The Other Immigration Problem: Gringos in Baja By Valerie Rapp
01 February 12 10:45 AM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   
The Other Immigration Problem: Gringos in Baja By Valerie Rapp January 31, 2012 | (0) Comments Share | | Baja California is a stark, surreal landscape, a desert peninsula surrounded by saltwater on three sides. Its mountainous backbone is as sharply serrated as a horned lizard’s back. Mexico Hwy. 1 traverses rocky slopes with cardón cacti that look like saguaros on steroids; gnarled elephant trees, four hundred years old and twenty feet tall; and boojum trees, an odd plant in the Fouquieria family that looks straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. These desert plants, which spend their lives in constant, patient quest for drops of moisture, overlook abundant water of the most brilliant turquoise and deep blues, all of it saltwater. Rain, when it falls in the Baja desert, is a blessing or a problem. Precious rainfall allows the cacti to blossom -- and it cuts gullies, convulses in flash floods that deepen arroyos and runs off to the sea. This time of year, Baja’s Hwy. 1 has a steady flow of gringos crossing the border in California and Arizona, heading south. By “gringos” I mean U.S. and Canadian citizens; the term is merely descriptive, not negative. Gringos are driving south in giant RVs, camper-vans, pickups towing trailers, beat-up cars, and expensive jeeps. They travel in caravans, as independent travelers, short-stay visitors, and long-term residents. Others are flying down or taking cruise ships. The numbers are hard to come by, but clearly it’s enough to be an invasion. I’m one of them; my husband and I have been in Baja four weeks now. We’re pulling a small tent-trailer with our Subaru Forester and camping. Gringos travel with money. Even retired school teachers or kiteboarding beach bums have money by Baja standards. Money, of course, can be a blessing, or a problem. Money can buy gas, fish tacos, and pay for goods that provide Mexican jobs. And money can build McMansion homes and condos on beachfronts that used to belong to ordinary Mexicans. Few gringos stop in the arid mountains. But with gold at record prices, mining industry scouts have taken the time to recon the El Triunfo and San Antonio area, and the ruins of their nineteenth-century silver mines, to sniff out any precious metals left in those mountains. They’ve found gold, and Canadian companies are proposing several open-pit gold mines in the northern portion of Sierra de la Laguna, Baja’s southernmost mountain range. Sierra de la Laguna is a biosphere reserve because it has dozens of endemic Baja plant species and sources of rare desert freshwater that support the communities below the mountains. The Pitalla mine, proposed by Argonaut Gold, requests an exemption to use “only” 1,900 acres of the biosphere reserve for an “environmentally responsible” mine. Environmentally responsible open-pit gold mine? Argonaut Gold proposes to build a desalination plant to provide the millions of gallons of water that the leaching process requires to extract gold from the ore. In their public meetings in small Baja villages, company reps have not said what would be done with the millions of gallons of cyanide-infused water after the leaching. In a desert where water is hungrily absorbed by thirsty roots or flashes down arroyos to the sea, where does cyanide-infused wastewater go? What happens when flash floods wash cyanide, arsenic, and toxic metals into the Gulf of California, waters that are biosphere reserves themselves for their incredible marine biodiversity? Fouquieria, as the boojum tree would say. “I love Baja,” most gringos down here say. Gringos in Baja are generally friendly and helpful. They’ve organized groups that help pay for Mexican kids to go to high school (which is not free in Mexico). They rescue stray dogs and cats and sponsor neuter and spay programs. A few years ago, gringo environmental groups rallied to protect the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve when a large salt mine was proposed on a lagoon critical for gray whale calving. Gringo ecotourism has been vital in supporting the whalewatching business and giving village fishermen a significant income source and reasons to protect the gray whales. But what will gringos do for gold? Will we be a blessing or a problem?
Filed under:
Building on solid tourism numbers in 2011, the Mexico Tourism Board predicts 52 million tourists will visit Mexico in 2012.
30 January 12 11:38 AM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   
TEMECULA, Calif., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Hop-on, Inc. (pinksheets:HPNN) today announced through Hop-on's subsidiary, Hop-on Mobile, S. DE R.L. DE C.V. the first tourism industry specific cell phone with 24 hour a day privileges and services. The Company is looking to exploit its "first mover" advantage and bring truly new and innovative products to market in Mexico and neighboring markets. Peter Michaels, CEO of Hop-on, stated, "Hop-on has shipped thousands of phones into the Mexican Tourism Market. Hop-on has orders and relationships with the "Mega Resorts" in Cancun and neighboring tourism markets. The Mexican Ministry of Tourism reported that the number of air arrivals in December 2011 was up 13 percent compared to the same period in 2010. More than 1.07 million international travelers visited Mexico in the last month of 2011, a record for December. In addition to an increase of visitors from the US (10.6 percent) and Canada (9.1 percent), Mexico received significant year on year increases from Spain (6 percent), Italy (10.5 percent), Argentina (21.4 percent), and France (12.4 percent). "We envisage that 2012 will be a record-breaking year for Mexico in terms of tourism numbers," said Rodolfo Lopez-Negrete, Chief Operating Officer of the Mexico Tourism Board. "Mexico's tourism industry is undergoing a stunning transformation - based on a bold strategy of diversification -- focused on promoting a broader range of tourism products (i.e. cultural tourism, adventure travel and health related-tourism) aimed at attracting a new breed of global consumer." "The Mexico Tourism Board will continue to market directly to tourists from non-traditional origins in Europe and Asia, while at the same time strengthening our hold on American and Canadian travelers." Hop-on has been upgraded to "PinkSheets Current Information" rating by the widely-used Over-the-Counter quotation service upon acceptance of the Company's most recent financial statements and other requested supplemental information. About Hop-on, Inc. Hop-on, Inc. is a leading international manufacturer of electronics. Since the company's inception, it has been known for developing the world's first $10 disposable cell phone. Today, Hop-on remains one of the few U.S. based manufacturers of cellular technology. The Company currently develops and manufactures electronic cigarettes and cigars for distributors throughout the U.S. and internationally. Hop-on also offers multi-media services and has secured licensing agreements from essential patent holders for GSM, CDMA and WiFi technologies. Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933, and are subject to Rule 3B-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and other results and further events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. Hop-on: Danny Coleman 1-949-756-9008 SOURCE Hop-on, Inc. Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
Filed under:
Boomers Abroad
19 January 12 11:07 AM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   
Boomers Marketing Solutions and Boomers Abroad Online Community wishes you and your families a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012. The Global Heritage Fund has named 2012 The Year of the Maya. At Boomers Abroad we have increased our strategic partnership program and we have aligned ourselves with top companies and experts. As you know, 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day so we will be introducing new topics throughout the year. We will be talking about self improvement, realtionships, dating, fitness, yoga, healing, food, nutrition, health, alternative medicine, aging, alternative Investments, personal finance, self sustained communities, thinking Green, travel, medical tourism, volunteering, etc. At Boomers Abroad we want to hear from You. Please keep sharing your experiences and adventures abroad with us! Remember that Members can create their own profiles, join groups of those who share their same particular interests, create their own groups, make friends, upload photos and videos, post blogs, make questions, answer questions, etc. Our goal is to provide an open platform of information and Collaboration through our online community and social network. We thank you very much for your interest and participation! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2012 is shaping up to be a super year. Here are some news: According to a Reuters analysis, Latin America business climate is king again. In 2011, more than 167.3 million national tourists traveled through Mexico, a four percent increase compared to 2010, informed the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR). In 2012, Mexico could attract close to 19 billion dollars in FDI, practically the same amount as in 2010,according to estimates by the Bank of Mexico (Banxico). Mexico will grow by four percent in 2012, a similar development to 2011, of approximately 4.1%, according to projections by the Center for Economic Studies for the Private Sector (CEESP). Mexico placed two billion dollar debt in 10-year global bonds The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) informed that the government placed a debt emission for two billion dollars through 10-year bonds and that it will pay the lowest interest in history of its kind (3.71%). Brazil’s government sold $1.7 billion of dollar-denominated bonds last year, including $550 million of notes due in 2021 and $1.1 billion maturing in 2041. Standard & Poor’s raised Brazil’s credit rating one level to BBB, the second-lowest investment grade, in November. South America had the strongest tourist arrivals expansion in 2011, says UNWTO. International tourist arrivals grew by over 4% in 2011 to 980 million, according to the latest UN World Tourism Organization World Tourism Barometer. According to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects 2012 released earlier this week, Panama’s growth rate will be 6.8 percent, Uruguay’s 5.7 percent and Chile’s 5 percent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boomers Abroad Online Community has enjoyed a partnership with Alternative Latin Investor for the past few years. They are the only magazine devoted exclusively to alternative investment opportunities in the Americas… Hedge funds, Private Equity, Philanthropy, Forex, Agribusiness, Renewable Energy, Commodities, Emerging Markets, Wealth Advisors, Ventures, Regulations and so much more. They have extending a special offer to us as a content partner that is valid only through January 21, 2012… Subscribe now and begin receiving the magazine that delivers timely information and your access to the world’s leading financial analysts, journalist and investors! Join the savvy investors in new business developments in The Americas who turn to Alternative Latin Investor for access to the best minds in investing and asset management, the analysts and decision makers other publications don’t cover…SUBSCRIBE NOW
Filed under:
Mexico's Election Draws Eyes From Across Border
15 January 12 10:54 AM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

By JULIÁN AGUILAR 

  

Published: January 7, 2012

 

Andrés Manuel López Obrador: The candidate of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (P.R.D.).

 

Texas politicians are paying close attention, too - to whether the trade, security and energy policies of President Felipe Calderón's successor will affect illegal immigration or the state's robust trade relationship with Mexico.

 

Three Texas customs districts, Laredo,El Paso and Houston, rank among Mexico's top four trading partners. Collectively, they accounted for roughly $235 billion in trade between Texas and Mexico from January to September 2011, according to United States Census data analyzed by WorldCity, which tracks global trade patterns. The figures show an increase over 2010 despite the American recession and unprecedented violence in Mexico because of warring drug cartels.

 

Gerardo Schwebel, the executive vice president of International Bank of Commerce's international division in Laredo, said the future of this booming trade relationship partly depends on what investors anticipate for the peso. Though Mr. Schwebel and other analysts speculate that Mexico will not see a major devaluation similar to what it experienced three presidential elections ago, when political, social and economic factors plunged the country into a financial crisis, he warned that its currency is still volatile.

 

"The reason behind that is, the uncertainty of Europe and the U.S. economy have added pressures to the Mexican peso," Mr. Schwebel said. He added that the Mexican customer must constantly measure whether to make payments in dollars, or whether to wait and see if the peso gets weaker or stronger, depending on what the transaction is.

 

Major reforms carried out in Mexico since 1994, the last year the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or P.R.I., won the presidency, have prevented the peso from plummeting as it did that year.

 

"Today it's a completely different scenario in the sense that Mexico's central bank has very deep national reserves," said Roberto A. Coronado, an economist at the El Paso branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Mr. Coronado said that as of December, Mexico had $140 billion in foreign exchange reserves, plus a line of credit with the International Monetary Fund worth $72 billion.

 

"You're talking about access to more than $200 billion under their disposal in case they have to react to something," Mr. Coronado said.

 

That something could be the ongoing European debt crisis, a deepening recession in the United States - or even a shift in which a new political party takes the helm.

 

The P.R.I.'s Enrique Peña Nieto, the former governor of the State of Mexico, is the presumed front-runner. The leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution, or P.R.D., will field Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Tabasco, who in 2006 lost the presidential election to Mr. Calderón. Mr. Calderón's own National Action Party, or P.A.N., is choosing from Santiago Creel, a Mexican senator and former minister of the interior; Josefina Vázquez Mota, a former member of Mexico's Chamber of Deputies; and Ernesto Cordero, the country's former finance minister.

 

Ms. Vázquez Mota, a former campaign manager for Mr. Calderón who is vying to be the country's first female president, will most likely be named the party's nominee in February.

 

Mr. Schwebel said it is important to Texas businesses that the winner maintain Mr. Calderón's economic policies and a consistent plan to combat organized crime, which has contributed to more than 50,000 homicides in Mexico in under six years.

 

"The North American economy is 25 percent of the global economy, and we want that to grow," he said. "The P.R.I. and the P.A.N. and even the P.R.D. do not want to disrupt that as they try to set up their strategy in combating the wave of violence."

 

Eric Olson, a senior associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., said that all of the candidates have vowed, in varying ways, to rein in the military's role in the drug war and to instead rely on civilian police forces.

 

But it is unclear how quickly that can happen, Mr. Olson said. The relatively small ranks of the federal police force and the inherent weaknesses of the local and state police forces - and the government's limited ability to bolster them with honest officers - could delay the shift.

 

"I think there's just bound to be a transition period, and the question is how soon that takes place," Mr. Olson said. "My hunch is that it will be a slow process."

 

Immigration rates, both legal and illegal, will depend on more than just violence in Mexico, experts said.

 

Demetrios Papademetriou, the president and co-founder of the Migration Policy Institute, based in Washington, D.C., said that if the economic policy of a new administration dramatically improved the quality of life for Mexicans - by taking on tough monopolies, for example, or providing energy incentives - more Mexicans might be inspired to stay.

 

"That will make the middle class in Mexico perhaps a bit better off; therefore, they spend less money on basic services," he said. "Then, presumably, over four or five or seven years, the pressure for immigration from Mexico will subside further."

 

He said that this is especially likely if Mexico's economy continues to grow at a faster rate than the United States', which he said is only "sputtering forward."

 

Mr. Papademetriou does not think changes in American immigration policy will significantly hinge on who becomes the next Mexican president. He said the party that wins would most likely pursue the existing strategy of trying to protect the economic ties between the United States and Mexico from immigration trends.

 

"They will want to protect the interest of the Mexicans living in the United States," he said. "Just like the P.A.N. or any other party in Mexico, the P.R.I. will be trying to make sure that they inoculate the broader economic relationship from being impacted too much by the migration situation."

 

While Texas business and policy experts keep their eyes on Mexico's presidential contest, some Mexico City election officials are looking back at Texas, working overtime to try to increase turnout among Mexican expatriates living in the United States.

 

This presidential election is only the second in Mexican history in which expatriates can cast a ballot from abroad. The Federal Electoral Institute, or I.F.E., which has a separate site encouraging voting from abroad, estimates that the population of native-born Mexicans living in the United States reached 11.4 million in 2010. Those who are at least 18 are eligible to vote in the country's elections.

 

In 2006, the first year Mexico collected ballots from abroad, the I.F.E. received about 53,000 applications for placement on the foreign voters list and accepted about 41,000; 33,111 cast ballots.

 

jaguilar@texastribune.org 

Mexico Election Draws eyes from Texas
15 January 12 10:54 AM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

By JULIÁN AGUILAR 

  

Published: January 7, 2012

 

Andrés Manuel López Obrador: The candidate of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (P.R.D.).

 

Texas politicians are paying close attention, too - to whether the trade, security and energy policies of President Felipe Calderón's successor will affect illegal immigration or the state's robust trade relationship with Mexico.

 

Three Texas customs districts, Laredo,El Paso and Houston, rank among Mexico's top four trading partners. Collectively, they accounted for roughly $235 billion in trade between Texas and Mexico from January to September 2011, according to United States Census data analyzed by WorldCity, which tracks global trade patterns. The figures show an increase over 2010 despite the American recession and unprecedented violence in Mexico because of warring drug cartels.

 

Gerardo Schwebel, the executive vice president of International Bank of Commerce's international division in Laredo, said the future of this booming trade relationship partly depends on what investors anticipate for the peso. Though Mr. Schwebel and other analysts speculate that Mexico will not see a major devaluation similar to what it experienced three presidential elections ago, when political, social and economic factors plunged the country into a financial crisis, he warned that its currency is still volatile.

 

"The reason behind that is, the uncertainty of Europe and the U.S. economy have added pressures to the Mexican peso," Mr. Schwebel said. He added that the Mexican customer must constantly measure whether to make payments in dollars, or whether to wait and see if the peso gets weaker or stronger, depending on what the transaction is.

 

Major reforms carried out in Mexico since 1994, the last year the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or P.R.I., won the presidency, have prevented the peso from plummeting as it did that year.

 

"Today it's a completely different scenario in the sense that Mexico's central bank has very deep national reserves," said Roberto A. Coronado, an economist at the El Paso branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Mr. Coronado said that as of December, Mexico had $140 billion in foreign exchange reserves, plus a line of credit with the International Monetary Fund worth $72 billion.

 

"You're talking about access to more than $200 billion under their disposal in case they have to react to something," Mr. Coronado said.

 

That something could be the ongoing European debt crisis, a deepening recession in the United States - or even a shift in which a new political party takes the helm.

 

The P.R.I.'s Enrique Peña Nieto, the former governor of the State of Mexico, is the presumed front-runner. The leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution, or P.R.D., will field Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Tabasco, who in 2006 lost the presidential election to Mr. Calderón. Mr. Calderón's own National Action Party, or P.A.N., is choosing from Santiago Creel, a Mexican senator and former minister of the interior; Josefina Vázquez Mota, a former member of Mexico's Chamber of Deputies; and Ernesto Cordero, the country's former finance minister.

 

Ms. Vázquez Mota, a former campaign manager for Mr. Calderón who is vying to be the country's first female president, will most likely be named the party's nominee in February.

 

Mr. Schwebel said it is important to Texas businesses that the winner maintain Mr. Calderón's economic policies and a consistent plan to combat organized crime, which has contributed to more than 50,000 homicides in Mexico in under six years.

 

"The North American economy is 25 percent of the global economy, and we want that to grow," he said. "The P.R.I. and the P.A.N. and even the P.R.D. do not want to disrupt that as they try to set up their strategy in combating the wave of violence."

 

Eric Olson, a senior associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., said that all of the candidates have vowed, in varying ways, to rein in the military's role in the drug war and to instead rely on civilian police forces.

 

But it is unclear how quickly that can happen, Mr. Olson said. The relatively small ranks of the federal police force and the inherent weaknesses of the local and state police forces - and the government's limited ability to bolster them with honest officers - could delay the shift.

 

"I think there's just bound to be a transition period, and the question is how soon that takes place," Mr. Olson said. "My hunch is that it will be a slow process."

 

Immigration rates, both legal and illegal, will depend on more than just violence in Mexico, experts said.

 

Demetrios Papademetriou, the president and co-founder of the Migration Policy Institute, based in Washington, D.C., said that if the economic policy of a new administration dramatically improved the quality of life for Mexicans - by taking on tough monopolies, for example, or providing energy incentives - more Mexicans might be inspired to stay.

 

"That will make the middle class in Mexico perhaps a bit better off; therefore, they spend less money on basic services," he said. "Then, presumably, over four or five or seven years, the pressure for immigration from Mexico will subside further."

 

He said that this is especially likely if Mexico's economy continues to grow at a faster rate than the United States', which he said is only "sputtering forward."

 

Mr. Papademetriou does not think changes in American immigration policy will significantly hinge on who becomes the next Mexican president. He said the party that wins would most likely pursue the existing strategy of trying to protect the economic ties between the United States and Mexico from immigration trends.

 

"They will want to protect the interest of the Mexicans living in the United States," he said. "Just like the P.A.N. or any other party in Mexico, the P.R.I. will be trying to make sure that they inoculate the broader economic relationship from being impacted too much by the migration situation."

 

While Texas business and policy experts keep their eyes on Mexico's presidential contest, some Mexico City election officials are looking back at Texas, working overtime to try to increase turnout among Mexican expatriates living in the United States.

 

This presidential election is only the second in Mexican history in which expatriates can cast a ballot from abroad. The Federal Electoral Institute, or I.F.E., which has a separate site encouraging voting from abroad, estimates that the population of native-born Mexicans living in the United States reached 11.4 million in 2010. Those who are at least 18 are eligible to vote in the country's elections.

 

In 2006, the first year Mexico collected ballots from abroad, the I.F.E. received about 53,000 applications for placement on the foreign voters list and accepted about 41,000; 33,111 cast ballots.

 

jaguilar@texastribune.org 

Rosarito Beach Hotel to Host 'Baja Idol' Competition on Saturday, January 28th
15 January 12 10:51 AM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

Press Release from Playas de Rosarito, Baja, MX: It doesn't get much better than this...great performances by the best vocal talent from northern Baja and southern California competing for cash prizes, future live in-concert performances, & recording studio opportunities. At this event, sponsored by the Rosarito Beach Hotel in its iconic ocean-front setting, you (and your fellow audience members) will make the crucial decisions as to who will be the five fabulous finalists.

 

A panel of highly qualified judges... Bo Bendana, a model & vocalist who toured with Brittany Spears; Juvenal Arias, a highly qualified professional vocal coach; Gil Sperry, a music teacher, local impresario, and author; Elida Rodriguez, a local artist with an extensive musical background; and a surprise international superstar performer who is making a rare special appearance in Rosarito... will then determine the runner-up AND our very first 'Baja Idol.'

 

Your emcees for the evening's festivities will be famous Tijuana television host Juan Carlos Scolari and the beautiful Claudia Urias, who handled similar duties at the 1st Annual Rosarito Beach International Mariachi & Folklórico Festival. The event will be filmed by the famed cinematographers from RealArt Films....Samuel Paredes Valdespino and Michelle Hinojo...for future video syndication.

 

'Baja Idol' will be held on Saturday evening, January 28th, in the Salon Mexicana, the main showroom of the hotel. The doors will open for first come-first served seating at 6:00 PM with the actual competition set to begin at 7:00 PM. Tickets to enjoy all the exciting entertainment are priced at a very reasonable $80mnpesos ($6dlls) each.

 

A special feature will be an award to the best fan group, as chosen by the judges, of a free 'taquiza' party for up to forty people to be held in one of the hotel's major salons.

 

This is one event that you won't want to miss!!!

 

Please contact Rosy Torres at: rosymtorres@hotmail.com  for more information.

San Felipe Blues and Arts Fiesta
11 January 12 04:12 PM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Will you be one of the lucky few to say you were there?


On March 24, 2012, San Felipe, Baja California will be the backdrop of the highly prestigious Blues and Arts Fiesta. This event, during which music and art become one, is made even more appealing by the Sea of Cortez, the most prominent symbol of the Baja Peninsula. San Felipe is a slow paced fishing town, but on March 24, this is undoubtedly going to change.


The fiesta was created in the same spirit as the Woodstock and Monterey Pop Festivals, and the artists who will perform are comparable to the most celebrated blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and rock singers of the history. Apart from excellent music, the event features the best of Mexico’s craftsmen who will display the finest of their works on the 60 booths available for this occasion.


The mission of Blues and Arts Fiesta is “Changing Lives Through Music and Art”. As a result, the event will be a reason of joy not only for participants, but also for the deprived members of the community. All proceeds will be donated to local charities that rely on private donations to carry out their activity. Any person will automatically contribute to the cause by purchasing a ticket which costs $20 if paid in advance and $25 if purchased on location. Visit the official website of the event www.bluesandarts.com for tickets and travel information.


The location of the shows will be El Cortez Hotel, and the organizers are San Felipe BC Lions Club (www.sanfelipebclionsclub.org) and Baja Good Life Club (www.bajagoodlifeclub.com). About 150 volunteers will put a lot of effort into bringing this incredible event to the public.


San Felipe BC Lions Club operates with the sole purpose of assisting the humanitarian needs of local organizations. Their members are totally dedicated to encouraging cooperation among citizens and unconditional compassion towards the less privileged.


The Baja Good Life Club provides a platform of interaction for those who want to turn Baja into their home. Members have access to products, services, and resources which turn every day into an opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest.



_____________________________________________________

The Baja Good Life Club
US Toll Free: 1-877-LUVMEX1
San Diego: 619-550-2730
Baja: 686-230-9933
Filed under:
Punta Mita Properties
11 January 12 10:41 AM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

Punta Mita Properties and Christie’s International Real Estate sales and marketing services offer a specialized luxury real estate marketing experience with the only on-site Sales Center behind the gates of the Punta Mita development, complemented by a strategic marketing affiliation with the largest international network of luxury real estate brokers.

Christie’s International Real Estate

Drawing upon their success as one of the world’s oldest art auction houses, Christie’s implemented an innovative real estate venture in 1995. Integrating centuries of experience with a hand-selected network of talented brokers, Christie’s International Real Estate was formed to satisfy the lifestyle requirements of discerning clientele.

The marketing of fine art and high-end properties proved to be a natural combination, resulting in a real estate marketing powerhouse driven by the passion and success of the Christie’s name and the local connections and expertise of seasoned brokers.

By cultivating this unique balance of worldwide scope with
a personal touch, Christie’s International Real Estate has become a global authority on the effective marketing of fine properties, providing insightful advisory support along with sensitivity and intelligence.

Finely tuned marketing services and a commitment to the business philosophy established by Christie’s in 1766 define a brand based on trust, integrity, discretion, and excellence.

Click here to discover how we can help you market your property
http://lapuntarealty.com/marketing

Telephone within Mexico
Tel: 01 (329) 291-6420
Fax: 01 (329) 291-6421

Telephone from USA/Canada
US VOIP: (213) 291-7590
Int'l tel: 011 52 (329) 291-6420

La Punta Realty - Christie's International Real Estate
Filed under:
Mexico Yoga Retreat in March 2012 at Haramara ~ Vinyasa Yoga at the Beach with Rosemary Garrison
10 January 12 12:02 PM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   


Mexico Yoga Retreat March 2012

Haramara Yoga Retreat in Mexico - March 24-31, 2012

Quote startYoga, the beach, and a wonderful teacher... this ranks as the best vacation of my life!Quote end

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 10, 2012

Rosemary Garrison's annual Spring Mexico yoga retreat is taking place once again in the beautiful beach and jungle landscape of Sayulita, Mexico.

Yoga students from all over the U.S. and abroad bring their Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Bikram, Iyengar and other yoga backgrounds to practice under the gentle warmth and peaceful serenity of coastal Mexico, leaving behind the cold Winter months for the Mexico beach. The Spring yoga retreat is an opportunity to study and practice with a much-loved San Francisco yoga teacher, as well as to connect with other students from different practices and backgrounds.

The Mexico yoga retreat in 2012 will be for seven days and seven nights, at the spiritual sanctuary of Haramara Retreat - an enchanted location nestled within one of the most beautiful coastlines along the Pacific. Known by many yoga students and retreat visitors as "a sanctuary for the soul," Haramara provides the luscious backdrop of beautiful ocean landscapes and a vast, tropical jungle - providing for the enrichment, healing, nurturing and encouragement of the yogic spirit.

Retreat amenities include palm-thatch cabanas with large beds with hand-woven sheets and single, double, triple, and dormitory style rooms. Three healthy, delicious meals will be served daily, and there will be opportunities for exploration beyond the retreat perimeter - including surfing, trail hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding.

Each day of the retreat will include a morning and an evening Vinyasa Flow yoga class followed by teachings around the purpose, philosophy, and power of the practice both historically, and within the context of modern lifestyles. The yoga classes will be preparation for daily meditation both for those students with a meditation practice, as well as for those yogis who are interested in beginning meditation. Instruction will be available for all interested.

Featured in the New York Times Travel Section and Food & Wine Magazine, Rosemary's yoga retreats are considered some of the most replenishing and healing weeks of the year by her yoga students, who have traveled from cities all over the country to attend, including New York, Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, and many others.

To learn more or to submit a retreat application, Contact Rosemary Garrison Yoga.

About Rosemary Garrison:

Rosemary's yoga journey began with the Mysore Ashtanga first series taught by renowned Ashtanga yoga teacher Tim Miller, with whom she has studied extensively. Years later, further exploration into yogic movement and practice guided her to Vinyasa Flow yoga classes where she found the dance of Vinyasa liberating, beautiful, and alive. She then began practicing with an array of talented teachers within the yoga flow lineage - Max Strom, Dharma Mittra, and Shiva Rea. After a Yoga Alliance Certification, a teacher training with David Swenson, and a myriad of other trainings, she began teaching yoga in 2004 and has taught yoga full-time ever since. Rosemary is RYT 500 Yoga Alliance certified.

In addition to leading retreats and teaching her weekly yoga classes, Rosemary teaches private yoga in Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as corporate yoga for businesses.

Filed under:
(Baja Governor announces stimulus campaign)…The goal is to create 49,000 new jobs.
09 January 12 04:31 PM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

(Baja Governor announces stimulus campaign)…The goal is to create 49,000 new jobs.

 Governor Jose Guadalupe Osuna Millan announced the plan Sunday. Under the unprecedented public works program, the state would invest almost $474 million on projects, large and small. They include reconstructing the agricultural canal system in rural Mexicali, that was destroyed by the 2010 earthquake. Constructing a dam in Tecate and completing a convention center for Tijuana and Rosarito. About $94 million would be used to create about 10,000 new jobs by stimulating the growth of small and medium sized businesses in the state. Other jobs would be created through private investment. Under the plan, the jobs would be created during 2012.

Like Carnaval La Paz, Carnival Ensenada will be held February 16-21, 2012.
06 January 12 12:28 PM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

Like Carnaval La Paz, Carnival Ensenada will be held February 16-21, 2012. We will continue to update this page as more information becomes available. January 5, 2012 Last year about 150,000 people from Baja California and other parts of Mexico attended the events over the 6 day Carnaval. Like other Mexican Carnavals, expect street vendors, stage shows, continuous music and of course, the Carnaval parade. The Ensenada Carnaval 2011 was segregated in to zones, having made the type of entertainment you were looking for easier to find. We expect the same format will be used in 2012, but no information was available. There are separate stages for various styles of music which will be active through much of the day and throughout the night. Partying will go on until the wee hour so the morning, every night except Tuesday, when Carnaval ends.

Posted by www.bajainsider.com

Filed under:
Mexico Medical Tourism
05 January 12 11:05 AM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

The invitation of Prof. Deepak K. Datta of the College of Business at the University of Texas at Arlington, Medical Tourism Corporation CEO, Mr. Deepak Datta, shared an insight on “Medical Tourism” with UTA Executive MBA Class, during their post-dinner session in a December evening class.

(There is no typing error! They both share the same name.)

Mr. Deepak Datta, at the executive MBA program of the University of Texas, talked about globalization in healthcare industry as related to Medical Tourism.

The practice of seeking medical treatments outside one’s local healthcare system dates back to thousands of years, when people traveled to get treatments for various ailments in mineral water spas. However, technology, more efficient means of travel, and active involvement of mass media have contributed to a steady growth in the numbers of patients traveling overseas for surgeries.

Mr. Datta said that medical tourism is a regional phenomenon, with most medical tourists preferring to visit nearby countries for their healthcare needs.

While Americans and Canadians mostly head to Mexico and Costa Rica, people from Africa and the Middle East prefer to go to India. Korea is the medical destination of choice for many people from Japan, while Thailand is the top choice for most Australians& many countries in Europe.

Price, safety, travel distance, visa rules, local laws and quality of healthcare are obviously the chief considerations for medical tourists while deciding their healthcare destination, but some cultural influence is also noted. While US Hispanics head to Mexico, the Britons prefer other European countries.

A destination’s reputation for a particular medical service also matters and some countries are more popular for certain procedures than others.

Surrogacy in India attracts many foreigners struggling with infertility issues. Cosmetic surgeries like *** implants, liposuction and hair transplant in India also have many takers because of their low prices. Treatments for heart problems and orthopedic treatments like knee replacement, hip replacement, cervical and lumbar spinal disc replacement in India are sought by people, who cannot afford them at their native places.

Low cost dental treatments and weight loss surgery in Mexico are preferred by Americans and Canadians, who do not want to travel too far for healthcare. Many Americans prefer to drive down to the border, get their root canals or dental implants in US-Mexico border clinics (which have mushroomed at a remarkable rate over the past few years) and return home the same day.

Many people also opt to get their dental implants in Costa Rica. Besides, they fly to get bariatric and cosmetic surgeries in these Latin American countries, because not only the prices are low, but also the treatments are high quality. Realizing the potential of medical tourism industry, the doctors are prepared to deal with medical tourists and accordingly arrange for English-speaking staff.

While the official and most commonly used language in Costa Rica is Spanish, it is not difficult to find a dentist or cosmetic surgeon in Costa Rica, who is fluent in English.

Low priced cosmetic surgery in Thailand is also a big draw for medical tourists as they not only get the cost advantage but also get to maintain privacy for their beauty enhancing treatments. Thailand, however, is preferred more by Australians as the distance is less and flights are relatively convenient.

Who wants to wait in long lines to see the dentists, when you can get immediate load dental implants in Thailand at less than half the price?

According to Mr. Datta, elective procedures like weight loss surgery, cosmetic surgery, fertility treatments and dental care are the most common medical services people travel for. This is probably because these are generally excluded from insurance coverage and a medical tourist is usually self-paying.

However, hospitals also get many foreign patients who are looking for more serious treatments like chemo or radiotherapy for cancer, heart valve repair/replacement, ivf treatments, knee/shoulder/elbow/hip replacement and other major surgeries because either the doctors at their home are too busy to quickly give them an appointment and relieve their pain or they are too expensive that an individual dreads upsetting his yearly budget if he decides to undergo a particular surgery.

The UTA MBA students got an overview of the medical tourism industry from a man who has been in the industry for over many years. Mr. Datta not only shared facts about the current trends in medical tourism, but also talked about the various factors that have fuelled globalization of healthcare industry in the past decade.

He said that the unavailability of doctors or particular medical services at one’s home turf, better quality of care in another country, and local healthcare services that are beyond one’s financial means are the factors that drive medical tourism. Privacy issues at home also sometimes cause people to move out for their medical treatments.

Mr. Datta clearly dispelled the impression that Medical Tourism is a fast growing phenomenon, referring to a research that indicated closure of many medical tourism companies in North America.

However, he pointed that there is no reliable data gathering methodology to validate the number of medical tourists.

People who travel to get medical treatments away from their local healthcare systems are called medical tourists. Some do it to save money, while others travel in pursuit of better services abroad, or to maintain their privacy. Expats, home returning nonresidents, tourists availing emergency medical services, are also clubbed together as medical tourists. There are also some spa & wellness travelers, but they do not represent a strict medical tourist.

Patient numbers of Medical Tourism Co., a Texas-based medical tourism company run by Mr. Datta, have been growing at a significant rate since 2008, essentially due to extended network of hospital and doctors.Mr. Datta has continuously endeavored to join hands with the finest hospitals in several countries and is quite upbeat about the growth of the company in near future.

Medical Tourism Co. has networked with reputed hospitals in Mexico, Costa Rica, Belgium, Turkey, Jordan,El Salvador, South Korea, Thailand, and India, and over the past few years, the company has facilitated out-of-country medical treatments for over 2000 patients from the West.

The UTA MBA students also got to learn about the challenges faced by the patients and the hospitals in the globalization of healthcare industry, which include the absence of anyglobal standard patient outcome data, no clear cut follow-up regimen, language & cultural differences, safety issues at a medial destination, long travel, and complex visa laws in some countries.

Mr. Datta shared that patients are sometimes apprehensive of the quality of care offered in a foreign hospital and they are not certain about the follow up care since traveling long distances again is difficult.

On the hospitals’ part, many times there is lack of understanding the market. It is important to promote and provide what a medical traveler is looking for, and tourism, Mr. Datta says, is always secondary for these travelers.

Mr. Datta also explained how medical tourism works with medical insurance companies. He revealed that there have been some efforts in this direction but none has been very successful.

With the media hype surrounding medical treatments abroad, it is quite likely that hospitals in the west have started feeling a little threatened by the whole concept.
However, the vulnerability of American hospitals to medical tourism is not very convincing as majority of medical tourists travel abroad for elective procedures that are self-paying.

Had medical travel not been an option, they may have never got the procedure done in the first place at home.

Mr. Datta also noted that US probably benefits the most from the medical tourism industry, as thousands of patients from different parts of the world visit leading American hospitals like MD Anderson Cancer Center, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins, Harvard Medical, and others. Most of these patients are either wealthy individuals or sponsored by their home governments.

Towards the end of the presentation, Mr. Datta shared in which direction he sees the industry to be headed, and talked about the future of the US medical traveler.

Prof. Deepak K. Datta(UTA), an award-winning business teacher and researcher, had invited MTC’s Deepak Datta to share his knowledge about the ‘Globalization in the Healthcare Industry’ with UTA MBA students.

Prof. Datta teaches in undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs and UTA, and has also served as the visiting faculty in several international programs. He expressed gratitude for Mr. Datta’s presentation in the UTA session, and said, “Your talk fit in perfectly with class objectives – in fact it helped reinforce some of the things we had discussed prior to your talk.”

Later, the class felicitated Mr. Datta with UTA mementos.

###

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9062631.htm

 

 

 

 

 

Where to get great food in Mexico
04 January 12 09:22 PM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

Where to find great food in Mexico

SAN BLAS, MEXICO— From Thursday's Globe and Mail
Sitting under a shady thatched roof in an open-air restaurant on a wide beach, I’m enjoying a study in ceviche. A Mexican specialty of raw fish “cooked” in lime juice and served with green chilies and tender corn tortillas for wrapping, it’s the sushi of the south – a light snack that’s a refreshing antidote to the tropical heat. And here in San Blas, a traditional fishing village on Mexico’s wild Pacific coast, the ceviche comes in many guises.

We start with the finely chopped local grouper, combined with bits of minced onion, jalapenos and tomatoes. It comes topped with guacamole to scoop up with crisp tortilla chips. Then there’s the local specialty, aguachile, a ceviche made with delicious local shrimp marinated in sweet lime juice with spicy green tomatillo salsa and cooling chunks of cucumber, a particularly winsome combination of hot and cold.

San Blas, a two-hour drive north of the busy tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta, is a historic seaport, dating to the 1700s. Cathedrals and counting houses, built by the Spanish, are now just crumbling stone shells still surrounded by cannons on the high cliffs. But for the last 150 years, fishing has been the lifeblood of San Blas – local fishermen still supply the shrimp, mahi-mahi and tuna served in restaurants and resorts from Mazatlan to Acapulco. We actually smell the smoky mangrove fires of street-side fish vendors before we see them as we drive into town.

Fresh fish is sold in street markets and the popular grilled-fish dish, pescado zarandeado, is on the menu everywhere. Perch on a stool at a portable kiosk in the historic plaza, head to a fine hotel restaurant, or come to one of the many beaches that skirt the bay (where river estuaries thick with mangroves empty into the sea), and you’ll be served incredible fish.

Las Islitas is just one of the many wide sandy beaches lined with outdoor, thatched roof restaurants. At Mysis 3, a spot at the end of the road, Pedro Garcia is busy seasoning a large snapper to lay across his makeshift grill. Basted with a spicy, garlicky butter flavoured with citrus and achiote paste, the zarandeado comes to the table garnished with sliced onions, tomatoes and oranges, smoky and juicy and ready to wrap in tortillas with a splash of Salsa Huichol hot sauce.

It’s a seafood feast that starts with his crispy fish chicharrones – deep-fried strips of battered fish that mimic the usual crunchy pork cracklings (or pork rind) – and shrimp ceviche on tostadas. Perfect with an icy, long-necked Pacifico beer.

The scene is repeated throughout our stay in San Blas. Whether walking the streets around the historic square or exploring the wide beaches, there’s always a place for a little ceviche snack and a fresh fruit juice or agua fresca.

At Hotel Garza Canela, the comfortable hotel run by chef Betty Vazquez and her siblings, the elegant Restaurant El Delfin serves intriguing guava and chili martinis and fine wines with an upscale menu. We especially enjoyed fish ceviche with oregano and serrano, and marinated shrimp with the fruity local guajillo chilies and orange sauce.

Ms. Vazquez says there’s an ongoing debate about the origins of ceviche – Peruvians say they were the first to cook seafood in acidic citrus juices, but Mexicans “have a unique way with fresh fish and seafood” – adding cilantro, cucumber and avocado to the traditional combination of raw seafood, onions, chilies and lime or bitter orange juice.

But it’s also the sweet freshwater shrimp found near San Blas than make the aguachile such a special treat.

Filed under:
Tips from travelers in Mexico
04 January 12 10:03 AM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

As usual, tips from observant travelers persevered through the comments section's critiques, political rants and random efforts at wit over the past year. This collection, chosen for remarks that add new information to the original article or offer recommendations for travel in Mexico, has been edited for space, grammar and clarity. Keep letting us know about your discoveries and unique experiences in 2012.

From "Triathlons to golf tournaments: 15 vacations to get you moving"

"I rode the Rosarito-Ensenada bike ride in 1995 and I absolutely loved it. Ten thousand people all biking 50+ miles from Rosarito beach to Ensenada, and the ride itself wasn't difficult at all — there were families and riders of all ages. It was a really fun time. Upon arrival, the entire town turns out for a huge party. Ensenada was known as a party town for Southern Californians, and lots of young people had fun there. I am saddened by what's happened in Mexico in recent years. … It's a pity, because I'd love to go back & do Rosarito-Ensenada again."  — by miss_piggy

From "Diving into Mexico's tastiest seafood dishes"

"I always eat a lot of different seafoods when in Mexico. In Veracruz it was fantastic: blue crabs, fish, oysters, shrimp, etc. The seafood is also good in Baja but they don't prepare it as well as in Veracruz." — by wow

"The Baja style battered fish tacos took root in the 1960's in Ensenada as Japanese fishermen supplied the tempura batter and Canadian tourists seeking 'fish 'n' chips' food supplied the mayonnaise (white sauce) and slaw." — by alteredcarbon

From "Page turners: Great books about Mexico"

"'The Wind That Swept Mexico' is a great book about the Mexican Revolution. … I will recommend 'The Savage Detectives' — soon to be (if is not already) a classic." — by MonicoNeck

"For a fascinating account of the glorious/tragic Cortes expedition try 'History of the Conquest of Mexico' by William Prescott. 'Mexico, Biography of Power' by Enrique Krauze relates the story of the almost unbroken chain of revolutions that comprise Mexican history over the last 200 years." — by vidair

"Pre-Revolutionary Mexico: 'At the Edge of The Storm,' and 'Tierras Flacas' by Agustin Yañez. The first book is an amazing descriptive look at a small town in Guadalajara pre-revolution. It captures the times, mores, and existence of common people in an isolated small town." — by elpookie

"(David Lida's) first collection of short stories, 'Travel Advisory,' is fantastic, if a bit rougher than his later fiction. His blog is well worth bookmarking for occasional visits. His perspectives and photographs are always a pleasure, often quirky and thought-provoking.

"For history, I'd recommend two large volumes: 'Mexico, A Biography of Power' by Enrique Krauze, which takes the reader through the generations of leadership in Mexico from the fall of the Aztecs to modern times. It helped me to understand not only the tumult of the country's history but also the reasons for the general mindset of the contemporary Mexican people. Also 'Conquest' by Hugh Thomas, which documents the rise and fall of the classical Aztec civilization in vivid detail. It's a real page-turner despite the heartbreaking tragedy of the subject matter. Good companion pieces would be the fine historical fiction novel 'Aztec' by Gary Jennings, still popular after all these years, 'The Conquest of New Spain' by Bernal Díaz (a Spanish priest who served under Cortes) and 'The Broken Spears' by Miguel Leon-Portilla for the Aztec perspective." — by xoconostle

A Taste of Home in Mexico
02 January 12 03:11 PM | Laura Anne Tierney | 0 Comments   

A taste of home in Mexico

Some doors down from Frida Kahlo’s infamous Blue House, in the heart of Mexico City’s leafy Coyoacan district, sits an unassuming bakery like many others.

I’m serving up more than just food. I’m serving people my heritage and childhood memories

But a cursory glance at La Santa Gula’s menu throws up a few surprises for this is Mexico’s first Maltese café, with timpana, qassatat and locally-baked ftajjar, all selling like the proverbial pastizzi.

Situated at 168, Calle Xicotecatl, Coyoacan, Mexico City, the bakery was the culmination of a dream that stretched back decades, owner Mark Mercieca said.

“This was a 30-year pipedream,” he chuckled. “As a kid, I used to tell my mother, Pat, that her profiteroles would make her famous one day. She used to just laugh but here we are today!”

La Santa Gula’s recipes are all his mother’s doing and Mrs Mercieca even spent a month in Mexico with her son perfecting her creations.

“She was very excited about it all. I don’t think she thought it would ever happen... and to see people walking in and tucking into your recipes must feel fantastic,” he said.

Maltese-born and bred, Mr Mercieca moved to Mexico almost 15 years ago as an adventurous 22-year-old smitten by the country’s vigour, colours and, of course, a local girl.

He opened a real estate business on Isla Mujeres, Cancun’s more laid-back sister town but decided to move to Mexico City 18 months ago to give his culinary dream a shot.

“I wanted something typically Maltese without going too overboard, something Mexican people could relate to. So we do ross il-forn, timpana, kapunata, ħobż biż-żejt... stuff that makes me proud of my heritage.”

The results so far were “fantastic,” he said. “We’ve been open for less than four months but we’re doing extremely well. We’ve got a number of regular clients and the Christmas period is shaping up nicely.”

An already bright café was lent an extra dash of colour by a series of posters on the walls. Dwejra, Mdina and the Blue Lagoon all feature. “My mother contacted the Malta Tourism Authority, who kindly provided the posters,” Mr Mercieca explained.

“Plenty of people here have never heard of Malta. The only Maltese they’ve heard of is the Maltese terrier,” he joked, “so I thought of giving them some visual aids. I feel like a culinary ambassador!

“I’m serving up more than just food. I’m serving people my heritage and childhood memories. These recipes and their origin are my essence.”

His next mission is to master pastizzi. “They’re an art in themselves; it takes a lot of practice if you’re to get them right. That’s why I started with the qassatat,” he said, laughter punctuating his sentences.

A Maltese friend of his living in Mexico has already visited La Santa Gula but Mr Mercieca is still waiting for his first unexpected Maltese client.

“It’ll be fantastic when that happens,” he concedes, “but there aren’t all that many Maltese knocking around these parts!”

More Posts Next page »

This Blog

Tags

Syndication