Edition 60 by theplayatimes

S P A M E ID

INS

Biweekly · Year 02 · Number 60 · 20,000 copies · 32 Pages · May 27 - June 9 , 2015 www.theplayatimes.com

ON PARLE FRANÇAIS!

Insider’s Tips When Buying Pre-Sale

Société et Bien-être

Rencontres avec la Chambre de Commerce, une mexicaine amoureuse des vins français, et l’histoire d’une ONG pour les chiens abandonnés

How To Minimize the Risk of your Investment

irst and foremost, it is important to take into consideration that buying real estate is a big investment; and like any investment, there IS a risk. What you need to do is minimize that risk as much as possible. How do you go about doing that? That is where the fun begins.

Check for permits So once you have done a little first hand background check on the developer, it is time to look at the nitty-gritty of the future development you are interested in. We will asume for the sake of argument that you have chosen your apartment. There are three indispensable documents you should ask, even require from the developer’s sales office for: a) Construction Permit (make sure the Construction

·DISCOVER MEXICO

Photo: Agency

RIVIERA HIGHLIGHTS

View from Constituyentes / Photo: Palmares

Sketch of Marea Condos, Calle 34 / Photo: Grupo Kaua

Permit clearly states the number of units being built), b) Use of Land Permit (Licencia de Uso de Suelo) and c) Environmental Impact Study (MIA - Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental). Again, you may ask yourself: Is it possible to sell in Mexico a future development without these documents? The answer is YES.

Nevertheless, all of them are necessary for residential development and for obtaining the development’s future Condominium Regimen; which in turn is INDISPENSABLE for obtaining your title. Once more, a developer is not required by law to have these documents to begin selling its future development; but

as an investor you should see these documents prior to signing any purchase agreement let alone giving them money. So to sum up. Do your due diligence and dig into the developers past projects. The What? The Where? And the When? This will tell you a great deal about where the developer is coming from and where he is most likely going. Forget google search, and even though we all know the internet always agrees with you, hands on always pays off in the end. Buying pre-sale has its perks, but buying something on paper is a great responsibility. It is not an impulse purchase, much less one to be taken lightly. And when buying in one of God’s little dens, where there is a lot of leeway; minimizing your risk just makes perfect sense. You can contact salesdiversa@ icloud.com or sales@grupokaua.com. mx. For more information visit www. palmares.mx and www.marea34.com.

Reptiles of the Yucatan Learn about the endemic reptile species of the Yucatan, including the iguanas you see popping up, as well as a list of key places to see reptiles in our travel section

>19 LOCAL NEWS Residency Requirements

Interested in living and working in Mexico? Find out about the latest bureaucratic guidelines, the costs and the paperwork you will need

Photo: Agency

Buy from a reputable developer How can you tell the difference between the Good, the Bad & the Ugly? For now, let’s just stick to the GOOD. Start by asking the developer in question the following: Since when have you been developing in this area? How many developments have you concluded in this particular area? How many of those were finished and delivered on time? But most importantly. How many of those have been successfully titled. You might be asking yourself right now: Is it possible to give and take possession of a unit without title in Mexico? The answer is YES. You come full circle once you have in your hands the most coveted paper in real estate: Your Title. By the way, don’t forget to go visit one or two or maybe even three of those past developments. Seeing is believing.

>10, 11

May 27 - June 9 2015

LOCAL NEWS

>Editorial Photo: Agency

Quirks of Being an Immigrant in Playa DIRECTORY Javier Escalante Managing Director javier@meridianmedia.mx

Beatriz Lucas Editor edition@meridianmedia.mx

Cyrielle Noblesse French Copy Editor

Fabián Muñoz Sales Executive Cell: 984 188 3951 info@meridianmedia.mx

Ana Martínez Community Manager & Marketing marketing@meridianmedia.mx

Karla Mora Sales & Promopack promopack@meridianmedia.mx

Efrén Velázquez Iliana Ceballos Graphic Design design@meridianmedia.mx

Milton Rosel Distribution Supervisor distribution@meridianmedia.mx

Living in another country can be difficult at times because of the challenging experiences you are exposed to when immersed in another culture. Your old safety net of people, structure and places are not at hand, so you must adjust and learn. Even with the advent of the internet to communicate using videos and share photos in real time, seeing a foreign lifestyle and living in one are two separate things entirely. Despite the learning curve, which can be disorientating at times, there are benefits to living in a new culture/country that outweigh the difficulty. Here are my top three:

2. Learning new phrases: Living abroad you unavoidably pick up things from the new language. At first, these tend to be limited to numbers, thank you, beer, water, and bathroom. Eventually, you begin to pick up really random phrases that are no help whatsoever except for breaking the ice. For example, I can say “Pigeon poop is really toxic” in Spanish with a Mérida accent (I overheard someone use that exact statement on the ADO bus). I hope I am never in the position where I genuinely need to say that as I would rather keep that one as my fail safe method to make someone giggle.

1. The world is a tiny place: Have you heard of the “Six degrees of Kevin Bacon”? The idea is that you can link all actors to Kevin Bacon using only six intermediary actors. For those that like to travel, there is such a thing as “Six degrees of Globetrotters”. I am always impressed at the random people from my life who have been to this area, or know someone who has, or who know someone that I know. It is comforting because recognizing familiar faces or familiar stories gives you a great sense of belonging.

3. Adaptability: I think this is the golden ticket of living in another culture. Learning to roll with pretty much any situation thrown at you makes you much more flexible. You

see things in a new light and you appreciate things a lot more. Living in Mexico has taught me more about car mechanics than any Top Gear show or Dummies Guide ever has. I also love how resourceful Mexicans are. For instance, it blew my mind when I learnt that you can repair a broken microwave as there are actual microwave repair shops here. Normally, I would have bought a new one. With these three aspects combined, living in another country has allowed me to connect with a wide range of people, crack a joke in another language, and when things start falling apart, or there is a new hurdle, I realize it is a new opportunity to learn. There are also a wide-range of others benefits to living here, so please get in touch and tell us your own experiences of being an immigrant in the Mexican Caribbean.

www The Playa Times is a communication platform for the community to voice its hopes, dreams and concerns for the future of Playa del Carmen. In addition to our Facebook page, carry on the conversation on Twitter @ThePlayaTimes, take a look at some of the most scenic views on our Instagram account /Playa Times, or go directly to our website www.theplayatimes.com. We are looking forward to hearing from you shortly.

info@meridianmedia.mx /theplayatimes @ThePlayaTimes THE PLAYA TIMES RIVIERA MAYA'S COMMUNITY PAPER Periódico Quincenal.

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

TPT 10 DAY WEATHER WED 27

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20% chance of rain ESE at 14 mph

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29 chance of rain ESE at 15 mph

55% chance of rain ENE at 15 mph

13% chance of rain SE at 24 mph

24% chance of rain SE at 12 mph

24% chance of rain ESE at 10 mph

LOCAL NEWS

Residency Requirements Discover the legal procedure required for all those who are thinking of making Mexico their home BY MELISSA ROBLES

laya del Carmen is renowned as a multicultural destination, favored by people from many nationalities. According to City Hall, out of the 204,000 habitants, 12 percent are foreigners. The largest foreign community is from Argentina, making up six percent of the total population. After Argentina, Italy has the highest representation, there are approximately 10 thousand, which is the largest concentration of Italian citizens in Mexico. Other foreign communities represented include Cubans, United States citizens (the majority of whom are retired), South Americans, and Europeans. To obtain your documentation and legal residency in Mexico, one must go to the National Institute of Immigration (INM) office, which is located on Avenida 10 Sur, at the entrance of Playacar. Until December 18, there will be a temporary legalization program, directed toward foreigners whom have made Mexico their permanent home, but who have been unable to legalize their stay. Through this program, they will be able to receive a migratory document with validity for four years as a temporary resident. Those interested must pay a total of $9,038 pesos: $1,124 for a confirmation of payment and case study, and $7,914 for processing the document. The benefits of the program are multiple entries into and exits from the country, family unification, the possibility of obtaining a work permit, amnesty from paying fines and the possibility of applying for permanent residency when the temporary document expires. Article 16 of the Federal Law waives payment of the fee for those who are in a situation of economic instability or low income, earning minimum wage or lower. The requirements for this visa include submitting an application form, written under oath which declares that you want to legalize your immigration situation, as well as the presentation of your passport, other official documents from your country of origin, consular verification of identity or other national documents, even if they are expired. These documents must have at a minimum your name, nationality, date of birth, and a photograph. For those who are thinking of residing in Mexico, it is necessary to submit an application for a migratory document. The requirements for specific situations can be found at the fol-

lowing link: www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/ Manual_tramites, where you must follow the instructions provided. In the case of minors, the form must be signed by their father, mother, or guardian. The law specifies that the maximum time one can stay in the country as a tourist is 180 days. To avoid illegal status, the National Institute of Migration supervises Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 of the Cancun International Airport. In Mexico, there are approximately 500,000 foreign residents, of which 350,000 are temporary, and the rest permanent.

2 0 1 5 Fee sc h ed u les fo r I NM ( $ M X N) Visitor with permission to car- $2,642.00 ry out renumerated activities Visitor for adoption purposes

$2,563.00

Temporary Resident a)Up to one year b)Two years c)Three years d)Four years

$3,519.00 $5,272.00 $6,678.00 $7,914.00

Permanent Resident

$4,289.00

Change in immigration status $1,124.00 Legalization of immigration $1,124.00 situation Certificate certifying immigration status

$360.00

Permission to leave and $360.00 re-enter the country Permission to carry out re- $2,642.00 numerated activities (Temporary Resident and Temporary Resident Student) Temporary Residence for $833.00 religious workers per year Request for case study or $1,429.00 authorization to become a member of the Trusted Traveler Program (Programa Viajero Confiable) Request for case study or $1,163.00 authorization of APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)

National Institute of Immigration (INM) is located on Ave. 10 Sur, Playacar / Photo: Agency

Newly instated general secretary is pushing for the union’s modernization / Photo: Agency

Playa del Carmen Taxis There will be an App for That! BY MELISSA ROBLES The Lázaro Cárdenas del Río taxi union currently finds itself going through a time of rejection and disapproval by the Playa del Carmen community. On social networks, there are various complaints of being overcharged or badly treated by the drivers. Users have also spoken of discrimination by the drivers, who prefer to stop for tourists instead of locals. “Improving the union’s image is of high importance”, said the group’s new secretary general, Jesús Martín Medina. In order to achieve this goal, they will invest in training and in making the contracts within the union more specific. From May 2015, in order to renew their taxi license, drivers must pass a drug test, provide updated records, and a letter certifying lack of a criminal record. These processes will have to be repeated yearly, without exception. This situation has caused some complaints among drivers, because of the total cost of $988 pesos. Of the 90 drivers in the transportation department whose license should have been renewed in May, 87 applied, of these, six applicants were not approved for renewal. In addition to security, service updates and modernization are other areas which the transportation fleet is in need of. It would be a similar plan to the service Uber, a platform which offers private transportation digitally in many countries, and most recently, in Mexico City. “We aren’t going to wait for Uber to come in and give us competition. But we are going to act cleanly, with hard work. We have a project to implement an app in Playa del Carmen so any user can ask for service from their smartphone or our webpage,” explained Jesús Martín Medina

The union has been e xp e r i e n c i n g crisis and insecurities and are making efforts to change their image by developing a smartphone service by 2016

We have a project to implement an app in Playa del Carmen so any user can ask for service from their smartphone or our webpage Jesús Martín Medina General Secretary of Lázaro Cárdenas del Río taxi union The app will be available at the beginning of 2016, as it is not only a question of creating the software, but also training personnel and promoting use of the service among tourists and locals.

May 27 - June 9 2015

LOCAL NEWS

ADVERTORIAL

Sustainable Urban Mobility + Social Integration

= The Key to Modern Cities

City Park / Photo: Ciudad Mayakoba

BY CIUDAD MAYAKOBA

modern Mexico, a vanguard state and an advanced municipality all boil down to the development policies, infrastructure, economic and financial availability, as well as creating a sense of community cohesion and integration. Urban mobility is a necessity and a fundamental right that must be guaranteed to all people; as

such, every project developed by Ciudad Mayakoba, with the support from the OHL Group, considers programs of inclusion, urban mobility and integration that help to transform the community. Public spaces are the basis of community interaction, allowing people to live together, to meet and intertwine. For this reason, planners are now developing these spaces where people can live and integrate. Cit-

ies today are driven by three pillars; government, business and people. Through the constant, steady and cohesive interaction of good governance, a strong willingness of the private sector and citizen participation, communities are transformed, dreams come true and urban mobility goals are realised. Despite the fact that sustainable urban mobility is an energy and environmental challenge, in order

to guarantee this basic need is met for all citizens, by educating, raising awareness and acting upon and making sustainable urban mobility a priority for Ciudad Mayakoba. All projects and work programs at Ciudad Mayakoba are focused on education and outreach in the following way: promoting values and attitudes of environmental responsibility in different sectors; conservation and protection of biodiversity, natural hab-

itats and sustainable development; promoting economic and productive initiatives; promoting a responsible and ecologically sustainable use. Ciudad Mayakoba rises to the challenge and is committed to developing a modern, inclusive and social unity for society, giving pedestrians, routes, walkways and avenues easy access that allows for alternative forms of mobility, making it easier to get around different areas of Playa del Carmen.

In case of a hurricane alert, you should have a weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of the following on hand to survive: canned foods, medicines, special foods, cash, a flashlight, drinking water, buckets, adhesive tape, a watch, matches in sealable plastic bags, a radio with batteries, books, toys, table games, sheets, clothes, a cooler, powdered milk and baby food. The region has been hit before

by powerful hurricanes like Gilberto, Emily and Wilma, and even though they were Category 5 and had a destructive path, this did not stop the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapid recovery due to the hard work of local residents to rebuild. The effort of a community during and after a natural disaster is fundamental in controlling damage and avoiding a rise in the number of people affected.

2015 Hurricane Season This year is predicted to be calm, with fewer than average possible formations likely BY MELISSA ROBLES

From June to November of each year, hurricane season comes to the Atlantic Ocean. Because of this, for six months each year, the Riviera Maya is exposed to a possible hurricane impact. Although this year a calm hurricane season is predicted, with seven possible formations, (four tropical storms and three hurricanes) which is under the average number of hurricanes in the last 50 years; authorities and business owners should take the necessary measures to act in the case of any natural disaster. Manuel Paredes Mendoza, director of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association, states that 80 complexes have storm shelters and the rest have agreements for their guests to be transported to a shelter in case of necessity. The Riviera Maya Guest Locator is ready to be activated. This is a system which lets authorities, hotels, and consulates look for guests, through usernames and previously assigned codes. For the local population, there are 50 shelters in Playa del Carmen and two in Puerto Aventuras, which are certified to provide total safety. The majority are schools which are adapt-

Recommendations What to do before a hurricane Listen to weather reports on the television and radio. Make sure you check emergency equipment, supplies, and first aid kits. Laminate a card with the name and address of each family member. Store canned food and bottled water. What to do during a hurricane Stay in a safe place. Keep away from windows. Stay calm. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go out while the eye of the hurricane passes over the area, as winds will pick up again in less than half an hour. What to do after a hurricane Check to see if you need medical attention. If you had to evacuate, wait for authorization to return. Stay away from disaster zones. Walk and drive with caution.

Hurricane wilma, 2005. / Photo: NOAA

ed to receive people if needed. Lucio Salvador Arguea, co-director of operations for Public Safety in Playa del Carmen, recognizes that the coastal areas are the most vulnerable. He indicated that it is important to know what to do before, during, and after a hurricane, and informative talks are given in schools, neighborhoods, unions, and businesses.

LOCAL NEWS

Extension of La Quinta To Xcalacoco Plans to lengthen Playa del Carmen’s most well known avenue north to Azul Fives

BY JOE MALDONADO

n an effort to give the city more mobility and continue to develop the tourist zone, municipal authorities are working on a project to connect Quinta Avenida to Xcalacoco. Quinta Avenida now ends at Colonia Nicte Ha but this project would increase in length by approximately a kilometer and would cross the interior of the Grand Coral, with an exit by way of the extension of Avenida Universidades. For this project to go forward, the administration of the residential

and hotel complex Grand Coral has to first make exceptions so that portions of their property can be paved. Although the Grand Coral is still under development, it is thought this plan would be beneficial to have all the conveniences of a commercial zone and tourist services. In addition to this project, Avenida Universidades, which currently runs west from the federal highway just south of the Coca-Cola facility, will also be lengthened and will become a main artery that will connect to the Federal Navy’s landing zone and end

Quinta Avenida now ends at Colonia Nicte Ha but this project would increase in length by approximately a kilometer at the beach at Hotel Azul Fives. In an interview a few days ago, municipal president Mauricio Góngora Escalante gave a preview of

the plan to expand, using important streets inside the city, without having to use the federal highway. The project to lengthen Avenida Universidades is the first stage where the municipal authorities are concentrating their efforts. It will have a length of 1.2 kilometers and will pass through the back part of the Xcalacoco residential area, which includes Lol Tun, Lol Katun, and Balam Tun neighborhoods. According to the Director of Public Works, Eddie Flores Serrano, these neighborhoods have given their consent to the municipal gov-

ernment to build the roads, although the consent of the Grand Coral complex is still needed. Once all the legal arrangements are made, the work of clearing, leveling, and paving the land will be ready to begin. In the case of Quinta Avenida, it will be easier because road is paved similar to the interior of the Grand Coral. When the project is finished, the city will not only have new views of the ocean, but more space for new businesses, additional options for visitors and an increase in tax revenue for the city.

ADVERTORIAL

A.R.E.A International Advanced Real Estate Advisors

Experts in buying and selling Mexico real estate, we are A.R.E.A International, Advanced Real Estate Advisors. We are one of few local companies that are fully educated and licensed to buy and sell real estate in both the United States and in Mexico. AREA International is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI). Our in-depth knowledge of Mexico real estate buying and selling practices is how we guarantee

our agents are able to provide you with the best real estate opportunities based on your personal preferences, requirements and budget. With more than 20 years of real estate experience, AREA International specializes in Riviera Maya property. Our team of profession-

als has extensive knowledge on local property investments, buyer representation and property sales. We are experts in resort properties and can help with your needs. One of AREA International’s luxury boutique projects is Oasis 12. Located along 12 Street and 20 Ave.

in central Playa del Carmen Oasis 12 is ideal as a second family home or a rental investment property. Oasis 12 offers spacious one, two and three bedroom units, penthouses and loft suites. All condo units have private terraces, Quetzal designer kitchens, granite countertops, laundry room with washer and dryer and GE stainless steel appliances that consist of dishwasher, fridge, range, hood extractor and microwave. The master bathroom is outfitted with two rainfall shower

heads enclosed in a glass two-person shower surrounding. Penthouse suites offer ocean views with rooftop gardens, pool, BBQ, bar, shower and bathroom. AREA International understands that finding the right real estate agent has a large impact on creating a successful real estate shopping experience. Our goal is to provide you with a stress-free experience whether you are buying, selling or just looking. We go the extra mile to ensure you find the best properties.

May 27 - June 9 2015

EX PAT PROFI LES

COMMUNITY

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

Quit Your Job and Move To Paradise reached by going on a short trip of two weeks. I wanted to get in touch with the population and get a sense of the place, of the answers. I wanted a chance to see the real life and so it was necessary to quit my job, to sell my stuff, to be timeless and 100 percent focused. SINCE YOU WERE A MIDWIFE IN GERMANY, DO YOU SEE YOURSELF WORKING AS A MIDWIFE IN PLAYA? If I had the opportunity I would love to. I love the mix of new lifestyle combined to the traditional lifestyle of Mexico. I see a lot of pregnant women, or women with newborns, and I would love to help. The hospitals in Playa are so modern and have such a high quality of standards that I would love to be part of it or doing a short placement.

Minimum wage for a bartender is $87 pesos ($6 USD) per day / Photo: Agency Photo: Julia Heitmann

Don’t Just Tip Your Hat

Rewarding Quality Customer Service We have outlined some suggestions for tipping for the service you receive when visiting your favorite restaurant, gassing up your car, or getting a relaxing massage on the beach! BY CATHERINE PAWELEK

cuba diving on the Palancar reef, finishing your dinner on Quinta, or having the bellhop carry your heavy bags. Time to express your appreciation for the service you received. Profusely saying thank you won’t pay the bills but a bit of cash will. Tipping customs vary from country to country. Some do not leave any tips as it isn’t customary and some, like the U.S. and Canada, are adept at the etiquette of tipping. In an area like Playa del Carmen, heavily dominated by the tourism industry, the service staff rely heavily on tips just to survive. In the U.S., it is fairly common to leave a 15 percent tip in a restaurant, bar, or when receiving other services (like spa services). If the service was exceptional, patrons will leave more. Additionally, it is well known that in the U.S., the service staff, like waiters and bartenders, generally receive a very low hourly wage. They rely heavily on tips to make a living. In Mexico, the minimum wage for a position, like bartender, is approximately $87 pesos or $5.80USD per day. Yes, per day. Also, as in the U.S., tips may be shared amongst other employees. For example, in restaurants, tips are generally pooled and then distributed by percent to waiters, hostesses, cashiers, bartenders, chefs, etc. How much you leave can have a significant impact on the lives of the people who provide you with services during your time here. We have tried to outline for you some general guidelines with regards to tipping in the

Important Reminders Do not leave non-Mexican coins (like U.S. quarters, dimes, nickels). These can not be exchanged in Mexico so have no value for the person you are tipping. Do not leave ripped, torn, or very worn bills of any currency type. These are generally not accepted as they are damaged and considered useless. Adjust your tips based on the type of service provided. If a bartender made you five mixed drinks, tip him a bit more than if he just handed you 5 bottled beers. More work - more tips! If you are getting a locals discount or using a coupon, try to tip on the original full price, not the discounted price.

area. You can, of course, adjust as you feel is appropriate given the service you received. Please note, we rounded up the exchange rate for USD to full dollar amounts as U.S. coins hold no value here.

BARTENDERS, WAITERS, SPA SERVICES – 15-20% BELLHOP - $15MXN/$1USD per bag GAS STATION ATTENDANT – $5-$10MXN/$1-$2USD GROCERY BAGGER - $5MXN/$1USD (more if you have an unusually large amount of bags). HOTEL CONCIERGE – $50-$100MXN/$3-$7USD depending on the provided service. HOUSEKEEPING – $30MXN/$2USD per day. SCUBA DIVEMASTERS & INSTRUCTORS - various SCUBA sites suggest 15-20% of the cost of the diving/instruction. TAXI – No tip. TOUR GUIDES – $40-$50MXN/$3-$4USD for each of person (for ½ Day Group Tours), Double if full day.

NAME: Juli a H e i t ma n n WHERE ARE YOU FROM? I am from Germany. Born in a little city named Ostfildern which is part of Stuttgart in the state of Baden-Württemberg. It is well known because Mercedes Benz cars are produced in Stuttgart. WHAT DID YOU DO IN GERMANY AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME TO MEXICO? As a midwife I was really interested in the occupation of other midwives in other countries. Particularly Mexico and Latin America. How is the care of a pregnant women? How is the health system in Mexico? And what is the rate of normal deliveries and the rate of cesarean? I knew that I would not find this out by just sending out emails. The answers could only be

WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE AND WORK LIFE HERE? All people are so kind, helpful, amiable, interested in myself and talkative. I have been welcomed everywhere. You can feel the caribbean way of life which makes this place so specially. And I am so thankful to be able to experience that. WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART ABOUT LEAVING GERMANY TO BE HERE? It was hard to see that everything I was building up in the last 10 years was just gone. 29 years of age and just few boxes left for a future which is more than uncertain. For an idea which is not supported by anyone. I left my family and my boyfriend Jan, all of whom I love, to see how we can improve the life of pregnant women. I don’t regret the path I took. Because people are such a blessing to me and I am so curious of what Mexico and Latin America has to offer me.

COMMUNITY

Vehicle Legalization Find out more about the recent bureaucratic changes for legalizing foreign vehicles BY JOE MALDONADO

n April 9th 2015, the Secretary of Finance and the Tax Administration System (SAT) published the new rules to legalize foreign vehicles. For an owner to be able to legalize and plate a vehicle, it is recommended to have the request number which was provided at the point of entry to Mexico. If this number is not given, the procedure to prove legal entry could be delayed from at least 30 to more than 45 days. If the required information is not found in customs at the Chetumal point of entry, it will need to be sent to Mexico City for processing. According to Manuel Barahona López, tax collector, different codes for vehicle importation were previously used. Code “A1”, which is for permanent importation or exportation, and “VU”, which is for used vehicles. “Before 2013, we didn’t have this code to verify if a vehicle was really imported legally, because in the SAT system we would consult the packet number and order number, but it did not give a description of what was being imported” he stated. Now, with the new regulations,

those who want to prove the legal importation of their vehicle and obtain Quintana Roo plates will first need to verify at the customs website that the vehicle serial number appears as registered. The registration with customs proves the vehicle was imported legally.

Vehicles must be registered with customs to prove they imported legally If it registered in the customs database, there won’t problem. If it does not appear as registered with customs, the documentation will have to be sent to Chetumal and can take from 30 to 45 days to investigate the vehicle’s entry. Chetumal customs should respond with a communication that said vehicle was imported legally and does not appear in the database for a spec-

Check your vehicule’s status at www.repuve.gob.mx / Photo: Agency

ified reason; with this document, one will be able to plate the car. If this is not the case, there are occasions when the person who imported it does not appear in the Chetumal customs database. In this case, it will be sent to the main customs office in Mexico City where it will be confirmed if the order number corresponds with the vehicle importation. Barahona López advised that those who wish to acquire a vehicle with foreign plates first verify its legal presence in the country. To do so, one may consult the Public Vehicle Registry (REPUVE) to ensure the vehicle does not have a robbery report. This can be done by going to www.repuve.gob.mx and entering the vehicle serial number. Barahona López additionally advised those who already have a vehicle to legalize it as quickly as possible, because it will be impounded in any kind of traffic incident, which could result in not only lost time and money, but also in loss of the vehicle. If you have further questions or doubts about legalizing your vehicle in Mexico, MexLaw can help you resolve them, you can contact them at info@mexlaw.ca.

Did you know that the name of the neighborhood is noted on the bottom left of most street signs? / Photo: The Playa Times

Exploring Our City BY THE PLAYA TIMES In the last edition, we introduced you to neighborhoods outside of Centro and provided a small description of one of the westside neighborhoods, Villas del Sol. In this edition, we would like to introduce you to a couple more of Playa’s neighborhoods. Nueva Creación, officially known as Colonia 28 de Julio, spans the area from Avenida 28 de Julio south to Avenida Solidaridad. On the west side, it borders 115 and to its east, Avenida Chemuyil. A neighborhood where children run barefoot flying kites made of plastic bags and sticks, Nueva Creación is popular with locals for its delicious, and inexpensive seafood restaurants. Three standouts are El Bucanero (on the corner of Avenida Misión del Carmen and Avenida Solidaridad), La Barracuda (on Avenida Misión del Carmen), and Mar Caribe (on Avenida de las Naciones). All three restaurants offer delicious seafood dishes including whole fish platters, shrimp or fish tacos, and hearty caldo de mariscos (seafood soup). More well known, and much larger, than Nueva Creación is the neighborhood called Colosio. Colosio starts at Avenida Colosio and runs north to about 110. Its west border is the federal highway and its east border is, well, the Caribbean! Colosio is bustling with life! Here, small shops abound - tiendas de bicicletas (bike shops), zapaterias (shoe stores), and florerías (flower shops). Family run hardware stores where you can buy everything from screws and nails to tin wash tubs and charcoal grills. Small cocinas económicas (inexpensive homestyle restaurants) offer chi-

laquiles, tostadas, carnitas and more (Insider tip: check out Cocina Economica San Gabriel on the corner of 45th and Avenida Colosio for breakfast or lunch). Colosio also offers affordable rooms or apartments for those looking for proximity to the beach but can’t afford the rents in Centro.

Frequent the smaller shops or find the little restaurants you crave when you need some good, Mexican comfort food

We have only given you a small glimpse of what these neighborhoods have to offer. We hope you take the time to explore different neighborhoods in Playa for yourself - to frequent the smaller shops or find the little restaurants you crave when you need some good, Mexican comfort food (Did someone say tostadas de pollo?).

May 27 - June 9 2015

ENTERPRISE FOCUS

A Re-think Moment The Euro and the Yen have been stimulating growth against the weakened U.S. dollar, making this a ripe time to invest BY PATTIE BERRY -INTERCAM

ajor market turning points always take place in response to changes in investors’ perceptions. Frequently, they make for confusing times because the shift usually happens before there is clear evidence of a change in economic conditions. There are no guarantees, but that is exactly what I think is happening right now. Just a few short months ago, everybody was worried about economic growth. Activity in the US was very sluggish during the first quarter, and the numbers all speak of a pause in growth. Several countries in Europe were openly flirting with recession, and even Germany was slowing down. Japan was going nowhere, and China’s deceleration seemed without an end in sight. To make matters worse, deflation seemed to be gaining a foothold everywhere. The markets told the same story: the dollar strengthened on the relatively better economic picture of the US; bond rates all over the world kept going down, along with the easy policies implemented by so many central banks; oil and copper – always present whenever there is growth – saw their prices sink for weeks on end; and it was only the stock markets that put in a decent performance, thanks to earnings reports.

But now, everything seems topsy-turvy. Only in the last couple of weeks, German bond yields suddenly jumped; they were followed by other European bonds, and then US Treasury bond yields also caught on. A massive, long-term bond-selling spree got under way. Along with the drop in bond prices, the US dollar has been losing ground to the euro, the yen, and most other currencies, oil and copper prices bounced back, and stocks have either fallen or moved sideways.

It seems that growth prospects for the end of this year and next are improving Behind these movements, several things seem to be coming together to produce a shift in perceptions: Monetary authorities in Europe, Japan and China – the three largest economies after the US – are all actively and aggressively stimulating growth, and they’re starting to see results. In the Euro Zone, at least, the improvement of the economic data is more than encouraging; Japan has avoided further deterioration and investment plans appear to be taking shape; while in China, most

experts are surprised by the rapid response to the disappointing economic numbers, and are expecting more measures, so things should start to turn around in the next few quarters. It seems to us, then, that growth prospects for the end of this year and next, are improving. Along with faster growth, demand for money to invest will pick up, which will push up interest rates, and greater consumption will pressure inflation, which will also contribute to rising rates. I believe that markets are beginning to price in all these recent developments, and that that is the main reason for the sharp back-up in long-term bond yields, and for the strong bounce in oil and copper prices. The truth is, we still don’t know for sure if a change in market trends has taken place, or if we’re only witnessing a deep correction – after all, market prices were at extremes in many cases, and ripe for profit-taking. To me, however, it sure feels like a true change and turning point, which calls for a re-think of investment strategies – the way markets are positioned now, it could very well be that we’re entering a cash-is-king period, while prices realign themselves to a new reality. At Intercam, we are interested in receiving your feedback on our articles. Contact us at ftfernandez@ intercam.com.mx

Paul Levy / Photo: Paul Levy

TPT Meets Paul Levy,

owner of The Coffee Stop

BY THE PLAYA TIMES Paul Levy, originally from London, England, is the owner of The Coffee Stop. Located on 10th Street between 10th and 15th Ave., The Coffee Stop is an intimate café with locally roasted beans from Chiapas and offers a light menu. How did someone with a background in the design and printing industry end up owning a café in Mexico? Love, of course. He met his wife while in Playa for his brother’s wedding. After a three year long distance relationship, he decided to stay and open The Coffee Stop. The Playa Times: What do you think the key to business longevity is in Playa? Paul: When we opened in December 2010, there were only a few good cafés. There is the initial economic investment and then to maintain it for the first year or so. But also a lot of time and energy spent developing relationships with our neighbors, residents around us, returning tourists, and snow-birds. We also get recommendations which are always a great indicator that something is being done right. We use Trip Advisor, Yelp, Google and Facebook. Some businesses here, especially off of La Quinta (Fifth Avenue), rely quite heavily on these to get customers who don’t normally leave the main drag.

Shift in the economy is likely to provide the necessary growth / Photo: shuttterstock

What are some of the challenges you have faced doing business here? The biggest challenge I think is getting good, reliable, trustworthy workers. They are definitely here but

hard to find and keep. When doing business here, there are many legal and technical issues to be resolved so knowing the language is important. Although I speak Spanish, I still rely on my wife or colleagues for assistance. Adjusting to the way things are done in a foreign culture is key. But don’t be a walk over either!

A lot of time and energy is spent developing relationships with our neighbors, residents around us, returning tourists, and snow-birds. Paul Levy Owner of The Coffee Stop What advice do you have for people who tell you they want to quit their jobs and move to Playa to start a business? We get a lot of people liking the idea of living and working in Playa. If you can receive your wages from outside Mexico -such as from the U.S., Canada or Europe- you can have a very nice life indeed here. Within the system is not quite so comfortable. Choose your business and those you work with, like lawyers, accountants, and handymen, very carefully. The cowboys are here too! But with patience, persistence, good humor and respect you may survive to tell your tale!

, t n e r u a L z e n e m i Jacqueline Jine passionnée une mexica n ç a i s des vins fra SOCIÉTÉ

English Summary available on our website theplayatimes.com/category/ on-parle-francais/

e qui

de l’Hexagon s u cr ds an gr s de se u cette amoure Suivons le parcours de e experte de néophyte est devenu

PAR BARBARA MARTIN-DANIEL

epuis 21 ans déjà, Jacqueline Jimenez Laurent, originaire d’Orizaba, Veracruz, représente certaines caves françaises à Cancun et sur la Riviera Maya. Sa première formation étant celle d’ingénieur chimique industriel, elle travailla, durant de nombreuses années, pour Gillette Company au développement et qualité de nouveaux produits. En 1994, un nouveau défi l’attend à Cancun. Elle décroche un travail de stratège commercial, représentante régionale de Ferrer & Asociados. Cette société importe, entre autres, les vins de 17 domaines vinicoles français. Elle n’est pas habituée à boire du vin. Elle commence donc à les vendre très bien mais comme n’importe quel produit. En 2005, lors d’une formation de sommelier, ce fut la révélation. Elle tombe amoureuse des vins de l’Hexagone durant un voyage professionnel organisé dans les vignobles bordelais. Elle réagit comme une enfant qui visite pour la première fois un parc d’attractions : tout est beau, les gens sont gentils, les vins sont délicieux et élégants. Elle en veut encore ! Ce voyage se termine en Champagne. Elle est accueillie à bras ouverts par les Taittinger en personne ! Et là, en dégustant sa première coupe de champagne, une histoire d’amour commence. J’ai d’ailleurs connu cette dame lors d’une présentation passionnée donnée sur les vins de Champagne. Comme vous vous en doutez, son vin français préféré est le Champagne. Pour les vins rouges et blancs, ce sont des Bourgogne : Pinot Noir et Chablis. Selon elle, petit à petit, ces vins sont reconnus à leur juste valeur même si au Mexique, le consommateur reste « marié » à des vins venant d’autres latitudes. Elle aime donner des cours et présentations sur les vins français aux amateurs. Car qui pense vins français, doit penser terroirs. Hors ici, on pense « variétés » de raisins, sans plus. Pour terminer, un petit message de Jacquie “Merci aux viti viniculteurs français pour nous transmettre leurs savoir-faire. Continuez à produire ce doux nectar qui nous délecte ! Merci pour cette seconde vie professionnelle tellement riche et passionnante que vos vins m’ont donnée! Et grâce aux polyphénols, je suis plus en forme que jamais !” Dernier conseil : un bon cru se déguste avec modération ! Santé !

Aidez à battre le record de 1715 kg pour la recolte de croquette pour chien / Photos: Rodrigo de la Garza /Polaron Media

Mon Ami de la Rue Mi Amigo de la Calle PAR BARBARA MARTIN-DANIEL

Jacqueline Jimenez Laurent / Photo: Jacqueline Jimenez Laurent

Merci aux viti viniculteurs français pour nous transmettre leurs savoir-faire. Continuez à produire ce doux nectar qui nous délecte ! Merci pour cette seconde vie professionnelle tellement riche et passionnée que m’ont donnée vos vins ! Et grâce aux polyphénols, je suis plus en forme que jamais ! Jacqueline Jimenez Laurent Stratège commercial, représentante régionale de Ferrer & Asociados Pour plus d’information, contactez Jacqueline Jimenez Laurent, au 01 998 880 6707 / 045 99 8212 1916, jjwine@hotmail.com.

C’est comme cela que Laura Rendon Reyes, la créatrice de ce mouvement aime définir Mi Amigo de la Calle (Mon Ami de la Rue). Mais qui sont ces personnes? Que fontelles pour notre ville? Tous les quatre mois, un petit groupe d’une dizaine de personnes se réunissent pour monter des grands évènements au profit des chiens de la rue. Comme nous le savons, c’est un problème qui petit à petit s’estompe mais l’aide des autorités n’est pas suffisante. Et, comme tout le monde ne peut pas s’instituer “A.C.” (Asociación Civil) et bien, individuellement, les amants de ces animaux (et des chats aussi) se réunissent pour obtenir l’aide nécessaire de la communauté. Deux évènements passés ont déjà bien fait parler d’eux : celui du 23 novembre 2014 au centre culturel El Caracol Marino (Rue 80 entre Ave. 5 et 10) où 1490 kg d’aliments ont été récupérés et celui du 15 mars 2015, où le record fut battu et 1715 kg de nourriture ont été donnés et ensuite distribués aux chiens nécessiteux d’Acción Animal, SOS El Arca, Malix Pek AC, et du Cebiam ( fourrière municipale). Mais ils furent également distribués à l’équipe de sauveteuses pour qu’elles puissent maintenir les animaux qu’elles sauvent de manière indépendante.

Il est très important de noter que d’autres associations, maîtres-chiens, experts de la vie sauvage ont participé à ces fêtes, apportant leurs savoirs et bonne volonté pour tous ensemble transmettre cette préoccupation et ce désir d’améliorer l’habitat et la vie de ces vagabonds de quatre pattes. Des chaînes de radio locales, des artistes, artisans, commerçants locaux ont aussi répondu en masse et ont prêté leurs services, donné leurs œuvres pour les vendre durant les habituelles ventes aux enchères et kermesse organisées ces jours-là. De l’argent fut également reçu. Ces dons financeront la campagne de stérilisation et toute sa logistique qui aura lieu d’ici quelques mois dans les communautés maya de Tres Reyes, Coba, Punta Laguna et Nuevo Durango. Mi Amigo de la Calle c’est aussi un travail sur le terrain au quotidien, selon les recours disponibles. Mais attention, il est important de rappeler que ce n’est pas un refuge. C’est une aide à ceux qui les maintiennent ! En plus de la campagne de stérilisation, une nouvelle fête de la croquette et toutes les activités qui l’accompagnent seront mises en place pour le premier week-end du mois de Juillet 2015. Ainsi qu’une campagne de stérilisation se fera à Playa del Carmen. Soyez attentifs aux nouvelles ! Désirez-vous faire partie de ce mouvement, l’aider, les connaître? Jetez un coup d’œil sur Facebook/ Mi Amigo de la Calle, ou écrivez à info@miamigodelacalle.com. Pour le moment, le but principal est la prochaine campagne au sujet de laquelle je vous écris ci-dessus mais aussi aider à vivre mieux les chiens et chats de la rue en éduquant et responsabilisant un maximum la population!

May 27 - June 9 2015 Mai 27 - JuinENTERPRISE 9 CULTURE FOCUS

The Playa Times Rencontre Jeff Sanchez

Président de la Chambre de Commerce Franco-Méxicaine Depuis Avril 2014, les entreprises françaises interesser par le Mexique et les entreprises mexicaines désireuses de connaître le potentiel français recoivent tout appui nécessaire pour faciliter l’accés au marché visé PAR FABRICE GILBERT

Il est donc possible de créer de nouvelles alliances professionnelles grâce à un accès à l’annuaire des membres de la CFMCI de Mexico D.F. composé de plus de 300 entreprises et d’une trentaine de secteurs d’activité. En plus d’une visibilité au sein de la communauté, les entreprises affiliées disposent de toutes les informations nécessaires à leur réussite et même, si besoin est d’une aide pratique.

ntretien avec Jeff Sanchez, President de la Chambre de Commerce Franco-Mexicaine - Mundo Maya (CFMCI) regroupant les états du Yucatan, Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo et implantée à Playa del Carmen. La CFMCI a été officiellement lancé lors d’une soirée evenement lors du dernier festival de cine RMFF an Avril. Fabrice Gilbert: Quel est le rôle de la chambre du commerce? Jeff Sanchez: L’objectif de la chambre de commerce est d’être le vecteur de développement des entreprises françaises sur le territoire mexicain, comme les entreprises mexicaines sur le territoire français. De plus, elle a pour rôle de fédérer les entreprises françaises et mexicaines. Echange et collaboration sont donc ses maîtres mots. En quoi est-il important d’être présent dans cette partie du Mexique? Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Chiapas et Campeche forment ce que l’on

Le “Mundo Maya” une région à fort potentiel économique / Photos: Agency / Jeff Sanchez

appelle le Mundo Maya. Cette région à forte richesse économique se démarque encore plus avec son activité touristique de ces dix dernières années. Ainsi, de nombreux secteurs d’activités sont concernés, c’est donc toute une chaîne d’activité qui est sollicitée.

Quels sont les avantages pour les entreprises affiliées ? Etre affilié à la CFMCI offre de nombreux avantages, dont principalement celui de faire partie du réseau composé des plus grandes entreprises internationales implantées au coeur de la Riviera Maya, une région à fort potentiel économique.

Qui est concerné? Y’a t’il beaucoup d’entreprises françaises implantées ? Les entreprises concernées sont les entreprises franco-mexicaines constituées au Mexique par un directeur français, ou encore les entreprises mexicaines souhaitant entrer sur le marché français. Egalement, les entreprises françaises qui souhaiteraient s’implanter au Mexique peuvent affilier à la chambre de commerce. Le nombre d’entreprises françaises et d’expatriés est en constante augmentation, le moment est donc propice afin de s’affilier à la chambre de commerce. Pour plus d’information et comment devenir membre de la Chambre de Commerce Franco-Méxicaine Mundo

Etre affilié à la CFMCI offre de nombreux avantages, dont principalement celui de faire partie du réseau composé des plus grandes entreprises internationales implantées au coeur de la Riviera Maya Jeff Sanchez Président de la Chambre de Commerce Franco-Mexicaine Mundo Maya Maya, visitez la page www.franciamexico.com/la-chambre/mundo-maya/, ou bien sur Facebook/CFMCI.

ART & CULTURE

Oceanotipo - Where Art Meets Water Bringing ecological awareness, sustainable tourism, and local identity through photographs BY ALEJANDRA BARRADAS

nvironmental impacts on the coral reef systems across the world are well documented. Rising ocean temperatures, pollution, overfishing and other human impacts all play a significant role in our disappearing reefs. The Mesoamerican Reef region, the second largest in the world, lies just off our coast and runs down through the waters off Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras and, unfortunately, it is no exception to these impacts. One group of divers and photographers hope to bring ecological awareness, sustainable tourism, and local identity to the region through a unique photographic art installment, Oceanotipo. Started three years ago in Mahahual, the uniqueness of Oceanotipo comes from how the photos are displayed. They are underwater. Submerged in sandy, coral-free areas so as not to impact the fragile coral reef environment, the photographs are created using a photographic technique known as cyanotype, which produces images in cyan-blue. When placed in the waters off the coast of Mahahual, the blue effects of the photos are accentuated by the blues of the Caribbean Sea. Their latest installment, Aguas Desnudas (Naked Waters), by photographer Ricardo del Rio is approximately 30 feet (nine meters) under the water’s surface and features 16 photographs. The photos, some depicting humans trapped in cages and fishing nets, intend to provoke the viewer into contemplating human impact on the ocean and “putting ourselves in the shoes of the animals”. In addition to Aguas Desnudas, previous installments from Oceanotipo include a history of shipwrecks, Chinese dynasties and desertion

El Cine Club / Photo: Alejandra Barradas

Outdoor Movies

On the Beach BY ALEJANDRA BARRANDAS

A diver observing the underwater photograph installment / Photos: Oceanotipo

The photos provoke the viewer into contemplating human impact on the ocean and “putting ourselves in the shoes of the animals” through “The Manila Galeon” shipwreck. The rescue of various pieces and their documentation has been under the management of the Underwater Archealogy Divison of the National Institute of Archeology and History (INAH). Members of Oceanotipo team

One of the 16 photos on display

include Fernando Lozano, expert mountaineer and scuba diver; Rodrigo del Rio, photographer, artistic creator; and Martín Luna, communications expert and publicist.

Le Lotus Rouge

An Oasis of Inspiration and Creativity

Le Lotus Rouge makes art accessible to all ages / Photo: Alejandra Barradas

BY ALEJANDRA BARRADAS Art has existed since the beginning of humankind. Art opens up visions other teaching methods cannot. It opens the doors for empathy allowing religious, political

and social borders to fade away. The arts allow for a better understanding of the other cultures and abolish prejudices. Art brings people together. In Playa, one place that hopes to make art accessible to all ages is Le Lotus Rouge.

Created by language teacher, trainer, and artist Natascha Alban, Le Lotus Rouge is like no other place in Playa. Le Lotus Rouge, referring to the red lotus of buddhism, is neither an institution nor a museum. It is an artistic immer-

To find out more about Oceanotipo, how to visit, latest installments and future projects, please visit www.oceanotipo.com or Facebook/Oceanotipo.

sion with the intention of creating and sharing art in a different way. A public art place allows for creative resistance to the uniformization of everyday life Le Lotus Rouge, located on Ave. 35 and Street 2 Norte, has five salons representing the five continents. Each month they feature a foreign country and its culture and culinary arts. Artists come from all around the world to create, share, and experience art. It is a place open to creative suggestions and open to anyone, who wants to teach any medium of art, or anyone looking to enjoy the books, musical instruments, and people. A surreal and magical place that mixes fantasy, literature, cinema, circus, music, illusion, mysticism, and symbolism. It is a place that allows you to have access to all mediums of the arts under the same roof. Le Lotus Rouge transforms us into creative beings and in this place you can explore the world through your imagination and awaken your five senses with images, music, obstacles that makes you move and touch, and delicious food.

El Cine Club is a project of La Ceiba park, whose slogan is “Sharing Movies with Playa del Carmen”. The creators of this project, who are movie fanatics, are originally from Mexico City and came to Playa del Carmen looking to contribute to the creation of new outdoor spaces for cultural recreation among the local community. This project began in 2011 by projecting movies from the catalogue of the Cinoteca Nacional through their program Cineteca Va. Today, film schools such as the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC) and Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográficos (CUEC) form part of their programming, as well as diverse film festivals which present animations, documentaries, and cultural films from a variety of countries. El Cine Club looks to create togetherness in society through projecting movies and documentaries about art, the environment, and other relevant genres as well as transmitting life lessons, learning, reflection, and promoting social action among the Playa del Carmen community. “Movies can help drive education and they add cultural value to society,” says El Cine Club. Thanks to support and small entry fees of no more than $25 pesos, El Cine Club also regularly visits schools, public squares, and Mayan communities, taking the cinema to those who wouldn’t normally be able to afford a ticket. The outdoor showing of films are an additional bonus in the summertime. They show a broad selection of movies includes documentaries, short films, animations, samplings of film festivals, Mexican cinema, international cinema, and a special focus on independent films. Movies are shown every Wednesday and Friday evening in La Ceiba park, and visits other areas of Playa del Carmen at least two times a month, permitting us to enjoy good cinema next to the sea and under a sky full of stars. Information about El Cine Club can be found on their website www. elcineclub.mx and on social networks Facebook/ElCineClub and Twitter:@ el_cineclub. There, you can find information about upcoming screenings. For their beach movie nights follow their hashtag on Facebook and Twitter #nochesdecinefrentealmar. This is a great option that combines art, culture, and nature, guaranteeing a good time.

May 27 - June 9 2015

ART & CULTURE

From Mexico to the world:

A Cultural Heritage

The enchantment of the Caribbean attracts and unites many people / Photo: bajolacordillera.files.wordpress.com

Ruins Palenque Chiapas / Photo: Agency

From the remote archaeological sites and beautiful landscapes to the large, colonial style cities, take the time to explore the richness of Mexico BY ALEJANDRA CAMPO

A Multicultural Country BY ALEJANDRA CAMPO

exico is known for its cultural richness, traditions, varied gastronomy, bright colors, artisanal handicrafts, celebrations and fairs. It is also known for its archeological sites, natural beauty, and the colonial architecture of its cities. The archeological sites can be found all over Mexico. The most famous include Palenque in the state of Chiapas, Chichen Itza in Quintana Roo, Teotihuacan in Mexico State, the Cholula pyramid in Puebla, and the Templo Mayor in the main square of Mexico City. The offerings available to visitors are ample and in every city, visitors will be well received by the famous Mexican hospitality. The most famous cities include Ciudad de los Palacios (City of Palaces), as Mexico City is known, and the colonial cities of Guanajuato and Zacatecas. Most of these cities and sites already are World Cultural Heritage sites. Food is also an important part of Mexico’s cultural heritage. There are many foods which Mexico has shared with the world, including turkey, vanilla, tomato, cocoa, corn, chile, and beans. These last three form the basic Mexican diet since pre-Hispanic times. With the arrival of the Spanish, more agricultural products were introduced due to commercial trade. Soon, the consumption of sugar, milk, cinnamon, spices, poultry, and pork became more common and these products were combined with the already extensive Mexican gastronomy, enriching it even more. The result was an enormous variety of dishes,

Mexico

Mexico has an enormous variety of dishes, which were designated as an Intangible World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2010 which were designated as an Intangible World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2010. Lastly, Mexico offers an enormous variety of celebrations and fairs, which exist in every state and village. In the Yucatan Peninsula, we can enjoy a sampling of everything, beginning with the incomparable majesty of Chichen Itza and the beauty of Tulum, the only ruin in the word which overlooks the ocean. We also have the Sián Ka’án biosphere reserve, which we can visit with due respect and caution. Additionally, we have New Year’s festivals, such as the one in Tizimín,Yucatán. Take a tour of the pueblo celebrations and the big cities to give yourself a taste of México.

Those who have had the opportunity to travel through the different regions of Mexico and visit its various regions have had an opportunity to discover its cultural diversity. It is so geographically extensive and so rich in history that the influence of different cities and foreign countries today has created a type of “cultural Babel”. These cultural expressions are varied depending on the region, including customs, food, music, daily life, disposition towards work. One large contrast is the accelerated rhythm of the large cities which is very different from the slower paced life of the countryside and the coast. Although we speak the same language, there are hundreds of ethnic languages in addition to the regionalisms that occasionally make it difficult to understand those from the north, central, or southern states. Those who have come to live in the Yucatan Peninsula can attest to these differences. Especially in Quintana Roo, this difference results in a “cultural melting pot”, understood as blending of different customs of daily life. As a result of the tourist boom of the 1970’s this zone, which receives so many people from other parts of Mexico and the world, has remained historically and culturally apart from the central Mexican culture. Why do these cultural clashes happen? When arriving in Quintana Roo, specifically in the Riviera Maya, the newcomer finds

themselves in the process of adaptation to their new life, full of surprises. This can be a pleasing experience or can be difficult and even cause conflict, reflected in various situations such as not finding the food one is used to in their own region, the markets and the stores that one is used to going to, the absence of certain brands of clothing and a multitude of other familiar products. The local way of dressing, and even the way of driving can be very strange, and it is likely the reader will have their own examples of culture shock. Because of the presence of many different lifestyles, traditions, beliefs, customs, and religions in the region, sometimes adaptation can be difficult. And we aren’t even talking about difficulty in adapting to the high temperatures! But this cultural mixture formed by locals, Mayan-speakers, Mexican nationals from other states and foreigners, is precisely what makes Playa del Carmen attractive. Something which unites the majority of those who have come here is the desire for a change in lifestyle or an opportunity to start over. This generates a sense of understanding and community that makes people support each other, even though they might have known each other for only a few days. It is true that dealing with people from such different cultures can sometimes be hard, but it is this enchantment and the desire to enjoy this Caribbean paradise that brings them here. In anthropological terms, it is the construction of a cultural identity, which takes time, and needs everyone’s support.

ENTERTAINMENT MOVIES CYCLING BICINETA BIKE RIDE, every Wednesday 8 p.m. 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.

NOCHE DE CINE FRENTE EL MAR (Movie Night In Front of The Sea), El Cine Club of Playa is showing, “Pulp: A Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets” (2014) Wednesday May 27, 7:30 p.m., Blue Parrot on 12th Street and the beach. Free.

OSCAR’S MOVIE NIGHT, every Wednesday, 8 p.m. Be Playa Hotel, 26th Street and 10th Ave. Wednesday May 27 showing “My Week With Marilyn”. No cover.

CYCLING EMBASSY’S BIKE RIDE, every Saturday, 5.30 p.m. Constituyentes Ave. and Diagonal 85. Bike loans and free drinks! Check out the route on Facebook / Playa Bicicletero.

ECOMARKETS KAVA KASA, every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., 22nd Street between 5th and 10th Ave.

ART

COCOS BEACH ORGANIC MARKET, every Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Condo Alizes, Avenida CTM (46th) and Flamingos.

MAY 27 - JUNE 4

2015 FOOD and DRINK WINE TASTING, Every Thursday (in English), 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. La Casa del Agua, corner of 2nd Street and 5th Ave. $350 MXN.

MUSIC & DANCE SALSA LESSONS every Tuesday 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. La Bodeguita del Medio, 5th Ave. and 34th Street. $60 MXN DANCE PARTY with DJ GRECO, Every Wednesday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. El Jardín, 20th Street between 10th Ave. and 15. Beers $20 MXN. LATIN DANCING every Friday 7 p.m. Language School Chichen Itza, 4th Street between 10th Ave. and 15 NOCHE DE DIVAS, Every Friday, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Music: Classical, Chanson and Boleros. El Jardín, 20th Street between Ave 10 and 15. Beers $20 MXN.

ANIMAL WELFARE CHARM SCHOOL, every Saturday, 9 a.m. for 2 to 3 hours. Have fun helping dogs become leash trained, balanced and exercised. Volunteers are picked up at Mega Supermarket, 30th and Constituyentes. Contact info@playaanimalrescue.org. ACCIÓN ANIMAL ADOPTION FAIR, every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tenth St. between Av. 100 and Av. 105, Colonia Ejido. Don’t buy pets, rescue them! Check Facebook /Acción Animal.

ART CLASSES painting & sculpture every Thursday 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for adults, Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m for kids. Le Lotus Rouge, Second St. and 35th Ave.$100 pesos to cover materials. $200 MXN per person for classes with 1 to 2 people. $150 MXN per person with 4 or more. All materials included. WORLD CITIZEN CLASSES, literature related to all art fields of the five continents, every Wednesday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Le Lotus Rouge, Second St. and 35th Ave. $700 MXN per month.

May 27 - June 9 2015

2 5

LUCKY LUCIANO LA CHOPERIA

3 2

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info@meridianmedia.mx t. 984 8031446

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DIRECTORY

May 27 - June 9 2015

MUSEUMS . · . P L AYA D E L CA R M EN .·. National Museum of Underwater Archeology-Cedam Tues-Sun, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Puerto Aventuras Blvd. AP 1, Puerto Aventuras (984) 873 5002 Museo de arqueología subacuática-CEDAM Xel-Ha Archaeology Museum Tues-Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Xel-Ha Park, 307 Federal Highway, km. 240 (984) 803 4403 / 01 800 009 3542 www.xelha.com . · . CA N CU N . · . Maya Museum of Cancun Tues-Sun, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Blvd. Kukulcán km. 16.5, Hotel Zone (988) 885 3842 Museo Maya de Cancún

Ka’Yok’ Planetarium of Cancun Tues-Fri , 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Palenque Ave., SM 21, MZ 05, LT 1 www.ventanaaluniverso.org

ACCESS TO PUBLIC BEACHES MUSA Cancun Underwater Museum Tues-Sun Nizuc Reef and Manchones Reef (998) 848 8312 / (998) 578 7097 www.musacancun.org www.musaislamujeres.com Mexican Folk Art Museum Tues-Sun, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. (summer) / 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. (winter) Xcaret Park, 307 Federal Highway, km. 282 (984) 206 0038 / 01 800 292 2738 www.xcaret.com.mx .·. TULUM .·. Museum of Prehistory Mon-Sun, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dos Ojos Park, 307 Federal Highway, 17 km. before Tulum Museo de la Prehistoria Parque Dos Ojos www.cenotedosojos.com .·. COZ UM EL .·. Museum of Cozumel Island Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Rafael Melgar Ave. and 4th St. (987) 872 0914 Museo de la Isla de Cozumel .·. OTH ERS .·. The Caste War Museum Tues-Sun, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 26 17th St., Tihosuco, Felipe Carrillo Puerto (983) 208 9203 Museo Guerra de Castas

CULTURAL CENTERS . · . P L AYA D E L CA R M E N .·. Cultural Center of Playa del Carmen Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sat, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 115th Ave. and Cruz de Servicios Ave. (984) 873 2134 Centro Cultural Playa del Carmen La Ceiba Park Tues-Sat, 7 a.m.- 9 p.m. First St. South and Av. 60, Colonia Ejido (984) 859 2327 Parque La Ceiba

El Edén Jardín de Arte Mon-Sat, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Constituyentes Ave. and 95th St., Catarinas Building (984) 859 3076 El Edén Jardín de Arte .·. CANCU N .·. Cultural Center of Cancun Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sat, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Prolongación Yaxchilán Ave. SM 21 (998) 884 8229 casaculturacancun.blogspot.mx

.·. CA NCUN .·. Las Perlas Beach Kukulcán Blvd. km. 2.5, next to Hotel Imperial Las Perlas Langosta Beach Kukulcán Blvd. km. 5 Tortugas Beach Kukulcán Blvd. km. 7, next to the ferry terminal Caracol Beach Kukulcán Blvd. km. 9.5, next to Mocambo Restaurant Gaviota Azul Beach Kukulcán Blvd. km. 9.5, next to Coco Bongo Marlin Beach Tepén St., next to Hotel Barceló Tucancún Beach Chac Mool Beach Blvd. Kukulcán km. 14.5 Ballenas Beach Kukulcán Blvd. km. 14.5, next to Hard Rock Hotel Delfines Beach Kukulcán Blvd. km. 16, next to El Rey Ruins Puerto Morelos 307 Federal Highway km. 324, next to Puerto Morelos Town Square .·. PLAYA DE L CA RME N .·. 1 Xcalacoco Cancún-Tulum Road km. 3, entry by Coca-Cola 2 Punta Esmeralda 112th St. 3 CTM Beach CTM Ave. 4 Shangrila 38th St. 5 Mamitas 28th St. 6 Playa Caribe Access from 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th St. and Constituyentes Ave. 7 Piñatas Beach Second St. next to Fundadores Park 8 Playacar First South Ave. next to the ferry terminal

Cancun Theater Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (ticket office) Kukulcán Ave. km. 4, Hotel Zone (998) 849 5580 www.teatrodecancun.com.mx Cultural Center Caracol Marino 80th St. and Fifth Ave. (984) 267 3136 Centro Cultural Caracol Marino El Hongo Tues-Sat, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sun, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 19th St. South Sur and 80th Ave. (984) 109 5356 www.el-hongo.com

Cultural Center of Puerto Morelos 2 Niños Héroes Ave. Puerto Morelos Casa Cultura Puerto Morelos .·. TULUM .·. Cultural House of Tulum Alfa Sur St. and Gama Oriente St. (984) 871 2496 Casa de Cultura de Tulum

RUINS . · . P L AYA D E L CA R M EN .·. Archaeological Zone of Playa del Carmen Open 24hrs Paseo Xaman-Ha, Playacar Phase I . · . CA N CU N . · . El Meco Archaeological Zone Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 307 Federal Highway, Prolongación López Portillo Ave. El Rey Archaeological Zone Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Kukulcán Blvd., in front of Playa Delfines, Hotel Zone San Miguelito Archaeological Zone Tues-Sun, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Kukulcán Blvd. km. 16 Ixchel Temple in Isla Mujeres Mon-Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Garrafón Park, Garrafón Road, km. 6, Punta Sur (998) 877 1105 . · . T U LU M . · . Archaeological Zone of Tulum Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 307 Federal Highway, km. 128 (983) 837 0796 Archaeological Zone of Cobá Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Carretera Federal 307, desviación Nuevo Xcan, a 47 km. de Tulum

.·. COZ UM EL .·. San Gervasio Archaeological Zone Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Carretera Transversal, km. 7.5 El Cedral Archaeological Zone Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. El Cedral, Cozumel .·. OTHERS .·. Chichén Itzá Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Cancún-Mérida Highway, 75 miles before Mérida (985) 851 0137 www.chichenitza.inah.gob.mx

.·. CA RRETE RA PLAYA-TULUM .·. 9 Punta Venado 307 Federal Highway km. 278, 6 miles from Playa del Carmen 10 Paamul 307 Federal Highway km. 85, 9 miles from Playa del Carmen 11 Puerto Aventuras 307 Federal Highway km. 269, 18 miles from Playa del Carmen 12 Xpu Ha 307 Federal Highway km. 118, 20 miles from Playa del Carmen 13 Akumal 307 Federal Highway km. 256, 23 miles from Playa del Carmen

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CENOTES RR .·. CA R R ETERA P LAYA-TU LU M . · . 1 Cenote Dos Ojos Xel-Ha Park, 307 Federal Highway, km. 240

CENOTES ROUTE

16 15

PUERTO MORELOS

14 13

12 11 10 PUERTO MO RELOS - LEON A VICARIO

2 Cenote Ponderosa-El Edén 307 Federal Highway km. 36, 14 miles de Playa del Carmen 3 Cenote Taj Mahal 307 Federal Highway, 15 miles from Playa del Carmen 4 Cenote Manatee 307 Federal Highway, next to Tankha residence 5 Cenote Yal-Ku 307 Federal Highway, just before Akumal 6 Cenote ChiKin Ha 307 Federal Highway, just after Pto. Aventuras 7 Cenote Kantun-Chi 307 Federal Highway km. 266.3, next to Hotel Barceló 8 Cenote Cristalino 307 Federal Highway 307, just after Pto. Aventuras 9 Cenote Azul 307 Federal Highway 307, just after Pto. Aventuras

307

1 2 3 4 5

7 8

7 9 12 Cenote Boca del Puma Pto. Morelos-Valladolid Road, km. 16 13 Cenote Verde Lucero Pto. Morelos-Valladolid Road, km. 18. 14 Cenote Chilam Balam Pto. Morelos-Valladolid Road, km. 18.5 15 Cenote La Noria Pto. Morelos-Valladolid Road, km. 19 16 Cenote Kin Ha Pto. Morelos-Valladolid Road, km. 20 17 Cenote Zapote Pto. Morelos-Valladolid Road, km. 20

PUNTA VENADO

PUERTO AVENTURAS

6 8

.·. TULU M . · . 18 Cenote Escondido and Cenote Cristal 307 Federal Highway, just after Tulum 19 Gran Cenote, Cenote Carwash and Cenote Calavera 109 Tulum-Valladolid Highway 20 Cenote Aktun Chen 307 Federal Highway, 10 miles before Tulum 21 Cenote Angelita 307 Federal Highway, 11 miles after Tulum

14 Xcacel-Xcacelito 307 Federal Highway, 9 miles from Tulum 15 Papaya Beach Tulum-Boca Paila Road km. 4.5

PLAYA DEL CARMEN

.·. CE N OTES ROU TE . · . 10 Cenote Las Mojarras Pto. Morelos-Valladolid Road, km. 12. 11 Cenote Siete Bocas Pto. Morelos-Valladolid Road, km. 15.5

AKUMAL 13

307

XEL-HA 1 14

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS (PLAYA DEL CARMEN/CANCUN) Muyil Archaeological Zone Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 307 Federal Highway, 20 km. south Tulum, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve Uxmal Archaeological Zone Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 261 Mérida-Santa Elena Federal Highway, Uxmal, Yucatán (999) 944 0033

Emergency

Emergency from cell phone

066

114

Fire Dept. (984) 879 3669 / (998) 884 1202

Hyperbaric chamber (984) 117 0278

Red Cross

TELMEX

(984) 873 1233 / (998) 884 1616

01 800 123 2222

Hospital General

CFE

(984) 206 1690 / (998) 887 3557

01 800 080 0233

CARIBBEAN SEA

VALLA DOLID

109 18 15

TULUM 15

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Did you

Whale Sharks The Mexican Caribbean is renowned for the whale shark watching season, from May 16 til September 15 BY MELISSA ROBLES

he whale shark is the largest fish in the world, and arrives each year in the Mexican Caribbean. The locals call them â&#x20AC;&#x153;dominoâ&#x20AC;?, because of their spotted physique which looks like the popular table game. Their size is deceiving, even though they are around 14 meters long and weigh 20 tons, they are totally safe for humans to be around. These whales feed on plankton. This animal is vital to the economy of tourist destinations such as Isla Mujeres and Holbox, because they attract thousands of vacationers each year who go on boat tours with the possibility of seeing whale sharks and swimming with them. Leaving from Playa del Carmen, this tour costs an average of $150 US dollars per person. As a result, there are programs for conservation and respect of the whale sharks, which are run by the

that...

The largest whale shark

2 ever measured was 12.

meters long.

rn of spots a human, the patte of t rin rp ge fin e th dual allowing Similar to unique to each indivi are a are l gil e th d aroun individual sharks. researchers to identify mans. The the whale shark is hu of or at ed pr n ow kn ing a width of The only ark is massive, reach sh ale wh e th of h mout r (over 3 feet). approximately 1 mete shark, and ale shark, the basking eir prey wh e (th ies ec sp k ar Only 3 sh straining th k) are filter feeders, the megamouth shar n. from the water colum

Federal protection organizations have informed that even though the whale sharks are found in all tropical seas, except the Mediterranean sea, there are few places in the world

where it is possible to observe them for long and predictable times. CONANP works to designate protected areas for the whaleshark, such as a transit free zone where blades and motors from boats cannot hurt them. They also have an ethical code for tour operators: the boat must be at least ten meters away from the whale sharks, only two tourists per guide may go into the water, all swimmers must wear a lifejacket, there can only be one boat near each whale, swimmers must stay at least 5 meters away from each whaleshark, the maximum time for each swim is 30 minutes, and the

distance between boats must be at least 100 meters. The whale shark watching season begins May 16 and ends September 15. June and August are the months when the most creatures can be seen. An estimated 200 come searching for food during this time. In Holbox alone, more than 100 cooperatives have the authorization to run whale watching tours, while in Isla Mujeres there are 243 guides. Mexico is responsible for the conservation of the largest group of whale sharks in the world. It is the responsibility of authorities, cooperatives, and tourists to protect this species so they keep coming back in the coming years.

CONANP runs education and conservation programs / Photos:Agency / WWF

National Commision for Protection of Natural Areas (CONANP), with the aim to establish laws which protect their habitat and population, as they are in danger of extinction.

know

Size:

Weight:

Group name

IUCN Protection status

Population

5.5 to 10 m

19 tonnes

School

Threatened

Decreasing

May 27 - June 9 2015

Yucatan’s Reptile Species

With almost 200 different species of reptiles surrounding us, there are many opportunities to experience these amazing creatures. You can swim with sea turtles in Akumal, tour the Kantemo Caves for snakes, share lunch with iguanas on Isla Mujeres or cavort with crocodiles in Puerto Morelos.

WHAT TO SEE

Uncover the secrets of the outdoor spaces and their inhabitants BY BEATRIZ LUCAS

here are 9,547 species of reptiles worldwide, out of which 864 species are endemic to Mexico, which is the second largest diversity of reptiles in the world after Australia. 180 species of reptiles inhabit the Yucatan Peninsula, from sea turtles to boa constrictors, this region is a rich and ideal habitat for lovers of the cold-blooded kind. While some might not be easy to see, all leave their distinct footprint on the peninsula. It is important to know who you are sharing your habit with, so here are some facts on the iguana, who pops up everywhere, and the crocodile you can see in the early morning wandering away from the mangroves. Yucatan Spiny Tail Iguana (Ctenosaura defensor) Length: 58 cm to 1.15 m Appearance: Juveniles are mostly green. The adult color is dark brown-to-grey or black. Most have mottling on their back. Their belly is usually off-white. The tail is ringed with spiny scales, and a dorsal crest. Lifespan: 15 years of age. Males can live up to 25 years. Diet: Juveniles are primarily insectivorous, evolving to herbivorous as adults. They are opportunistic feeders and tend to eat eggs and small animals. Breeding: Females dig to lay clutches of 20 to 30 eggs in sandy soil. They hatch after 90 days. Fun Fact: The black spiny-tailed iguana is the fastest lizard on earth and has been recorded running at

s e l i t p e R

By Catherine Pawelek

Morelet’s Crocodile / Photo: Agency

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Crocodiles: The Morelet’s (Mexican) crocodile are found in the fresh and brackish waters of the Yucatan. Frequenting the mangroves and some of the cenotes in the area, they can be seen up close in a more controlled habitat at Crococun Zoo in Puerto Morelos. Distance in Miles from Cancun: 23 from Playa del Carmen: 21

864 reptile species are endemic in Mexico

180 reptile species

Turtles: Three species of turtle call Akumal home. Nesting here are the loggerhead (Caretta Caretta), recognized by its large head, reddish-brown coloration of shell, and the green turtle, weighing up to 250 kg. The third of this species, recognizable by its beak like mouth, the hawksbill turtle can be found feeding around the reef, but not nesting. Distance in Miles from Cancun: 64 from Playa del Carmen: 23

inhabit the Yucatan Peninsula speeds of up to 30 mph. Morelet’s Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) Length: 4m, the female is significantly smaller. Appearance: Snout is quite broad. The skin tone is grey-brown with dark bands and spots on the body and tail. Heavy scalation on the neck. Juvenile coloration is a brighter yellow with black banding. Total teeth: 66-68. Lifespan: 55-65 years old in the wild. Diet: Juveniles consume small invertebrates and vertebrates in the water. Adults eat turtles, birds, and mammals –including domestic animals. Breeding: 20 to 45 eggs are laid in a mount nest (approximately 3m wide by 1m high) before rainy season. The nest is located near water, or on floating vegetation. Nests can contain eggs from more than one female. Females guard the nest during the incubation period of 80 days. Habitat: Freshwater areas, including swamps and marshes. Also found in brackish water around coastal areas. Conservation status: Steady decline, because of habitat destruction.

Snakes: Driving westbound from the Caribbean, you will find the legendary “Kantemo Caves of the Hanging Serpents.” Located in the town of Jose María Morelos, this is like no place on earth. Boas and rat snakes, living in perpetual darkness, have adapted to hanging from the ceiling. In moves rivaling Cirque du Soleil, they snatch bats in midair! Distance in Miles from Cancun: 220 from Playa del Carmen: 178 Iguanas: They may not be as large as the dragons of Komodo, but Isla Mujeres’ iguanas, are an impressive, sun-loving bunch with a bit of a feisty streak. Although naturally vegetarians, these reptiles may just as easily snatch that sandwich right from under your nose. Distance in Miles from Cancun : 9 from Playa del Carmen: 47 HOW TO GET THERE CAR Puerto Morelos is located halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, along Route 307, Akumal is between Playa and Tulum. Take the 307 and then the 184 from both Cancun and Playa to Jose Maria Morelos. BUS Buses are available to Puerto Morelos and Akumal at the ADO bus stations in Cancun and Playa for $24 pesos single journey. COLECTIVO Available to to Puerto Morelos and Akumal from Playa for $20 pesos, and Akumal from Cancun is aprox. $100 pesos.

FERRY To get to Isla Mujeres take the Ultramar ferry from Puerto Juarez in Cancun. Cost is approximately $78 pesos each way per person and takes 15 minutes. erine Pawelek

Photos: Cath

/ Agency

SPORTS

May 27 - June 9 2015

SPORTS

National Olympics Perfect Performance

from Playa del Carmen Roller skaters Training for the National Olympics motivates young competitors to set their sights on competing in international events Closet caption / Photo:Agency

American Football Bikini League BY JUAN SOSA

Montserrat Ocampo Sánchez and her three gold medals and one silver

Proud members of the national team. / Photo: Juan Sosa

BY JUAN SOSA

he National Olympics is not only the most important sporting competition in Mexico but in many disciplines, like roller skating, it gives young people the motivation they need to participate in international events. Juan Pastor León, a coach from Quintana Roo, recognizes the importance of this event because of the level of competitive matches that the young competitors take part in. Because of this, he trusts that soon Mexican nationals will seen earning medals at international events. As an example, the state of Quintana Roo has Monserrat Ocampo and Lesly Mayorga on the national team. He notes, “The girls watch the Olympic games and the International Championships on TV and have their sights set on going. Mexico has been going out and competing in world championships. They are very

The girls watch the Olympic games and the International Championships on TV and have their sights set on going. They don’t treat it as a hobby, they treat it like a job Juan Pastor León Roller Skating coach passionate about this sport. They don’t treat it as a hobby, they treat it like a job.” The support from their parents is fundamental. They are always there with their support, their enthusiasm,

and their tears. In this round of the National Olympics, the roller skating team competed in two trials, one for younger girls and one for older girls. In total, they won a total of eight gold medals, three silver, and one bronze. The two members of the national team, Leslie Gómez Caballero and Montserrat Ocampo Sánchez became champions of the half marathon and marathon in 21 and 42 kilometers, respectively, topping off a brilliant participation in the national competition. This group of talented athletes trains Monday through Friday in the Poliforum velodrome from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Para-Swimming Championships BY THE PLAYA TIMES August 7 to 15, the Parapan American Games will be held in Toronto, Canada. Last November, Playa del Carmen played host to approximately 190 athletes from eight countries in when they competed in the Mexican Para-Swimming International Open 2014, which is a qualifying event for the Parapan American Games and the World

Championship in Switzerland. Last November, seven swimmers recorded their times in the world ranking. Their results were used to qualify for these international competitions. The qualifiers started on November 4 in the municipal Olympic pool, located in the Unidad Deportiva of the Riviera Maya, on 30th Ave and 98th Street. The event was organized by the Paralympic Committee and en-

Leslie Gómez Caballero with her 5 gold medals

dorsed by the National Commission of Physical Culture and Sports (Conade). Isaac Aquino Zapata, state coordinator of Adapted Sports Commission for Youth and Sports Affairs in Quintana Roo (Cojudeq), competitor, and resident of Cancun, said that in the international open three swimmers were from Quintana Roo: Leslie Lucía Moreno and Carlos Emilio Cervantes Aristegui Caballero from Cancun, and Víctor Javier Pérez de Jesús from Playa del Carmen. He explained that there are 130 Mexican competitors and the rest are from the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Russia, Colombia and Mexico.

The teams of the Caribbean Bikini American Football League, the Barracudas and the Sisters of Anarchy (SOA) of Playa del Carmen, are ready to make history as this is the first time they are taking part in the tournament. These teams belong to the Southern Conference; the Mérida Rangers and the Cozumel Nereidas will also be present at the upcoming tournament. The tournament will be held at the Promotora Playa Soccer facility, located on 68th street in Bosque Real. If you want to see good American football playing and an excellent use of strategies on the field, you will have to set aside your free time on weekends from May through August between 7 and 9 p.m. In April, scrimmage games were held, leaving the Playa del Carmen teams with a great sense of satisfaction in their outcome, and bringing the SOA team to their first participation in this league. For the Barracudas team, noted players include Rut Vidal, Macky Garcia, and Nuri Rosas, for whom their latest game was a national championship with a Veracruz team. For the Sisters of Anarchy, noted players include: Aby Serrano Soto, Andrea Lizardi, Mayte Moreno, and Michelle Hernandez.

Game Roster Saturday, May 30 at 7 p.m.: Rangers vs. SOA, in Mérida, Yucatán Sunday, May 31 at 5 p.m.: Nereidas vs. Barracudas, in Cozumel Saturday, June 13 at 5 p.m.: Barracudas vs. Rangers, in Playa del Carmen Saturday, June 13 at 7 p.m.: SOA vs. Nereidas, in Playa del Carmen

Para-athletes in the Games

Saturday, June 27 at 7 p.m.: Barracudas vs. SOA, in Playa del Carmen Saturday, July 11 at 5 p.m.: SOA vs. Rangers, in Playa del Carmen

190

Athletes

Quintana Roo

130

Mexicans

Countries

Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m.: Barracudas vs. Nereidas, in Playa del Carmen Sunday, July 26 at 5 p.m.: Nereidas vs. SOA, in Cozumel Saturday, August 8 at 7 p.m.: SOA vs. Barracudas, in Playa del Carmen Sunday, August 9 at 5 p.m.: Nereidas vs. Rangers, in Cozumel

HEALTH

Going through the Process of Mourning Learn to recognize the stages and how to work through them BY ROSAN OUWERKERK

ooner or later, everyone will experience grief. Grief is felt with the loss of a relative or friend, or with the end of a relationship. In this article I am going to discuss the stages of the process of mourning. This model (KüblerRoss, 1969) is meant as a guide to help people understand the context of where in the process they are. We have to realize that each person will experience this process in a different way. The stages can occur in any order, are not a complete list of all potential emotions and not everyone feels all five responses. Obviously all people grieve differently, some outwardly and others don’t show their emotions at all. Denial is the first stage and may last for several weeks. Denying the reality helps people to protect themselves from the immense wave of pain. The second stage is anger. Because denial cannot continue we become frustrated. Not ready to feel the pain, we replace that feeling with anger. We have thoughts like “Why me?” and “It is not fair!” and we are preoccupied with the question “Who is to blame?” The anger is mostly not only focused on the situation but can be directed at objects, strangers, friends, family and even at the one we have lost. The third stage involves bargaining. If we feel helpless and vulnerable we try to regain control; “If

Each person processes their mourning differently / Photos: Agency

Recommendations for overcoming the process of mourning: Give yourself the time to grieve. Do not resist or escape the emotions. Take comfort in your friends and family. Sleep, eat well and resume your daily routine. only I had…, this might never happened”. Bargaining is based on the hope that a person can avoid the

cause of grief. Depression is the fourth stage. During this stage people experience

a lot of sadness and often tend to isolate themselves. They are preparing themselves for the separation of their loved one. The last stage concerns acceptance. In this stage people learn to accept and to deal with the reality. They achieve a stable condition of emotions. People think about their lost loved one with sadness but without the wrecking pain. In this stage people are reconstructing their lives and start to make plans for the future. It is important to respect your emotions and allow yourself to feel the grief as it comes over you. Resisting or escaping from it with alcohol or drugs, will only prolong the natural process of healing. Although there might be pressure from society to get over the loss of a loved one, you must take the time you need. Friends and relatives can help to comfort through this process. Because mourning takes a lot of energy, self-care is crucial; even though getting enough sleep, eating well and resuming the daily routine can be a struggle when emotions are overwhelming. When people are stuck in a stage, unable to function in everyday life or experience insufficient support, therapy might be needed. Rosan Ouwerkerk is a registered psychotherapist and she runs a private practice in Playa del Carmen. If you think her help is required, you can contact her: rosan.ouwerkerk@ gmail.com.

May 27 - June 9 2015

HEALTH

Tickets available to purchase from The Playa Times

984-803 1446 info@meridianmedia.mx ADVERTORIAL

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) BY RICARDO MONTERO MENDEZ MD SURGERY AND GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY, COSTAMED

BS affects 10â&#x20AC;&#x201C;20 percent of the adult population. It is the most common functional bowel disorder diagnosed by gastroenterologists and is one of the top 10 reasons for visits to primary care physicians. It predominantly affects women (70 percent of patients). IBS can cause great discomfort, sometimes intermittently or continuously, throughout many decades of a patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and can also have a significantly negative impact on quality of life. The intangible costs of IBS are human suffering and impaired quality of life. IBS sufferers incur 74 percent more health care costs than non-IBS sufferers. IBS primarily affects people in the prime of their lives, mostly between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. For many patients, symptoms occur frequently and significantly impair emotional, physical, and social well-being. Almost three-fourths of patients report symptoms more than once a week and about half report daily symptoms, which may be intolerable without relief. Women with IBS reported 71 percent more abdominal surgeries

Causes 1. Motility disturbances 2. Infectious diseases not well treated 3. Stress

Complications 1. Decreased quality of life. 2. Time off from work and school. 3. Cost of medications and physician visits.

Treatment 1. Dietary modification. 2. Fiber supplements. 3. Pharmacologic agents.

than women without IBS. Patients with IBS were absent from work or school more often than patients without IBS. In another study, the quality of life of IBS patients was significantly worse than that of patients with migraines, asthma, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. For this study, quality of life was measured in multiple domains, including physical functioning, pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional functioning, and mental health. Only about 25 percent of IBS patients actually consult a physician for their symptoms. Of these, only a small percentage visit a gastroenterologist. Patients who consult a primary care physician usually have mild symptoms, as well as effective coping skills and social support. A visit to a specialist will ensure that the disease can be monitored more closely. Laboratories and imaging tests will be done, as well as a regular colonoscopy test, which is the right procedure to get a specific diagnosis and eventually the correct treatment. For more tips and advice, as well as a list of foods to eat with caution and foods to avoid, please visit our website for the full article, at www. theplayatimes.com/category/health-

DINING OUT

TPT Meets Chef Jorge Ildefonso The executive chef at La Marea in the hotel Viceroy, has re-imagined his favorite flavors from his childhood in Mexico and planted them deeply into the world of avant-garde cuisine

Corn v.

BY ROCIO NORZAGARAY

Flour Tortillas

n my culinary journeys, I am always on the lookout for Mexican fine dining, a rarity in this region. However, just recently I found a real gem to add to my not-so-extensive list of places to revel in Mexican gastronomy. La Marea is a treasure hidden within the hotel Viceroy in the heart of Playa. Neatly tucked away, La Marea is a cozy restaurant surrounded by luscious greenery, beautifully set on the beach for an ocean view. I was greeted by a really friendly sommelier with sparkling wine (Sala Vive Brut) who informed me that at least 30 percent of their wines are Mexican, which was music to my ears. I didn’t know what to expect, and I was very pleasantly surprised when tasting eight food pairings with wines from Mexico that the young Chef Jorge Ildefonso had prepared and selected. Chef Jorge has been their executive chef for only six months, and in that short time he has injected a breath of fresh air and innovation to La Marea’s menu. In order to find out more, I picked his brain with a few questions. Rocio Norzagaray: What captivated or awakened your interest in gastronomy? Chef Jorge Ildefonso: It was mainly through my parents, they were the ones who fed my culinary sense. My mother was a really good cook, and incidentally, one of her dishes has made it onto my menu, the mole de olla. She gave it a very unique twist by adding cornmeal to make it creamy. Many of the dishes I prepare here evoke the past, my childhood. For example on the menu there are stuffed huazontles with cheese, a flavor that

By The Playa Times

Executive Chef of Viceroy Riviera Maya, Chef Jorge Ildefonso / Photos: Hotel Viceroy Riviera Maya

As a child I was surrounded by orange trees in the courtyard and the scent they released everytime it rained was incomparable. Chef Jorge Ildefonso Executive Chef of VIceroy Riviera Maya I associate with some of my mother’s pies. What is your favorite ingredient? Bitter orange. As a child I was surrounded by orange trees in the courtyard and the scent they released everytime it rained was incomparable. The fruits wouldn’t be consumed until they were so mature they fell to the ground, and as children we would use them to make agua fresca.

What’s your favourite wine? Although I have tried quite a few, especially when I worked in Baja California, a wine producing region, I am more of a chelero (beer drinker), and there are some dishes, such as something spicy, that you cannot enjoy with a fine wine; I generally associate Mexican food with beer. Your favorite tool or cooking utensil? There is one tool that really catches my eye in Mexican cuisine and I think is essential in Mexican cooking: the metate (a flat stone used for grinding). It is used for flautas, making the tortillas really thin and crispy. If you don’t use the metate, in my opinion, the tortillas turn into omelets and not flutes. You can read the full interview on our website, by visiting www.theplayatimes.com/category/dining-out/ Rocío Norzagaray is a sommelier and a private chef. Contact her at info@privatechefplaya.com and www.privatechefplaya.com

Tortillas are undoubtedly the daily bread of Mexican gastronomy. They are used to accompany meals or as the main ingredient of an endless number of dishes, served either fresh, fried or boiled. Two types of tortilla are commonly available, corn and flour. For both, the round sheet of dough is rolled into a ball then flattened with a simple press, and cooked on the comal -a grill pan made of metal or clay. Still today, this traditional method of making the dough is followed. Learning the secrets to making the perfect tortilla takes years, and is often taught from an early age.

ORIGINS

The word tortilla stems from the Spanish word for round cake, torta. The unleavened flat bread was the principal food of the Aztecs of Mexico in the sixteenth century. Their main diet consisted of corn, as it supplied the necessary starch, and was their main source of energy. The first evidence of corn tortillas was found in the state of Oaxaca in 1500s B.C. The town of Tlaxcala, Oaxaca, means “the place of corn tortillas”, which is used, in part, as evidence of the food’s place of origin. When the corn was not eaten raw on the cob, the kernels were stored dry and ground into cornmeal, known as masa, which is commonly used today to make tortillas and tamales, among other dishes. The corn kernels were soaked in a lime solution to remove their hulls, which made the making of masa much easier. The hard work comes in grinding the soaked kernels on a type of stone pestle and mortar to make the masa. While popular in the southern states, the northern states of Mexico, did not cultivate corn and so adopted the use of flour as a substitute.

Aside from the flavor, the main difference between the two is cost. You can easily buy a kilo of freshly made corn tortillas for $12 to 14 pesos, while flour tortillas only come in small packs of ten or a dozen for the same price.

FLAVORS AND USES

Corn tortillas come in a variety of colors, depending on the raw corn used; they are either white, yellow, or reddish. Corn tortillas tend to become thicker the further south you go, with variants such as sopes or gorditas. In these southern states, they are filled with foods such as cheese and /or pork rinds, chicharrones. Certain dishes can only be made using corn tortillas, such as chilaquiles and flautas, as these need to be fried for the required consistency and shape. Flour tortillas are used mainly for burritos, which is said to be a U.S. take of Mexican cuisine. In the ranch states up north, flour tortillas are used to scoop up the food on your plate, which is primarily a variety of red meat cuts such as bistec (sirloin), barbacoa (steamed and smoked meat), pastor (spit grilled meat), arrachera (marinated flank steak), sesos (pig brain), cabrito (kid goat), manchitos (goat testicles), tuetano (bone marrow), and chilorio (fried pulled pork).

Woman on 38th Street and 30th Ave. makes and sells her tortillas for $7-8 pesos / Photos: Catherine Pawelek Coral Bar & Grille

May 27 - June 9 2015

DINING OUT

Chilies From Mild to Wild By Beatriz Lucas

hili is a very important and renowned part of Mexican cuisine. There are 40 varieties of chili in Mexico, making the diversity of dishes prepared with this ingredient quite impressive. Ranging from the most traditional of meals, such as moles, to the most famous use in sauces and marinades, each state of the country has their own approach to these dishes depending on the unique ingredients and varieties of chili found in their region. Moreover, the chili in Mexico has become almost a patriotic symbol. Many consider the essential attributes of being a Mexican are likened to the chile: spicy and vibrant. Additionally, the most respected virtues associated with consuming chili include bravery and ardor as a result of being able to handle the heat. In several places in Mexico, children are taught to eat chili, in the same way they are taught to be “become men” by training them from a young age to be able to handle a good enchilada (the Mexican word for when you eat something hot and you smoke comes out of your ears). Not only is this fruit an extraordinary condiment, it is perhaps the most versatile of all condiments. Chilies have been used since pre-Hispanic times when they were believed to have medicinal properties, which nutritionists today have confirmed. They are highly nutritious and rich in vitamins, since it is the plant with the highest known concentration of ascorbic acid (the discovery of this substance in the pulp of chili earned the Hungarian physician Albert Szent-Gyürgyi the Nobel Prize for physiology and medicine in 1937). Fresh chilies contain more than twice the vitamin C than lemon and orange and almost six times more than the grapefruit; in its dry format, it contain greater quantities of vitamin A than in carrots. Chillies also possess, albeit in lesser quantities, vitamin E, P and B, and significant amounts of certain minerals. The following list itemizes three of the most renowned chilies from the Yucatan Peninsula, and includes information about how to identify them, alongside with three of the typical chilies you find in Mexican markets. These are listed according to their heat index, using the Scoville heat units (SHU), which is a measurement of spicy heat in chilies according to their capsaicin concentration. To give you an example of the SHU range, a bell pepper has 0 SHU while the highest ranking is given to the Caroline Reaper chili from South Carolina with 3,000,000 SHU.

Chilies from the Yucatan Peninsula

Scoville Heat Units

Chilies typically found at the market

10,000

Xcat i k / G üe ro Color: Yellow or pale lime green. Shape: Long conical shape, with a slight curl. 11 cm by 3 cm. Origin: Yucatan Peninsula Scoville Heat Units: 24,000

16,000

24,000

G uajillo / Cascab el Color: Typically sold dried, it has a very dark red shell. Shape: The dried shell is smooth and hard to the touch. It is long, thin and pointy; approx. 2cm long. Referred to as cascabel (bell) because it sounds like a rattle. Origin: Aguascalientes, Durango, Zacatecas. Scoville Heat Units: 16,000

18,000

Pi q ui n (C h i li llo va r i e ty ) Color: Raw: green; dry: red. Shape: Smallest chili at 1 cm, with round tip. Origin: The Chilillo variety is from the Yucatan Peninsula. Scoville Heat Units: 32,000

Po b lano Color: Bright green skin, when ripe it turns a deep red color. Shape and texture: Flattened conical shape with some dark ripples. Approx. 12 cm by 6cm. Origin: The valleys of Puebla. Scoville Heat Units: 18,000

32,000

22,000

40,000 Habanero Color: Light green, turning yellow to orange as it matures. Shape: Lantern shaped; 4 cm by 3 cm; soft to the touch. Origin: Caribbean region of Mexico Scoville Heat Units: 40,000

50,000

Jalapeño Characteristic color: Bright or dark green. The flesh is shiny. Shape and texture: Long conical shape. Approx. 6cm by 2.5cm. Origin: Grown throughout the country. Scoville Heat Units: 22,000

Tricks To Cool Down After Eating Too Much Spicy Food BY ALEJANDRA BARRADAS One of the main ingredients of Mexican cuisine is the chili pepper. The heat from the peppers can be overwhelming when eating some of the salsas and dishes you find throughout the country. The burning of your lips and tongue and, what feels like, fire coming out of your mouth can make you feel like a cartoon character! The substance responsible for all of this is caspicium, an alcolade that irritates the skin, the digestive tract, and respiratory tract. It is a powerful substance that can induce or generate pain by activating the pain receptors in the skin and the mucous

The substance responsible for all of this is caspicium, an alcolade that irritates the skin, the digestive tract, and respiratory tract. membranes of the nose, mouth, and digestive tract. This produces a runny nose, teary eyes, and even stomachaches. These receptors are normally heat activated but the caspicium fools them into thinking there is a heat source.

Eating spicy food can cause a runny nose, teary eyes, and even stomachaches / Photo: Agency

When the burning sensation starts, the body immediately wants to cool down. This sends us looking for a cold drink but what is the most effective way to reduce the burning

after eating too much habanero salsa? Here are a few suggestions and home remedies: Water and Sugar: Use a mouth rinse of water with sugar and rinse

as many times as necessary. This is an old home remedy well known by Mexican abuelas. Salt: Taco vendors will tell you to put a few grains of salt on the tongue. Beer: The malted barley in beer will help. Take a few sips of beer to help relieve the burning. Milk or other dairy products: They contain the protein casein which combats the effects of the caspicium, blocking the receptors which cause the heat sensation. Drinking milk cold can increase its calming effects. Cream, cottage cheese, and blue cheese will yield the same results. Vegetable oil: This will dissolve the caspicium but careful not to ingest more than a little because it can upset the stomach. Ice or popsicles: Provides immediate but short term relief. So have no fear when you reach for the salsa offered at the taco carts or in your favorite restaurant! Just make sure to have one of these remedies close at hand!

t s e Q u for the Best Hamburger

DINING OUT

in Playa del Carmen

Twenty readers to judge and define who makes the greatest beef patty in the city BY THE PLAYA TIMES

Pig Farmer / Agricultor Cerdo

LA BURGUESERÍA

inding the best burger is like a strategy game where every ingredient, every decision of the chef has a great impact on the perfect bite of beefy satisfaction. The criteria are simple: anything other than the patty between the buns should enhance the flavor, not distract from it. There is much debate as to who makes the best burgers in Playa. As a result, The Playa Times has decided to set up an eating quest. In collaboration with three of the city’s top burger eateries, twenty lucky readers will have the chance of sampling their bite sized sample of burgers for free.

The Agricultor Cerdo is an haute cuisine burger. Made with juicy pork leg, gouda cheese, grilled bacon bits, mushrooms and herbs, fresh lettuce, caramelized onions, roasted seeds and with just a touch of chile de arbol. Our meat is processed and created by us, using the best ingredients for a perfect combination of flavors. We have a large variety of burgers on our menu including vegetarian, flank steak arrachera with pesto, as well as tuna, fish and shrimp. You have the last word by selecting your patty (sirloin, pork leg or chicken breast) and the fillings of your choice, or you can be guided by the chef’s recommendation for the “perfect match”. La Burguesería, 10th Ave. between 8th and 10th street, located at the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Market

CHILTEPÍN MARISQUILLOS

Chiltepín Burger Marinated and seasoned select beef cut made using the house recipe, cooked on the grill accompanied by pineapple, lettuce, tomato, mennonite cheese and bacon. Served with an order of fries. At Chiltepín, you can enjoy tacos, tostadas, ceviches, aguachiles, seafood cocktails, burgers, arrachera steak, fine cuts, michelada beer and much more… Come and enjoy our new menu of grilled seafood, including skewers, squid, salmon steak prepared with a Northern style seasoning only available at Chiltepín Marisquillos.

TO TAKE PART If you want to be one of our judges, please email The Playa Times at marketing@meridianmedia.mx with the email headline “I like burgers”, or message us on Facebook/The Playa Times. Contenders must sample all three burgers and fill out the following score card. Don’t forget to bring your copy of The Playa Times with you to participate.

Chiltepín Marisquillos, Constituyentes Avenue between 30th Ave and 25th North Street

The Public Place burger

THE PUBLIC PLACE

Remember: Send a picture of your scores to marketing@ meridianmedia.mx or to Facebook/The Playa Times.

The Public Place burger is a masterpiece. It features a tender, juicy beef patty, gooey melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, and a pillowy bun. You will demolish this burger faster than the waitress could believe. Every bite will melt in your mouth and the ratio of the ingredients creates a perfect texture where none of them overpower the patty and all contribute to the flavor profile. The ingredients are carefully selected, portioned appropriately, of high quality and cooked to perfection.

Places are limited so you cannot take part without contacting The Playa Times beforehand. Results will be published in Edition 61 of The Playa Times.

The Public Place is located in Ave Aviación, Plaza Coba, Ground Floor, Playacar Fase II.

The Playa Times Best Hamburger Quest Points out of 5 (1 being the lowest, 5 the highest ) Color in the faces to let us know your score FILL ONE OUT FOR EACH HAMBURGER

The Scorecard

CHILTEPÍN MARISQUILLOS

LA BURGUESERÍA C RITERIA

1 N AAH

2 W ELL ,

3 H EY

SOMEWHAT

NOT BAD

4 H MMMM ! T HAT IS TASTY

5 OMG, PATTY

C RITERIA

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

1 N AAH

2 W ELL ,

3 H EY

SOMEWHAT

NOT BAD

4 H MMMM ! T HAT IS TASTY

THE PUBLIC PLACE

5 OMG, PATTY

C RITERIA

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

Q UALITY

OF THE MEAT

S IZE OF THE BUN

1 N AAH

2 W ELL ,

3 H EY

SOMEWHAT

NOT BAD

4 H MMMM ! T HAT IS TASTY

5 OMG, PATTY WILL YOU MARRY ME?

May 27 - June 9 2015

HOMELIFE

ANIMAL WELFARE

Heartworm The Uninvited House Guests

Photo:Agency

In these tropical climates, it is important to be aware of and prevent this disease that affects pets and humans

Their hearing makes them good watch dogs / Photo:Agency

Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless) One of the world’s oldest and rarest breeds BY CATHERINE PAWELEK

know Did you

that...

BY CATHERINE PAWELEK

lthough parasites are important from an evolutionary standpoint and play a role in the natural selection process, from a dog lover’s point of view, they are nothing more than unwelcome invaders, threatening the well-being and sometimes the lives of our best friends. It is not good news when you find out that your pet has an unwanted visitor, so in these hot and humid climes it is extremely important that we nip this intruder in the bud, even before it can get a foothold. We really need to be conscientious, where our pets are concerned, since usually it is our dog, who becomes the host, although it can affect cats, ferrets, and even, under extremely rare circumstances, humans. This parasite is commonly called “heartworm”, even though the adult larvae reside in the lung arteries, as well as the heart, and a major effect is damage to the lung vessels and tissues, and can even cause kidney damage. Not a pretty thought, especially since it can take up to two years for the symptoms to fully manifest themselves, including fatigue, weight loss and cough, which we sometimes just attribute to old age. It is so much better to prevent, both cost- and treatment-wise. A thread-like worm, heartworm is spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitos, found in abundance here in the Yucatan. Monthly medication may seem prohibitive, but look at the alternative. A medium-sized dog of 35 lbs, taking a monthly chewable tablet, costs around about $180USD per year in the Yucatan Peninsula. This is still more reasonable than if you had to treat your pet after getting heartworm. Then, the cost can go into the thousands of dollars. Prevention is essentially the best medicine. Let’s also help our pet shelters that need to treat those animals they take in, by becoming a sponsor or donating. Let’s put a crimp on this invader, and keep our pets healthy in Quintana Roo.

Natural hosts of heartworm Dogs. Cats. Ferrets. Humans. Resulting damage of the disease Severe lung disease. Organ damage. Death in pets. Spread

ancient History They were used by of purty The 3,000 year old, Xoloitzcuintli rie va a people for and (show-low-squint-lay), also called anionship, hunting poses including comp ve ha Tepezcuintli, is one of the world’s to d also were believe protection. The dogs In . oldest and rarest breeds. Its name tis hri art as ments such curative powers for ail is derived from the Aztec god Xoed at co an th at he re body lotl and the Aztec word for dog fact, they give off mo . Toct hot water bottles rfe pe ke ma d Itzcuintli, and is more commonly dogs an very ke ma ion dogs, they known as “Xolo” (show-low). day, they are compan , for ren ild ch s and small The Xolo, initially accepted good pets for familie th wi ng alo t ge ey , and th into the AKC (American Kennel protecting the home Club) in 1887, was dropped in other dogs. und for 3,000 years. 1959, due to the breed’s scarciThe breed has been aro ty and perceived extinction, then re-introduced in AKC’s 2010’s stud book. In 2011, Bayshore Giorgio Armani, be- Chinese Crested or a Pharaoh Hound, they came the first Xolo to be named Best in Show. are no relation. Description This breed can exhibit a variety of colors including the classic black, brindle, bronze, palomino and white. In a five-puppy litter, four will usually be hairless and one coated. Interestingly, they may be born one color and change colors as they mature. Like the poodle, it comes in toy, miniature and standard sizes, with almond-shaped eyes and large upright bat-like ears. Their keen hearing makes for good watch dogs. Although they look a little bit like the

Temperament & Health Affectionate, friendly, energetic, intelligent, loyal, social and protective, they are ready, willing and able to get into some serious exercise, making them a fantastic buddy during fitness activities. If you have kids, they make terrific family pets. This hardy breed has no known breed-related illnesses and training them is quite easy and not a huge challenge for first-time owners. They want to obey and listen to instructions quickly.

Bite from mosquito carrier of the microfilariae larvae. Tips for protecting your family Wash your hands thoroughly after petting animals. Stop kids from putting dirt into their mouths. Pick up dog and cat poop every time, especially in areas where there are kids and animals playing (parks, gardens, beaches). Cover litter boxes to prevent fecal contamination Take your pet to the vet for a regular check-up (once or twice a year) for parasites and give them preventative medicine for the whole year in order to control the internal spread of the heartworm, which presents a risks to both your pet and your family.

Sherry was born about November of 2013 and arrived at the shelter in October of 2014. She weighs about 11 kg, is spayed and current on all vaccinations. Sherry is a very affectionate girl who just loves everyone. She loves to play and go for walks, or would be happy just being around a new family. She was rescued from the Perrera and brought to PAR.

S he rr y

B on ni e

Bonnie was born about January of 2013 and arrived at the shelter August 2013. She weighs about 17 kg, is spayed and current on all vaccinations. Bonnie is a medium size adult dog. 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! It’s time this pretty girl finds a family of her own. If you have any questions about the available dogs from Playa Animal Rescue, contact Pat at info@playaanimalrescue.org

TAKE BREAK 29

May 27 - June 9 2015

BITTER HOROSCOPES

Directions

By Craig Norton

GEMINI

Caldo tlalpeño

(MAY 21TH-JUNE 21TH)

The two faces of Gemini means that you are pretty much a liar. That is all I have to say to you Gemini. The drink in the face? WAY too far.

CANCER (JUNE 22ND- JULY 22ND)

Cancer, you are doing fine! Keep up the good work and soon all of hopes and dreams will come true. I highly recommend taking on time-consuming, low-paying “jobs” for “exposure” on or around the 15th of next month.

LEO (JULY 23RD – AUGUST 22ND)

Leo the lion. King of the jungle. It is just an expression, though. Seriously, don’t go into the jungle thinking you are just going to rule that thing. The jungle here is, like, SUPER dangerous. Did you hear about the killer bees in Cozumel??

Ingredients (serves 8)

VIRGO Virgo, you are a true friend. To yourself. All the time. Maybe try actually connecting with people instead of using a false, albeit disarming, persona to manipulate people into thinking that you have your life in order. ‘Cause ya DON’T. Booyah!

LIBRA

RECIPE

(AUGUST 23RD – SEPTEMBER 22ND)

8 cups chicken broth 1 ¼ pound whole chicken breast 1 onion sliced thin 1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil 2 carrots sliced 1 sliced zucchini

2 cups canned chick peas 2 drained canned whole chipotle chilies in adobo 1 avocado for garnish lime wedges for garnish

In a large saucepan bring the broth just to the boil and poach the chicken on a low simmer for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is just cooked through. Remove the pan from the heat and let the chicken cool in the broth. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, reserving the broth, and discard the skin and bones. Shred the chicken, cover and chill. In a large heavy saucepan cook the onion in the oil over a moderate heat, stirring until it is softened, stir in the carrots and the zucchini and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the reserved broth to the vegetable mixture with the chick peas and simmer the soup for 8 minutes, or until the carrots are just tender. The soup and the chicken may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Stir the shredded chicken into the soup with the chilies and season to taste, simmer the soup gently until the chicken is heated through. Garnish each serving with some of the avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced, and a lime wedge.

Balance and harmony be upon you, Libra. The stars say you should keep downing those irish coffees so you have enough energy to find it.

SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23RD- NOVEMBER 21ST)

I know that your sign has nothing to do with the scorpion that stung me a few weeks ago, but I am sorry Scorpio, I am just not ready to move on yet. You get no horoscope this week. Just be glad I am not a Greek God or you would have yourself a set of goat legs.

CROSSWORD

(SEPTEMBER 23RD – OCTOBER 22ND)

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22ND-DEC 21ST)

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22ND-JANUARY 19TH)

Make sure you shake it like crazy and send everyone in your life into an emotional hellstorm of anguish and despair. If someone is having relationship problems, you should TOTALLY blame him or her for them. Like, COMPLETELY.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20THFEBRUARY 18TH

Your loyalty is for sale to whomever can help you “find” yourself. Go to a hostel and hang out with the rest of the emotionally infantile faux hippies and see if you can’t open your chakras with a guy from Sweden who smells like patchouli and stale hair.

WORD SEARCH

“Oooooh! Look at me! I am Sagittarius! I am so awesome but I constantly humble-brag to make people think I am modest. Which I totally am, by the way. I NAILED being modest.” Shut up, Sagittarius.

PISCES

Across 1 7 8 9 10 12 14 16 19 20 21

Down

Source of cheap airline tickets (6,4) Postponement (8) Jaunty rhythm (4) Calf-length skirt (4) Scrap (of information, news etc) (7) Producing pictures of people (11) Castile (anag) (7) Troublesome fuss (4) Get rid of (4) Breed of terrier (8) Black Forest spa town (5-5)

ELECTRONICS AVIONICS CHARGE ELECTRON IMPEDANCE LOAD MATCHING NEGATIVE PARALLEL PULSE VOLT WAVE WIRELESS

Swim, little Pisces; the world is trying to catch you. Don’t fall for their bait. Stay inside your house and watch daytime television. Obsess over cooking shows. Maybe give hoarding a shot. Don’t answer your phone or emails and everything will be just fine.

ARIES (MARCH 21ST-APRIL 19TH)

Aries! Guess what? The results came back and you are definitely the best! At EVERYTHING! Nobody is talking behind your back about what a weirdo you are and your ability to accomplish anything you selfishly want is secure. Yay for you!

TAURUS (APRIL 20TH-MAY 20TH)

You should know by now that your ham-fisted approach to life will make anything but menial labour an impossibility. But don’t despair. You won’t read this anyway so you will just continue smashing things and leaving wreckage in your wake. Olé!

SUDOKU PUZZLE

(FEBRUARY 19TH-MARCH 20TH)

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 11 12 13 15 17 18

Food fish (5) Somerset gorge location (7) Colour of unbleached linen (4) Glorious (8) Kind of primrose (5) Charge (someone) exorbitantly (6) Gardenia (anag) (8) Twin of Castor (6) Without assistance (7) Colour of old photographs (5) Criminal (5) Nosh (4)

LAST ISSUE'S SOLUTION

COMEDY CORNER

Classifieds GENERAL SERVICES

Understandably Upset We recently took a trip to Playa and we were disgusted by all of the seaweed all over the beach. We complained to the manager at the hotel we were staying at, but he refused to do anything about it. I really hope you guys get your act together down there before you start losing tourists because of this problem. Understandably Upset Dear Upset, First, I don’t know why you think that I am the complaint department for Playa del Carmen, but I couldn’t agree with you more. We SHOULD be doing something about this naturally occurring phenomenon that only materializes once every few decades or so. Like you, I am totally not arrogant about what rights I should realistically expect when visiting a foreign country, and I have already posited my plan to the government about how to combat this problem. The answer, as I am sure you tried to explain to the unhelpful hotel manager, is teleportation. All that Playa has to do is teleport the seaweed, otherwise known as sargassum, to someplace else. I suggested to a poorer part of Mexico and it seems like the local government here agrees with me. The best way to do it, of course, would be en masse. Some little border town should have

a giant boulder of sargassum just appear in the centre of its town square. That way, they will have to deal with it. Maybe they can eat it. The other option we are seriously looking into it to build a giant robot that eats sargassum. We are kind of leaning towards this one since the robot could then walk to a poor town and poop a giant sargassum boulder into the centre of their town, thereby showing just how arrogant we are about what we’re entitled to when we take luxury vacations that cost more than one of their townspeople’s annual salaries. After all, what is the point in taking an extravagant vacation to one of the most incredible places in the world if you can’t oppress a poorer populace, at least a little bit? Am I right? And once done, we can all dance and sing, drink and be merry. Thanks again for your very not indignant or stupid letter. Let’s hope we find a solution soon.

MEXLAW Licensed Canadian and Mexican law firm, English Spoken. Plaza Paseo Coba, Local 301, second floor, Av. Paseo CobaPlaya del Carmen. Tel: 984 147 6502, Email: info@mexlaw.ca

RENTALS & PROPERTIES TOP MEXICO REAL ESTATE Mexico Real Estate, Buyers’ Representatives Mex: 984 267 2449 USA/Can: 512 879 6543

MEDICAL & DENTAL

JUN 01.

All the best, C.

Craig Norton is a Canadian expat and one of the founding members of Comedy Playa. If you have a question email dcraignorton@gmail.com

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

You Can’t Handle the HEAT! If you spend any time on Facebook, you have probably seen the video that was going around of the American woman who eats a habanero pepper by “accident”. Her reaction is hilarious and over the top and not unlike some of the reactions I have had when accidently or intentionally attempting to eat something spicy. I recall one particular incident where a friend thought it would be funny to serve me a habanero salsa on a piece of bread but present it as if it were chimi churri. I know what you are thinking, they don’t look anything alike but it was at a party and the room was poorly lit and the next thing I knew, I was frantically waving my arms and grabbing people’s beers - much to the delight of my Mexican friends. “Ah...the güera can’t handle the heat! Leave the hot stuff to the Mexicans!” For those of us who live or vacation in Mexico and are a bit spice intolerant, we are fortunate that in most of the restaurants, many dishes are often prepared without the skin searing heat found in many different chilies. Salsas generally are provided on the side for you to add the heat,

if you so desire. Although I have developed a love (ok, obsession) with the chipotle chile, that was not always the case. I learned to say, “esto pica?” or “is this spicy?” about the same time I learned to ask for the bathroom or another cerveza. I learned that as a general rule, the green color salsas are the mildest as it is a jalapeno based (which can still be hot depending on your tolerance). The hottest, will typically be the red color salsa because they can be habanero based. Fire in a bowl, as far as I am concerned. The waiters always smile and give me that look. The “gringa can’t handle the heat”look. Funny thing about that - I was out to lunch not too long ago with some friends and one of them, on a manly dare, was challenged to eat a chip with habanero salsa. He patriotically raised his habanero laced chip to the Mexican flag hanging in the restaurant, and shoved the chip in his mouth. As he began to frantically wave his arms and grab people’s beers, I raised mine and toasted, “Here’s to leaving the hot stuff to the Mexicans!”

Mr Dog del Caribe 2nd Street North between Fifth and 10th Ave. Tel. 984 147 3863 Fusion Beach Bar & Grill 6th street and the beach Tel. 984 873 0374 Loco Joe 30th Ave. North, between Constituyentes and 20th street. Tel. 984 803 5369

CONTACTS & PERSONALS ROTARY CLUB PLAYA DEL CARMEN SEASIDE Weekly meetings at LA FRAGATA RESTAURANT. 1st Ave and 26th St.. Tuesdays 12.30pm Visitors are welcome, for more information email: scotlyall@live.com NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS English spoken Tuesdays and Fridays 5:30 p.m. Spanish spoken Monday to Friday 7 p.m. 35th Avenue and 34th Street Playa del Carmen. info@naplaya.com

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TPTCOUPONS

Beach Goody B a g s 5 0 0 beach bags

for high end tourists Currently distributed in: Va c a t i o n r e n t a l c o n d o s a n d h o u s e s To u r i s m Tr a n s p o r t i n g S e r v i c e WOU L D YOU L I K E TO P ROMOTE YOU R B USI NESS? HAVE YOUR BUSINESS’ FLIER DISTRIBUTED FOR YOU TO THE HOMES, VACATION CONDOS, HOTELS AND TOURISM TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN THE RIVIERA MAYA

he Playa Times is looking for businesses who would like to have their business promoted and distributed in our free beach bags. Each beach bag includes copies of our latest editions as well as promotional and discount fliers to local businesses, retailers and restaurants in Playa del Carmen. This beach bag is a great welcome gift for customers.

Would you like to include a flier for your business in our beach bags? Our team can even help with the design and printing of your adverts, information leaflets and fliers. Don’t miss this promotional opportunity and get in touch with us. Contact Karla Mora: promopack@meridianmedia.mx or speak to Karla directly: 984 179 8347