Saw you in the Ojo
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Saw you in the Ojo
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Index...
FEATURE ARTICLES
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COVER STORY
Herbert Piekow retells the story of Maximilian and Carlotta, two of the most spellbinding characters in all of Mexican history. Their story is right out of Greek tragedy. They loved Mexico but were engulfed by the country’s ultimate stirrings of democratic rule. 9
COVER STORY
VOLUME 3 NUMBER 2 D IR EC T OR Y PUBLISHER Richard Tingen
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alejandro Grattan-Domínguez Tel: 01-800-765-3788
6 Cover by Dani Newcomb
INTERNET ROMANCE
Gloria Palazzo seemed to have been betrayed by a desktop mouse that could not seem to click on right romantic connection. Eventually, Gloria made the right decision—but seemingly only after having exhausted almost all other possibilities. More importantly, she also had the last laugh.
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MEXICAN MOSQUITOES
Gale Griffith used to pride herself on being fast enough to swat mosquitoes, but here in Mexico she has— rather than admit that in middle-age, she is no longer quick enough to do so—decided to push the notion that the local species of this pest is much faster than those up in the States.
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LIFE IN MEXICO
Victoria Schmidt, before moving to Mexico, loved everything she had previously read about the country— until she came to the subject of spiders. Luckily, however, Mexican scorpions and Black Widow spiders are no worse than those found north of the border. Nevertheless, the Caution Light should stay on.
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LITERARY LANGUISHING
William Haydon, our estimable correspondent in San Blas, spins a humorous story about why he has had trouble following up on a series of articles he was going to write for us about archeological sites in his area. Seems the lack of a camera was the main culprit.
PUERTO VALLARTA WRITERS GROUP By Marie Beswick-Arthur and Erin Staley
Do you love stringing words together to create lyrical poetry, whimsical short stories or intriguing novels? Well, if you enjoy word play, then the Puerto Vallarta Writers Group is for you! What began as a simple idea among fellow writers in 1989 has now become a 300-member group where international writers can present their work, receive constructive feedback, further their skills and focus on becoming published. Our membership is diverse from educational and professional backgrounds to writing genres and fiction or formats including short stories, novels, poetry, children’s books and journalism. With on-going events, PVWG provides many ways for writers to put a pen to paper. In fact, they are in the process of putting together their first anthology which is a collection of fictional short stories written by PVWG members. Copies will be available for sale at the Book & Author Festival, February 26, 2012. Using momentum created by putting together an anthology, PVWG will take a change from its usual format by jumping into “Super-Charged September.” Meetings will focus on defining ourselves as writers, continuing education and a 30-Day Challenge where members can select a publishing market and make a submission by the end of the month. PVWG would like to invite you to join us for this event. It is free to those who love writing. We meet every Saturday from 10:30 am to Noon at Biblioteca Los Mangos. To find out more, visit www.PVWG. com or look for us on Facebook.
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El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
Associate Publisher David Tingen Director of Marketing Bruce Fraser Graphic Design Roberto C. Rojas Jazmin Eliosa Associate Editor Jim Tipton Contributing Editor Paul Jackson Contributing Editor Mark Sconce Staff Photographer Xill Fessenden Staff Writers Ilse Hoffmann Floyd Dalton Sales Manager Bruce Fraser 333 559 2046 info@elojodelmar.com Office Secretary Iliana Oregel
ADVERTISING OFFICE Send all correspondence, or advertising to: El Ojo del Mar www.elojodelmar.com info@elojodelmar.com Ave. Hidalgo 223 (or Apartado 279), 45900 Chapala, Jalisco Tels.: (376) 765 3676, Fax 765 3528 PRINTING: El Debate Circunvalacion No. 1, Fracc. Costa Brava, Mazatlan, Sinaloa. El Ojo del Mar aparece los primeros cinco días de cada mes. (Out over the first five days of each month) Certificado de Licitud de Título 3693 Certificado de Licitud de Contenido 3117. Reserva al Título de Derechos de Autor 04-2007-111412131300-102 Control 14301. Permisos otorgados por la Secretaría de Gobernación (EXP. 1/432 “88”/5651 de 2 de junio de 1993) y SEP (Reserva 171.94 control 14301) del 15 de enero de 1994. All contents are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the written consent of El Ojo del Mar. Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Publisher or the Editor, nor are we responsible for the claims made by our advertisers. We welcome letters, which should include name, address and telephone number.
GUAYABITOS, PUERTO VALLARTA ADS
version was made by (mostly) nonMexicans, though he grants a partial dispensation to Anthony Quinn, an Irish-Mexican. This jingoistic attitude is nonsensical. If only Mexicans can play Mexicans, then taken to its logical extension would mean such roles are all they can play. Quinn could never have played a Greek, or Ricardo Montalban an interplanetary ruler, and only Americans can ever play Americans. Arau forgets that world-class artists can easily cross all international boundaries. He and his Zapata colleagues should have such good fortune when they apply for their own “passports.”
By Alejandro Grattan ZAPATA—The Movie
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ote: The movie is soon to be re-released, which prompts us to again publish this Consumer Protection Advisory.) It is the most expensive Mexican movie ever made, reportedly costing eleven million dollars—this in a country where most films are produced for under a million dollars. So where did the money go, other than on the handsome photography, stunning variety of locations and huge numbers of extras? Certainly not for the screenplay. The writer/director/producer, Alfonso Arau, not so many years ago made the excellent Like Water for Chocolate—but there he had the solid structure of a best-selling novel which served as the basis for the movie. With Zapata, he has little more than history to guide him; that, and the 1952 film Viva Zapata. But Arau had dismissed the earlier version as a “gringada,” i.e., “gringo garbage.” Yet that earlier film was packed with some of the greatest talent ever in a single movie: the late Marlon Brando (Oscar-nominated for his work in the title role of “Zapata”), Anthony Quinn (in an Oscarwinning performance) as his brother, with a screenplay by (Nobel-Prize winner) John Steinbeck, and direction by (two-time Oscar winner) Elia Kazan, in a picture produced by the legendary former head of 20th Century Fox, Darryl Zanuck. A veritable Who’s Who of American Film, yet one rudely writtenoff as a “gringada.” That age-old nemesis, hubris, must have been hanging over Arau when he made that statement—because in virtually every category, his film suffers pitifully by comparison. In a story which should have been fraught with political and social nuance, the Mexican film emerges as an exercise in silly superstition, replete with a trio of witches right out of Macbeth, and a birth scene (Zapata’s) which the film-
maker has the idiocy to liken to that of the Christ child! Once past the metaphysical meanderings, the film reluctantly falls back on the historical aspects of Zapata’s life; yet they are depicted in such a confused and lackluster manner that our interest withers for lack of a coherent historical structure. Example: Francisco Madero, arguably the most important figure of the Revolution, the one man who had the organizational and political skills to turn Zapata and Villa’s bloodsoaked victories into democratic institutions, is sloughed off as little more than a “bit-player,” his death at the hands of the malevolent Huerta dismissed as an irrelevant footnote. Even worse, the film introduces a love-affair between Zapata and Huerta’s sex-addled wife, a feckless invention which only further trivializes a man who is still Mexico’s greatest folk hero—and with ample cause, though you would never guess that from viewing this film. Arau has been criticized for using a non-actor in the title role, but casting the singer Alejandro Fernandez (son of the famous Vicente) was the least of the director’s miscues. Fernandez is not much of an actor, but he has presence and style. In any case, he will not make audiences soon forget the spell-binding work of Marlon Brando; nor will the actor who plays Zapata’s brother linger for long in our memory, as does Anthony Quinn, even now more than sixty years after Viva Zapata! In his public pronouncements, Arau seems miffed that the earlier
ALEJANDRO GRATTAN is a former screenwriter/ film director who has published seven novels. Two of his novels are in over 1000 libraries in the US and Canada. He co-founded the Ajijic Writers’ Group 23 years ago and has been the Editor of El Ojo del Lago for the past 16 years. grattan@prodigy.net.mx
If only Mexicans can play Mexicans, then taken to its logical extension would mean such roles are all they can play.
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MAXIMILIAN—Emperor of Mexico By Herbert W. Piekow
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n December of 1857, a coup led to the Mexican Congress being dissolved on January 19th of 1858. Benito Juarez, as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, proclaimed himself President of Mexico though he lacked a cabinet and popular support. Mexico was in the midst of a civil war when in 1863 a Mexican delegation from the assembly of Notables was sent to the Palace of Miramar near Trieste, Italy. The assembly consisted of 215 members and all but two voted to offer Maximilian of Hapsburg, brother of Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria, the throne of Mexico. At the same time Maximilian was considering an offer from the Greeks to be their new king. After much consideration he accepted the offer to rule in the Americas since he thought he would have a better future there and his goal was to establish a strong Mexican government and save Mexico from chaos and draw it into the modern world. Maximiliano, as he was known in Mexico, renounced his right to succeed to the throne of Austria. Before leaving for Mexico he sought support from European countries and he signed the Convention of Miramar with Napoleon III, agreeing to French military support for six years and that preferential treatment would be given to French officials over Mexicans. Maximiliano agreed to a debt of 54 million pesos and further agreed to pay 1,000 francs a year for each of the 30,000 French soldiers posted to Mexico and to compensate all the French citizens affected by the Mexican war. Maximiliano and his wife, the Belgian princess Charlotte Amélie, named Carlota by the Mexicans, sailed for Mexico on an Austrian ship and when the imperial couple reached Veracruz in May 1864, they received a cold reception; only a few members of the provisional government greeted them. However, a month later, when they reached Mexico City, they were lavishly greeted with triumphal arches, pavilions, garlands of flowers and receptions. Within a few days the emperor formed his cabinet which included moderate conservatives and liberals because he wanted all Mexicans
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to realize his interests were for everyone. He did antagonize the conservatives by refusing to include the Cross in the imperial coat of arms and his unwillingness to agree to the phrase “By the Grace of God” on all official documents. Every Sunday he gave audiences to the city’s poor that further alienated the emperor from both the liberals and conservatives; in addition the imperial couple showed a philanthropic spirit towards the Indians. The couple hoped to improve the living conditions of the ethnic groups. The emperor initiated laws designed to make the life of the peasants less hard; he tried to abolish the tiendas de raya (company stores) and prohibited forced conscription. Further he decreed that uncultivated land be given to peasants who had no property. However, his decrees were not enforced and the Indians felt his promises were just words to placate them—thus alienating a group who, although they had no political power, had supported his policies. At this time there were two governments in Mexico, the Imperial Government of Maximiliano and the nonfunctional government of Juárez. Benito Juárez had no Congress and his government, which he ran from his black coach, had no power and was considered unconstitutional. (The black coach is now displayed in the Chapultepec Castle Museum.) Meanwhile, Maximiliano was working to create a government that would allow Mexico to grow into a world power. He recognized the vast natural wealth of the country; its ideal shipping possibilities and the fact that Mexico had an industrious population which he
El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
felt were capable of producing anything given the raw materials. Maximiliano and Carlota thought Mexico City was more of a provincial city than a world capitol. The monarchs began a campaign to beautify the city. Maximiliano believed that Mexico possessed everything to be a great empire. He created public parks, ordered statues and changed the face of the city by designing and constructing today’s Paseo de la Reforma, the wide avenue running from Chapultepec Castle to the city’s center. He also tore down the small country homes of the viceroys and the military academy to construct Chapultepec Castle. The castle, although occupied for only a brief time by the royals, is one of the most attractive architectural monuments in Mexico. The royal couple initiated a sense of pride in the beauty of the city and many of today’s plazas and public spaces reflect the love they shared for their adopted country. It is unfortunate that their detractors used the excuse of excess to negate much of what was created but it remains as a part of Mexico’s pride and beauty. Maximiliano had an understanding of architecture and the importance of beautiful and functional public spaces and buildings. When he brought his European tastes to Mexico, he transformed the way Mexicans perceived their public image. In 1867 Maximiliano lost French support and Napoleon III ordered the withdrawal of French troops in preparation for war with Prussia. These were not peaceful times for Mexico which suffered economic problems and lack of growth that required Maximiliano’s government to borrow an additional 46 million pesos and go further into debt. His detractors blamed the debt on the emperor’s public works and the building of his lavish residence. His fatherin-law, the King of Belgium, refused to help and so Carlota, as ambassador from Mexico, went to Rome to ask Pope Pius IX for support which would require other Catholic countries to lend support to Mexico. Carlota failed in her efforts and afterward suffered several bouts of insanity. She died in Belgium in 1927 at the age of 86. Maximiliano’s relations with the Vatican had never been good because he had earlier refused the Pope’s request to return all church property to the church. Maximiliano also believed every man had the right to choose to
Every Sunday he gave audiences to the city’s poor that further alienated the emperor from both the liberals and conservatives.
worship in his own way and refused to allow the Catholic Church to regain its former power, wealth and influence; this not only alienated him from the Church in Rome but also from many of the conservatives in his own government. In the meantime the US had ended its Civil War and the US made a loan of $20 million dollars to Juárez. The US preferred to support the provisional government than recognize what they considered the foreign threat of France and Austria at US borders. Also, five thousand Southern soldiers had immigrated to Mexico and the US Government feared they would lend their battle experience to Maximiliano’s troops. The loan to Juárez enabled him to form, equip and train an army. In return Juárez allowed the US to settle land in Baja California and gave the US concessions to build the El Paso, Guaymas, Matamoros and Mazatlán railroads. The loan also allowed Juárez to reorganize his government and to consolidate his power and increase his fight to overthrow the imperial government of Maximiliano. The emperor joined his generals in the fight against the federalists but his remaining French troops lacked motivation to fight for the Mexicans and eventually the well-trained and equipped army of Juárez defeated the French at Puebla on May 5, 1867. Ten days later, Juárez’s troops captured Maximiliano in Querétaro and Juárez ordered the emperor to be executed by firing squad. Maximiliano gave each man on the firing squad a gold piece and asked them to aim for his heart. They required two volleys and shattered his face. Eventually Maximilian’s body was returned to Europe on the same ship that brought him to Mexico, the country he believed would one day be a world power. Maximiliano was justified, however, in his belief in Mexico for according to many financial experts, Mexico will become the world’s 5th largest economy by 2040!
HERBERT W. PIEKOW lives in Guadalajara. He has enjoyed two careers, first as a vice president of an international trading company, and later providing floral displays for, among many other events, the Academy Awards.
MANZANILLO, GUADALAJARA ADS
The Poets’ Niche By Mark Sconce msconce@gmail.com
Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)
ward a capacity for divine love—a Christian vision, nay, a beatific vision of God in His celestial light. Dante Alighieri contracted malaria and died at age 56.
MARK SCONCE--Antiochian, Nepal Peace Corps Volunteer, Berkeley Journalism Student, International Model Agent, Pushkin Aficionado, Poet, Writer.
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n keeping with my pledge to seek out famous poems that treat of love and death, I offer up this month Dante Alighieri, Italy’s greatest poet, still read diligently nearly seven centuries after his passing. Maria Paola of Ajijic, recalls how students wanting to attend an Italian university had to take a state exam that included passages from The Divine Comedy to be expounded upon. Of course we know him most for his immortal work, The Divine Comedy (La Divina Commedia) published in Florence 1317-19. Dante knew it only as Commedia. It wasn’t until after his death that the public, during public readings, began referring to it as Divine, ergo, The Divine Comedy. Imagine yourself in such a medieval crowd pushing forward to better hear the presenter in one of Florence’s splendid piazzas and listening to this from Dante’s Inferno: Here monstrous Cerberus, the ravening beast, howls through his triple throats like a mad dog over the spirits sunk in that foul paste. His eyes are red, his beard is greased with phlegm, his belly is swollen, and his hands are claws to rip the wretches and flay and mangle them. And they, too, howl like dogs in the freezing storm, turning and turning from it as if they thought one naked side could keep the other warm. All hope abandon, ye who enter here! --Tr. By John Ciardi “Dante,” said contemporary poet Francesco Petrarch “is the great master of the disgusting.” He could have added: Atheists, you better hope you’re right! The punishment meted out above was just for committing the sin of gluttony, a somewhat understandable failing where Italian food is concerned. Flatterers don’t fare much better, not to mention Opportunists, Wasters, Frauds, Usurers and, of course, the Carnal. If all these sins sound vaguely familiar, they’re more finely tuned and etched in Italian minds because Dante’s poetry is still their pride and joy. Stefano Quaiotti of Ajijic, speaks fondly of his school days in Bologna savoring Dante’s poetry. Dante’s tour through Hell and Purgatory is made possible by his guide and protector, the Roman poet Virgil who represents human reason, all the better to understand the sins and the sinners. But when it comes to Paradise, Dante requires more than human reason. He needs the sublime company of his lost love, Beatrice, or at least her divine spirit to guide him in the ways of Redemption and Revelation. Beatrice, whom Dante met and fell for when they were only nine. Ten years later, she died tragically, and Dante, bereaved, wrote many love poems to her memory. “O Beatrice, thou gentle guide and dear Often it is brought home to my mind the dark quality that Love gives me, and pity moves me, so that frequently I say: ‘Alas! is anyone so afflicted?’: since Amor assails me suddenly, so that life almost abandons me: only a single spirit stays with me, and that remains because it speaks of you. I renew my strength, because I wish for help, and pale like this, all my courage drained, come to you, believing it will save me: and if I lift my eyes to gaze at you my heart begins to tremble so, that from my pulse the soul departs.” --Tr. By A.S. Kline Dante considered love for a woman the first step in the soul’s spiritual sojourn to-
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GUADALAJARA / PUERTO VALLARTA ADS
CONCEPTS OF INTELLIGENCE Written By Thomas J. Hally Reviewed By Bill Frayer
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ave you ever wondered why some people are very intelligent and why others are, well, not so much? What do we mean by intelligence? What’s the difference between creative genius and psychosis? Does our gender, our birth order, or even our physical attractiveness affect our intelligence? Are night owls more creative than those of us who do our best work in the morning? These, and many other aspects of the nature of intelligence are addressed in the first part of Tom Hally’s new book Concepts of Intelligence. Tom is a good fit with this subject. He has been an active member of American Mensa since the 1980s and in 2007, became the regular feature writer for Mensa international Journal. From 2007 to 2010, Tom was the editor of Telicom, the magazine of the American Society for Philosophical Enquiry. He has traveled extensively and publishes his poetry in both English and Spanish. The twenty-one essays which address the nature of intelligence in the book are well-written and easy to read. Many contain references noting the relevant research. Many of these articles had been published previously in the Mensa International Journal. As a poet myself, I was both pleased and alarmed to read the following: “Poetry is, undeniably, one of the highest forms of creative art, and some of the most creative poets are the ones which exhibit the most signs of psychoses.” The article points out the disturbing correlation between creativity and mental illness. Some of the most interesting aspects of Tom’s essays deal with the nature of intelligence itself. He discusses Gardiner’s theory that we actually have multiple intelligences, mathematicallogical, musical, spatial, linguistic, etc. Educators have realized this for many years and have developed tools for addressing students’ unique intelligences. Of course any serious discussion of in-
telligence brings up the issue of how one defines and measures intelligence. After all, I have known people with supposedly very high IQ’s who seemed to struggle through life. I was glad to read in one of his early essays that Tom put the IQ issue into clear perspective. “Several studies have indicated that personality traits such as consciousness and openness to experience are up to ten times more important than IQ. Although the essays on intelligence are the largest, and I think the most interesting part of the book, the second section includes a number of autobiographical essays, poetry (in Spanish and English) and fiction. The interesting life Tom had led is reflected most prominently in this section of the book. Some of the chapters seem either out of order or out of place. For instance, in the first section, there is, among all the wonderful essays about intelligence, an odd chapter addressing how to set up an WiFi network. Another essay, more technical than any other in the volume addressed the subject of neural networks. These might better be included at the end of the section or omitted altogether. Tom’s an interesting man, and his eclectic life is well reflected in this collection.
I have known people with supposedly very high IQ’s who seemed to struggle through life.
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El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
BILL FRAYER taught writing/ critical thinking. He has written a book, Figuring Things Out, and a volume of poetry, Sacred Lake. He and his wife Pixie have lived in Mexico for the past five years.
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How Could I Not By Gloria Palazzo gloria_palazzo@yahoo.com
He Lied
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elationships have come into play in ways that surprise, delight and every so often startle me. I am referring to the romantic variety which wove their way into and out of my life. For a few years I’d planted myself on some internet dating sites. Oh my God! I’d developed skills, tactics, lines and innuendoes that would make my children blush or declare they were orphans. I now speak “cool” and can instant message with three people faster than I ever typed at work. My last adrenaline rush developed just after I sent a virtual “wink” to a guy who wrote in his profile that he is passionate, romantic, the best kisser in the world, loves to dance, is a gourmet cook, loves animals, has an athletic build, and is financially secure. The only thing missing from his world is the woman he will cherish for the rest of his life. He lives in a cabin in one of the most beautiful forests in California where he has access to natural hot springs. He is just an hour drive to the Pacific. Virtual love at first “wink.” OMG! My on-line fishing has caught the big one. LOL, which I thought meant “lots of love” later became decoded to “lots of laughs.” His photo revealed that he isn’t the best looking man I’d ever seen, but hey, with a profile like that, how could I not give it a shot. A couple of months of e-mailing, instant messenger, Skype and telephone communication and I had my plane ticket to paradise. I am sweet sixteen again and meeting my prince at the airport. A rumpled, crumpled, sad-lookin’ fellow waves at me as I approach baggage claim. Kissing is out of the question. Hot lips didn’t seem to have any. Be nice, be kind, be patient, I told myself; but what I really wanted was to be back home in my bed, waking up
to this being a bad dream. A two-hour drive in the rain takes us to a cabin in the woods the size of my carport. The woods are beautiful. I smile. I Lied. Not at first, I didn’t. In my quest to find my next and last great romance I registered on three internet dating sites. It was a daunting task at first, but I was motivated. I was also of the mind that if I wrote an interesting and truthful profile, and posted some fairly recent photos I’d be on my way to being partnered and in love. I was so convinced that this would happen that I began preparing the new me. I changed my hair style, got a new wardrobe and painted my toe nails electric blue. I was on my way, or so I thought. Three months passed and I had no hot prospects. What to do? What was wrong? And then I realized it was my age. Well, I couldn’t change my age, but I could fudge a bit. A tough decision, but a necessary one if I was going to continue my search. My profile needed a rewrite. I didn’t change much. I just deducted a couple of years. I was convinced that this was absolutely necessary. If I could study and refine me, I mean my person, the physical
Three months passed and I had no hot prospects.
me, then why not write me as I wanted my new partner/lover to read me. I did it. I lied. Almost every day after that my in-box had a notice that someone wanted to connect with me. With eager anticipation I’d sign in to learn about my possible new admirer. Just look at this one! WOW he’s handsome, but so young. Go for it girl. It’s just on paper. Not like it’s a flesh and blood real man. A relationship developed, and I didn’t have to cook or do laundry. I was hooked. I learned how to play the game and I got good at it. Men were writing, calling, messaging, and Skyping. A few came to visit. I visited a few of them. Interestingly, I’m just back from my last prospect’s haven in the woods. Sparing you the details, I will say that I was tempted to give up after this one, but a few days have gone by, and I will get back in the race, even though I know the odds of finding my prince are dwindling. Does this sadden me? Hell no! I’ve had a blast and a half. What I just might do if I have time between my e-mail buddies is start a group for recovering internet dating addicts. After all, who would know more about it than me! My mouse has replaced a spouse, and sex has never been safer. I smile.
GLORIA PALAZZO came to live in Mexico 14 years ago after a two year stint in the Peace Corps, Ecuador. Her passion for art and writing blossomed and is evident by her contributions to the Ojo del Mar and exhibitions of her art in galleries and museums in several parts of Mexico.
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MAZATLAN ADS
BRIDGE B RIDGE B BY Y THE THE SEA S EA By Ken Masson masson.ken@gmail.com
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ver the past 5 years herself and myself have delighted in spending 6 months of the year in Mexico but we also very much enjoy the other half of the year we spend back in Canada. There is such a contrast in all facets of living in the two countries, each interesting
and attractive in its own way. Naturally bridge plays an important role in our lives in both countries and we take pleasure in meeting and playing against different opponents in each location. Thus it was with great anticipation that we went to Hazel’s Bridge Club in the Toronto area shortly after our re-
turn there this past April. After greeting many old friends we sat down to play 26 boards of duplicate bridge. Things started off rather nicely and despite a few miscues here and there we figured we were doing rather well and, it later transpired, we were leading the East-West field of 27 pairs with a score of 60% with just one round to go. If we could keep our noses clean for the last two deals that would provide us with a nice welcome back. What we didn’t realize was that our opponents for that last round were having a rockcrusher of a game and were already leading their direction with more than 70%! In the first board, North passed, as did herself sitting East. South opened a standard 1 spade. I passed and North bid 2clubs, a version of the Drury convention*, which in their system showed a limit raise in spades with at least 4 trumps. South now bid 2 diamonds to show a full opening bid and North bid 3clubs to show a feature in that suit which was all South needed to bid the spade game. It seemed to me that an attacking lead was called for so I led the 3 of hearts. Declarer won in dummy and called for the 5 of spades which he won with the king. He now played the 4 of spades towards the dummy, I followed with the 6 and declarer stopped to consider his options. After what seemed like an eternity he called for the 10 from the board and when herself showed out he was able to draw my last trump and claim 10 tricks. This was disappointing to us as the “normal” play with a combined 9 cards missing the queen is to play for the drop, as in “8 ever, 9 never”. This declarer figured that I might have led a trump if I had only two and as he and his partner were having such a fantastic game, he decided to go with his hunch. The net result for us was we scored one matchpoint out of a possible 25 on this board. So that hand took the proverbial wind out of our sails but surely we could rally and win our fair share of the spoils on the last? Tune in next time for the conclusion of this thrilling saga! Questions or comments: email: masson.ken@gmail.com KEN MASSON has been playing, teaching and writing about bridge for 35 years. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Ken has been living in Toronto since 1967. He and his wife and bridge partner, Rosemarie, are now in their third year wintering in Mexico.
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El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
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Hearts at Work A Column by James Tipton “Living (and Loving) to Age 100”
the solution and assured me that indeed I could live to be more than one-hundred. The secret, she whispered to me, through that delectable mouth that would remain with me in imagination for many months, was to love women of all ages, to kiss them on their lips as often as possible and as passionately as each situation permitted…and to pay her only $400 pesos for everything she had just revealed to me.
A
ccording to The Centenarian (www.thecentenarian.co.uk) the fastest growing part of the world populaSalma Hayak in The Hunchback tion is people 100 and older. They Most are lean; most have never now number around 450,000. Cursmoked heavily or abused alcohol; rently the US with 72,000 holds title most have at least one other longto the largest number, but Japan at lived close relative; most deal well 30,000 is number two and a serious with stress; most live in non-toxic challenger because it has the highenvironments; most have a spiritual est centenarian growth rate in the focus in their lives; and, I have been world—the population of Japanese convinced by a lovely young lady, people over 100 has quadrupled in most of them read several poems the past ten years. China, incideneach day. tally, with a much larger population Here in Mexico more and more than the United States and Japan people are living into their 90s, some combined, has only 7,000 centenarto 100. There is no doubt many of us ians. will become centenarians. But back Based on her 1888 birth certifiin the States, those middle-aged and cate, perhaps the oldest person in younger are increasingly more likely the world is Mariam Amash, a Palesto live shorter lives. Robin McKie, tinian woman living in northern IsraScience Editor for The Observer, el and now 122 years old. That’s a lot says that “Twenty of candles to blow out on that fes- Here in Mexico more years ago, the US, tooned honey cake. and more people are the richest nation on the planet, led Mariam—although it makes those of us living into their 90s, the world’s longevity league. Today, who favor zero-pop- some to 100. American women ulation growth tear rank only 19th, while males can manout our remaining hair—has given age only 28th place, alongside men birth to 10 children, and she now has from Brunei.” 120 grandchildren, 250 great-grandWell, regardless, I now live at children, and more than 30 greatLakeside and I intend to live at least great-grandchildren. Mariam’s secret to 100. How do I know? Last sumto long life? Lots of vegetables and mer I visited Doña Sofia de Garza, a lots of olive oil: “I drink it by the glass.” famous curandera who lives near CoMexico has a sizable number of lima, to ask her how to do this. Wow! centenarians. One of them, Juan I was fascinated by Doña Sofia’s gold Carlos Caballero, passed away at age bangles, both on her ears and on her 109 only last April in a home for old wrists, and by her full (and fabled) bopeople in Monterrey, Mexico. The som ready to burst out of her gauzy young Juan was a driver for Pancho Mexican blouse, and by her skirt, a Villa during the Civil War. Until shortdeep and sultry red, and by her eyes, ly before his death Juan walked sevso deliciously dark with tiny flecks of eral kilometers a day. Popular with gold, and yes, by her mouth--which reporters in recent years, Juan has at age seventy was still remarkably assured them that should social indesirable. Incredibly, she looked like justice rear its ugly head and should only a slightly older version of the there be another uprising he would gypsy girl played by Salma Hayek in “once again take up arm….” The Hunchback. Like Juan, most centenarians live In less than thirty minutes of physically active lives. Many are still consultation, Doña Sofia divined working well into their 80s and 90s.
JIM TIPTON has published several books of poetry and has sold dozens of articles to magazines in the US. His collections of poetry include Letters from a Stranger (1998)— winner of the Colorado Book Award in Poetry. Jim lived in Puerto Vallarta for several years. spiritofmexico@yahoo.com
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PUERTO VALLARTA ADS
THE BITCH AND THE CHOW (Or the trials and tribulations of a pet/house sitter) By Kelly Hayes-Raitt
N
ext week, I was supposed to be dog/housesitting for Pixie, a chow-chow with separation anxiety so severe she once threw herself through a plate glass window. It did occur to me that watching this chow might fit my schedule perfectly, but still I be more than I could chew. hesitated until she offered me the However, Cheryl, the owner, asphone number of a previous houssured me in her syrupy voice that Pixesitter. But how would I gingerly ie had been through extensive therask this stranger if it’s the dog who’s apy and was doing better. Good. She neurotic, or the dog owner? Former could not, however, be left alone for Housesitter spared me by jumping more than a quick right in: “Don’t get grocery run. Figur- But how would I gin- me wrong,” he said. ing it was only for a gerly ask this strang- “Cheryl is a nice perweek while Cheryl Pixie is great.” er if it’s the dog who’s son; and her husband The chasm between cruised to Mexico, neurotic, or the dog the lines echoed I decided to hermit owner? loudly. with Pixie and start Since I would be my next chapter. spending the week with the “great” After all, I hardly had left the Cardog and not the “nice” dog owner, son McCullers house in Columbus, I agreed to this housesit in Februpreferring to hunker down and write. ary and started arranging my travel Even in urbane Decatur, I spent many schedule around Cheryl’s. Then the housebound days writing with Bebe, e-mails started. First it was web sites a sleek grey cat who lobbied for an featuring photos of the chow, writauthor’s credit by regularly saunten in first-person from Pixie’s pertering across my keyboard before spective. (No offense, but Pixie needs settling into my lap. I figured Pixie to keep her day job.) Then an e-mail would be a blessing by forcing me to titled “Gorgeous week here in NM” LEAVE the house twice a day for our with a photo attached – I assumed it walks. was of a glorious sunset or of a dashCheryl was flatteringly insistent ing roadrunner. Instead, it was an that I accept this housesit, and it indoor close-up of Cheryl and Pixie. I
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El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
PUERTO VALLARTA ADS
now have more photos of that chow than I do of my own mother. And the questions. Cheryl wanted to know my height and was obsessed with my travel plans after I left her house. My height? Just how tall is this chow? Cheryl offered to have me spend the night with her and her husband after they returned home, so I could spend a “couple of hours debriefing” them. Debriefing them about their own house? Just how complicated is this house? My next housesit is in Buffalo in April, arranged around Cheryl’s schedule. Seems not many Albuquerquians want to fly to Buffalo (imagine that!), so flights are limited. I found a flight that left ABQ 4 hours before Cheryl’s flight landed. It was an ancillary bonus that I wouldn’t have to spend the night with this controlling woman. Now, you have to remember that I was not being paid to care for this dog. Knowing she’d want Pixie watched for those few hours, I emailed her before I purchased my plane ticket. That’s when I learned the depth of the dog owner’s separation anxiety. The frantic, panicked tone of her voicemail made me want to jump through a plate glass window. She told me she had lined up a girlfriend who was charging her to sit in her living room and watch her dog for 6 hours. Stephanie would come an hour before I was to leave so I could “debrief” Stephanie. Cheryl then shifted the conversation to when we would “debrief.” “Well, we can’t speak when you’re in the air,” she said in that breathy, saccharine voice, “Perhaps when you’re between flights on your way to Buffalo?” “How about the next morning?” I ventured. “Oh, yes, well let’s see. But then you’ll be 2 hours ahead of us. Oh,” I could hear her hands wringing, “oh, we’ll just have to find a time.” Suddenly she got even more tense. “Oh, now I have to figure out when you and Stephanie can meet before we leave.” It wasn’t a total surprise when Cheryl called me two days before my arrival to sing-song that I was “free” and didn’t need to show up. Without a regard to my schedule, or anyone else’s that had been arranged around hers, and without even an apology, Cheryl was downright gleeful that she was stranding me with this eleventh hour cancellation. After uttering a string of epithets that made everyone within earshot
suspect I’d suddenly contracted Tourette’s, I realized this was just another opportunity to find faith. I was being spared – or in Cheryl’s words “freed” – to allow something better to enter my life. I just needed to trust. Well, trust and a stiff drink. And chocolate. The next day my dear friend Janet offered an available bedroom in her ABQ house, presumably free from anxious chows, controlling bitches and beckoning plate glass windows. Life worked out. Still, I do secretly hope Cheryl’s ship sinks.
KELLY HAYES-RAITT was in Iraq prior to the US invasion and has also spent much time in Afghanistan--and has written articles about each experience that have been published in major magazines in the US. She spends much time in Mexico and is writing a book about her far-flung travels.
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SAN BLAS ADS
THE LAMENT
Literary Rejection Letters
By Gale Griffth
By David MacLaughlin
(I Can’t Catch Mosquitoes Anymore)
I
t never was a contest. From m the time I was a youngster, livgrasping snatch followed immediately ing the country life every sumby a tight-fisted move to the leg where mer at our cottage, the mosquitoes I promptly flapped my hand against in my native Canada didn’t stand a my thigh. chance! Mosquito rendered dead! I was energetic, My second methswift and accurate Could it be that the od of mosquito murand I practiced two mosquitoes in Mexico, der was much less methods of attack. dramatic. It simply My favorite meth- my chosen country of consisted of a flatod was, indeed, a feat! retirement, are faster palmed, serious slap As a mosquito preas the blood-thirsty pared to dive onto my than those in Canada? little critter attempted vulnerable bare skin ---be it a sockless to pierce my epidermis with it’s hypoankle between shoe and jeans, or my dermic needle. It never even saw me swimsuit-clad torso--- I aborted it’s coming! approach in mid-air with a reaching, For decades I was well-practiced and rarely missed my mark... But, alas, a new day has dawned. Could it be that the mosquitoes in Mexico, my chosen country of retirement, are faster than those in Canada? In protection of my wounded ego, I try to tell myself that they are... but deep down I begrudgingly have to agree with myself that perhaps, just perhaps, it is actually a matter of my slower, ageaffected reflexes. These Mexican mosquitoes elude my efforts to the point of exasperation! How could a skill, so perfected, reverse itself so pitifully? And, as if to add insult to injury, when there happens along a mosquito so thirsty that it is too weak to move quickly and my reflexes DO manage to encapsulate it, woe is me again! Palms that were once flat are now concave in shape, offering perfect flight freedom to an escape route between arthriticbent fingers that no longer close tightly to make a fist. I can’t catch mosquitoes anymore! And they call it the “Golden Age”??
GALE GRIFFTH is a proud Canadian. Two career paths through McGill University. Two husbands. Two children. Two grandchildren. And now two countries. Life is just TOO wonderful!!
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El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
D
ear Mr. Hemingway, I am sorry but we are going to have to pass on your story, The Old Man and the Sea. Though it was tersely written, it just doesn’t fit our catalog at this time. Mr. Hemingway, may I make a few suggestions. I was a little confused on the length of the piece. It was too long for a short story and too short for a novel. In the story you have the old man catch a Marlin. Sir, did you know that the Marlin is an endangered fish and has a very high level of Mercury? Might I suggest he catch a Grouper or maybe a large Catfish. Let me get this straight, this “old man” fights a 2000 pound fish for days on end, using only his bare bloody hands? Perhaps a tad too macho for our tastes. Sir, as you may not know most of the readers nowadays are women and your story has no love interest. Women readers are not interested in an old man smelling of sardine bait. Perhaps if the old man could run into an old woman while fishing and land the big one, if you know what I mean, the story might work better. But don’t make the old man too old. Women readers will accept a man no older than 50 in any romantic fantasy. Plus, you made the old fisherman a Cuban. Do you know we’ve had a successful embargo against Cuba since 1961 and, well, can you think of another Caribbean nationality? In the story you mentioned Joe DiMaggio and the Cleveland Indians. Since Simon and Garfunkel used jilting Joe in one of their songs maybe another player might be a better pick. As for the Cleveland Indians, they haven’t won the pennant since…actually, I don’t know when. The fight with the sharks to rob him of his big fish was quite dramatic, but
in the end “fighting the good fight” is just not enough for the modern reader. I wish you luck in any further endeavor Mr. Hemingway. Dear James, Thank you for letting us read Ulysses, but we are going to pass on the book. It’s too outside our catalog. If I may make some useful comments that may help you in any further submissions----The title Ulysses makes no sense. The book has nothing to do with Greece or anything Greek; it is about a day in the life of Irishmen and women in Dublin plus an Irish Jew named Bloom. We found the book too subtle and confusing for the modern reader…And perhaps too literate----Note: Mr. Joyce, not everyone is fluent in Latin and Greek. Your early childhood Jesuit schooling is showing. (BTW, starting off the novel with the adverb “Stately” is not a good opening.) Understand, the average reader nowadays has been dumbed down by political correctness, the plethora of mundane murder mysteries, romance vampire sagas and wizard children’s school. Furthermore, the Irish characters in the novel were just too smart and there was not one donnybrook in the whole novel. The modern reader comes to accept the Irish as people who can sing, fight, drink and maybe spout a line of poetry, but little else. And it is embarrassing to mention, the last 23 pages of the novel were without a comma, semicolon or any punctuation. What was that all about Mr. Joyce? Some modern hip-hop way of prose?
GUADALAJARA / TLAQUEPAQUE ADS
dren and elders supported by our maids and gardeners who could have better health and nutrition if each of us decided to increase amount we pay our devoted servants. I sometimes hear expats exclaim, “Don’t break the system!” when I leave a generous tip at a restaurant. Yes, the system is broken – in our favor. Many of us can, and should, do more, if only out of self-interest. The poorer the Mexicans around us are, the less safe we’ll be in our various communities. (*Maria is not her real name, but the
Our O ur M Mexican exic can H Help elp p By Barbara Hildt
O
ur speaking little Spanish can limit the conversations we have with the Mexicans who help us maintain our houses and gardens. We manage to point out the things that need cleaning and repair. We may ask “Como estas?” and say “Gracias” when they leave our homes to return to their families or go to another job. Sometimes we interrupt their work to have brief conversations about the weather or other topics. It’s a chance to practice our Spanish and to see if we can understand these Mexicans. When I ask Maria* how she and other members of her family are, I do so with hesitation and some trepidation. Do I really want to know that her kidneys are diseased and may be failing? Then we start to worry about what would happen to her three surviving children if her kidneys do fail some day. (She already lost three babies.) Do I want to hear that her diabetic mother with asthma has to work for 30 pesos an hour because her husband can´t find work? Do I want to be reminded that her 9 year old daughter has asthma, like her mother and grandmother and some days the child can hardly breathe because there’s no money to buy an inhaler and so she must miss school again. I won´t go on to tell about the many other challenges of this hard working, unhealthy Mexican woman and her family of five who all sleep in one room in the town’s poorest neighborhood. I don´t want to give the impression that Maria complains about her life. The truth is she never even tells me about her hardships unless I ask how things are. And after she confesses that her youngest, born with cerebral palsy, has other problems too, she laughs as if to say, “I need to laugh so I won´t cry and I can keep doing whatever I can do for my kids.” We wonder how Maria keeps her resilience and positive attitude. We have come to love and care about Maria and family. And so we give her extra money when she hasn´t enough to buy the medicine she and her kids occasionally need. I know that many expats living here in
conditions of her life are all too factual.)
BARBARA HILDT served in Peace Corps Brazil. She was elected to serve five terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Late in 2009, she retired to Mexico with her husband Allan MacGregor.
Mexico o ccassio cc iona nalllyy g gi ivee ttheir heir m heir aiids aid ds and nd occasionally give maids gardeners items they no longer need, and extra money for special needs. Some pay the school fees and buy uniforms for children who otherwise wouldn´t be able to attend school. All charity is good and appreciated. But is it enough? Do we pay our domestic help less than we should? Less than we can really afford to pay just because so many Mexicans are poor and willing to work for so little? Perhaps we can´t do much about the large number of families living in poverty. But imagine all the chil-
All charity is good and appreciated. But is it enough?
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MANZANILLO, SAN PANCHO ADS
THE UNITED STATES LONGEST WAR By Mel Goldberg
I
had always heard that despite the United States’ embargo, Cuba’s health care system was a model for developing countries, with more well-trained physicians per capita than the United States. Cuban doctors were in demand because of their expertise in public health. So I was surprised
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El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
on a recent visit to Havana to see virtually empty shelves at a farmacia, so unlike the farmacias here in Mexico. Some antibiotics were available, but not the medicine I use, readily accessible here. The cause for the scarcity of medicine, in large part, has been the United States’ embargo of Cuba, an embargo that might properly be called Washington’s longest war spanning over fifty years under ten American presidents. Since 1962, the United States has waged a cruel war against Cuba’s people using the crushing force of its power and embargo. After the failed Bay of Pigs invasion (1961), the successful Cuban Missile Blockade (1962), and the unsuccessful Operation Mongoose to “help Cuba overthrow the Communist regime” (1962), American military leaders urged President Kennedy to conduct an air and sea invasion. Kennedy and all eight presidents since opted for a strangling embargo as the best way topple Fidel Castro without precipitating World War III. Acting like a petulant bully who didn’t win, Washington resorted to figuratively kicking his opponent’s cat. Unable to eliminate a communist dictator only ninety miles from Miami, and because Castro symbolically gave them the finger, the United States has inflicted pain and suffering on the Cuban people. Other dictators, no matter how brutal, were tolerated as long as they had things Washington needed and were on the other side of the globe or the equator. The world has condemned the
MANZANILLO ADS
United States’ arrogance. For the courts. past seventeen years the United NaThis loss of suppliers restricts detions 192-member General Assembly livery of critical laboratory products, has voted overwhelmingly to conradiology equipment, operating demn The United States’ economic, tables, and surgery equipment. The commercial and financial embargo production of vaccines within Cuba against Cuba. Last year the vote was is further hampered by the frequent 185-3. lack of spare parts and of essential What has the embargo accomcomponents that must be imported, plished? One painful result of the shortages that make it difficult to embargo is that today, many types treat breast cancer, heart or kidney of goods are unavailable, making life diseases, or HIV. difficult for the Cuban people. The The embargo also contradicts huU.S. embargo against Cuba is one of man rights, which the people in the the few that includes both food and United States desire for themselves medicine, obstructand claim to desire ing the Cuban gov- The cause for the scar- for the rest of the ernment’s ability to city of medicine, in world. supply inexpensive The unilateral or free food to nurs- large part, has been sanctions violate eries, schools, hos- the United States’ em- both the spirit and pitals, and homes letter of the United for the elderly. The bargo of Cuba. Nations Charter and current global ecothe fundamentals nomic problems and Cuba’s limited of international law. This embargo finances, coupled with the disapcauses unjustified suffering for milpearance of aid from the former Solions of guiltless Cubans whose only viet Union have effectively crippled goal is to live a decent, productive progress. life. Several Cubans told me the hisIn the past fifteen years, Cuba’s torical and childish animosity bemodel health care system has between Fidel Castro and Washington come threatened by these serious will not end until Fidel dies. But why shortages of food and pharmaceutiwait? It is time for this embargo, this cal products. The intended or uninwar against innocent Cuban people, tended effect has been on the health to end. and nutrition of the most vulnerable Bev: http://www.bevkephart.com citizens - women, children, and the and Mel: www.authormelgoldberg. elderly - who rely on access to Cuba’s com free health care. And as if the embargo were not enough, Washington effectively MEL GOLDBERG prohibits foreign subsidiaries of earned an MA in English, U.S. companies from trading with then taught literature Cuba, a sanction that blocks access and writing in the United to medical supplies, forcing Cuban States and the United Kingdom. His physicians to face a lack of critical book of poetry and photography, medicines, diagnostic tools, and The Cyclic Path, was published in vaccines that had previously been 1990. He published a novel, Choicavailable. Non-U.S. companies have es, (2003) and a book of detective been threatened with lawsuits in U.S. short stories, A Cold Killing, (2010).
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GUADALAJARA / AJIJIC ADS
By Victoria Schmidt idt dt Things that crawl wl wl
W
h i l e co cont contemplatntem empl p l at pl atatmove to to i n g ourr move enti en tiire e ccan an o an R Raid aid id.. Ou Ourr m entire off Ra Raid. maid ne e Mexico, there was one had to ha t clean clean lean out outt the the he dead dea ead carhad thing that gave both my husband cass ca sses ss es. To this es this his day, hi day, I always day alw lway a exay casses. and I pause. It wasn’t the “violence,” e th the e sh show ower er fl flo oor b amine shower oor before I or learning the language… it was s!! remove my glasses! things that crawl. ned about That’s when we learned OK, grin if you will, but we’re the essential weapon: drain covfrom Minnesota. Land of 10,000 ers. Other well-meaning ex-pats Lakes, and maybe two “dangerous” warned us not to go barefoot, not bugs: mosquitos that may carry disto leave our shoes on the floor, not eases, and ticks. And while there are to allow our bed sheets and blansalamanders, they are harmless, and kets to touch the floor, names of fupoisonous snakes are rare. And Minmigators, and household products nesota has four seasons. Nothing for pest control, and, of course, the grows very large because of winter number for Cruz Roja. kill, so even cockroaches are downWe still fear the dreaded scorright tiny. pion. Of course, we’ve since learned Mexico has bugs! Big bugs! Danthat people actually survive scorgerous bugs. How were we going to pion stings. We’ve learned where handle living with scorpions live; hide, black widows, scor- Of course, we’ve since and we learned to pions and brown learned that people be cautious. But we recluse spiders? We also learned actually survive scor- have pictured them evthat no matter how pion stings. erywhere. cautious we are, Two weeks after there may come a moving to Mexico we had our first time when we may fall victim…but encounter. It was not pretty. The until then, we remain vigilant. house we were renting required us We recently moved to a new to access our bathroom by exiting home, and while in the bathroom, the house, and entering the bathagain without my glasses, I saw room from the patio. (Mexican arsomething I couldn’t quite identify. I chitecture is an entirely different asked my husband to take a look. He column.) One night after a hard walked into our shower, and viciousrain, I decided to take a hot showly stomped a scorpion to death. No er to relax and allow myself some drain cover. He went right out and sleep. Prepared, I removed my glassbought covers for all our drains. My es as I opened the sliding shower knight in shining armor hates these door. I was about to step inside things as much as I do! when I thought I saw something moving. I stopped with my foot in the air, slowly stepped backward and shut the door. With my glasses on, I cautiously re-opened the door and saw that the entire shower stall floor was a moving mass of bugs… VICTORIA SCHMIDT was cockroaches, crickets, scorpions and a systems supervisor for more. several documentary film I closed the door. I did not companies. She and her scream. I did wake my husband tellhusband Tom moved to Mexico ing him there was a bug problem from the Mid-West a few years in the bathroom. He went in, and I ago. She has contributed several heard him yell “Holy S*&!” He elimiarticles to technical magazines in nated the problem along with an the US.
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El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
LA MANZANILLA, MELAQUE ADS
EXCUSES, EXCUSES . . . By William Haydon
“
T
he folly of mistaking a paradox for a discovery, a metaphor for a proof, a torrent of verbiage for a spring of capital truths, and oneself for an oracle, is inborn in us.” The above quote, from Paul Valery, has always been one of my favorites because it sounds so much like a custom tailored description of me, particularly in my younger years but most assuredly still to this day. I guess what I am trying to say is, I can be pretty full of myself, not to mention flaky and self-aggrandizing. My last article promised a followup story on local archaeology. That promise proved to be far and away the most popular thing I have ever written for this fine magazine, as evidenced by the fact that it generated double the volume of emails I normally receive. To the authors of both of those two emails, Seth and Marilyn, as well as to anyone else wondering, I want to say that the piece I promised is indeed forthcoming, but not today. You see, since I really feel it is essential to provide pictures to accompany my story on the ruins at Chacalilla, I finally broke down and joined the modern world by purchasing a digital camera online. To save on shipping costs, I had it delivered, along with some other books and DVDs I had purchased online, to my friend´s California address, where he combined the items into a single box and sent it off to me here in San Blas. Now, my friend is a nice guy and, wanting to surprise me, he bought a pound of my favorite Peet´s coffee beans to include in the package. Many of you may already know what he subsequently discovered: you cannot ship coffee to Mexico, and thus the package, which made it as far as Guadalajara, was sent back to my friend. All of that has transpired over the course of the past couple of months. At present, the box is being re-
packed by my friend, sans coffee, of course, and will be re-sent shortly. Those familiar with the Mexican postal service know that this means it could arrive as quickly as two weeks from now, or perhaps not for a couple of months... But fear not, the camera, and the story it will photograph, will indeed arrive sooner or later. My methods may be clumsy, my efforts occasionally half-assed, and my promises often have asterisks attached to them, but I like to think that my saving grace is that my intentions are always good. I am reminded of another favorite quote of mine. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” I suppose if that´s true I am in for a rather smooth ride.
I finally broke down and joined the modern world by purchasing a digital camera online.
WILLIAM HAYDON says he is another disgruntled American seeking solace south of the border. He has lived in Europe, worked in Hollywood, and now resides in the pleasantly funky village of San Blas with his two cats.
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LA MANZANILLA, PUERTO VALLARTA ADS
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El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
GUADALAJARA ADS
Joyful Musings
and your life. Don’t let the thieves continue to steal your peace of mind long after they’re gone.
By Joy Birnbach Dunstan, MA, LPC, MAC
Stolen Goods
JOY DUNSTAN is a fully-accredited therapist. She and her husband Terry have lived in Mexico for many years. joy@dunstan.org
I
was really looking forward to vacation and finally it was time. Got up at 3:30 am for an early flight and arrived in Portland ten hours later, tired but glad to be there. Within 15 minutes, the gladbubble burst as we received a phone parity among us. You may not have call from the housesitter letting us much by U.S. or Canadian standards, know our house had been burgled. but you may look wealthy to the avIn shock and disbelief, we booked erage burglar. my husband on the first flight back It’s important to do all you can to Mexico to deal with this unexpectto prevent a home intrusion. Assess ed catastrophe. What a horrid way to your property for any vulnerable begin a vacation! points of entry and enhance secuBurglary is an ugly, unwelcome rity wherever possible. Good locks fact of life. Not just in Mexico (alare important, and you may want to though it certainly seems more freuse them even when you’re at home quent here), but wherever you may to avert any unwanted surprises. Do live. This recent burglary brought what you can, and then let go of worback a flood of all the awful feelings ry. Worry is not a security enhancefrom when we were burgled in Orment, and it spoils your enjoyment egon more than 20 years ago. of every day. Shock is an almost universal reacAnd if the worst should happen, tion to a home in- Do what you can, and how do you cope? vasion. Anger, fear, First thing to do is guilt, and worry are then let go of worry. report it to the aualso common feel- Worry is not a security thorities. Even if they ings. don’t do anything to The sense of se- enhancement, and it recover your propcurity in what we spoils your enjoyment erty, it’s important believed to be our to let the powersof every day. safe, private space that-be know that is often a greater crime is really haploss than the material goods that pening and needs to be addressed. were taken. Studies have shown that Don’t be too dismayed at how little many victims continue to suffer from they do beyond paperwork. Even afsymptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, ter our burglary in Oregon, the police or nightmares long after the actual informed us they take a report but event. rarely do any follow-up because they After our first burglary, I carefully just don’t have the time. If you have scanned the house upon my return insurance, a police report is required from every outing. If anything looked to file a claim. out of place, I felt panicky until I careGet any damaged locks or entries fully checked for anything missing. It repaired or replaced immediately. took a long time for that anxiety to Clean up and return things to their pass. usual places to restore a sense of orMany people dismiss the likeder and control in your home. Do anlihood of being broken into with other assessment of any additional thinking such as, “I don’t have anysecurity measures you can take to thing worth stealing anyway.” A prevent a re-occurrence. burglar can’t tell how much or how If you are haunted by fears and little there is from the outside. What’s anxiety for a lengthy time, seek help more, in an ex-pat community in to cope with these feelings so you Mexico, there is great financial discan get back to enjoying your home
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The Lessons I’ve Learned From Dogs By Danny Dominguez CARS FOR SALE: 2007 GMC flagship SUV. BlueBook value $20,500.00. The luxury extended version. 4x4/ AWD, 9000 lb Tow Package, 17 inch tires and wheels, full leather interior with dual ac, premium sound system. All service is up to date and done by US dealer. Has US documents and plates, Mexico and US insurance, plus clear transferable title in hand. Can be seen in Lake Chapala area by appointment. FOR SALE: Classic Cadillac in running condition, but need some work to make it perfect. See it in Conchas Chinas 1 blk. up from highway, at 1st entrance. Priced at only 6500 pesos. FOR SALE: 1982 Suburban with a 6.2 Diesel engine. Engine and Transmission very good condition. Car needs body work. Asking 20000 pesos or best offer. Up 1 blk. from highway at 1st entrance to Conchas Chinas. Call Frank at, 221-5316 o, Cell (322)133-8984 For Sale: Excellent Convertible. Imported, Mexican plates, insurance paid for 2011, taxes and importation paid until 2010. Motor 2.5 ltrs, working great. new tires, new shock, magnesium rims, $35,000 pesos, for appointment call Luis at cell 33-11136192 For Sale: or trade 1999 Chevy van and 6X12 enclosed trailer. California Title. 42000 original miles $6000.00 US for both or will trade for a Jeep or Jeep type vehicle email: mlhwarior@yahoo.com
GENERAL MERCHANDISE For Sale: Ryobi tool kit 18 volt complete with drill, sawzall, lantern, circular saw and charge. Extra battery included $2,400 pesos, contact Pete @ 333 490-5812 For Sale: Metal detector with headphones $3,400 pesos, contact Pete @333-490-5812 For Sale: Compressor, 100 psi portable and compact with air chuck; $1,000 pesos, contact Pete @333490-5812 For Sale: Floor jack 4500 lbs perfect condition, $850 pesos, contact Pete @ 333-490-5812 For Sale: Portable Massage Table with face cradle, carrying case. $2000 pesos, e-mail: spaldinghi@ hotmail.com For Sale: A Morgan Brand that holds 4 people, 5 years old, but never used, wooden frame, pump has been checked and is in mint condition,
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$15,000 nmp, call (376) 766-4086 For Sale: Philosophical Books: Gurdjieff + Ouspensky; Helena Blavatsky; Ernest Holmes, etc, call Lucky Dave at cell 331-012-3396 For Sale: Restaurant equipment: cooking stoves, refrigeration, vent system, pots, pans, etc, call Lucky Dave at cell 331-012-3396 For Sale: Casio Portable electric organ w/hard case and collapsible stand, 12v/120v adaptor synthesized instruments, back up rythms, digital recorder, earphone jack allows for privacy. Very lightly used, new condition $2500 pesos. No e-mail, please call Lee Borden at cell 333-496-5883 For Sale: Bar Style Table. Round 30” diameter laminated top on 42” high metal pedestal base. Includes 3 tall, wooden, swivels stools w/back rests and brass foot rails. Excellent conditions $3500 pesos. No e-mail, please call Lee Borden at (045) 333496-5883 For Sale: Tracker Tundra 20 Boat, 280,000.00 or 25,000.00 USD. Really nice boat, 20ft long, capacity up to 9 people, GPS fishfinder email with any questions! e-mail: juliana109@hotmail.com
COLLECTABLES For Sale: Box cameras (early 1900s), the very first Polaroid Model 95 (1948), German Finetta 1950 35mm, Eumig C3 Austrian 1959 3-lens turret 8mm with case & instruction manual, email: justmeinmexico@hotmail.com For Sale: Incredible collection of 750 different Mexican stamps, all pictorial, all mint and never hinged. Only $200, call James Tipton, (376) 765-7689. For Sale: Harley Davidson touch lamp, new in box $400 pesos. No email, please call Lee Borden at Cell 333-496-5883 For Sale: Motorcycle 2009 Dinamo Custom 150cc like new. Less than 3000 km, never wrecked. All taxes paid. Includes two helmets. $21,000 pesos. Check out at www. dinamotos.com for specs and pictures. Call: (376) 766-1757
HOUSING ROOMS FOR RENT: 2 Rooms in the famous home of the French Ambassador. Suitable for up to 3 people. All services included, wi-fi, large pool and patios and living areas 3,500 to 4000 pesos /month Call Frank at 221-5316 or cell (322)133-8984. Price$ 3,500.00 Pesos.
El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
M
y love for dogs began my father told me a story about his with the first one I own dog. My dad was raised on a ever owned: a Scotsmall farm in Kansas, and on the tie named Skippy. He never grew day he enlisted to go off and fight very big, but for years he was our in the killing fields of France, his neighborhood’s canine champ. Yet old sheepdog had whined as they Skippy won most of his fights bewalked together to the railroad stafore they ever started—usually by tion. Back in those days, the train employing a sound as ominous as came through the town only every the hiss of a rattlesnake. Later, as a Sunday morning, its steam whisrather small-sized kid, I would use tle invariably heralding its arrival. the same effect with some success. Good Sam (as the dog was aptly Another thing I learned from named) could always tell when the Skippy was that stamina often train was coming, and for the next counts for more than strength. two years he shuffled up to the staOn those rare occasions when he tion every Sunday morning. Finally, could not bluff his Skippy must have had so old and lame he way out of a battle, could barely walk, he would set out some Tarahumara In- there he was, every running, with the dian blood in him, be- week, watching as other dog in torthe passengers disrid pursuit. Skippy cause he could run for embarked. When must have had what seemed hours. my father finally some Tarahumareturned home ra Indian blood in him, because from the war, the dog went limphe could run for what seemed ing forward, and moments later, hours; and always when he finally having hung on just long enough stopped, he could make a true beto see him once more, Good Sam liever out of his exhausted adverdied in the arms of his master. sary. Throughout my early years, I I still remember the look in my employed the same routine, and— father’s eyes when after finishing at the risk of sounding immodthe story, he told me that in all the est—utilizing the “Skippy System,” world there is nothing so steadfast I rarely lost a fight. as the love and loyalty of a good Skippy taught me another valudog. Today, more than a half-cenable lesson. When my brother and tury later, I have yet to experience I were in grade school, the dog anything that has caused me to would always meet us on the road doubt my father’s words. Moreas we were coming home—and over, I suspect that many of the exthe moment we saw him, we could pats here in Mexico would agree tell from the look on his face what with me. mood our hot-tempered Mexican mother was in that afternoon. It was as if Skippy was signaling us to stall around for a while, so as to allow the Señora time to cool off. He was our own Early Warning System, and whenever we failed DANNY DOMINGUEZ to heed his wise counsel, we usuis a former screenwriter ally paid a blistering price for our and lawyer who has stupidity. Moral: Authority figures, lived for several years in like pies, should always be allowed San Luis Potosi, where he spends time to cool off. much of his time giving free legal While I was still in grade school, advice to ex-pats.
SANDWICH INSECURITY By Bernie Suttle
I
t was 1939 and I was going to start grade school where, as my mother said, “You will learn something new everyday, and meet many nice children, just like you.” The first part was OK but I didn’t know about the second part because I was sure there was no one like me and I wasn’t interested in finding out I wasn’t the center of the universe. I’m not going to tell you all about my impressions of going to school. I’ll tell you that later. But I will tell you about one part that made me begin to doubt my superiority and invincibility; that was lunchtime. Forty or so of us would gather each noon under the big, oak tree at the picnic tables assigned for our class, outside, of course because this was the eternal springtime that was California. Under the guiding eye of our teacher we would uniformly wait with our lunch boxes in front of us until given the word to open them up and eat. It was around this time and place that I began to have doubts about myself, my family and my mother, all caused by my lunch and my lunch box. The first thing that caused my insecurity was the shape and configuration of my lunch box. Mine was truly boxshaped like three books piled on top of one another, in color not masculine black or dark forest brown but light, wimpy, urine green like the ones girls had and not like the ones our fathers had. Fathers’ boxes were rounded on top so that a thermos bottle could be smartly snapped in place. My lunchbox let the thermos role around freely, smashing sandwiches into paste. Those with the manly boxes were smug in their superior equipment. Sometime during the first week of school, when removing my thermos from the box, I heard sounds similar to the tinkling of an off-key music box. It’s beyond me, but every year I’d end up with a defective thermos and no matter how carefully I handled it, it would break. Then at home I’d get yelled at and told I wasn’t careful like my sister and that I wouldn’t get to have a thermos until next year when I was older
and more responsible. I would thank God that I was free of the thermos and milk mustaches for the rest of the year. Then there was “trading or swapping,” mostly instigated by girls, where there was an exchange of items between lunch boxes, usually with much giggling: fruit for cookies, carrot sticks for a cupcake, a sandwich for a fried drumstick. This scared me. I knew that if I ever traded even one thing from my box and my mother found out (and she would) her blue eyes would tear up and then I’d probably have to go to confession. The food erudition of my mother and the economic straits of our family saved me from this. My lunch had two sandwiches
Her sympathetic blue eyes move continually between my eyes and my hand holding the notable sandwich. made of brown bread (good for me) and home made strawberry jam. The jam would bleed through the bread and the strawberries, squeezed out with every bite, would try to escape by sliding out the edges of the bread. I’d end up with dark, red, sticky fingers, palms and wrists, not a tactile delight. Two of these sandwich globs were put in a singular, brown Helm’s bread wrapper and placed in my box at the peril of my tinkling, rolling thermos. Others had individually wrapped sandwiches, with crispy lettuce leaves, roast beef, cheese or ham slices between virginal snow white bread with all hint of crust removed. One day, when unwrapping my sandwich glob, Jerry Bride, wrinkling his nose and staring at my sandwich asked, “What kind of funny bread is that?” “It’s Healthy, Helms Brown Bread. It’s good for me.” “It looks like fur. Do you have to eat it?”
You can see why I never got into “lunch swapping.” Sometimes in life we don’t know something is really over, done with, until there is an outstanding event that makes the finish totally clear. This happened to me one day when I was seated across from a girl. We were eating our lunches under the big Oak tree. I don’t recall the subject but it was a serious conversation. It was for me at least because I didn’t usually have anyone, let alone a girl eating lunch with me. I guess the word was out that I was the boy who was eating fur sandwiches with blood dripping from his fingers. Her sympathetic blue eyes move continually between my eyes and my hand holding the notable sandwich. Suddenly her eyes swung to the left side of my head where, simultaneously, I felt a splattering impact that began to slide down my head just in front of my left ear. I reacted by putting my hand there. Big mistake. I then knew I was the unwitting recipient of the deposit from a bird. Inexperienced with such an incident and wanting to be “cool” I asked if she had a napkin I could use. She didn’t scream in horror or break out in derisive laughter, but handed me a paper napkin from her lunch box; then she excused herself and moved to another table. I knew then for sure I’d never be able to expect to trade lunches with anyone. All were aware of not only what was in my lunch box but also what had been on my head.
BERNIE SUTTLE is a retired management consultant, who with his wife, Joan, divides his time living in Shell Beach, California and Ajijic, Jal. He enjoys writing tales using his reflections on this wonderful life.
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International Friendship Club
PUERTO VALLARTA
President’s Message IFC and Beyond Vallarta Tours; a good fit! Three years ago, through our member Ira Horowitz, I was introduced to Jeana Dunphy. Jeana was looking into starting a new venture and she had elected to do it in Puerto Vallarta. Jeana has an interesting and varied background. She was a ballet dancer with the San Francisco Ballet company, later founded a ballet studio she directed for 25 years. During those years she indulged her other passion and travelled the world. When Jeana decided that it was time to make a change, she chose to work as a tour director. She worked with different U.S. tour companies including Colette Vacations and Holland America. When she decided that she would enjoy setting down some roots, she opted for Puerto Vallarta as her winter paradise. Being an active person Jeana decided to use her skills and experience in Mexico travel. Jeana has lead tours in Mexico for over 13 years including 21 tours into Copper Canyon. She saw that she could use her skills to help Puerto Vallarta residents, short or long term, discover the beautiful sites of Mexico beyond Vallarta. She also felt that if she was going to operate a business here she wanted to give back to the community and that the International Friendship Club could be a good fit. She was right; Ms. Dunphy and The International Friendship Club have enjoyed a great and growing relationship through the years. In the name of IFC I wish to thank her for donations that have helped us to continue our charity work for the community of Puerto Vallarta and its surrounding areas.
Monte-Alban-Mexico
It is therefore with great pleasure that I would like to introduce her new season program. I invite you to visit our website: ifcvallarta.com for details of the beautiful sites that Beyond Vallarta Tours has to offer. You may reach Jeana at: beyondvallarta@live.com With the new season fast upon us making our winter plans is always part of enjoying our summer where ever we may be and make our escape dreams a reality. As usual the International Friendship Club is planning a great season for you; hope to see you all very soon. Mandy MacLeay IFC President
Oaxacan-creature
Cleft Palate Surgery Program Update The IFC was once again able to sponsor the Cleft Palate surgeries at the Regional Hospital after our May program was delayed. The surgeries took place on August 3-4 with Dr. Ezequiel Fuentes and staff coming from Guadalajara. The next surgery dates will be in October.
Home Tours Mark your calendars for November 16, 2011! Once again the IFC will be hosting their famous Home Tours every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the season. New this year, you will be able to reserve and pay for your Home Tours online form our website www.ifcvallarta.com. More on this next month.
Oaxaca
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El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
Service
THE OJO CROSSWORD
DIRECTORY ART GALLERIES - THE AJIJIC ART HOUSE Tel: (376) 765-5097
MEDICAL SERVICES Pag: 18
AUTOMOTIVE - MOBILE DIAGNOSTIC & REPAIR SERVICE Cell: 333-506-7879 Pag: 18
Pag: 20 Pag: 08
MOVERS - BALDERAS Tel: 01 (33) 3810-4859 - SEYMI Tel: 01 (33) 3603-0000, 3603-0256
BANK INVESTMENT - ACTINVER Tel. 01-800-705-5555 - BBVA BANCOMER Tel. 01-800-2282-728
- ARTHRITIS Tel: 315-351-7295 - HOSPITAL ANGELES DEL CARMEN Tel: 01 (33) 3813-0042
Pag: 07 Pag: 21
Pag: 27
NOTARY Pag: 02 - NOTARIA 1 - Raúl Gordillo Tel: (314) 332-1611
BOUTIQUE
Pag: 17
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE
- LA BOHEMIA Tel: (322) 222-3164 - BUMERANG Tel: (322) 127-5555
Pag: 05 Pag: 12
COMMUNICATIONS - MAILBOXES, ETC. Tel: (322) 224-9434
Pag: 08
- ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION Arq. Juan Jose Rodriguez Tel: (322) 225-8248 Pag: 13 - WBT D.F. 01(55) 1090 2821 Mty. 01(81) 8400 4999 Pag: 03
DENTIST - PATY ASCENCIO D.D.S. Tel: (669) 668-0548 Pag: 10 - SMILES AT VALLARTA-Dr. Alberto Hernández Tel: 223 9648 Pag: 13
HOTELS / SUITES
- BARRAREALTY Tel: (315) 355-5748 - COLDWELL BANKER MANZANILLO Tel: (314) 334-2000 - FOR SALE BY OWNER Tel: (333) 899-2827 - INTER-MEX REALTY Cell: (044) 315-100-8869 - JEFF KLASSEN Mex Cell: 315-104-4951 - MAZATLAN PROPERTY GROUP Tel: 985-3065 - MEXICO PROPERTY RESOURCES Tel: (315) 351-7489, 108-3425 - RE/MAX - PERLA PACIFICO Tel: (314) 333-2904 - REENA EGGER Cell: (322) 173-8712 - VALLARTA ESCAPES Tel: (322) 297-0139
Pag: 11 Pag: 16 Pag: 21 Pag: 19 Pag: 11 Pag: 10 Pag: 19 Pag: 03 Pag: 09 Pag: 13
RENTALS Pag: 16 Pag: 12 Pag: 10 Pag: 17 Pag: 12 Pag: 15 Pag: 13 Pag: 15
LAWYER - FLOWERS & FLOWERS LAW OFFICES Tel: (33) 3616 3749 Pag: 12
INTERIOR DESIGN - JAIMAH Tel: (322) 22 121 98, 333 791 0550, (329) 29 836 79, (314) 333 6700 Pag: 20
INSURANCE - PROTEXPLAN U.S. Toll Free 1-800-608-5743 Mexico Toll Free 01-800-681-6730
Pag: 07
REAL ESTATE
CONSTRUCTION/ARCHITECTS
- CIELO ROJO Tel: (311) 258-4155 - ESTANCIA SAN CARLOS Tel: (322) 222-6230 - HOTEL HACIENDA BLUE BAY Tel: 01-800-822-3099 - HOTELITO ESCONDIDO Tel: 01 33-3719-2395 - LA MISSIÓN Tel: (322) 222-7104, (322) 222-4822 - LA MANSION DEL SOL Tel: 01 800 715 9339 - LOS CUATRO VIENTOS Tel: (322) 222-0161 - QUINTA DON JOSE Tel: 01-800-700-2223
- MANZANILLOGURU.COM Nextel: (314) 12 03 974, ID 62*160932*2
- MANZANILLO VACATION RENTALS Tel: (314) 100-6773 - SANTANA RENTALS Cell: (315) 104-3283
Pag: 17 Pag: 16
RESTAURANTS/CAFES/BAR - CASA DELLA PIZZA Tel: (314) 333 6010 - BILLY BOB’S Tel: (323) 113-6732 EVAS BRICK HOUSE Tel: (329) 289-2238 - JOLANDAS Tel: (315) 351-5449 - JUANITOS Tel: (314) 333-1388 - ESCONDIDA SPORT BAR Tel: 222-1590 - MATEJAS Tel: (045) 322 147 6383
Pag: 17 Pag: 14 Pag: 09 Pag: 03 Pag: 03 Pag: 12 Pag: 05
SOLAR - ENESOL Tel: (01329) 298 0900
Pag: 09
ACROSS
DOWN
1 Rigid 6 Arabian 10 Swiss mountains 14 Globe 15 Taint 16 Injure 17 ‘love’ (Italian) 18 Musical repeat 19 Realm 20 Fellow 21 Horseback travelers 23 Peaked 24 Decorative needle case 26 Pasta 28 Mr.s 31 Domestic friends 32 Whiz 33 Frothy 36 Jacob’s son 40 Chomp 42 Airport abbr. 43 Not under 44 Shoshonean 45 Lawn grass 48 Roman three 49 Other __ 51 Lives in 53 3.26 light-years 56 Appeal 57 Freudian term 58 Completely 61 Sage 65 Charity 67 Opera solo 68 Singing parts 69 Dregs 70 Let 71 Blue-greens 72 Load 73 Join 74 Anesthetic
1 Plunder 2 Very large book 3 Flatten 4 High-pitched band instruments 5 Popular president’s initials 6 Computer code for character 7 Crucifix 8 Assistant 9 Smooth talk 10 Expression of surprise 11 Sensational 12 Hair care product brand 13 Old 21 Tactic 22 Drunkard 25 Sample 27 National capital 28 Speed 29 Reverberate 30 Ooze 31 Parent teacher groups 34 Billions of years 35 Pigpen 37 Diabolic 38 Bride’s headdress 39 Colored part of eye 41 Have your ___ about you 45 President ____ Taylor 46 Lazily 47 Wonder 50 Carve 52 Baby eagle 53 Rings, like bells 54 Metal tip on the end of a lance 55 Juliet’s boyfriend 56 Coat 59 Brand of sandwich cookie 60 Yoke 62 American state 63 Part to play 64 Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 66 South southwest 68 Dined
Pag: 18
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BARRA DE NAVIDAD COSTA ALEGRE ROTARY- Meetings: Wednesdays, 9:00 am, Cabo Blanco Hotel, www.costalegre-rotary.org. MANZANILLO MUJERES AMIGAS LUNCHEONS- Monthly throughout the year, first Wednesday of each month, El Caribe Restaurant, 1:00 pm. Contact: Candy King, 044-314-103-0406, candyk@coldwellbankerbienesraices.com THIRSTY THURSDAYS – MANZAMIGOS- Weekly throughout the year, to be announced each week – www.manzamigos.com, 6:00 pm. Contact: Gerry Szakacs, manzamigos@gmail.com, to join: Shime Dawson, collectors140@yahoo.com AMIGOS POR UN REFUGIO ANIMAL EN MANZANILLO AC – Monthly throughout the year, third Wednesday, Hotel Playa Santiago, 11:30 am. Contact Debi Teter 314-376-5974. ara.mzlo@yahoo.com. MAZATLAN AMERICAN LEGION- meet the 3rd Tues. 1pm at the Olas Atlas Steakhouse. Call Ed Cunningham, Commander, Tel. 136-0773, paradise1940@aol.com AMIGOS DE LOS ANIMALES- To report injured, abandoned domestic animals, adopt pets or to find information at Tel. 986-4235 FRIENDS OF MEXICO- 2nd Tues. 10am at the Vineyard Church on Camarón Sabalo north of the Panama Bakery in the Golden Zone. Social hour 9am. www.friendofmexicoac.org HANDS ACROSS THE BORDERS- Meetings 2nd Friday of the month 9am at The Vineyard for coffee or breakfast. MAZATLAN MEMBERSHIP LIBRARY-A non-profit with both English and Spanish titles. Summer hours Mon-Fri 10am to 2pm. Tel. 982-3036, mazlibrary@gmail.com NORTH ROTARY CLUB- Meets every Tues. night 8:30pm at El Cid clubhouse. CENTER ROTARY CLUB- Meets every Tues. at 8 am in the Agua Marina Hotel. WEST ROTARY CLUB- Meets every Thurs. night at 8:30pm at the Agua Marina Hotel. TRES ISLAS ORPHANAGE FUNDS- Serving Orfanatorio Mazatlán Salvation Army Home for Children, Father Tovar’s Home for Boys (Hogar San Pablo), Ciudad de los Niños, and FloreSer. One hundred percent of your donations tax deductible. Please visit www.orphanagefunds.org BOYS HOME (HOGAR SAN PABLO)- Paseo del Centenario #9 Centro, Tel. 982-3720 MAZATLAN ORPHANAGE- Zaragoza #227-A Centro Tel. 981-2214 President Cristina Peña de Herrera. SALVATION ARMY HOME FOR CHILDREN- Major Frizzell Tel. 980-7609 HOSPICE MAZATLAN- Sierra Rumorosa #33 Fracc. Lomas de Mazatlán, For Info: Lois Croly Cell: 669-5441. www.hospice-mazatlan-aip.org MELAQUE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS- Wednesday and Sunday 5 pm at San Patricio by The Sea Church. Contact Sharon 315-355-7203. PUERTO VALLARTA ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS- Meetings Monday to Friday at 8am and 8pm at #1712 Francisco Medina Ascencio in the Hotel Zone. AL ANON- Monday and Friday 6:30 pm step study Saturday 9am. 222-3906, 222-2521 EXPATS IN VALLARTA- July 9 and 22. Wine appetizer evenings. For locations and time check www.expatsinvallarta.com, NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS- Daily 5pm. 222-3906, 222-2521 CODA STEP SISTERS- Tuesday 6:30pm. 222-3906, 222-2521 NIC ANONYMOUS- Monday 9am. 222-3906, 222-2521 ARTS- a 12 step program for creative people, Tuesday 8pm more info Bill at 222-5711 LIONS CLUB- Wednesdays 9:30 pm, Madero #280, 322-222-0313 OVER EASTER ANONYMOUS- Tuesday 5pm. 222-3906, 222-2521 ROTARY CLUB PUERTO VALLARTA- Tuesdays, 9:00 pm, Outback Restaurant. ROTARY CLUB PITILLAL- Thursdays, 9:00 pm, Outback Restaurant. OLD TOWN FARMER’S MARKET- Saturdays 10-2, Pulpito 127. www.oldtownfm.com. Re-opening Nov. 5. NUEVO VALLARTA FRIENDS OF BILL W. Mon. Wed. Fri. 6pm Vallarta time. In Paradise Plaza upper level follow signage to US Consul, to ‘door with notice ‘Friends of Bill W” Contact Adriana (322)297-0064 ROTARY CLUB BAHIA DE BANDERAS- Wednesdays, 9:00 am, Villa del Palmar, Flamingos. LO DE MARCOS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS- 10am at Emiliano Zapata 37, contact Judy Te. (327)275-0328
English Church Services – Puerto Vallarta Assembly of God 1 de Junio #333, Col. El Calvario, Pitillal, 322-4163743 Sunday 10:30 AM –English translation Calvary Chapel Pablo Picasso/Diego Rivera #105 (beside La Playa store, just off Ascencio), 322-293-5455 Sunday 10:30 AM - English translation, and 6:30 PM – in English Wednesday 6:30 PM – in English (Bible Study) Centro Cristiano Nuevo Amanecer Sierra Aconagua #111 (next to Bancomer branch on Ascencio), 322-222-3330 Sunday 10:00 AM – English translation Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Emiliano Zapata #420, 322-209-0592 Sunday 8:00 AM and 12:00 Noon – in Spanish (translators avail.) Sunday 1:00 PM – in English (Sunday School) Worship in Paradise At Paradise Community Centre Sundays 10:00 am Pulpito 129, old town, www.worshipinparadise.org Christ Church by the Sea Blvd Fco. Medina 7936 (across from Airport) Sunday 10:00 am - In English www,christchurchbythesea.org, 322-209-0895 First Baptist Church Argentina #181 (corner Peru, 1 block north of Malecon), 322-222-1722 Sunday 9:45 AM – in English Iglesia Maria Reina de la Paz Albatros #270, Col. Marina Vallarta,322-209-1545 Sunday 11:00 AM - Bilingual Jehovah’s Witnesses Milan #271, Col. Versalles bthomson@prodigy.net.mx Saturday 4:00 pm and Monday 7:00 PM – in English Parroquia de la Santa Cruz Aguacate #233 (at Lazaro Cardenas), Old Town, 322-222-0989 Sunday 11:00 – part English Parroquia De Nuestra Señora De Guadalupe Miguel Hidalgo #370 (2 blocks E. of City Hall, corner of Independencia, Downtown) 322-222-1326 Saturday 5:00 PM – in English Sunday 10:00 AM – Bilingual
English Church Services – Mazatlan
RINCON DE GUAYABITOS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS- Monday and Friday 4pm at Peñamar Hotel. ROTARY CLUB MEETINGS- Wednesday, 7:30 am, Restaurant Piña Colada.
San Judas Tadeo Av. De La Ostra, Col. Sabalo Country Sunday 8:45 AM – in English
SAN BLAS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (English) - Tuesdays 5:00 pm. Saturdays, 10:00 am. Calle Sinaloa #20. Tel: 323-106-1135
The Vineyard Church Camaron Sabalo #335, Golden Zona (beside Budget Car Rental) Sunday 9:00 AM – in English
SAN PANCHO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS- Friday 6:30pm. Tel. (311)258-4488 AL ANON- Monday 5pm. Tel. (311)258-4488 CODA- Wednesday 5pm at Museum next to San Pancho Café more info Glenda Tel. (311)258-4488 SAYULITA ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS-Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 6:30pm. 222-3906, 222-2521 AL ANON- Thursday 5pm 11 Primavera Street. 222-3906, 222-2521 YELAPA Generic 12 Step meetings on Sunday 4pm at Hotel Lagunitas
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El Ojo del Mar / September 2011
The Ojo Crossword
English Church Services – Manzanillo Pedro’s Cazuelas Restaurant Miramar Beach Sunday 5:00 PM – in English
English Church Services – Melaque St. Patricio By-The-Sea Sunday 10:30 AM, www.sanpatricio-by-the-sea.com