening via headphones you can detect a ‘wobble’ or ‘pulse’ in the tone, which happens inside the brain as your two hemispheres communicate with each other. How do they work? The frequency created by the two separate tones can influence the brainwaves and encourage or ‘train’ the brain to align itself with that state. This process of entrainment happens when the brain activity is influenced by external stimuli. The five core brainwave states are:
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Delta - Deep sleep and deep meditation • Theta - REM sleep, deep relaxation and meditation • Alpha – Relaxation, stress reduction, positivity, effortlessly engaged and peacefulness • Beta – Cognition and focused attention, problem solving and analytical thinking, stress • Gamma – Peak awareness and transcendental states It’s reported that binaural beats can affect men and women differently and that women notice differing effects at certain stages of the menstrual cycle. The best way to see if they can help you is to try them out. Choose your desired effect and search for a track at least 20 minutes long to get the benefits. Sit in a comfortable position, wearing headphones. Sara Jones Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert, Spa Consultant, Speaker and Founder of Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe magazine www.spawellnessmexicaribe.com
Photo: Pixabay.com/daviddierose
Photo: Pixabay.com/kakuko
Go Plogging for Playa By Sara Jones There is an indisputable link between the wellness of the planet and the wellness of its people. We are lucky to live in an area with low air pollution, thanks to the humidity and ocean breeze. However the same cannot be said for the cleanliness of our beaches. Plastic and assorted garbage regularly washes up on our beaches and is discarded on the sand by careless beachgoers. While tin cans are frequently collected for recycling, other garbage represents no value and is left on our streets and beaches. While the occasional beach clean organized around Playa del Carmen does help the shoreline, we could all do more to the keep the town and the beach clean and free of garbage. Why not take up ‘Plogging’? Hailing from Sweden this fitness craze involves jogging while picking up trash along your route. From the Swedish term
‘plocka upp’ meaning ‘to pick up’, joggers carry a trash bag and pick up any and all litter they come across. • Take a different route each day and your neighborhood could soon start to look a lot cleaner. • Grab a friend and go plogging together to make the activity more fun and sociable. • Plogging can increase physical activity due to dynamic moves such as squatting or lunging down to pick up items. According to Lifesum, 30 minutes of plogging can burn 288 calories. • Take the kids! Make it a family hobby and teach kids the importance of not dropping litter and keeping the environment clean. • You can walk instead, there are no hard and fast rules. If you prefer to walk, take it at your own pace. Sara Jones Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert, Spa Consultant, Speaker and Founder of Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe magazine www.spawellnessmexicaribe.com
April 4 - 17, 2018
ANIMAL WELFARE
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A Little Bite Can Go A Long Way! By Gail Collins
Beads for Lives / Photo: Astrid Ramirez
Beads for Lives Discover how you can design your own bead bracelet, have it handmade and your payment will be 100% donated to the animal welfare charity of your choice. By Gail Collins
C
olombian-born Astrid Ramirez and her husband Sebastian Labno live in Canada running a property development company, but on several visits to the area they have become involved in one of their great life passions – animal welfare. Astrid first became involved at an animal rescue center on Cozumel island over seven years ago and has since volunteered with Mexipaws – a volunteer based non-profit dog fostering program based on the Riviera Maya that also runs annual sterilization and neutering campaigns. They have fostered over seventy dogs, of which two have remained in their care. One they fell in love with, and the second was so traumatized and scared of humans they realized it would be impossible to rehome. So with time and great gentleness they managed to gain its trust and give it a loving home. Following the purchase of two designer brand bead bracelets last year, Sebastian was surprised at their cost. He suggested to Astrid that they could source the same natural stone and precious metal beads and raise more funds for the animal charities in the Riviera Maya and for a lot less money. From these humble beginnings a project was born. Last April Astrid put up a Facebook page asking people to purchase the beautiful bead bracelets they were making, with 100% of the payment going to the animal charity of the donor’s choice. Now approaching their first anniversary, what started as something they thought would run for a
couple of months has raised $10,000 USD to help cats and dogs in the area.
Mexico is fortunate to rank as fourth in the world for its diversity and natural habitats after Brazil, Columbia and Thailand. With all that wonderful diversity, there will also be species of insects and arachnids that we would prefer to avoid. The Riviera Maya has a few that can cause harm, ranging from an irritating itch to a bite that requires immediate hospital treatment. Scorpions are common here but are generally non-venomous, except the pale and blonde colored ones. They generally have a shy and passive nature, and usually only sting if provoked. Most stings are painful for around 24 hours and do not require medical attention. If you are unlucky enough to be stung and experience breathing difficulties or start to produce a thick mucus it is important to get medical help. The tabano fly (horsefly) looks like a large, yellow, orange and black fly. Only the female bites, which can inflict large painful welts that itch and weep for several days. They are mostly found in a jungle setting and the usual insect protections do not always deter them so long sleeves and trousers are recommended for jungle days out. I have been bitten by
one and found that antihistamine helped to reduce the swelling and aloe vera soothed the itch. Mosquitoes are always a pest in tropical climes and the Riviera Maya is no different. A natural mosquito repellant called citronella (essential oil extracted from lemongrass) is widely available in candles, wristbands and sprays. The aroma from rosemary, zodia and lavender plants are all mosquito repellents. Vinegar, ice, toothpaste or lime juice will all help itching caused by mosquito bites. For those who suffer from arachnophobia, seeing a tarantula is probably your worst nightmare but despite their scary appearance they are generally passive and harmless towards humans. Tarantulas have venom in their bite which may cause some discomfort, but they are not fatal and usually no worse than a wasp sting. Although not a natural native to the region, the more innocent looking brown recluse spider can be anything from a quarter of an inch to an inch long. It has a venomous bite and anyone bitten should seek medical attention. They are quite rare in the area and will normally only bite if disturbed. They are primarily nocturnal and prefer dark secluded places.
Now approaching their first anniversary, what started as something they thought would run for a couple of months has raised $10,000 USD to help cats and dogs in the area. As I write, Astrid is finishing her 200th bracelet. People can design their bracelet and pay directly to their chosen cause. If you are unsure, Astrid will guide you to a charity which has urgent current needs. She told me “The one constant in my life has been helping dogs and the most beautiful part is the opportunity to be there for a dog that may come from a terrible situation and see it become healthy and ready for adoption”. You can see Beads for Lives and order via their Facebook page. Donations have helped save lives at Mexipaws, Coco’s Animal Welfare, Help Tulum Dogs, Playa Animal Rescue, The Snoopi Project, Humane Society of Cozumel Island, Riviera Rescue, Mi Amigo de la Calle, Roz’s Kitty Kottage and Tierra de Animales. Wearing something beautiful on your arm never felt so good. The tabano fly Photo: Pixabay.com/Tappancs
CADA VIDA IMPORTA Time is of the essence for this dedicated group of volunteers saving dogs from a 30-day death sentence at CEBIAM (the local city pound). The volunteers check in on the dogs weekly, taking photos, and posting to social media in hopes that the dogs will be adopted. They also provide exercise, attention, and improvements in their lives. Through fundraisers and donations, they can purchase cleaners, dog beds, and food for the dogs. Most importantly, they rescue
dogs from the pound placing them in foster homes, adoptive homes or no-kill shelters. Thanks to their efforts they have saved hundreds of dogs´ lives. If you are looking for a new family member, check with them first as these dogs are at high risk. All dogs are sterilized. You can help CADA VIDA IMPORTA save a life by making a donation, adopting or volunteering, find them on Facebook/cadavidaimportarescue.