Yucatan Living

Yucatan News: Science and Love

Oxkutzcab: Organic Insecticide

Refugio Cetina Bacelis is the owner of Little Eden (El pequeño edén), a nursery located in Oxkutzcab. This is the time of year when white flies, lady bugs and mites can ruin an entire year’s work and gardening budget for those who love ornamental plants. This year, however, Refugio Cetina Bacelis has a little something waiting for these pests. He soaks garlic, oregano, neem leaves, onion and mint in a liter of water for a week, then sprays it on his plants. It is not a permanent fix but, without the risk of chemical burns to the plants, it keeps the pests away for weeks. If you would like to visit El pequeño edén and give this organic insecticide a try, they are located at Calle 55 x 48 y 50 in Oxkutzcab. (Source: El Diario de Yucatan)

Solar Energy Use Increasing in Yucatan

By the end of 2013, there will be a total of 200 completed solar energy projects in the State of Yucatan, with 80% of them for use by homeowners. This is up from only 15 projects last year, with all 15 having been implemented by homeowners in the City of Merida itself. So far, this year and with about half of the total number either completed or in progress, the project locations include: Merida, Motul, Ticul, Valladolid and Tizimin. It is interesting to note that a member of the Association of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development said that, while it is easy to romanticize this movement as being fueled by concern for the environment, the truth of the matter is that most homeowners opt for installing solar energy because they want to lower their CFE bills. Whatever the reason, this is great news and we hope the momentum continues at this rate.

Students: Major Red Cross Contributors

The annual Red Cross fundraiser has ended for 2013. Last year, a total of $5.3 million pesos was collected. This year, the total was $5,634,464 pesos. Over two million of that amount came from students at all levels of education in Yucatan. The Red Cross in Yucatan is one of the most active organizations in Yucatan state, especially when it comes to the purchase and staffing of ambulances. What the demographics of this year’s contributors shows is that the next generation is not only interested, but engaged in making certain that all of the people of Yucatan have access to rapidly increasing levels of quality healthcare. Yucatan Living extends congratulations to the Red Cross and to their young contributors. We encourage you also to contribute to La Cruz Roja. They provide free ambulance service in the city and you never know when you might need it!

Young Progreseño Passed Away in Canada

Julio Manuel Canto Canché, a 27-year-old accomplished martial artist and third year medical student, passed away, after a short illness, on June 13, in Winnipeg, Canada. His wife is Canadian and his citizenship was to be finalized on August 6. The couple has two daughters, ages seven and two. His ashes were brought home by his father. His wife and daughters came to Progreso for the funeral mass this past week and will be staying for an extended period of time. Progreso was left to mourn their native son with what we would call a wake, where there were loving family and friends, good food, and tales of the exceptional accomplishments and exploits of this young Yucateco. Yucatan Living extends our sympathy to the family and friends of Julio Manuel Canto Canché.

New Book by Expat Lorraine Baillie Bowie

Lorraine Baillie Bowie, a member of the Merida Writer’s Group, has a new book on Amazon. The title is The Science of Finding Love That Lasts. This book includes the true stories of real people, taken from more than 30 years of clinical practice and the author’s experiences as a clinical professor of neuropsychiatry and behavioral medicine. There really is a science to finding love and Dr. Bowie explains the link between social biology, DNA and how we connect with others.

Illegal Billboards to be Torn Down

As Merida has grown, its recognition of visual pollution and damage to its urban image has produced a set of laws that regulates billboards. Some of the illegal billboards are constructed in places where they cause accidents. Some are unsafe because of building materials. Overall, there are about 100 of these illegal billboards in Merida and they are soon to come down. At the present time, fifty-four are already in line for removal. While it was wonderful to see Merida growing and to see economics thriving, it is equally wonderful to see a maturing of attitudes toward safety and image when it comes to the placement of billboards in the city.

A Scientist in the Making

We simply could not resist sharing this photo with our readers. When people donate to the many social welfare and educational organizations in Yucatan, they often don’t get to see the fruits of their donations. Proyecto Itzaes works in rural areas and helps children and families pursue better educations and a better quality of life. The young scientist in this picture is what helping, year after year, with a hand up is all about. We hope that the 2013 school year will be a grand success for everyone who participates in any way with one or more of these fine organizations. Yucatan Living will be featuring several as the summer turns into fall and our Snowbirds return.

Mexico’s Tourism Dollars Pay Off

Over the past few years, Mexico has spent an enormous amount of money courting investors, tour operators and airlines in the tourism industry. The ten major markets have been the United States, Canada, England, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Russia, China and Korea. The fruits of those labors are starting to roll in and China appears to be the front-runner in the race to visit Mexico. In truth, all of those markets have responded beautifully and tourism is up around the country. We are very pleased to know that the image of Mexico is changing and perceptions of the country, around the world, are vastly improved. This news about China’s appetite for tourism in Mexico comes when, last year, the fastest growing group of immigrants to Merida were from China.

Dutch Tourists Visit Eastern Yucatan

Since Valladolid became one of the Magical Cities of Mexico, more and more tourists are venturing into eastern Yucatan to see historical sites, cenotes and flamingos. All of that and more is available in a section of Yucatan that has, in years past, not received its share of exposure. This past week, it was Dutch tourists who visited the eastern regions of Yucatan. They are part of a growing, and quite diverse, number of tourists from all parts of the world. We hope that our expats are including themselves in the group of foreigners who visit the eastern municipalities of Yucatan. There are still wonders left to explore in our adopted home in Mexico.

New Healthcare Relationship for Mexico

The IMSS of Mexico and the ISSS of El Salvador have signed an agreement that promotes mutually beneficial relationships with respect to academic, technical, administrative and scientific collaboration for the benefit of their beneficiaries. This agreement recognizes that health and social welfare are not confined by borders or by time and, in a globalized world, it is increasingly important to be open to communication between nations, societies and individuals. This agreement is expected to have a dramatic and immediate impact on healthcare in El Salvador.