Yucatan News: Arms and Expos
Harlem Globetrotters Make Stop at Merida Orphanage
Nearly 300 children, who live at Merida’s center for the care of homeless children (Centro de Atención Integral del Menor en Desamparo (Caimede)), were treated to not only a performance in the courtyard of the orphanage, but to an extended visit after the performance. It seemed like a dream to the children and they could not stop talking about it. The Globetrotters went on to give four sold-out performances in Merida but, one thing is certain, their day at Caimede will be remembered and cherished for a lifetime by the children they befriended. The Harlem Globetrotters have played more than 20,000 games and there is a reason that, apart from fancy tricks with basketballs, they are one of the best loved entertainment groups in the world. No one is nicer to their audiences than the Harlem Globetrotters!
January Pet Sterilization Project Numbers In
For the sixth year in a row, the January Pet Sterilization Project has expanded its reach. This year, it took place in Valladolid, Progreso and Merida. Twenty five vets from Denver, California, Slovakia, Colombia, Mexicali, San Miguel de Allende, Puebla, Guadalajara, Quintana Roo and the Federal District came together to conduct 2,381 free sterilizations on pet dogs and cats. There were over 700 sterilizations in Progreso, over 1,000 in Merida, and 600 in Valladolid. This annual program is a combined effort between the State Ministry of Health, Planned Pethood Mexico, Albergue Franciscano del Animal Desprotegido (AFAD), Evolución A. C, UADY, and a number of local and expat supported organizations. Many thanks to everyone who volunteered their time, and their donations of financial support and supplies for this worthy event. Because of this one program, it is estimated that – in the course of just the next three years – 42,858 unwanted dogs and cats will not be born into a life of fear, hunger, pain, sickness and early death. As a public health measure, the fact that these unwanted pets will never be born insures fewer diseases transmitted from animals to humans, and even reduces the number of traffic accidents and fatalities. The best thing that comes out of this program is that the poor are given an opportunity to own a pet that is going to be part of their family, instead of growing into a burden. Happy pets and happy families who love them.
Running: Rock ‘n’ Roll Merida Half Marathon
Rock ‘n’ Roll International already includes races in Canada (Montreal and Vancouver), Portugal (Lisbon), Spain (Madrid), the United Kingdom (Liverpool), and Ireland (Dublin). Now, this international marathon has come to Mexico, with a hugely
March 15: Rock ‘n’ Roll Mexico City: 10,000 runners already registered (sold out)
October 31: Rock ‘n’ Roll Merida Half Marathon: 5,000 runners expected
These are night runs, with entertainment along the route. Early registration, with a special rate of $65 USD, will be open for 24 hours on January 30. From February 6 on to race day, the registration fee will be $75 USD. For more information, visit Rock ‘n’ Roll Merida.
Police Use Social Networks to Find Runaway Teens
Puppy love may not be real, but its real to the puppy. Such is the case with a growing number of teens who meet online and decide to run away together. Those who choose Yucatan as a destination are doing so on the basis of safety and the opportunity to earn a living. Their problem is that they either can’t manage to stay off of social media sites, or they can’t manage to keep their location secret from friends. This past week, the police picked up a 16 year old girl who had run away from home in Monterrey to be with her 18 year old boyfriend in Merida. Then, they picked up another 18 year old boy and his 17 year old girlfriend in Progreso. She is still a minor and he had been reported as missing by his family, so both were returned to their parents in Merida. With great pride, Yucatan can boast that their police departments, at every level, have a stellar reputation when it comes to responding to Amber Alerts and to the use of social networking to find missing teens.
Quintana Roo Physicians to Study Specialty Medicine in Merida
Expats from around the world take superior quality health care in Merida as a given, but such has not been the case for the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula until the signing of a training agreement just last week. The Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de la Peninsula de Yucatan is a resource that could not be used by physicians from Quintana Roo until the agreement with the official medical association of that state. This hospital was designed to serve not only as a specialty hospital for the people, but as a training hospital for specialty physicians. With this new agreement, it will not be long before the quality of health services across the Yucatan Peninsula will be on a par with the services found in Merida itself. Merida will certainly welcome the physicians of Quintana Roo and will take great pride in having had a part in creating an excellent health care system throughout the state.
2015 Annual Arms Exchange Underway in Yucatan
This program allows citizens to exchange guns, ammunition and/or explosives for household items, including appliances and even bicycles. In 2013, 70 guns were turned in and, in 2014, 45 guns made their way out of the hands of citizens to be safely disposed of. Throughout the month, the program will make its way through the municipalities of the state and will do so again at some point in the last half of the year. Many of these guns are old and unstable, having been passed down from one generation to the next. They were never disposed of because having unregistered firearms is against the law. This program bypasses that law and, as a result, prevents in-home accidents, as well as crimes. At any time, anyone can turn an unwanted weapon in to the military camps of 42 Sur or Valladolid.
Minimum Wage Going Up in Yucatan
Sadly, the minimum wage increase in Yucatan, set to begin March 1, will amount to just under two pesos. This will bring the daily minimum wage to barely over 70 pesos per day. Yucatan’s daily minimum wage has, traditionally, been one of the lowest in the nation. However, there is currently a national effort to standardize minimum wage across Mexico so that there will be less of a gap in with the lowest income families are able to earn nationwide. Although expats may not become involved in political topics in Mexico, we all are well aware of what things cost here. All we can ask is that everyone please take those costs into consideration when engaging the services of household and gardening help.
Happy 21st Anniversary Cecuny!
The Centro Cultural del Niño Yucateco (Cecuny) opened its doors January 24, 1994. Since then, this cultural center has become a model for early artistic education for children. The benefit to Yucatan is a steady flow of young authors, artisans, musicians, and voices who will be the new cultural face of Yucatan as their generations inherit the land and culture of their ancestors. Over the years, it has become evident that many places in the world train their children to play to an audience of tourists. The opposite is true in Yucatan. Here, these children would be studying the same artistic curriculum whether anyone outside of the state would be watching or not – and that makes all the difference. That is what defines authenticity and it is what allows true talent to shine. So, again, Happy 21st anniversary to Cecuny and congratulations to all of her students, past, present and future.
XXIV Expo Feria Valladolid January 23 – February 4
When this fair began, it was a cattle sale/horse show in what many thought of as still a frontier town. But there is something to be said for talent and location. Today, you can still find the cattle sale, but the horse shows have grown to be stunning. Add to that the fine jewelry from artisans across the Yucatan Peninsula, beautiful fashions by designers from Yucatan and Mexico, and this expo was already shaping up to be an international “must attend” event. The final touch came with imports and exports. Today, the Valladolid Expo and Fair combines a religious holiday with world class attention from business and tourism around the world. Valladolid’s location, between Cancun and Merida, near Chichen Itza, and close to beaches guarantees the future of this Magical Pueblo of Mexico for generations to come. To learn more about this fair, visit Expo Feria Valladolid 2014 on Facebook.
Tourism Goal: Unite the Yucatan Peninsula
A tourism delegation from Campeche is currently touring Merida and a similar delegation will soon arrive from Quintana Roo. A tourism delegation from Merida has already visited Campeche. The goal is to develop a combined tourism program that will showcase the best of activities, museums, and archaeological tours of Yucatan. Since these three states were once united, this is an idea whose time has come, especially with renewed interest in all things Maya. If we stop and think about it, there is no other place in the world with as rich and varied opportunities for tourism than the Yucatan Peninsula. Tourists need to keep an eye on this area for what will surely be some of the finest experiences to be found in the world and at some of the best prices. We hope everyone comes to the Yucatan Peninsula, even if it’s only for a visit.
