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Pacific Coast Road, Nogales to Puerto Vallarta Driving and Travel Guide Log 2011 only $9.99

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LAND FOR SALE

Land suitable for small ranch.

In La Loma 10 minutes north of La Penita. 700,000 pesos. Ejido.

Contact Rafael at

(cell phone 045 311 161 0573)

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March 18, 2011 ..the heartbeat of the Riviera Nayarit

The Sol, the English Language source of News for the Riviera Nayarit Mexico, including La Penita de Jaltemba, Rincon de Guayabitos, Lo de Marcos. Los Ayala, Lo de Marcos, and San Pancho

Become a Friend on the Riviera Nayarit Click Here

Happy St Patty's Day

Lots of fun. The Payne Family celebrates at Rockies Hideaway

Go to page 2 for more photos

Club Champions!

Geoff Eggleton Seniors Fritz Strankman Champion

WE DID IT!

Our goal for the spring of 2011 was to reach $5,000 worth of donations in order to help fund clinics in the Jaltemba Bay Area and also Lo de Marcos in April and November. We have reached a total of $5,756.00!

YEAH! Thanks again to all those who have donated in any way: money, donations, and time!

Our annual budget requires approximately $10,000 per year. The two or three clinics cost us approximately $5,000 each year. Our work outside the clinic is on-going all year long and requires approximately another $5,000 which helps us cover medical expenses, vaccinations, sterilizing, adoptions, health certificates, dog and cat food through out the year. We cover expenses for anyone who cannot afford medical expenses for their animals and also for anyone who brings in an animal in need. All medical expenses are covered!

Please keep helping us out!!

Many thanks to the following people who have added to our funds through their donations!

Yoga Tree Centre	$1460 pesos
Condominos Paraiso del Mar	$2000 pesos
Karen Dalzell		$200.00 CAD
John and Margaret deBourcier	$400 pesos
Regine Zakaib		$100.00 CAD
Robert Dickson		$25.00 CAD
Tina Krause		$100.00 USD
Lynne Humphry-Baker/Mike Roy		$100.00 USD
Judy Amos and Bob Markoski	$1500 pesos
Shannon Hornquist		$75.00 CAD
Dogs Working for JBAR	$2150 pesos
Sam and Maude	$200 pesos
Kyber	$100 pesos
Bobbi McGee	$120 pesos
Maggie the Cocker	$150 pesos
`	$400 pesos
Peso (Sayulita)	$100 pesos
Jazz	$ 30 pesos
Libby	$300 pesos
Lucy the Terrier	$300 pesos
Kringle	$ 50 pesos
Lucy the Shitzu	$100 pesos
Doc	$100 pesos
Molly	$ 50 pesos
Willie (Sayulita)	$100 pesos
Trixie (Sayulita)	$ 50 pesos
Breakfast at Tiffany's

And a special thanks to Dot and Bill for helping us with our campaign!!! A success!!

KINDER SCHOOL SUPPLIES FUNDRAISER LUNCHEON !

Sunday, March 20^th at noon at

Petra’s Restaurant

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, red cabbage and dessert

For only $80 pesos

With Karaoke Carla !

Funds are being raised for

Escuela: Jardin de Ninos: Ignacio Zargoza,

on Av. Education, La Penita

There are 110 students, ages 4 -6, who require basic school supplies.

Click here to read more about this new insurance product

This Week

US prof kidnapped in Mexico now safe

A Northern Arizona University (NAU) anthropology professor who was kidnapped by armed men Friday while visiting her mother in the violent Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez is safe and with family members, the Arizona Republic reported Sunday. Veronica Perez Rodriguez, 35, was "intercepted by armed men and deprived of her liberty" after leaving her mother's home, a source at the Chihuahua state prosecutor's office told AFP….go to original article

Wanted: Officers to Retake Mexico

They were out looking for cattle thieves in the rolling pastures of this small town, bumping along in their police truck on a remote road, talking about nothing, when bright lights snapped them to attention. Headlights in the distance from an approaching car and behind it another, and another, and another. A caravan of four luxury sedans fast approaching ….go to original article

Undeterred spring breakers head to Mexico

College-aged partiers flock southward despite safety warnings. A lot has been made about whether the popular spring break destination of Mexico is safe for college-aged partiers amid ongoing reports of drug-related violence south of the border. But, spring breakers are a determined and resilient bunch….go to original article

Feds: NM mayor, police chief helped run guns to Mexico

Drug gangsters in northern Mexico looking for high-powered weapons have benefited from some well-placed American suppliers lately, U.S. prosecutors say. While drug violence raged in the Mexican town of Puerto Palomas, the mayor and police chief of next-door Columbus, N.M., formed part of a U.S. smuggling ring selling weapons to gangsters across the border, U.S. prosecutors say….go to original article

Mexico wants answers from U.S. about smuggled guns

Mexican lawmakers are demanding answers from the U.S. after a law enforcement operation let hundreds of lethal weapons to be trafficked into Mexico. They say the weapons later ended in the hands of the drug cartels of Mexico who ended up killing and injuring more than 150 Mexican people. One of those weapons also has been linked to the fatal shooting of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry….go to original article

Will Mexico's Runaway Sheriff Find Asylum in U.S.?

When 20-year old criminology student Marisol Valles was sworn in as a police chief in the embattled Mexican state of Chihuahua in October, she became an instant celebrity as the bravest woman in Mexico. Pundits and media commentators cheered the slight, bespectacled, innocent-looking young mother who had the guts to stand up to the drug cartels. What made her especially valiant was the fact that her predecessor as police chief of the small farming town of Praxedis Guadalupe Guerrero had been kidnapped and beheaded. The new sheriff said she would not even carry a gun, but would focus instead on community policing to cure the murderous ills….go to original article

Mexican magnate widens leads as world's richest

Carlos Slim tops Bill Gates by $18B, but flagship company says he is a victim of monopolistic practices

Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim widened his lead over other billionaires on Forbes magazine's list of the world's richest people Wednesday the same day his flagship company said he is a victim of monopolistic practices. Slim's fortune was estimated to have risen to $74 billion well ahead of Bill Gates' $56 billion and investor Warren Buffett's $50 billion. French luxury-goods magnate Bernard Arnault was fourth with $41 billion….go to original article

Large numbers of fish surge onto the shores of Acapulco

Something fishy is up in Acapulco. Masses of sardines, anchovies, stripped bass and mackerel surged close to shore Friday on one beach in the Mexican resort city, packed so tightly near the surface they looked like an oil slick from above. ….go to original article

Mazatlan's Carnaval Delivers Spectacular Family-Friendly Entertainment

Carnaval enchanted over 300,000 locals and visitors of all ages.

Mazatlan celebrated this year's Carnaval from March 3rd to 8th. An average of 300,000 people participated in concerts, parades, and the historic "Naval Battle" light show. The iconic fiesta is featured as one of Budget Travel's "20 Spectacular Carnaval Celebrations Around the World". Mazatlan's hotels reported being near capacity during the week. …go to original article

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Last Week

'US allowed gun smuggling into Mexico'

Mexico has called for an explanation from the US on a law enforcement operation that allegedly allowed guns being smuggled across the border. Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded "detailed information on this case," codenamed Fast and Furious, according to state-run BBC. …go to original article

Staff: US agents in Mexico need help to slow gun

U.S. authorities in Mexico charged with stemming the flow of U.S. weapons to drug cartels have been hampered by shortfalls in staffing, agents with limited Spanish skills and the difficulty of recruiting new agents to the dangerous posting because they may not officially carry weapons, current and former staff members say…go to original article

Marisol Valles Garcia, police chief of Mexico border town, fired for leaving post

A 20-year-old woman who made international headlines when she accepted the job as police chief in a violent Mexican border town was fired Monday for apparently abandoning her post after receiving death threats. …go to original article

Good Question: Is Mexico Safe?

Last year 200,000 Minnesotans left this frigid, snowy land for the sun and the beaches of Mexico. But with a U.S. State Department travel warning still in effect, is Mexico safe?

“My boyfriend’s mom had some concerns, a lot of my friends’ parents were worried,” said Amanda Benarroch, a University of Minnesota student preparing to go to Cancun for Spring Break….go to original article

Giant sharks swarm in waters off Mexico

They want to know why whale sharks, the largest shark species, gather each year by the hundreds in the teal-blue waters off this Yucatan Peninsula barrier island. …go to original article

Mexico lawyer for French woman files final appeal

The lawyer for a French woman serving a 60-year sentence on kidnapping charges in Mexico said Monday that he has filed a final appeal arguing her rights under Mexico's constitution were violated. Mexico's Supreme Court can still hear appeals on constitutional grounds in the Florence Cassez case, which has drawn public attention in France and strained relations between the two nations. Her normal appeals have been exhausted and the court cannot re-examine evidence in the case… go to original article

Soaring Commodity Prices a Mixed Bag for Mexico
While Mexico is earning more revenue from oil exports, the cost of food imports has risen to the point where food security is threatened. The 2011 budget is based on a price of 65 dollars per barrel of crude. But the social uprisings in Arab countries, particularly Libya, have driven the price of Mexican oil to over 100 dollars per barrel in the first week of March….go to original article

Carnival cancels cruise-ship visits to Mazatlan

Carnival has become the latest cruise ship operator to suspend stops in Mazatlan, citing violent incidents in the Pacific coast resort city. Carnival Cruise Lines called the decision a precautionary measure, noting that "there have been no incidents involving cruise passengers."…go to original article

Mexico's peso weakens sharply as oil rise weighs

Mexico's peso weakened sharply on Monday as rising world oil prices pushed investors to worry about the economic impact of higher crude and sell risky assets such as stocks and emerging market currencies…go to original article

World's smelliest holiday spots are in Mexico, Italy, France

A survey has revealed the world's smelliest holiday spots and they fall in Mexico, Italy, France, Country Durham, and New Zealand. The survey was conducted by travel website Skyscanner.com and it came up with the world's foulest-smelling locations, the Courier Mail reported…go to original article

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Mexico Not Changing Clocks Until April 3

BanderasNews.com

In Mexico we won't be setting our clocks forward until the first Sunday of April.

While Americans will be turning their clocks ahead for daylight-saving time on Sunday, March 13, 2010, for most of Mexico, daylight saving time does not begin until 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, April 3rd. So make a note if you'll be traveling to Mexico this month - there will be an extra hour difference in time.

Daylight Saving Time in the United States

Daylight Savings Time begins in the United States on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. So this Sunday, March 13, 2011, US clocks will be set ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m. local standard time, which becomes 3:00 a.m. local daylight time.

Daylight Saving Time in Mexico

In most of Mexico, Daylight Saving Time is known as Horario de Verano (summer schedule). It has been observed since 1996 throughout most of the country.

Until April of 2010, the state of Nayarit was one hour earlier than Puerto Vallarta and the state of Jalisco. Before that, many tourist related businesses in Nayarit around Banderas Bay would set their clocks to Puerto Vallarta time to prevent confusion. On April 4, 2010, Nayarit initiated a 2 hour time change to coincide with Jalisco.

Therefore, in both states on April 3, 2011, the clocks will be turned forward 1 hour from 2:00 am to 3:00 am. Daylight Saving Time will end on Sunday, October 30, 2011.

Views from My Tropical Garden

©Tara A. Spears

Warm climate gardening tips

The ultimate lazy gardener’s plant is the caladium. It is almost unparalleled for its distinctive foliage that flashes green, white, red, and pink in mottled, veined or striped patterns. The large arrow-shaped, paper thin leaves are stunning in a flower bed or as accents in pots. Grown as an annual in climates that have frost, they are evergreen here in the tropics. A tuberous plant that loves heat and humidity, the one pictured in the blue pot has thrived for four years of non-stop blooming on my covered patio. Caladiums are native to the Amazon River area of Brazil.....GO TO PAGE 4 Homes, Living & Real Estate for complete article

La Casa de los Niños in Lo de Marcos a fundraising success thank you to all their sponsors

The founders of La Casa de los Niños in Lo de Marcos, Jim & Dulce Heinrich, and Dave & Patti Martinez would like to thank the community for their support at the recent 3rd Annual La Casa de los Niños Golf Tournament held at El Campo de Ensueño in Monteon. There were 105 golfers registered for the two day tournament held on February 25th and 26th. After golf on Friday, entertainment was provided by Jeff Stiffler singer/guitarist, Tim Ward Comedian, and The Lo de Marcos Folklorico Ballet Dance Troupe. On Saturday, JuanTed & The Rhythm Roosters wrapped up the event with Blues and R&B dance music. La Casa de los Niños’ proceeds totaled: $90,715 Pesos   (up 15% from last year)
A very special GRACIAS to: Werner & Diane Rohde, Bill Dickson/Auctioneer, Gary Stackhouse, Jerry & Donna Werner, Julia Rosenthal and Evan O’Malley

Supporters and Sponsors included, Gerardo & Alejandra Cervantes of El Campo de Ensueño for providing the field of our dreams, great food and entertainment venue; Bill & Dot Bell of Jaltemba Sol who provided community advertising; and, the many businesses and individual donors in the communities of Lo de Marcos, La Peñita, Rincon de Guayabitos, Bahia Banderas, US and Canada listed below:

La Parrilla de Humo    Latitude 21    Hinde & Jaime’s    Crazy Nellies
Tequila Willies    Petra’s Deli   Teriyaki Time          Las Brisas La Peñita    Vista Guayabitos         Soley’s        Restaurante Kenia Caracol RV Park
Restaurante Olivia   Don Pedros          La Cabaña de Maru    Rocio Estetica
Peñita de Occidente Café    Beach Dog Boarding    Hidden Paradise Realty     Comex
Xaltemba Restaurant    Ferreteria Muro      Mateja’s     Hamacas Maya
Farmacia Nayari   Clarita’s Breakfast     Flamingos Golf Course    Bold Developments    Abarrotes Palomera    El Tinoco Abarrotes Bernal
   LDM Materiales       Estetica Yanett        Eliceo Miranda Auto Repair
   Armando’s Joyeria     Mauricio’s Sea Tour   Tacos Oscar     Pollos Mago
Molly Lannon Kenny    Los Faroles Restaurante         Tacos las Glorias      Restaurant Tlaquepaque     Diane Rohde    Lenny’s Horseback Riding      Tacos Joel     Marisos Laras     Arcelia’s Sugar & Spice Restaurant Roys Surf Shop     Source Bodyworks     Mini super La Plaza    Fruteria Mayora      Abarrotes Yadira
    Vinos y Liquores Lo de Marcos    Jaltemba Sports         Manzano Embroidery   Jaltemba Sol
Doug & Maryann Leach     Ron & Bonnie Hunter    Gary “Sergio” Harr    Sharon & Ricardo Hartwig     Kevin Stackhouse    Lonnie & Stacy Ford    David & Jacque Graff      Dan Penner    Jeff Stiffler   Jack and Daphne Bergeron Willie Swanson      Dulce Heinrich    Jim Heinrich Rancho Las Palmas            Birding San Pancho   Hertzie Aslankhani     Glenda Cataldo   Box Sexton    Peggy Kramer
   KPM Enterprises/Jim Donovan(ball markers) and Gus Andrade(golf balls)


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Now that's one way to get rid of a boat motor!

Mateja's puts on another great beach party!

Cacaxtla History

Story by Wikipedia

Photographs by Bill and Dot Bell

Cacaxtla, to those who love ancient cultures and archeology sites, is extraordinary as many of the original murals can be viewed close up and personal. Despite the modern day protective roof built above this site, visitors feel an almost Indiana Jones experience walking through an actual archeological dig.

Cacaxtla was the capital of region inhabited by the Olmeca-Xicalanca people. The origins of the Olmeca-Xicalanca are not known with certainty, but they are assumed to come from the Gulf coast region, and were perhaps Maya settlers who arrived in this part of central Mexico around 400 CE.

Click here to see the entire story

Cancer the Mama prize draw winners. Thanks to all who bought tickets and supported this worthy cause.

ICF Findings on the Greening of Mexican Coastal Communities

Denisse Newell - icfdn.org

For more information, visit icfdn.org.

The International Community Foundation released the report entitled The Greening of U.S. Retirement Destinations in Mexico: Emerging Issues and Trends in Coastal Communities analyzing environmentally-specific consumer perceptions and preferences among U.S. retirees and second home buyers in Mexican coastal communities, including recycling, reducing consumption, and green building.

The report highlights how U.S. retirees are addressing the environment independently in Mexico and how developers can capitalize on growing consumer interest in “greener” living. The report also provides recommendations to Mexican decision makers on development practices, sustainable tourism criteria, and creating healthier communities.

This report is one of the first to analyze U.S. retiree consumer preferences and priorities when it comes to the environment in Mexican coastal communities. According to Richard Kiy, study co-author and President of the International Community Foundation, “Mexico’s coastline is known for its beaches and warm blue water, but its marine biodiversity is equally spectacular, attracting tourist investments to its natural abundance. Yet, as the tourist infrastructure grows, the marine biodiversity and fragile coastal area are the first victims, threatening the very substance of Mexico’s coastal tourism offerings.”

Accordingly, Felipe Calderon, President of Mexico announced on February 28, 2011 a new National Accord for Tourism, to position Mexico in the top five global tourist destinations by 2018. This accord also aims to generate forty billion dollars for the local Mexican economy, create four million direct jobs and twelve million indirect jobs.

In this respect, it is important to point out that these objectives should not focus on excessive urban development, but instead on quality sustainable tourism that generates economic resources and conserves the environment, since Mexican natural resources, its biodiversity and many UNESCO World Heritage sites constitute the essence of local tourism.

The recent declarations of President Calderon and the Minister of Tourism, Gloria Guevara attributing a reduction in tourist visits to Mexico to current conditions, do not coincide with results of the International Community Foundation’s reports, which show that trends in rising violence and pollution can motivate tourists and US retirees to leave the country.

The International Community Foundation conducted a comprehensive study of 840 U.S. retirees in Mexican coastal communities between July and November 2009, including questions related to their behavior regarding environmental issues, as well as the opportunities to improve their “adopted” community’s quality of life as it relates to the local environment. The target populations surveyed were those aged 50 years or older who are either retired full-time in Mexico or residing there on a part-time basis.

The Foundation’s survey found that U.S. retirees over 50 years of age living in coastal Mexico are equally environmentally-minded in their passions, their purchases, and their actions:

• More U.S. retirees in Mexican coastal communities enjoyed bird watching - 15.1 percent - than played golf-14.1 percent.

• 63.4 percent of respondents indicated that issues of environmental sustainability were “somewhat important” or “very important” to them when they selected and purchased their home. Only 7 percent said that these issues were “not important.”

• In searching for a home in Mexico, 56.4 percent of respondents indicated that they did not feel that they had any “green” or environmentally friendly options.

• The overwhelming majority of respondents (78.7 percent) have actively considered their environmental impact on their adopted new community in Mexico. They drive less (63.3 percent), consume less electricity (53.1 percent), and use less water (41.4 percent).

• 31 percent of respondents recycle already and 46.0 percent of respondents would recycle if they could, as no recycling programs are available in their communities.

• 42 percent are concerned or very concerned about climate change.

• When asked what key factors would lead U.S. retirees to leave Mexico, the number one reason noted by 57.6 percent of respondents would be a noticeable increase in crime targeted towards U.S. retirees or tourists, followed by 44.5 percent who identified declining environmental quality of their adopted community due to increased sewage runoff, litter, and water pollution.

The report is available electronically in both English and Spanish at: icfdn.org. The report is the fifth report in the Foundation’s “U.S. Retirement in Mexico” research series, which also included reports on trends in volunteerism, philanthropy, and civic engagement; health care access; lifestyles and demographics; and housing and real estate of the American retiree expatriates in Mexican coastal communities.

About the International Community Foundation:

The International Community Foundation is a public charity founded in 1990 with a mission to expand the level of charitable giving internationally by U.S. donors with an emphasis on Mexico and Central America. For more information regarding the International Community Foundation, visit icfdn.org.

Now You can travel in Mexico worry free!

Mexico Assist Benefits Include

Emergency Medical Assistance & Medical Evacuation (including transfers & air evacuation) - This aid can provide medical transport, repatriation to the beneficiary's home country, lodging, prescriptions and much more.
Travel & Communications Assistance - These services include travel agency services, tourism information, U.S. State Department and Embassy information and contacts, and much more.
Legal Assistance - Legal Assistance is provided by professional attorneys, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customers will receive help for any legal matter and representation of the beneficiary before authorities.
ATM Safe Robbery Benefit - ATMSafe® Robbery Benefit provides aid in the event that the beneficiary is robbed while withdrawing funds from an ATM when traveling to, while in or when returning from Mexican vacations.

24-Hour Live Case Mangagement - The Mexico Assist call center provides 24 hour live monitoring of all cases, 365 days per year. The call center is operated by trained, bilingual Customer Service Representatives and is accessible by telephone, fax or e-mail.
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Letters to the Editor

This is an FYI for all those people, who like us, travel with their tennis rackets in the carry-on luggage. We were very surprised when we arrived at the PV airport that they will not allow tennis rackets (or ceramics or glass items) in a piece of carry-on luggage. This meant we had to quickly re-pack ours and hope that it arrived in tact. This was a first for us as we have traveled with our tennis rackets in carry-on for as long as we can remember and this rule only seems to apply when departing from Mexico. Thought this may be worth a mention in Jaltemba Sol.

As an aside, be very thankful to be in the warmth of RdeG - us Vancouver Islanders were hammered the other day with 10 - 15 inches of snow and today we have a temperature of minus 9 Celsius with the wind chill (a term not normally used in this part of the country).

Enjoy

Mel Reid

Warm climate gardening tips

A favorite warm climate native, the banana tree, adds a festive touch to any home by providing beautiful large leaves that provide a soothing rustling sound in the ocean breezes as well as bearing delicious fruit. It can be grown in a container –dressing up a balcony or patio- or planted directly in the ground. Wild forms of the banana plant come originally from the Indo-Malaysian area but are now cultivated all over the tropical and sub-tropical continents, including Mexico. The attractive banana plants can grow up to 45 feet (15 m) tall but most varieties vary from 9 to 25 feet (3 to 9 m) high. The blue-ish green, graceful large leaves can grow to 12 feet (3 m) long, making it a great source of shade in a sunny yard. This rapid growing plant can reach full size in just a few weeks, making it a desirable addition for obtaining a tropical look around a pool or patio areas....go to page 4 Home, Living & Real Estate

Acupressure Now Offered in La Peñita

Rebecca Thacker is pleased to announce that she will be offering acupressure in addition to her Yoga Classes. Email her directly if you wish a session

Rebecca Thacker
isleofhemp@hotmail.com

Thacker is a qualified yoga teacher with over 200 hours of training with senior instructors.

"Everyone is welcome! We will focus on undoing tension and getting in touch with the spine through breath and movement. I believe yoga is not about getting into difficult postures, but about getting in touch with the body mind and spirit. Everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace, according to their own abilities."

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Photographs by Bill Bell San Faces, Puebla, Puebla Mexico

Learn Spanish Online

Get the most of out of your experience in Mexico - by learning some Spanish...

Being able to converse in Spanish will give you better access to the culture and make your visit or lifestyle in Mexico much more enjoyable and rewarding.

If you are traveling on business, being able to speak at least a little Spanish will go a long way to helping your negotiations.

Visual Link Spanish offers a unique learning experience that enables you to start speaking Spanish right away.

Spanish Lessons Online - Free

Most language courses teach a lot of grammar rules and verb conjugations, but when you're done you can't actually speak Spanish.

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These online Spanish lessons will enable you to start speaking and understanding basic Spanish now, and they'll also provide a solid foundation for you to progress onto higher levels later on.

The course is excellent, and because of the way it's presented and structured, you'll begin to speak and understand basic Spanish right away.

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A new window will open when you click one of the links above.

If Facts Don’t Lie, is Mexico Safer than the US?

Patrick Osio - HispanicVista.com
Marc 4, 2011

Here comes Easter break again and high school and college kids will travel to distant places for a bit of fun. But will they be coming to Vallarta this year? (PromoVision)

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Here comes Easter break again and young people will be young people – high school and college kids will travel to distant places where the drinking age is either less than it is in the U.S. or where authorities don’t care to enforce minor’s drinking laws.
For several decades Mexico has been one such place of choice where the legal drinking age is 18. Mazatlan, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun were the fly to favorite places and Rosarito Beach and Ensenada the favorite drive to places from Southern California. – But not this year, or for that matter neither was it last year.

The U.S. government and the media have convinced most Americans that Mexico is not a safe place to visit as drug traffickers are fighting it out to see which gang will have the right to sell their illicit drugs to the very group that will not be visiting Mexico. They will have to wait until they return from Easter break to get their Mexican smuggled drugs at home.

But what really struck me was that the preferred country to visit this Easter break in lieu of Mexico is the Dominican Republic. It struck me because Dominica is rated as the number one country with the highest propensity for crime in the world.

According to facts gathered by NationalMaster.com, their total crime per 1,000 residents (per capita) is 113.822 –Compared to the U.S. that is 8th in the world in total crimes at 80.0645 per 1000 residents, making chances of being a victim of a crime in Dominica better than 10%, and slightly less than an 8% chance of being a victim in the U.S.

But here is the real clunker – Mexico, the country our government tells us not to visit and the media has a field day reporting any crime, be it significant or not, to further put the fear of God into staying away from there – well, it ranks 39th in total crime in the world with a per capita of slightly less than 13 crimes per 1000 residents that is a 1.3% chance of being a victim of crime in Mexico.

So Mexico is out, Dominica is in, yet the chances of being a crime victim there is greater than in the U.S. and the chances of being a crime victim in the U.S. is greater than in Mexico. But, for our own safety we need to stay out of Mexico.

Have you ever felt like you’re being duped but you can’t quite put your finger on why – what’s the motive? Is it to keep us from facing some bitter truths? We keep reading how crime is down, how safe we are compared to most other parts of the world. But is it true?

So here are some multiple choice questions for you:

1. Which country has a higher crime rate per 1,000 residents?

a. Mexico
b. Germany
c. Canada
d. U.S.

2. Which country has the highest number of murders with firearms?

a. Mexico
b. El Salvador
c. U.S.

3. Of the following countries, which has the least number of drug offenses?

a. Germany
b. United Kingdom
c. Canada
d. Switzerland
e. Mexico

4. Which country has the most prisoners?

a. United States
b. China
c. Russia
d. India
e. Mexico

Answers:

1. d. U.S.
2. c. U.S.
3. e. Mexico
4. a. U.S.

Source: NationalMaster.com.

In one of the only bright spots due to its recent gang related murders, Mexico, on a per capita, ranks as more dangerous than the U.S. occupying #24 and Mexico #6 in the world, but in total number of murders the U.S. is #5 and Mexico #6.

In fact, much of the crime data per capita 1000 population suggests that in many respects Mexico is safer than the US: in Asssaults, the U.S. ranks #6, Mexico #20; Burglaries - the U.S. #17, Mexico #34; car thefts - U.S. #9, Mexico #22; fraud U.S. #18, Mexico #29; Rape (Canada #5), U.S. #9, Mexico #17.

No doubt that, at the expense of Mexico, we are being duped. Is it to hide our insatiable appetite for illicit drugs and cheap labor, and so by pointing the finger of guilt to the biggest supplier of both we exculpate our actions or at minimum pacify our own guilt?

Maybe it’s time for “the home of the free, and land of the brave” to take note.

Patrick Osio is the Editor of HispanicVista.com. Contact at POsioJr(at)aol.com and co-founder of TransBorder Communications, Inc. dedicated to binational economic development.

Mariachi by Bill Bell

An Expansion of the Los Amigos Recycling Program

The Recycling Committee of Los Amigos is pleased to announce that we have now started to collect cardboard for recycling. The driver (Tavo) picks up at various business, bungalows and hotels and will now collect cardboard if left beside the existing baskets on the streets. The route is Mondays for Guayabitos and Los Ayala and Wednesdays for La Peñita and La Colonia. Please put out the cardboard only on delivery days and break down boxes if at all possible.

Thank You

Jaltemba Bay from Jaime's Hill Photograph by Bill Bell

Classified

Have a Truck? Cut Costs Northbound!

North Bound Trailer Towing Required

Require a 24ft 5^th Wheel Trailer to be towed out of Mexico or as far North as you are going. Final destination is Alberta Canada. Can be towed using ½ ton truck or larger. Leaving after march 31 and before April 15^th.Cost to be negotiated.

robergca@yahoo.com

Phone 322 168 1192

For Sale see Matejas for details

La Penita by Bill Bell

WEATHER

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Santa Rosalia

Ensenada

Monterrey

Tampico

Guadalajara

Morelia

Tepic

Guanajuato

Oaxaca

Veracruz

Bahias De Huatulco

Puebla

Zacatecas

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

Puerto Escondido

La Paz

Puerto Penasco