January 2006 / 42

Letter from the Editor

Welcome to Another Day in Paradise and welcome to the year 2006 AD.

Ready or not here comes the dog. 

It’s January and off we go, lumbering into another new year.  2005 went out like a light.  I wasn’t actually ready for it and found myself fumbling for the switch.   I hadn’t even finished all my resolutions yet and already it was time to dream up new ones.  Well, good thing the Chinese New Year isn’t until January 29, that does give us a little more time to procrastinate before the start of the year 4703.  So here’s your warning you have one extra month to prepare.  We have art and culture and music and festivals, making for one very full busy year ahead of us.

Zihua Sailfest is coming up next month, February 1-5, 2006, www.zihuasailfest.com and The Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival has just announced this year’s line-up, so check the official website: www.zihuafest.info to see what fabulous international musicians will be coming to Zihuatanejo to play March 26 – April 2, 2006.  If you would like to sponsor an artist, airfare sponsors are needed for musicians coming in from all across North America.  Volunteers are desperately needed as well, for the months leading up until the festival as well as during the festival week itself.  If you would like to volunteer, go to the website for more information or email info@zihuafest.info, good fun for a good cause.

Happy New Year and hope your year is full of joy (in Zihuatanejo!)          

And for all you pigs out there, here’s what they say about Pig fury in a Dog year, “Redefine yourself and make a mental commitment to practice the art of happiness.” Now that’s what I can good advice for anyone!

Oink

History

Zihuatanejo, captured in print

1994 was a banner year of sorts for Zihua. Millions of moviegoers worldwide heard the name Zihuatanejo for the first time after both "The Shawshank Redemption" and "When A Man Loves a Woman" were released. Many even learned how to pronounce all of its five syllables! View full article

Enchanted Vagabonds

In 1935, an intrepid, adventurous couple, Dana and Helen Lamb, built a large wooden sea-worthy canoe, stocked its hold with basic kitchen utensils, provisions, casks of water, a compass and marine maps, fishing gear, a first aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, an ample supply of waterproof matches, binoculars, cameras and rolls of film, a kerosene lantern and cooking stove, weapons and ammunition, and left southern California bound for Panama.... View full article

Food

Tequila

Few North Americans have left Mexico without downing a shot of tequila. But as tastes have become more sophisticated, so has the production and marketing of the country's national drink, winning it the respect of liquor connoisseurs the world around and prompting visitors to take the time to savor it properly.... View full article

Fishing

The Excitement of Bait and Switch

There are several methods of catching a sailfish here on the Costa Grande. Probably the most boring one is to sit in a fighting chair, let the deck hand set the hook, and then pass the rod off to you. The rod and reel is huge, as well as the 60 to 80 pound line being used. It is almost like being nothing but a winch. When catching any type of a fish, the hook-set is the most skilled part and the most fun... View full article

Nature

Big Black Birds

Two vultures boarded an airplane, each one carrying two dead iguanas. The flight attendant looks at them and says, “Sorry guys, only one carrion allowed per passenger.” Now some of you might think I just wanted to start off with a dumb joke, but the real reason is that I want you to know that there are two different kinds of vultures flying around together in Zihuatanejo’s skies, the Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture.... View full article

Shopping

What's new in Shopping in Zihuatanejo...View full article

Community

Checking in with the Fundacion de Rene Ferguson, A.C. and The Cooking School at Z.

Last season we ran an article about the release of the Zihua-inspired novel, The Cooking School at Z, by Dan Kennedy. Not only an entertaining novel about one couple who tossed everything and ran away to Zihuatanejo, but a book with a social conscience. Proceeds from the Mexico sales of the book support a local educational foundation that grants scholarships to motivated Zihuatanejo women to continue their education... View full article

Family Farewell in Paradise

When the Segovia sisters, Martha, Lupita and Marie-Antoinette were standing on my patio on Thursday, it was more that a pleasant surprise, as they normally only visit Zihuatanejo during high days and holidays. Having just flown in from Mexico City, their immediate task was to make arrangements for a special occasion, the reason for them being here.... View full article

Buddhism – Suffering is Optional

Israel Lifshitz got in touch with Buddhism 13 and a half years ago when he attended a lecture that opened his eyes and changed the path of his life. “Buddhism addressed many of the existential questions about my life,” says Israel, on a recent trip to Zihuatanejo, where he conducted a seminar on Tibetan Philosophy and Psychology....... View full article

Virgin of Guadalupe Day

December 12th is traditionally known in Mexico as the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Día de la Virgin de Guadalupe), celebrating the manifestation of the Virgin Mary on Dec 9, 1531. It is the most important holiday in Mexico, even more important that Christmas, and is celebrated nationwide. Millions of pilgrims converge on the Mexico City Basilica of the country’s patron saint to pay tribute, this year with over seven million in attendance....... View full article

Z-Scene... View full article

Legal

Mexican Labor Law or what you don’t know can hurt you

Every year in México, 90% of labor lawsuits filed are lost by the employer—some with grave consequences, closing of companies, bankruptcy and the loss of investments....View full article

Notes from the Consulate

Foreign Car Importation Now Available !

Ever since summer, the newspapers have spoken about "Chocolate" cars being legally importable. When I called the Customs office, they told me the words "chocolate cars" meant cars in the country illegally... View full article

Upcoming Events

A quick list of upcoming events in our community and in other parts of Mexico... View full article