News of Yucatan for July 2015
Welcome to Archbishop Gustavo Rodriguez Vega
This new Archbishop has been appointed by Pope Francis to lead the Catholics Archdiocese of Yucatan. He is a relatively young man and will hold his post here for the next 15 years, until he reaches the age of mandatory retirement. From what we have seen thus far, he will be an excellent fit for the culture of Yucatan. What we like most is hearing that he wants to stay close to the people. This alone will endear him in the hearts and minds of the people of Yucatan. Once again, welcome to the new Archbishop of Yucatan.
Sargasso Sea invades the Caribbean
The beautiful blue Caribbean has been battling climate change in its own way lately. Off the coast of Bermuda, there has always floated a 2 million acre area of sargassum seaweed, called the Sargasso Sea. This area is also sometimes called "the rainforest of the sea", as it is an area that provides shelter and life to a host of plants and animals. Periodically, some of the seaweed floats free and drifts to shore on beaches across the Caribbean. According to an article in the Riviera Maya News, climate change is the probable cause of the huge influx of sargassum seaweed that has been coming ashore all along the Mayan Riviera for the last few years. Low wind levels and higher temperatures than normal have brought masses of this seaweed ashore not only along the Mexican coast, but on all the islands and other beaches surrounding the Caribbean. It is common for the seaweed to wash ashore during the summer, and most hotels and beach resorts employ "beach gardeners" to collect and remove the seaweed every morning before the tourists go out to the beach. Since 2011, the amount of seaweed has been increasing and apparently this year, it has been quite unmanageable. It has gotten so bad that earlier this month, a committee was formed with representatives from both Quintana Roo's environmental authorities and from the hotel industry to come up with a plan to handle the excess seaweed. A reporter in Trinidad writes that the excess of sargassum may in fact be preventing some turtles from burying their eggs and nesting on the beaches. Some are doing their best to make lemonade out of lemons, however. A Jamaican newspaper reports that Grenada is considering exporting its seaweed to China, for use as a fertilizer. We'll keep reporting on this developing story.
Profepa Closes Construction at Kantára
Kantára is/was designed to be a gated community of luxury homes located in Dzidzilché, approximately 16 miles north of Merida, but still within the borders of the Municipality of Merida. The property contains 9.97 hectares of forest vegetation (about 25 acres) and 30.78 hectares (about 76 acres) of lowland rainforest. This means that SEMARNAT requires the submission for approval of not only an Environmental Impact Study, but also a Land Use Change for Forest Land. Construction had gone ahead on this project without either of those requirements having been met. Profepa carries out continuing inspections of the entire state and detected the removal of vegetation, along with the presence of heavy machinery, on this property. Profepa stepped in, shut the entire project down, and implemented the administrative proceedings against those responsible for the work. Those responsible for this project could now be liable for a fine of up to 50,000 days of general minimum wage and permanent closure of the project. In addition, having gone ahead with construction that changes the use of forest land without authorization carries a fine of up to 20,000 times the minimum wage. Quite a few lots have already been sold on this property, but no houses had been built. The ultimate fate of Kantára is unknown as of now.
National Migration Institute Regularized 10,000 Illegal Migrants
Over the years, hundreds of thousands of migrants have come to Yucatan, usually to work. It isn’t long before they send for family members and friends. Then, visas run out, or are never gotten at all, jobs end, or someone in the group gets sick or injured, and Yucatan ends up with thousands of residents who are not eligible for housing, nutrition, education or health benefits. The expense to the state, and taxpayers, is catastrophic. With penalties for being in the country illegally temporarily suspended, it is expected that up to 10,000 individuals will ultimately come in to the offices of the INM to get their paperwork straightened out. Three thousand have already done so in the first 15 days of what looks as if it is going to be an annual amnesty program. Not only will this help individuals and families receive the benefits they have earned, but it will also help to increase the tax base for local and state governments, and it will help reduce human trafficking as well. Desperate people do desperate things, and Yucatan is determined that no one who lives in Yucatan will feel as if human trafficking is any kind of an option for them or for someone they love.
Leave the Driving to Greyhound
Last week, WestJet announced that weekly flights will begin on December 15, 2015, between Toronto and Merida. This week, Greyhound has begun 20 daily buses from Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Laredo to Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey. It is an easy matter to catch a bus from there on to Merida. Both WestJet and Greyhound are running some pretty good specials on fares these days, but Greyhound has always been the King in that department. As of now, they are only charging one dollar or $25 pesos to ride from their Texas points of origin to their Mexican destinations. If anyone decides to take the trip, please remember that you will still be crossing the border. All passengers and baggage will be checked and all passengers must have a passport. Whatever the inconvenience, it is wonderful to see new points of contact between Mexico and her neighbors to the north.
First Pok ta Pok Peninsular Cup
Five teams played in the first Pok ta Pok Peninsular Cup in Merida, from the states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. The overall winner was the team from Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Opichen, Yucatan, took the second place spot. The top two teams will represent Mexico in the Second Pok ta Pok World Cup games in Yucatan, during the Autumn Equinox, September 21, and will include teams from Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, as well as our teams from Mexico. This sacred ball game dates back to at least 1,400 BC, and is one of the Mayan cultural components that was rescued during the attention paid to this culture in 2012. Until this year, it had been over 500 years since Pok ta Pok teams have come together to compete like this. Hopefully, these games will continue now for another 500 years and more.
Social Networks and Gardening in Merida
Members of the social network groups Regalo y Trueque Verde (Gift and Barter Green) and Limoncito Productos Artesanales (Limoncito Handicrafts) met in Parque de la Paz in Merida for the 15th time to exchange and donate plants. There were about 200 members on hand, many with signs and banners identifying themselves for those waiting for an exchange with them, or listing what they had brought and what they would like to take home. The rules are simple. Nothing is sold. This is not a business. Join this Facebook group to learn more.
Poverty Levels Slowly Falling in Yucatan
National news headlines are reporting that although extreme poverty is decreasing in Mexico, poverty itself is increasing. What this means is that increasing numbers of lower middle class folks are slipping below the national level for poverty as prices rise and wages remain stagnant. Yucatan, on the other hand, is slowly decreasing the numbers of its citizens. By the end of 2014, Yucatan was one of only five states with a lower rate of citizens living in poverty than the national average. With the national average rate of poverty in Mexico seeming to be stuck at 46.2%, Yucatan has moved, in one year, from 48.9% to 45.9%. This three percent reduction may not sound like much, but it is more than a blessing to the 38,960 Yucatecos who are now living a life free of the stress of poverty. As Yucatan continuously works to improve access to health care, education, and jobs, the future looks brighter than ever.
Successful Business Grows from College Thesis
There is a successful line of handbags that has recently emerged in Merida under the signature name of “Turmalina.” The project was originally developed by two young college students as part of their university thesis. The students were Loretta Sellers and María Fernanda de Regil Lozano. After receiving her degree in Product Design, from Universidad Modelo, Maria Fernanda announced that she was “in love with” the business plan and continued the business alone. The bags are biodegradable, durable and basic designs that look well with any fashion trend, and they are not disposable, as are many low-quality biodegradable products. But the amazing thing about these bags is that the fabric they are made from is recycled advertising banners. This fabric is perfect for fashion accessories and has the potential to keep many a billboard banner out of landfills. Considering the number of advertising banners in Mexico, this is joyous news indeed. Turmalina has been so successful that it is now expanding into other states in Mexico and has even had enquiries from Spain. Congratulations to both Loretta Sellers and María Fernanda de Regil Lozano for their original idea, and to Maria for her devotion to continuing the business after college.
Merida: New Hostel for Families of Cancer Kids
One of the main reasons for the abandonment of treatment for children with cancer is the high cost of members of the family having to remain in the city during treatment, as well as the stress on the family itself. Now, DIF and the Mexican Red Cross have come together with citizens organizations to provide a hostel that has green areas, a games room, a kitchen, a dining room, a laundry area and administrative offices. Both medical and psychological support are provided for parents while their children are undergoing treatment. With the stress of food and shelter off of their minds, parents and sick children are more likely to finish the children’s courses of treatment with a positive outcome. Keep watch for any fundraisers that may be associated with this hostel in the future and for any volunteer opportunities as well. The hostel is located behind the Crisis Care Center of the Mexican Red Cross and it’s telephone numbers are 533-6865 or 533-6867.
Merida: Fifth ABC Congress of Weddings and Special Events
Did you know that the wedding and special event market generates $100 billion dollars per year? With Merida internationally known as one of the most romantic locations in the world, the State of Yucatan has taken steps to consolidate this industry in Merida and throughout the State of Yucatan. There are some stunning wedding destinations in Yucatan, and some of the best wedding photographers in the world. The fifth Association of Bridal Consultants Latin American Congress of Weddings and Special Events was held in Merida’s Siglo XXI Convention Center during the week of July 20. This international congress was attended by more than 600 wedding professionals from 15 countries. Take a look at some of the wedding photographs taken by Elizabeth Medina, one of our favorite wedding photographers.
