Search results matching tags 'Playa del Carmen ', 'Holidays', and '2008'

Translators Needed for Angel Notion!

435836 — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:01:00 GMT

Seasons Greetings "Life's a Beach" readers!

Lavonna from Angel Notion is in need of 60 translators to help at the clinic in Nic te ha on December 24th at 8am. Please take a moment to read her personal message below. I hope we can find some volunteers! If you can help or know someone who can, please contact Lavonna for directions to the clinic.

"Calling all angels to bring joy to one family!

I'm calling on you to assist us in translating for over 60 grandmothers and single mothers who have been sponored by individuals like the Paamulians and other Americans and Canadians. They have sponsored a family by purchasing the needs of the family, food, toys, blankets, new roofs in some cases, a cement floor and a stove top. Each sponsor would like to go to the home of their family in the NIC TE HA and give their gifts. Its a wonderful way to get personal with the people in need, In many cases these sponsors want to continue helping these people in the future. Id love them to have a nice experience in meeting their family.

I urgently need at least 60 people to help translate for 1 hour on the
24th, 8am in the clinic.

Thank you. I hope to see you at the clinic please sent this message to others who may be willing to HELP!

Happy Holidays to all!!"

Lavonna
984-127-0780
info@angelnotion.com

Celebration of The Winter Solstice at Ak lu'um International School

435836 — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 02:22:00 GMT

One of the advantages of having our children in both of the Waldorf Schools in Playa del Carmen is that we get to participate in two different festival schedules. El Papalote held their Posada for the preschool earlier this week and, last night, Ak Lu'um celebrated the Winter Solstice with a spiral garden and candle lighting ceremony. Following a lovely meet and greet, and some traditional seasonal "ponche", the children performed some of the musical pieces they have been working on throughout the Fall. Particularly impressive was a beautiful canon performed on recorders by Liam, Victoria and German.

A lovely present for us all, Lorrena arrived with the new baby!

Miss Kim arrived with the clay coil pots and plaques that the children had sculped and glazed a few weeks back.

As night fell quickly around us, the longest night of the year, Hanna read by candlelight while the story of the Shepherds was colorfully depicted in simple shadowboxes behind her.

Siobhan and Gaby lit the four candles on the advent wreath at the center of the garden. They invited each of the children to wind their way to the center to light their own candle and place it on one of the gold stars along the spiral. The procession of lights grew stronger and stronger, representing the powerful inner light that is inside of us all.

Standing in silence, bathed in the light of so many little candles, we took a moment to reflect on the year behind us and look forward to the new, to the good days we will surely have as well as the struggles and challenges that must be overcome. A moment of quiet contemplation before taking leave of each other to spend the holidays with our families.

Namaste.

Help Angel Notion Help People in Need

435836 — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:26:00 GMT

Once again, Angel Notion is doing its annual Christmas toy and fund drive in Playa del Carmen. Four trees have been set up along 5^th Avenue and yours truly took at turn manning the tree last night with local Playa residents, Randy and Sherry. Santa himself stopped by to greet local and visiting children and take any last minute requests! I think we actually did quite well and many people were happy to give a few spare pesos for this most worthy cause.

Just a reminder to any of you “Life’s a Beach” readers: If you are going to be in Playa between now and Christmas, please stop down and see us. If you can bring a small unwrapped toy or make a monetary donation to one of the Angel Notion volunteers, it will be very much appreciated.

Angel Notion Ayuda de los Angeles A.C is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and donations to provide education, medical aid, and opportunities for people of lesser means and special needs in Playa Del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. Founded 8 years ago by Lavonna Redman, a native of Bend, Oregon, Angel Notion strives to provide mentally and physically disabled children and adults in the community with the care and assistance they need in order to effectively integrate into society. The vision of Angel Notion is to provide:

· Customized medical attention and rehabilitation to achieve physical and mental capacities of functioning that could not otherwise be reached

· Specialized treatment and surgery

· Seminars on Life Skills to promote independence in day-to-day living

Seminars on Work Skills to enhance opportunity for job placement
Love, support and guidance as they find their own way in the community and society at large.

What follows is a personal message and update from Lavonna Redman. Please take just a few minutes to read about this amazing endeavor.

Angel Notion Navidad/ Christmas 2008

My personal message:

During this holiday season I would like to remind all of us who are more fortunate than others to look beyond our norm, take a look at a child who has never had a gift, and take a look at a single mom who is struggling to make ends meet in her children’s life. Recognize an elder suffering the cold and hunger.

Provide a smile for someone who will cherish a Barbie, a little boy who has never had a bike or a match box car, an elderly person who you could give warmth to, a family who you could give dinner to. It’s very simple to change a life.

Help us make a difference for very little but price isn’t as important as the gratitude you will see in the eyes of the receiver.

We look forward to your support and participation this year!

This is our 8^th year celebrating Christmas in Playa Del Carmen giving, giving and more giving. We are counting on your participation with us in making this another successful time in giving. Last year we broke the record in raising more than 30k toys, needing more than 28/ 2 ton pick-ups to make the deliveries. Our goals have always been to make a difference one child at a time defiantly not about the numbers and all about the quality of the love we give in delivering these gifts.

What is your passion?

· You can sponsor a single mom and kids this year

· You can buy toys

· You can buy blankets and food for the elderly

· You can sponsor a patient in the angel notion clinic

· We look forward to your support and participation this year!

· If you are going to be in Playa Del Carmen and/or the Riviera-Maya, please visit one of our trees on 5^th Avenue.

· If you and your family would like to participate with us distributing toys on the 24^th just contact me info@angelnotion.com or my cell phone in Playa 044-984-127-0780 or come and see me on the 14^th and 5^th Ave. 5pm to 10pm

Our trees are located at:

Juarez and 5^th Ave the Angel Tree (The Griggs Family)

Ciao Gelato 5^th Ave between 2^nd and 4^th (The Pamuulians)

Tequila Barrel 5^th Ave between 10^th and 12^th (Santa’s Tree)

Calle Corazon 5^th Ave and 14^th (Angel Notion)

Time: 5pm to 10pm

Dates: December 9^th thru the 24^th

Updating you on Angel Notion’s Activities for 2008:

The Clinic: As of November 2008 we have served 2219 people.

We are serving a larger portion of the community with needs such as:

· Diabetes prevention and treatment

· Prenatal

· Psychology

· Acupuncture

· General medicine

· Dentist

· Ophthalmology

· Psiatry muscle bone and tendons

· Neuro-therapy

· Speech therapy

· Physical therapy

· Chiropractic

· Nutritionist

· Cardiology

· Massage therapy

· Orthopedics

· Pediatrics

· Plastic surgeries

· Music therapy

· Gynecology

Successful Programs in 2008 Continuing for 2009

· The Cardio Program has successfully saved 11 children’s lives just this year

· The Club for Diabetes in Playa is now at 110 patients every week and 250 in Cozumel

· The Prenatal Program has successfully birthed 6 children naturally and prevented deformations

· The Telemedicine Program for speech therapy assisted 7 children and 1 adult over an 8 week period of time.

· We offered Freddy a kidney transplant in August in which he is healing wonderfully

· Michigan State University Dr. Peter Lapine and his daughter organized 3 cleft palette surgeries in E. Lancing Michigan.

Medical Missions in 2008:

· Michigan State University 18^th trip to Playa: focused on speech therapies as well as diagnosis. Prenatal prevention: facial deformations, cleft palettes, spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

· Orthopeds 4 Kids Orthotics for children we have supplied 1000’s of kids with orthopedic care

· Diabetes with Dorothy Malone Rising Univ. Vermont has tested over 15,000 children age 12 -18 years of age in the state of Quintana Roo with results were 8.7% have pre-diabetes and 1% have been diagnosed diabetes II.

· Starkey’s Hearing Aid Foundation helped us provide more than 500 pairs of hearing aids to the young and old alike.

· Jeff and Melissa mission for changing a family’s life with Carlito’s family

· Tim and Mindy and 8 friends who came to give to those in need

· Star Medica Mission heart surgeries in Merida Yucatan

· Tres Reyes community sponsorship supplying a community with food, fun and toys

· Teen age abroad program with 15 young people helping us help others

To read more about Angel Notion and the work that they do, visit this BLOG.

To make a monetary donation via paypal or wire transfer, visit this WEB PAGE

You've Got Mail!

435836 — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:36:00 GMT

I received a letter! That's right. An actual legitimate piece of personal correspondence from outside of Mexico. This may not seem like such a big deal until you consider that this is only the third international postal item that has been delivered to me in the four years that we have been living in Playa del Carmen. As I am sure you can imagine, this is a dramatic change from the volume of mail we used to receive on a daily basis back in New York. The holiday season would bring us the heaviest bundles, wrapped in thick rubber bands or twine. Often, I would open our front door to find a plastic mail crate full of Christmas Cards, holiday sale fliers, magazines and, of course, bills. I must have had half a dozen or so magazine subscriptions to look forward to on a monthly basis. In addition, L.L. Bean, Restoration Hardware, Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn, among many others, made very certain that their beautiful glossy catalogues reached me, seemingly everyday!

While I had certainly done my homework before we made the move to Mexico, mail delivery was not a topic that seemed to need investigation. Preoccupied with getting our necessary visas and finding schools for our children, I simply took it for granted that a developed area of Mexico like Playa del Carmen would have some sort of postal service. Every home has a proper and detailed address and I've seen the Post Office on Juarez so reason would dictate that regular and reliable mail delivery could be expected. Au contraire. Our utility bills for electricity and water are delivered by hand by individuals on scooters contracted to do so by CFE and CAPA, respectively. The banks, cable and phone companies do the same. Internet banking is just coming into it's own here and most of us simply make the trip to the appropriate service offices or designated payment places and pay our bills....in person....in cash....every month. Many, many times the bill does not come, is delivered to the wrong place or mysteriously goes missing. This is no excuse and rather than risk immediate and indefinite interuption of your services, you must make the trip to the proper offices to make your payment.

I have never received a store flier or a magazine and in four years, I have received two Christmas cards (thank you Erin for your persistence), each delivered by my Playacar security guard. When we moved across the highway into the Campestre this year, I was certain that I would never see another piece of correspondence again. Then, yesterday, Connor found an envelope jammed in between our front gate and the wall surrounding our yard. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I opened it to find a beautiful birth announcement and holiday greeting from my dear old friend Lauren in Louisville, Kentucky! As we have no security guards in this neighborhood, I was shocked that anyone (anyone not anticipating a generous Christmas gift) bothered to come all the way out here to deliver it. Perhaps Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus.

While I have been politely telling all of our friends and relatives back home to not waste their time and money on a Christmas card for the Kinnons, I am now emphatically recanting my statements. If Lauren's beautiful card made it all the way out here then maybe more will follow! Lauren's envelope had simply our names, the correct address, two 42 cent stamps and the words "Air Mail" written clearly across the front. She mailed it on December 4th, it was post stamped in the DF on December 9th, made it to Quintana Roo on December 13th and into my hands on December 17th. Along the way, someone knew that this address was once that of a primary school. That person, thoughtfully, marked the envelope "kinder" to help expedite the delivery! This my friends is a miracle of the highest order as, in years past, I have received Erin's Christmas cards in April of the following year. This is excellent progress, indeed. So bring on the cards and letters! We will treasure every one!

Celebration of "La Posada" at Papalote School

435836 — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:42:00 GMT

Christmas for Mexicans, in traditional homes and rural areas, is a religious holiday. For better or worse, families in Playa del Carmen, Mexican or otherwise, seem to have adopted a decidedly “Americanized” version of this holiday. This year, more than ever, the stores are jam packed full of fake Christmas trees, ornaments, tiny villages and all the assorted trappings of the holidays that we are accustomed to seeing back in the States. This year, the toys aisles are overflowing with all kinds of plastic, lighty up, "Hecho en Chino", Disney character driven schlock and customers seem to be grabbing it all up as fast as they can. On the other hand, the merchants can’t seem to give away the beautiful porcelain nativity scenes which I noticed were set out today at liquidation prices. *sigh* I guess this is yet another unfortunate consequence of progress and development. I’m sure it’s a big improvement for the Mexican families who appreciate the amazing variety of items now available in this area of the country. For me, it’s just a little sad.

Last evening we were invited to attend the preschool Festival Navideno at Papalote School. All of the classes, Maternal through Kinder 3, performed for parents, teachers and friends, singing songs and reenacting the original “Posada”.

This is an important part of the traditional Mexican celebration of the Nativity, the birthday of Jesus. In traditional Mexican towns, each neighborhood prepares for Christmas Eve, with nine nights of “posadas” beginning December 16 and continuing until the 24^th. During each of the nine nights leading up to Holy Night or “Noche Buena” each family will play host for an evening, welcoming the pilgrims or “Los Peregrinos” into their home. The nights of “posadas” are meant to reenact the evening that Joseph and Mary, journeyed from Nazareth and searched for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The host family plays the role of innkeeper and the other families are the pilgrims looking for shelter. Traditionally, they will pass by three homes, carrying slender candles and singing a simple carol. There are a few variations on this song, most with verses to be sung by the weary travelers with responses from the innkeepers. They will be denied entry to the first two homes, but at the third they will be welcomed inside for an evening of prayer, song and celebration.

Every traditional Mexican home will have its own Nativity scene, one most likely passed down from generation to generation, and of course, there will be a beautiful piñata for the children. A traditional piñata would be a clay pot filled with nuts, fruits and sugar canes and covered with colorful crepe paper decoration. These days, piñatas come in many different shapes fashioned from chicken wire and paper mache and are filled with candy and small toys. While the children takes turns at the piñata, the adults gather together and enjoy tamales and churros and “Ponche con Piquete”, a hot punch made from tea, seasonal dried fruits, lime peels, cinnamon sticks and clove and spiked with rum. There are many variations on this punch and each home is likely to have their own secret recipe. On the evening of December 24^th, the final posada will culminate in a grand feast and each family will attend the special “Misa de Gallo” or the Rooster’s Mass at midnight.

Religion does not play a major role in our lives but I feel fortunate that our children have a chance to experience a bit of these lovely traditions through the holiday festivals at their schools. Living in Playa del Carmen, it is likely that this will be their only opportunity to participate in anything approaching an authentic Mexican Christmas celebration, religious or otherwise. Last night, the piñata was filled with brightly wrapped candies, the Caribbean breezes did not cooperate with our candles and the ponche was definitely missing its punch, but we all still enjoyed a lovely evening surrounded by friends.

Spanish En el nombre del cielo os pido posada pues no puede andar mi esposa amada.	English In the name of Heaven I ask of you shelter, For my beloved wife Can go no farther.
Aquí no es mesón, sigan adelante Yo no debo abrir, no sea algún tunante.	There's no inn here, Go on with you, I can't open up You might be a rogue.
Venimos rendidos desde Nazaret. Yo soy carpintero de nombre José.	We're weary from traveling from Nazareth. I am a carpenter by the name of Joseph.
No me importa el nombre, déjenme dormir, pues que yo les digo que nos hemos de abrir.	I don't care who you are. Let me sleep. I already told you we're not going to open.
Posada te pide, amado casero, por sólo una noche la Reina del Cielo.	I ask you for lodging dear man of the house. Just for one night for the Queen of Heaven.
Pues si es una reina quien lo solicita, ¿cómo es que de noche anda tan solita?	Well, if it's a queen who's asking us for it? Why does she travel all alone and in the night?
Mi esposa es María, es Reina del Cielo y madre va a ser del Divino Verbo.	My wife is Mary She's the Queen of Heaven who is going to be the mother of the Divine Word.
¿Eres ú José? ¿Tu esposa es María? Entren, peregrinos, no los conocía.	Are you Joseph? Your wife is Mary? Enter, pilgrims, I did not recognize you.
Dios pague, señores, vuestra caridad, y que os colme el cielo de felicidad.	May God repay, kind people, your charity, and thus heaven heap happiness upon you.
¡Dichosa la casa que alberga este día a la Virgen pura. la hermosa María!	Blessed is the house that shelters this day the purest Virgin, the beautiful Mary.

The German Baker in Playa del Carmen

435836 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:02:00 GMT

Ever on the lookout for something yummy, last week, I stumbled upon some lovely homemade breads at my favorite produce market, Dac. For the past two weeks, a small table has been set up out front offering samples of these tasty baked goods to the customers of the market, the clientele of "Nativo" and passersby. They have a nice variety of dessert/breakfast breads and muffins including Calabaza (pumpkin), Platano con chocolate (banana with chocolate chips) Elote (corn), Zanahoria con Pasas (carrot with raisins) and Naranja (orange). There is also a variety of savory breads suitable for sandwiches, all made with whole grains and flavored naturally with spices, nuts and seeds.

I have now tried almost every flavor and each is wonderful. Unlike most of the cakes and pastries I have tried here, these baked treats are moist and have the proper amount of sweetness. I can't recommend one variety over another. You will just have to try them all. The baker, Sandra, a transplant from Germany makes her breads fresh every morning and clearly loves what she does. You can taste it in every bite. The display table will only be set up for another week but Dac will continue to carry the breads on a permanent basis. I highly recommend you make a special trip but, be sure to get there early in the morning as the available items go pretty fast. These fabulous baked goods are sure to be the perfect complement to any Thanksgiving and/or Christmas feast. There will be several loaves gracing our table for sure!

Dac is located on Avenida 30, just north of Constituyentes.

Dia de los Muertos in Playa del Carmen

435836 — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:46:00 GMT

Most people, knowing my disinterest in Halloween, are confused to learn that I really enjoy the celebration of Dia de los Muertos. As a matter of fact, this is my favorite holiday in my new home country and I look forward to it every year! Commonly known as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), this is actually two holidays celebrated on the first two days of November, presenting an interesting mix of pre-Hispanic practices and Roman Catholicism. November 1st (All Saints Day) and is the day generally set aside to remember children and babies who have passed while November 2nd (All Souls Day) has its focus on adults who have moved on to the next realm. This is a time set aside every year for everyone to recognize, remember and celebrate the lives of their ancestors and departed loved ones. This time of reflection is unique to each family and the festivities vary regionally. It is a time not only to applaud and appreciate accomplishments but to acknowledge shortcomings and character flaws as well. It is also an appropriate time to share stories and even funny anecdotes about relatives.

Many families erect a multi-leveled altar in their home, decorated with pictures of the deceased, candles, flowers, "papel picado", religious and/or pagan ornaments and statuary and often, seasonal symbols of the harvest. Sugar sculls marked with the name of the deceased, "pan de muerto" and special treats such as candied pumpkin are often used to decorate the altar. Family members will then add in special offerings to their dearly departed in the form of favored foods and beverages, even cigarettes. Many families will gather together at the graves of their relatives in a fiesta-like atmosphere, enjoying the favorite meals of the departed and leaving their gifts or "ofrendas" on the grave site. Rather than the somber memorials we were used to in the U.S., these gatherings are meant to be quite lively, often involving large quantities of tequila, music and sometimes noisy fireworks, set of to draw the attention of the spirits.

In direct contrast with our cultural fear and avoidance of death, Mexicans are quite comfortable with the idea of the afterlife and welcome the spirits of the dead to return and cavort among the living. All manner of devises are employed to capture their interest and direct them to the meeting place, whether it be in the home or grave side. The elaborate mosaics comprised of orange marigolds, "cempazuchiles", synonymous with Day of the Dead festivities, are one such sign-post for the spirits to follow. Gifts placed on the graves and altars are meant to entice the spirits to join in the festivities. "Copal" is burned; the scent intended to guide them on their journey. Objects thought to make the returning "guests" feel more comfortable, such as calaveras (skulls) and calacas (skeletons), are displayed in many forms including papier-mâché masks, clay figurines, intricately cut paper designs and even face/body painting. It is, perhaps, this aspect of the celebrations that causes us to draw correlations between Dia de los Muertos and our more modern Halloween.

Our Halloween, as we know it today, was actually brought to North America by Irish and Scottish immigrants as the pagan Celtic festival of the harvest, "Samhain" . It was believed that, at this time, the veil between the two worlds, that of the living and that of the dead, was lifted, allowing the departed to travel into our realm. Costumes and masks were worn to appease possibly hostile or evil spirits and protect their crops and livestock from the wrath of these unruly souls. Like many pagan celebrations, "Samhain" was assimilated by the Roman Catholic Church, eventually becoming "All Hallows Day". Halloween is the "eve" of All Hallows Day. While some of the symbolism is nearly identical, the significance of Dia de los Muertos and Halloween is quite different.

Like many tradition Mexican holidays, the festivities in Playa del Carmen are somewhat watered-down. Being a relatively new city, we simply do not have the sense of tradition brought my generations of families living and dying in the same city. Our cemetery is still rather small and sadly rudimentary, lacking the panache and creativity we have seen in other Yucatecan cemeteries closer to Merida, Valladolid and Tizimin. In Playa del Carmen, if you want to experience a taste of Dia de los Muertos, Xcaret is the place to be. We make our pilgrimage to Xcaret to see the Day of the Dead exhibitions every year and it is our favorite time to visit the park. Beginning at 4pm, the park is completely transformed for the festival with dozens of authentic altars, art and photography exhibitions, face-painting areas, various food stations with typical Mexican foods prepared right on site, craftsmen weaving hammocks, blankets and belts, potters throwing earthenware pots and sculpting crosses and a host of musicians and performers all serving to create a wonderful rendition of this traditional celebration.

I foolishly arrived at the park with a partially charged battery in my camera, but I did manage to get a few good shots from this year’s exhibition.

As every year, we all enjoyed the Dia de los Muertos festivities at Xcaret. The special exhibitions and shows are open to the public for four days with reduced pricing after 4pm. For more information, visit their website www.festivaldevidaymuerte.com.

"Happy" Halloween?

435836 — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:38:00 GMT

I'm not big on Halloween. There. I've said it. I wish I was like all my pals in Playa who plan and prepare their costumes 364 days a year in anticipation of October 31st. I love looking at all the pictures from the parties and marvel at the creativity of the costumes and make-up effects. I am envious of the imagination necessary to concoct all the fabulous props and amazed at the efforts made to get the look just right. Every year I think to myself, "This is the year. Rob and I will dress up and really DO Halloween, just like everyone else." Well, it hasn't happened yet and it didn't happen this year. I didn't dress up. I didn't got to any of the crazy parties and I am sure that, once again, I passed on a really fun night out on the town. I was safely home in bed by midnight, safe from Playa's ghosts, goblins, pirates and vampires.

Having said all that, Halloween is not completely lost on me. I LOVE carving pumpkins with my kids. I LOVE planning and making their costumes. I LOVE the Halloween festival at El Papalote School thrown every year to incorporate Mexico's traditional Dia de los Muertos celebrations and the festivities of the more modern Halloween. Brought in by expats from the United States and Canada who have settled with their families along the Riviera Maya, the Halloween holiday is slowly being adopted by the local population. My children's attemps at trick-or-treating fell flat in our neighborhood in the Campestre. Only one family, besides ours, was prepared with candy to hand out to any little monsters who might be prowling the neighborhood. After the party at school, I took the kids downtown to 5th Avenue to join the handful of Mexican families who had come downtown with their children to try their hand at this relatively new activity. Not surprizingly, few stores and restaurants had candy to give but several groups of tourists were prepared with pockets full of hard candy and peso coins to hand out. It was not a complete bust for my little ones but I do think they were a bit disappointed.

This year, El Papalote was transformed from a school into an Enchanted Forest, ready to be inhabited by little witches, wizards, fairies, trolls and all manner of woodland animals. I am always amazed at how beautiful the school is at Halloween but this year was particularly spectacular.

Breaking from her usual princess persona, Birdie became "The Witch of the Sky" and Cole, "The Wizard of the Earth".

The main altar in the reception area was full of flowers and candles and incense filled the air.

Miss Kim turned up to share in the festivities and say "hola" to her adoring former students.

A little fairy and her bunny friend.

Fairy Mommies!

The Mona Lisa captured a lot of attention.

Each of the classrooms was transformed into a magical workshop where the children could make masks, magic wands and wizards hats (that I made more than 50 of, thank you very much) or have their faces and hair painted with glitter and colored gels. After completing their projects, the children were given "treats" to take home. Yes, even Waldorf schools hand out candy on Halloween!

The Wicked Witch oversees all!

Each of the classrooms was decorated inside and out. Each class has a small altar that the students decorate themselves.

The Enchanted Forest was filled with more than just little witches and wizards. Connor and a lot of the older kids were on hand to admire their decorating efforts and dig into the food!

Head of School, Miss Claudia, announced the results of the 6th grade raffle, the winners going home with a new iPod Nano and an overnight stay at a beachfront resort in Tulum!

I think this smile pretty much says it all!

So, Halloween in Playa del Carmen is different than it was in the U.S.; heavy on the organized parties and festivals and light on the trick-or-treating. We can live with that. Now what do I do with all the leftover candy????

Welcoming Autumn in Playa del Carmen

435836 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:11:00 GMT

Life in a tropical climate comes with a host of challenges. The scorching sun, the heat, the unrelenting humidity all take some getting used to. (We’re not even going to begin the BUG discussion) After four years, our blood has certainly thinned sufficiently and we have acclimated to the weather of our region. There are certain differences that, no matter how long we live here, we will never truly adjust to. Coming from the northeastern United States, the change of seasons and the accompanying changes in temperature and our surrounding landscape, are ingrained so deeply in our perception of “the way the world works” that we are left every year feeling like something is missing at certain times of the year.

In reality, we do have seasonal changes here, some of which are more obvious than others. Nights in December are considerably chillier than those in June. Perhaps not so chilly as to require the purchase of the heavily quilted jackets, scarves and gloves that appear in the local department stores starting in about mid-October, but certainly cold enough to consider a light sweater or jacket when going out in the evening. In the spring, many trees begin to drop their leaves. Autumn brings daily rain showers and the occasional hurricane. The fluctuations we experience are more subtle and as such, some of the anticipation, the build up before each change of season is somewhat dulled.

In an effort to help our children recognize and look forward to the regular cycles of nature throughout the year, the schools that they attend, both Waldorf inspired scholastic communities, mark the change of season with annual festivals. The first event that our children prepare for every Fall is the Festival of San Micael. This festival, which coincides each year with the Autumnal equinox, celebrates the harvest, the balance of the universe and marks a time when we are asked to look inward and incite a battle with our own personal dragons. El Papalote’s version of this festival incorporates elements of the early pagan ceremony with the medieval Christian celebration of Michaelmas.

There are several festivals throughout the school year, each encouraging the participation over every student teacher and parent. My two small children are just now starting to anticipate the festivals and really look forward to the flurry of activity at school, preparing the stage, learning songs and making colorful decorations and at home as I struggle to create new costumes, lovingly fashioned together with fabric glue and safety pins. While they may miss out on the turn of the colors, tapping maple trees and jumping in piles of leaves, we do our best to make sure our children are being provided with opportunities to make a meaningful connection from their day to day lives to the progression of the seasons and to the world around them.

A Happy 4th of July in Playa del Carmen

435836 — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:56:00 GMT

Captain Dave's Bad Boys Beach Bar was the scene of this years rip roaring 4th of July celebration. Our own Cowboy John smoked an enormous pig and dozens of local folks contributed their favorite potluck side dishes, creating a fabulous feast. J.J. and the Nasty Bastards shared their stage with the rest of Playa's best musical talent. The house band from The Jam Session, Bad Brad and the Culture Orphans, Barefoot Skinny and a host of visiting musicians all joined together to make this day so special. The Peanut Pet Shelter's raffle brought in an amazing $4600 dollars with prizes donated from generous local businesses. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the day, was the return of Playa's beloved Michael Grady. Singer, songwriter and entertainer extraordinaire, Grady returned to the United States last year and his departure, while necessary for his health and mental well-being, left a hole in the local music scene and in our hearts as well. It was wonderful to see him back in top form, happy and healthy and doing what he loves best.

Here are some pictures from the party. Apologies to those of you whose names I've botched or forgotten.

Rob (BuyPlaya), Derek and Chief Brian (Bomberos)

Bad Brad Ryan

The prettiest Culture Orphan

Miss Edie and Birdie

Rick (Babaloo) and Susie (SusieQRoo)

Food going fast!

Mimi (Blah, blah, blah Ginger) , Lisa (Living the Lisa Loca) and Rob (Bric International)

Tyra and Andy (Peanut Pet Shelter)

Mark (PlayadelSoul, Harmon Hall) with and Tony and Cheri (Luna Blue Hotel)

Tyra and Joe Colada

Steve (Baked) and Deb (OregonDeb)

Barefoot Skinny, Derek and Tony

Marlin (Big Fish) and Cynthia(?)

Jez (The Beer Bucket), Annabelle (Mrs.Bigfish) and her son

Kim and Kaj

Keersten and Claire

Kim and Noreen

Heather (playa.info) and Jez

Leasa (Ginger)

Jay (jaydoil) and Mr. Grady

J.J. (JPlayaJ) and friends

Kim and Cheif Brian (Bomberos)

Captain Dave (Bad Boys Beach Bar)

Sharkey brings down the house of the rising sun!

Mr. Michael Grady

A special thanks to Captain Dave for once again providing us with a place to gather and have a great time. Hats off to all the musicians, bartenders, waiters, local and visiting chefs and Cowboy John for their contributions to this event. The following businesses and individuals generously donated goods and services to the raffle benefiting The Peanut Pet Shelter, the Riviera Maya's only no-kill animal shelter, finding families and forever homes for loving dogs and cats. Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone!!

Off the Vine, the Bomberos, Luna Blue Hotel and Bar, Joe Colada, Kool Beach Club, Harmon Hall, Fusion Hotel and Restaurant, Tango Taco, ATV Explorer, La Tortuga Hotel and Bistro, Babes Restaurant, Dr. Jorge Armenta, Manne's Biergarten, www.intheroo.com, The Beer Bucket, www.playamayanews.com , La Famiglia Restaurant, Geofish Dive Shop, Ultralight, Barry Launius, the Fat Cat Catamaran, Reflex Massage, Fast Blast Speed Boats.