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

June 20 2010 Features Page 2

Mexican Experts to Tunnel for Aztec Rulers' Tombs
Mark Stevenson - Associated Press
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June 17, 2010

A massive stone sculpture of the Aztec goddess Tlaltecuhtli is displayed for the first time prior to the opening of the exposition "Moctezuma II, Times and Destiny of a Ruler" at Mexico City's Templo Mayor museum, Wednesday, June 16 2010. (AP/Eduardo Verdugo)

Mexico City � Archaeologists found some of the richest and most unusual Aztec offerings ever in excavations under a mammoth slab depicting an earth goddess and said Wednesday they hope to uncover an emperor's tomb nearby.

The seven offerings of strange and unparalleled oddities found under the stone slab depicting the goddess Tlaltecuhtli include the skeleton of a dog or wolf dressed in turquoise ear plugs, jadeite necklaces and golden bells on its feet.

The 4-meter (13-foot) long carving of Tlaltecuhtli (tlahl-tay-KOO-tlee) was found in 2006 near the edge of the Templo Mayor pyramid in downtown Mexico City. It was lifted out in 2007 and archaeologists began digging underneath.

On Wednesday, the huge stone monument was put on display for reporters before its first public exhibition. The sculpture itself challenges the public perception of Aztec monuments as bare stone-colored carvings, because it preserves a half-dozen original colors in which it was originally painted, including rich ochre, red, yellow and blue hues.

Archaeologist Leonardo Lopez Lujan said the presence of shells from distant seas, gold earrings and collars as well as strange wooden daggers found under the slab suggest that a very important person is buried nearby.

"These are offerings that we have never seen before, and obviously they give us very good indications that at some point we can find a royal tomb," Lopez Lujan said.

The offerings � dedicated to gods, not rulers � are from such far-flung corners of the continent that "they are telling us we are dealing with a big, big empire," he said.

Historical records from the time of Spain's 1521 conquest and markings on the Tlaltecuhtli slab suggest the Aztec emperor Ahuizotl, who died in 1502, was cremated and his ashes buried somewhere at the foot of the Templo Mayor pyramid.

Researchers originally thought the tomb might lie directly below the slab. But with only about 2 meters (6 1/2 feet) left to dig downward in 12.5-meter (41-foot) deep pits excavated since 2007, Lujan said researchers plan to dig a lateral tunnel 5 meters (16.4 feet) to the west, to see if they can find the cremated remains of Ahuizotl or his predecessors.

They would like to go farther with lateral excavations, but the water-soaked, unstable soil � and the possibility of damaging valuable, colonial-era buildings that still stand around the site � make that impossible. Radar and other images suggest soil disturbances near the current pit, but Lopez Lujan said those could be naturally caused.

Archaeologists have been looking for the tombs of the Aztec emperors for decades. Unlike the sepulcher of Mayan leaders, no Aztec royal burial site has ever been found.

Depicted as a woman with huge claws and a stream of blood flowing into her mouth as she squats to give birth, Tlaltecuhtli was believed to devour the dead and then give them new life. The god was so fearsome that Aztecs normally buried her depictions face down in the earth. However, this one was face-up.

In the claw of her right foot, the god holds a rabbit and 10 dots, indicating the date "10 Rabbit" � 1502, the year of Ahuizotl's death.

"What better monument for a funerary area ... than a goddess who devours the dead," Lopez Lujan said.

While the exhibition is dedicated to Moctezuma II � the last Aztec emperor, who took over from Ahuizotl and was defeated by the Spanish � the excavation is unlikely to shed any light on where his a

Lopez Lujan said some versions say that while Moctezuma was cremated, his ashes may have been mixed with water and drunk by his subjects.

Be on the Lookout for the Guayabitos Flasher

� Tara A. Spears

It�s such a pleasure to stroll around the Guayabitos residential neighborhood enjoying the tropic weather and admiring the lovely homes. A quick movement, a glint of gold in the cobalt sky, streaks by. Humm, the birds that landed in the near trees are black, guess I imagined it. But no, the birds take flight, and sure enough, a brilliant yellow tail and underside. Meet the flashy tropic member of the North American blackbird family, the Oropendola. (oro is Spanish for gold) These energetic medium sized birds have several unique features besides their vivid coloration: charming songs and weird nests of fibers and woven vines at the end of a branch that sway in the breeze.

oropendolas nests.jpg

According to my field guides and online research, the oropendolas make up three genera of South and Central American passerine birds in the New World blackbird family. Passerine is the scientific designation for perching songbirds. Another characteristic of passerines is that they have a specially adapted foot with three toes pointing forward, and one toe directed backwards to enable them to perch on vertical surfaces such as trees and cliffs. All types of oropendolas have pointed bills and long tails that are always at least partially bright yellow. The males are larger and a different color that the females. They are social and tend to gather in flocks: I am fortunate to have undeveloped land on three sides of my house, and I have groups and nests on all sides- being flashed and serenaded is a great way to enjoy morning coffee on the patio.

oropendolas mother.jpg

The favored habitat of the Oropendolas is forest or open woodlands, such as edging a highway or field. It is very vocal, with a wide range of songs and even mimicry-whistle a tune and they will respond with a similar tone. These gregarious birds eat large insects, seeds, grain, fruit, and nectar.

Each colony has a dominant male, which mates with most of the females in the flock following an elaborate bowing display. The female lays two dark-spotted white or buff colored eggs which will hatch in about 15 days. The babies mature and fledge in about four weeks. Young birds are much duller body color and bill. Outside of the breeding season, Oropendolas are mobile and follow some seasonal movement. They are still very active in my area.

Whether you are enjoying the sunset or just relaxing on your patio, keep a lookout for the delightful Oropendola � great Riviera Nayarit neighbors.

Another great sunset Jaltemba Style Bill Bell Photograph

Free Jolito
FreeJolitoTheMovie
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June 14, 2010

Jolito is an undeniable Mexican young man, so much so that his body manifests as a giant bean. Jolito leaves his country searching for new opportunities, where he suffers an identity crisis while being exposed to the temptations of the American dream.

Fun in the Sun with Cervezas Mexicanas

� Tara A. Spears

One key Spanish phrase all tourists seem to master when vacationing in the coastal Riviera Nayarit is �Uno mas cerveza, por favor!� Not only is the scenery spectacular, but so is the selection of Mexican beer and its low price here as compared to cost in other countries. Perhaps you have been confused by the exotic brands when placing an order- consider this article your cervezas Mexicanas primer. All of the beers featured in this article are readily available throughout Mexico, but particularly in this area. Salud!

�A man is defined by the beer he drinks and the company he keeps, but mostly by the beer he drinks�� anonymous Mexican saying

beer lime.jpg It was the arrival of German immigrants and the short-lived empire of Austrian Maximilian I in the 1800s that provided the impetus for the opening of many breweries throughout Mexico. By 1918 there were 36 Mexican brewing companies, but over the 20^th century, the beer industry has consolidated, until presently there are only two corporations, Grupo Modelo and FEMSA, that control over 90% of the Mexican beer market. The beer industry is an important economic force, as an employer and as a philanthropic entity. Not only does more than 63% of the Mexican population buy one of their national beer brands, but beer is a major export for the country as Mexican products are shipped to 150 countries throughout the world.

Mexican Style Guzzling

In a culture that is shaped by hot climate, intense beauty, passion, and spicy cuisine, it is not surprising that even casual beer drinking has ceremony and embellishments that heighten the experience. Besides enjoying their beer straight from the bottle, lime juice is typically added. A beer cocktail called a michelada consists of beer with lime juice, salt, and chili powder. (Sometimes Worcestershire or Tobasco sauce is also added.) The salt is generally placed on the rim of the bottle or glass as with a margarita. Another version of a beer cocktail that several of my friends happily guzzle consists of Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, chili and lime. According to MexInsider, the term michelada comes from the phrase �mi chela helada� (my beer, ice cold.)

While Mexican beer is sold in cans, there is a large variety of sizes available in returnable glass bottle- which is traditionally accepted as the better container for flavor preservation over the aluminum can. Dark glass prevents light from spoiling the beer but a lighter colored bottle is often used for marketing reasons. (That pale gold beverage just beckons one to partake�)

How Best to Pair Beer with Food:

When I queried my beer connoisseur friends about how to match Mexican beer with a particular food type, the unanimous response was �Beer tastes great with every food!� But according to epicurean Bryce Eddings, �The main thing to remember when selecting a beer with dinner is to remember the three Cs: compliment, contrast and cleanse. Use one or two of the three Cs and your pairing will be a hit.� Compliment: choose a beer with a similar profile to that of the dish- beer goes with a lot more than pizza and hot wings. Contrast: Serving a subtle and sweet beer with a spicy meal can balance some of the hotter flavors. And the last beer element to consider, Cleanse: Most beers work well at cleansing the palate because they are carbonated. This is why especially bubbly beers (like the Pilsner type) are popular with rich or fatty foods such as barbecue or picante salsa.

Introducing the Mexican Beers (in alphabetical order): Best served chilled

Corona Extra: One of the few beer packaged in a clear bottle, Corona is made with finest quality blend of barley, yeast, imported hops and water. Its smooth taste makes it the top-selling beer in Mexico and the world�s fourth best-selling export brand. Corona was first brewed in Mexico in 1925 by Cerveceria Modelo. The mild flavor has little hop bitterness because Corona is a citrus based beverage. Much of the citrus used to brew Corona originates from the United States and Canada and is transported by railroad. Corona Extra also has a light version.

Dos Equis Special Lager

Dos Equis: Two successful flavors-Dos Equis Especial (green bottle) and Dos Equis Ambar. This brew was first crafted in Mexico by the German brewmaster Wilhelm Hasse in 1897. Originally called �Siglo XX� (�20th century�), the brand was named to commemorate the arrival of the new century and since the Spanish language uses Roman numerals, the bottles were labeled XX. It is considered a crisp, light bodied, dry flavored beer.

Indio: Is a smooth, amber-hued lager with a light caramel-malt rich taste that was first marketed in 1905. The Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Company originally picked this uniquely balanced beer as its namesake offering, but consumers asked for the image on its label so it was quickly re-named � Indio.� With its catchy new name and authentic, rugged brand identity, this mildly dark brew has expanded its appeal beyond northern Mexico to become a favorite of outdoors enthusiasts and naturalists across the country. The key to its appeal lies in its ability to offer cold-weather heartiness and warm-weather refreshment.

Modelo Especial-the elite of the beers: This premium full-bodied pilser beer has a subtle yet distinctive malt taste. The Grupo Modelo first introduced this Mexican beer in 1922 and it is now one of the ten best-selling imported beers in North America since 2002. Available in Light as well. Thanks to its great popularity among consumers, demand has increased and it is now Mexico�s best-selling canned beer. Expect to pay more for the premium taste. Negra Modelo is a �Vienna lager�-style beer brewed in Mexico by Austrian immigrants. Better known as the �cream of beer� Negra Modelo was first sold in Mexico as a draft beer in 1926. This super premium beer, which is distributed throughout Mexico, is the country�s biggest selling dark beer. It is also one of Grupo Modelo�s five export brands. Negra Modelo was first exported to the USA at the beginning of the 1980s and has now found great success in Europe, Australia, and Central and South America. This beer is described as having a �crisp, full-bodied, malty, slightly chocolate flavor.�

Pacific Clara: The pilsner beer was first brewed in 1900 when three Germans opened the Pacifico brewery in the Pacific port city of Mazatlan in Sinoloa, Mexico. In 1954 Mexican beer brewing giant Grupo Modelo purchased the company; presently international beer mongol Anheiser-Busch owns more than half of the company. The picture on the bottle is the Deer Islands off the coast of Mazatl�n surrounded by a lifesaver. Its clean and hearty flavor makes Pacifico an exceptionally drinkable lager that�s compatible with all types of food.

Sol: Originally called El Sol for its golden lager color, it was first sold in the 1890s. Owned by the Cerveceria Cuoahtemoc Moctezuma Brewing Co., this low priced brew has a refreshing taste with a smooth, mellow flavor that combines touches of citrus and vanilla mixed with a hint of nutty malt.

Tecate Tecate: Is a popular beer named for the Mexican town where it was first brewed in 1944. Tecate has been the brand that has introduced the most innovation in the Mexican market-from aluminum cans, to the twist off cap, to creating a light beer version � Tecate Light. This beer is distributed to more than 30 countries and is the most widely sold import canned beer in the United States. In the 1950s, this brewery encouraged its drinkers to add a wedge of lime and it was an immediate hit. Tecate with lime was so successful that in time it became the accepted way to serve all Mexican beers. Traditionally enjoyed with salt and lime, Tecate is unquestionably the most authentic Mexican beer. The beer is described as �bold, earthy, and herbal flavor with a hint of hops.� It is easy to recognize the distinctive bright red label or can.

More Buzz for Your Peso:

As the following chart will illustrate, Mexican beers have higher alcohol content than NOB, so if you feel a buzz faster, it isn�t just the sun.

Brand Name	% Alcohol by Volume	Calories per bottle
Corona Extra	4.6	148
Corona Light	4.1	99
Dos Equis Especial	5.6	157
Dos Equis Ambar	8.2	222
Indio	4.5	146
Modelo Especial	4.4	145
Negra Modelo	5.4	170
Pacifico Clara	4.4	145
Sol	4.5	130
Tecate	4.5	142
Tecate Light	3.7	110

Many people first experience Mexican brews while on vacation, then return home requesting a favorite Mexican brand. As with so many interesting aspects of Mexican culture, the foreigners may have initiated a technique, but the heart and soul of the people perfected the output. Enjoy the magic of Mexico by raising a bottle as you enjoy the Pacific sunset-ahhhh.

US Judge Limits DHS Laptop Border Searches
Declan McCullagh - CNET
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June 11, 2010

A US federal judge has ruled that border agents cannot seize a traveler's laptop, keep it locked up for months, and examine it for contraband files without a warrant half a year later.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in the Northern District of California rejected the Obama administration's argument that no warrant was necessary to look through the electronic files of an American citizen who was returning home from a trip to South Korea.

"The court concludes that June search required a warrant," White ruled on June 2, referring to a search of Andrew Hanson's computer that took place a year ago. Hanson arrived San Francisco International Airport in January 2009.

The Justice Department invoked a novel argument - which White dubbed "unpersuasive" - claiming that while Hanson was able to enter the country, his laptop remained in a kind of legal limbo where the Bill of Rights did not apply. (The Fourth Amendment generally requires a warrant for searches.)

"Until merchandise has cleared customs, it may not enter the United States," assistant U.S. attorney Owen Martikan argued. "The laptop never cleared customs and was maintained in government custody until it was searched..."

This is not exactly a new dispute: two years ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection announced that it reserves the right to seize for an indefinite period of time any laptops that are taken across the border.

Last year, the department reiterated that claim, saying laptops and electronic gadgetry can still be seized and held indefinitely. There's no requirement that they be returned to their owners after even six months or a year has passed, though supervisory approval is required if they're held for more than 15 days. The complete contents of a hard drive or memory card can be perused at length for evidence of lawbreaking of any kind, even if it's underpaying taxes or not paying parking tickets.

In response, Sen. Russ Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat, introduced a bill that would require border agents to obtain a warrant or court order to hold such a device for more than 24 hours.

Customs agents say that after Hanson was randomly selected for a secondary baggage examination, he became nervous. That led Customs agent Sheryl Edwards to ask for an examination of Hanson's laptop, a digital camera with memory card, two CD-ROMs, and two DVDs.

That examination, customs agents say, showed one incriminating photograph: an adolescent girl covered with mud, standing on a beach, and not wearing any clothes. Edwards concluded that the image was illegal; Hanson was charged with transportation and possession of child pornography in September 2009. He has pleaded not guilty.

For his part, Eric Chase, an attorney representing Hanson, acknowledged that an immediate search conducted at the border without a warrant is permissible. But police perusal of a hard drive six months later definitely is not, he said when asking the court to toss out the results of the June 2009 search.

"As applied to border searches generally, agents, after taking their permissible look while at the border crossing itself, would be free to 'detain' electronic devices and conduct further examinations whenever and wherever they pleased as justified solely because their 'peek' exposed the computer's contents to law enforcement," Chase wrote.

Customs agents also searched Hanson's laptop three times in February 2009, with the first search taking place about a week after he entered the country and turning up no evidence of child pornography. The second and third searches allegedly did. White allowed the results of those searches to be used as evidence, saying they were "justified as an extended border search supported by reasonable suspicion."

A 2006 Police Blotter article reported that the Ninth Circuit, which sets precedents that are binding on San Francisco federal courts, ruled that random searches of laptops at the border without a search warrant is permissible. But the Ninth Circuit did not address what happens if the search takes place a month or half a year later.

Excerpt from court ruling:

The government argues that the February search was justified as an extended border search supported by reasonable suspicion...In contrast to a search conducted at the border, or its functional equivalent, an extended border search must be supported by "'reasonable suspicion' that the subject of the search was involved in criminal activity, rather than simply mere suspicion or no suspicion." In order to determine whether the search was supported by reasonable suspicion, the court examines the totality of the circumstances, such as the time and distance elapsed, whether there was a lapse in surveillance, and the diligence of law enforcement.

Because the agents did not find contraband while the laptop was located at the border and, in light of the time and distance that elapsed before the search continued, the court concluded that the search should be analyzed as an extended border search. Given the passage of time between the January and February searches and the fact that the February search was not conduct(ed) at the border, or its functional equivalent, the court concludes that the February search should be analyzed under the extended border search doctrine and must be justified by reasonable suspicion.

When the court examines the totality of the circumstances, including Officer Edwards' description of the Image, her observations that Hanson appeared nervous, the discovery of the condoms and the male-enhancement pills, and Hanson's statement that he had been working with children, the court concludes that the government has met its burden to show the February search was supported by reasonable suspicion. Accordingly, Hanson's motion is DENIED IN PART on this basis...

The government also argues that because Officer Edwards properly seized the laptop, and because the laptop remained in law enforcement custody, she was entitled to conduct a more thorough search at a later time. However, the cases on which the government relies for this argument address the right to conduct a more thorough search of a container as a search incident to a valid arrest, another recognized exception to the warrant requirement... Hanson was not arrested on January 27, 2009, and for that reason the court finds the government's reliance on the "search incident to a valid arrest" line of cases to be inapposite. Accordingly, because the court concludes that June search required a warrant, and because it is undisputed that the search was conducted without a warrant, Hanson's motion is GRANTED IN PART on this basis.

Declan McCullagh has covered the intersection of politics and technology for over a decade.

Gay Travel Has Never Been Easier for Everybody
PRNewswire
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June 10, 2010

"Bump!" television series reveals hot, new pocket apps for global adventure-seekers. Go experience it for yourself!

Toronto - From the producers of the world's most watched gay and lesbian travel series and Canada's most successful gay TV show export, comes a spunky new multimedia app series for smart phones: Bump! Travel Guides (www.bumptravelguides.com).

Download a Bump! Travel Guide and you're good to go to any one of 12 gay-friendly destinations: Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Miami, Montreal, Mykonos, Paris, Puerto Vallarta, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney. The Guides feature saucy videos, top travel tips and big pride events, all packaged in a sleek and sexy design for BlackBerry, iPhone and iPod Touch. These apps are supported in part by the Ontario Media Development Corporation.

"Our mobile guides stand out because they offer a visually rich experience, are wickedly fun and can get you into all sorts of trouble, if that's what you're looking for," says Les Tomlin, Executive Producer of Bumper2Bumper Media, the company behind the Bump! television series and mobile guides.

Bump! Travel Guides promise to keep people updated and connected to the local scene. "Keeping things fresh and current is critical, because in the gay market businesses tend to come and go more quickly than in the straight market," notes Tomlin. And with a handy feature for rating local hot-spots, travelers can also share their experiences and shout out their favorites.

"People on the road don't want a hundred choices for what to do, where to go or when to party. They want the top 10 choices and that's what we offer - a chic and crisply edited selection, based on destinations we know best," says Tomlin. And for tourists who may want to support GLBT establishments, the Bump! Travel Guides specifically identify International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association member businesses.

Packed with multimedia, Bump! Travel Guides offer video clips from Bump! TV, pictures, GPS maps, one-click phone numbers and links for the best places to eat, shop and party, average temperature and currency info - and a "Play" feature for more fun. The apps will also provide contests, promotions, prizes and sponsorship opportunities.

Bump! Travel Guides are powered by Metranome (www.metranome.net), a leading mobile media solutions company, and can be downloaded for $2.99 each. Once downloaded, the guides do not require Wi-Fi or data connectivity, saving travelers expensive carrier charges. And, for a limited time, everybody can get the Antwerp guide for free to celebrate both the city's gay pride festival and International Gay and Lesbian Tourism Association global convention in June. To access the guides, visit www.bumptravelguides.com.

Cora men traditionally wore ankle-length white manta pants and colorful shirts along with leather huaraches, palm hats, and hand-woven shoulder bags. Many men now wear jeans, western-style shirts, cowboy hats, and other non-traditional clothing. The dress of women varies among communities, but generally women wear long, full skirts and elbow-length blouses of bright colored fabrics often decorated with ribbons and embroidery. Women also wear bead necklaces and earrings, wrap themselves in dark-patterned rebozos, and carry colorful hand-woven shoulder bags

The Best Road Maps for Mexico

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New with travel guide information added!

Pacific Coast Road, Driving and Travel Guide Log 2010

Driving in Mexico just got a little safer with the release of M�xico Road Logs - A comprehensive compilation of road logs of the Mexican Highway system researched and created by Bill and Dot Bell (www.ontheroadin.com). They have just released the updated version of their successful Nogales to Puerto Vallarta road Log and Travel Guide.

The Mexico Road Log and Driving Guides give details of what to expect along major travel routes when visiting different areas of Mexico. "Far more than a simple map, these road logs detail intersections, driving directions, points of interest, and provide important information on driving hazards that even current GPS systems do not track" said Dot Bell. "The Road Logs are a must for those who are driving throughout the Baja, Pacific, Gulf Coast, and the Interior of Mexico."

According to Insurance Guru Jim Labelle President of Mexpro (the largest insurance supplier to Canadians and Americans entering Mexico ) the Road Logs will make car and RV travel in Mexico less intimidating. "For years, our clients have asked us for updated road logs of Mexico," Labelle said.

"The Mexico Road Logs provide our customers with additional peace of mind and will allow them to have a more enjoyable Mexico travel experience. They may even prevent U-turns and collisions! By using the Mexico Road Logs, our clients will experience less stress and have a more relaxed driving experience, which should also help Mexpro with reduced claims that in the past have resulted from customers getting lost or losing their composure," Labelle said.

The Mexico Road Logs are updated, simple to read, easy to use, and offer the perfect solution to people who want to drive and enjoy Mexico.

The Bell's originally designed the Mexico Road Log for a Caravan they were leading down Mexico's West Coast. "We wanted to list every individual gas station and identifier so folks wouldn't get lost. We wanted to warn them of every turn and hazard along the way," says Bell. "They were such a hit and even the people who have driven Mexican Roads for years were asking for them. They wanted to be reminded where the next gas station was, if it sold diesel or where the next Military checkpoint was likely to be."

The Bell's are experts in Mexico Travel and have led conferences, seminars and special classes about driving and travel in Mexico throughout Canada and the USA. They have the most comprehensive travel website on Mexico Driving, RVing and Camping and are now working with Mexpro to distribute Mexico Road Logs in an easy-to-use interactive download.

Available at http://www.ontheroadin.com.

How to download and buy the Road Log

Click on the buy now button and you will be directed to a merchants page. Once you pay for the road log you will redirected to an easy to use download page where you will be able to receive your product immediately. Now only $9.99