Yucatan Living

Yucatan News: Whale Sharks & Wild Fires

News starting February 16, 2009.

System Analysis: The Future of Tourism in Yucatan
While searching for documentation on an article we lost, we found a study that should be of great interest to those who are either already in a tourism related business in Yucatan, and to those who think they might like to be. The study is a Dynamic Simulation Model of Tourism and Environment in the Yucatan Peninsula by Patricia P.A.A.H. Kandelaars. Although it was written in 1997, it covers a period far enough into the future to be of great value to anyone interested in this sector of the economy in our region. Read this study HERE.

What are the Odds?
Someone needs to write a song – or at least a jingle – about the amazing luck of those who purchase lottery tickets in Yucatan. Last year, 12 of the larger national lottery prizes were awarded to ticket holders in the State of Yucatan, for a grand total of $32,060,000 pesos, with no rabbit’s foot or 4 leaf clover necessary. Of course, all of us who live here feel lucky enough just to be in Yucatan, but its great to know that we also seem to have a better chance of winning the lottery here as well.

New Glass Industry Comes to Merida
Diamond-Fusion International, Inc. signs exclusive contract with Yucatan’s Millet to produce their patented nanocoated glass products. Diamond-Fusion is coming to Mexico because, and we quote, “Mexico currently represents the world’s 13th largest economy and is firmly established as an advanced middle-income country, has the highest income per capita in Latin America and is the only Latin American member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).” (Glass on Web) Coming to Merida completes national coverage for Diamond-Fusion. For more information about both of these companies, visit their websites: Millet Industria De Vidrio and Diamond-Fusion International, Inc.

Mexico’s FEMSA to Buy Columbia’s Brisa

FEMSA (Mexico) is the second largest bottler of Coke in the world. Brisa is the largest water bottler in Columbia. The $92 million dollar deal is waiting for final approval from the Government in Columbia. When that comes, it will add considerably to FEMSA’s portfolio.

Los Angeles, California to Buy Geothermal Power from Mexico
By the end of 2010, Los Angeles, CA, expects to have 20% of its power needs obtained from renewable resources. Already, in December of 2008 year, the city bought 25 megawatts of around-the-clock geothermal power from Mexico’s power agency and doubled that in January. This is not only a rousing success for green living, but is yet another example of successful cooperation across the border.

Lemon Dumping Prevented in Oxkutzcab
The Municipal Council of Oxkutzcab has again had to take steps to prevent the dumping of Persian lemons from surrounding states into the market in Yucatan. If the dumping were not stopped, the foreign lemons would be sold, in Yucatan, at a cheaper price than lemons that are actually grown here. At the end of January, a 17 kilo (37 lbs 7.65 oz) box of lemons was selling for $70 pesos ($4.81 USD). From November to April or May, the price of lemons is good. The rest of the year, prices can fall as low as $30 pesos ($2.06) per box. For the past 3 years, in June or July, Juguera de Akil has purchased tons of lemon juice to help keep the price from dropping low enough to put farmers at financial risk. To support our lemon farmers, local gringos might want to check out these great lemon deserts,from Joy of Baking, and HERE are 1,259 lemon recipes collected throughout the 1990s by a student at UC-Berkeley.

Merida Hosts UNESCO’s 5th World Council of the Jose Marti Project
On the 118th anniversary of the Mexican publication of “Our America,” by Jose Marti, UNESCO’s 5th World Council of the Jose Marti Project opened in Merida. UNESCO has pledged its continuing support for the Jose Marti Project for International Solidarity with a view to encouraging the study of universal philosophical thought and helping to strengthen, in human society, the ethical and legal principles that underlie international cooperation, solidarity, the promotion of peace and international dialogue. The event was attended by intellectual, political and cultural dignitaries from around the world, and certainly dignitaries from Cuba in honor of their national hero and poet, Jose Marti, the Apostle of Cuban Independence. As man faces global warming, the meeting in Merida is a prelude to an international colloquy for the culture of nature that will take place in Havana next year. In addition, Mario Menendez, director of Por Esto, was awarded the Jose Marti Cuban Cultural Society’s La Utilidad de la Virtud medal. Congratulations to all who participated in this event and a special congratulation to our friend Mario Menendez.

Wild Fires in Yucatan
This is the time of year when there can be any number of wild fires in our state. These are caused by a lack of rain, coupled with controlled burns that get out of hand, as well as the illegal burning of trash. The areas most affected right now seem to be Valladolid, Tizimín, Chicxulub Pueblo, Telchac Pueblo and Baca, but the entire states should be on alert until the danger passes. Please remember two things during this time: (1) If you see a fire, report it immediately! And (2) If you are driving into smoke, either turn around and leave the area or turn on your lights so that others can see you. Yucatan Living would like to express our thanks to the 350 additional firefighters who are working hard to prevent and combat these fires, as well as the hard working local firefighters who protect us all on a daily basis.

China and Yucatan Sign Trade and Investment Agreement
China is impressed with the natural beauty of the State of Yucatan, as well as with the enthusiasm of Yucatecos. This led to an agreement between China and Yucatan in which Yucatan pledges to continue to work toward creating an increasingly advantageous environment for potential Chinese investments and in which China agrees to look more closely at any number of our economic sectors in which they can both trade and invest. This is good news for our state and we certainly welcome the new jobs that this agreement will produce..

Whale Shark Sightings In Northern Gulf of Mexico
There were at least 70 sightings of whale shark pods within 100 miles of the mouth of the Mississippi River in 2008. In one of those sightings, the number of whale sharks in the pod was described with “as far as the eye could see.” Our eastern coast of Yucatan is home to approximately 1,500 to 3,000 whale sharks at any given time and Sarasota, Florida, researchers report as many as 75 whale sharks in just one picture. For all of these sightings, little is known about these gentle giants, but research is ongoing because the whale shark seems to be increasing in numbers and showing up where there are algae blooms. This article discusses this mysterious creature and provides several excellent links to more information. 

Carolina’s Recipes
Carolina lives in Merida, where she works at PLAN B, a local magazine fo the young and fashionable in Yucatan – but Carolina also has a blog… and recipes! Look here for good and easy recipes from Carolina.

Dimitri’s Blog: Driving through Yucatan
We don’t know Dimitri, but we sure like his observations of the drive from Cancun to Merida, to Campeche, to Palenque, to Calakmul, to Tulum and back to Cancun. Read his take on the most deceiving myth about Mexico here.

Job in Campeche
EFL / ESL Teaching Position: on la Isla de Carmen in Campeche
For Information, Click Here.