Yucatan News: 10,000 Yucatecos Coming Home?
Australia Seeks Yucateco Professionals
A group of Australian immigration lawyers is currently in Yucatan offering Yucateco professionals the opportunity to apply for a program that will give them employment and a permanent residence visa now and the right to apply for dual citizenship in four years. From the beginning, these migrants will have all of the rights and obligations of Australian citizens, along with salaries that are seven times on average what they would be paid in Mexico. They are looking for systems engineers, accountants, administrators, actuaries, nurses, journalists, marketers, and others. The quality of education in Yucatan’s universities has carved out a stellar reputation for itself worldwide and opportunities such as this are the result. According to the United Nations, Australia is the second best nation to live in, after Norway, and the Wall Street Journal rated it the second happiest nation in the world. Now, the first wave of 400 Yucateco professional migrants to Australia will mark the beginning of a new relationship between Yucatan and Australia; one for which Yucatan’s excellent universities can take much of the credit.
State Support and Jobs for Yucatan’s Deportees from U.S.
The deportation of undocumented Mexicans who are arrested in the United States is nothing new. This has been going on for the past two years. At the present time, however, there are still approximately 10,000 Yucatecos with judicial records in the U.S. who will likely be deported by the incoming American administration. Yucatan and Mexico have vehicles on the border with signs, phone numbers, and recorded announcements that jobs and support are available for Yucateco deportees now. Hopefully, this effort will alleviate some of the hardship on both sides of the border.
2016 Food and Travel Redeem Awards
This year is the third year of awards by the prestigious travel magazine Food and Travel Redeem Awards. For the second consecutive year, Merida was named the Best Gourmet Destination in Mexico and Hotel Rosas & Xocolate was recognized as the Best Urban Hotel in Mexico. These awards are in addition to Lonely Planet naming Merida one of the 10 most important and attractive cities in the world to visit in 2017, and Convenciones de Latinoamerica naming Merida the best destination for congresses and conventions in Mexico. Awards such as these lead to an almost never-ending number of national and international congresses, conventions, sporting events and other events. This has not happened by accident. The Office of the Secretary of Tourism Development, now headed by Saul Ancona Salazar, has done a masterful job of public relations for Merida and for Yucatan.
Beach Erosion Issues Continue
Beach erosion is a problem all along the coast of Yucatan, mostly because beach plants were destroyed when many of the homes there were built. Now, property owners and municipalities are struggling to repair what they can before homes are damaged beyond repair. In Dzilam de Bravo, a 2,500 meter sea wall is being built, at a cost of $100 million pesos, to protect the urban area of the municipality. In Chelem, spurs of sticks were used and are not working for most homeowners, some say due to inconsistencies in the building of the spurs from one house to the next. This is a struggle that occurs annually. Homeowners and the municipalities continue working together to attempt to find a final solution to the problem, but this is a global problem that is going to require more than lip service to addressing the issues related to global warming.
Placido Domingo to Sing in Havana
Just about the time we begin to wonder if the whole world has gone mad, grace and sanity reappear in the form of the world’s greatest talents. Such will be the case on November 26, when Placido Domingo will perform his first concert in Cuba. Placido Domingo is 75 years old and this is his 50th year performing as part of the soul of humanity. He will be performing in the Alicia Alonso Gran Teatro de La Habana, accompanied by the National Symphony Orhestra of Cuba, led by American Eugene Kohn and featuring Puerto Rican soprano Ana Maria Martinez. If at all possible, please try to attend this concert. It is so nearby and is the opportunity of a lifetime.
First Femicide Trial in Yucatan
The first femicide trial in Yucatan lasted 13 days and resulted in a prison sentence of 35 years, plus a fine of 1,200,000 pesos for damages. There was a hearing to examine the criteria for the sentence on November 15. Many thanks to the Legislature of Yucatan, the judicial system of Yucatan, the police and the people for standing up for the value of the lives of girls and women in this state. Now, if we can just get this concept pushed on around the world, perhaps everyone will be able to live a little easier in their home countries.
Huge Profits Expected from el Buen Fin
As the State Fair draws to a close, the biggest shopping event of the year is taking place in Merida. It is called el Buen Fin. Almost all vendors put their merchandise on sale and, with low – or no – taxes, they are able to increase their sales by 100%. Electronics and clothing seem to be in the greatest demand this year and the total profit is expected to be more than six billion pesos. It certainly is beginning to look a lot like a successful Christmas is coming to Yucatan.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
This weekend saw showers and temperatures that dropped as low as 15 C (59 F). That might not sound too cold to someone from Canada or Michigan, but it isn’t exactly comfortable for children accustomed to living in the tropics. Respiratory diseases may soon spread among children. The best advice is still to wash your hands, eat well, stay hydrated, and get a good night's sleep.
Zika No Longer a Public Health Emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that Zika is no longer a worldwide public health emergency. We might add that mosquito season is over and it is probably a good idea to continue all precautions so that this does not happen again next Spring.
Posted By Khaki Scott
