Search results matching tags 'real estate playa del carmen' and 'Schools'

May Day Celebration at Ak Lu'um School

435836 — Mon, 09 May 2011 00:37:00 GMT

May Day is celebrated in countries all over the world in festivals that draw their origins in the ancient pre-Christian fertility rites practiced by the Romans honoring the Spring Goddess, Flora. The elements of the modern May Day festival take their root in Medieval times and include music, games, parades, dancing and of course, the ubiquitous maypole. Traditionally festooned with bright Spring flowers and strung with colorful ribbons, participants each take a ribbon and in a choreographed pattern weave them around and down as they dance or skip around the pole.

This year, the students at Ak Lu'um Waldorf School erected their own maypole to celebrate May Day in Mexico. The children were all dressed in white, the girls wearing crowns of flowers, the boys colorful sashes. As their teachers sang and played simple traditional tunes, the children skipped in and out creating a hypnotic pattern as the ribbons wove their way down the pole. The Maypole Dance was a yearly tradition at my school and this brought back fond memories of my teachers and classmates back in New York.

The remainder of the day was dedicated to all kinds of games and contests. Egg and spoon races, bobbing for apples, three-legged and sack races all pitted parent against child, bringing fits of laughter from participants and spectators alike! Having worked up a good appetite, we all tucked in to a delicious lunch with favorite dishes contributed by parents.

As always, the teachers and administrators at Ak Lu'um Waldorf School put their heart and soul into organizing a wonderful family day for all the members of the school community. You couldn't help but be proud of all the work that had been done and the progress made over the past few years. The campus gets better year after year. The livestock and gardens are thriving, as are our children in this very special place.

Ak Lu’um International School is a not for profit Waldorf Initiative founded in 2006 in the jungle close to Playa del Carmen. The school’s mission is to educate, promote sustainability, develop ecological awareness and encourage children from 2 to 12 to reconnect with our earth. Students at Ak Lu’um learn with their minds, hearts and hands. The curriculum is academically challenging and meaningful with many opportunities for hands-on learning and artistic development. Ak Lu’um welcomes children with special needs and seeks to integrate them fully, giving all children an opportunity to better know, understand and love their fellow human beings. The community at Ak Lu’um International School is bilingual (English-Spanish) and culturally rich with over 10 nationalities represented by staff and pupils.

Wastewater Garden Specialist Needed in Belize!

435836 — Fri, 06 May 2011 03:17:00 GMT

As many "Life's a Beach" readers well know, Rob and I have spent a fair amount of time in Belize. We have explored a vast majority of the mainland and have great pals on Ambergris Caye who we keep in touch with and visit faithfully once or twice a year. On one of my first visits to the island, I reached out and made plans to meet Laurie Norton, better known in the blog-o-sphere as "Tacogirl". We have similar interests and hit it off immediately. During that visit, Laurie brought me to visit Holy Cross Anglican School located north of San Pedro in an area known as San Mateo. Words are really not sufficient to describe the level of poverty in San Mateo. You really need to see it, smell it, walk across the makeshift bridges elevated just inches over a swamp of sewage and waste to take it all in properly. A few years back, I wrote an article for Blog Action Day highlighting the plight of the residents of this "neighborhood". It will give you a good overview of the situation but even the pictures do not tell the whole story. Since that day, Holy Cross School, its administrators, teachers, volunteers and supporters have held a place in my heart.

This week I learned that the ambitious Direct Abundance San Mateo Sanitation Project planned for the school had ground to a halt. The letter below from Founder and Board Member Heather Zwicker details the foundation's immediate need for a specialist in wastewater garden systems. Laurie and I are hoping that within our significant network, we can set "six degrees of separation" into high gear and find someone to assist with this exciting project.

Hi tacogirl!

I hope you are awesome and the beautiful island of Ambergris Caye is keeping everyone healthy and happy.

I just wanted to drop you a line and give you an update on our project for San Mateo. As I have mentioned to you before the challenges and obstacles are always unexpected. As you know, we all are volunteers offering our time and expertise to help the community of San Mateo. Sometimes our own lives get in the way of getting things done in a short timeline, but never fear, we are always taking steps forward, even when no one is looking! And planning for success in a project can slow you down when trying to anticipate complications that you never really if they will or will not come up.

This project has been like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. Every piece is as important as the other, each relying on the togetherness to make it complete. I can see the picture is almost finished however we need some more help.

I have managed to collect all the information on how the system will work and the theories why, I have information of how to build the system, the rough concept drawings are done, someone is working on the education piece for the community as we speak. I have the first recipient ready to begin the build and even a group of volunteers from United Methodist Church of Johnstown collecting donations and willing to help build the first system. Again, I am grateful to you for making the introduction the make this possible. As you recall earlier in the year two volunteer contacted us to help but we were unable to make it possible at that time. Your readers are awesome! They truly love the island you call home. It appears everyone want to do their part!

Here is the missing piece; I need someone who has experience with building wastewater gardens to help do the building plans for the first system. I have an engineer in Belize City who is willing to consult with the project and a few feelers out myself, but so far, no luck. The engineer that we have been working with up to this point is suddenly, due to personal reasons, unable to move the project to completion. This was devastating new for us but he has no problem with me sharing the information he has given me to complete the project. Maybe you know someone who can help with this? Can you ask around for me? I know there are people out there who can come together with their knowledge and experience to change this community for the better! It only takes a moment in time to change a life forever!

As always, With Deepest Gratitude and Warmest Regards,
Heather

If anyone reading this has experience with wastewater gardens or knows someone who might know someone, please pass this letter along. You may contact Laurie or Heather through their websites or email me at michelekinnon[at]gmail.com and I will make the proper introductions.

BuyPlaya "Run for Ak Lu'um" Raises Funds for Ecological School

435836 — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:32:00 GMT

On the morning of March 20, Riviera Maya athletes and families gathered in Playa del Carmen’s Parque Leona Vicario to take their marks for the “Run for Ak Lu’um”, a 5K race sponsored annually by BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors, the premier brokerage for Playa del Carmen real estate. Over 100 runners, walkers and families with strollers weaved their way through the streets of the city and past the glamorous resort zone, finishing at the historic Parque Fundadores, overlooking the shores of the Caribbean.

Winners took home an official certificate of completion and prizes generously donated by local Riviera Maya businesses. The top finishers and times in each category were as follows:

Adult Male                                          Adult Female
1st Miguel Novelo 17:15                    1st Stephanie Morton 20:39
2nd Arturo Navarro 19:29                  2nd Cecilia Guerrero 21:05
3rd Rodrigo Salazar 19:44               3rd Emily Egge 22:32

Children
1st Nancy Pérez 23:34
2nd Kevin Fernández 23:54
3rd Sebastian Huart 24:43

Families
Winners Family Burillo Gil 27:31

The BuyPlaya “Run for Ak Lu’um” will be held again next year at the same time with an official date to be announced in January 2011. Organizers anticipate the event will grow over the years, ultimately attracting athletes from outside the Riviera Maya and drawing positive attention to the unique efforts of the school. “The Riviera Maya is so new and there is tremendous opportunity here. With opportunity comes responsibility.” states Rob Kinnon, owner of BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors “As local business owners we need to support all efforts to protect the natural resources of this region. By teaching our children to respect and care for the world around them, Ak Lu’um is investing in the future of the Riviera Maya. That’s something we can really get behind!”

Ak Lu’um International School is a Waldorf Initiative founded in 2006 in the jungle close to Playa del Carmen. The school’s mission is to educate, promote sustainability, develop ecological awareness and encourage children from 2 to 12 to reconnect with our earth. Students at Ak Lu’um learn with their minds, hearts and hands. The curriculum is academically challenging and meaningful with many opportunities for hands-on learning and artistic development. Ak Lu’um welcomes children with special needs and seeks to integrate them fully, giving all children an opportunity to better know, understand and love their fellow human beings. The community at Ak Lu’um International School is bilingual (English-Spanish) and culturally rich with over 10 nationalities represented by staff and pupils.

BuyPlaya ‘Run for Ak Lu’um’ Draws Support of Riviera Maya Business Owners

435836 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 04:38:00 GMT

With just a few days remaining before the BuyPlaya 5K Spring Race, organizers, parents and local business owners are kicking into high gear for this exciting annual fundraising event. On March 20 at 7:45am, participants will run, walk or stroll the 5 kilometer course leaving from the Parque Leona Vicario, making a loop through the hotel zone in Playacar and finishing in the historical Parque Fundadores on the shores of the Caribbean.

“In its inaugural year, the ‘Run for Ak Lu’um’ drew over 100 participants. This year, the response has been even more enthusiastic!” reports Sandra Mancilla, Ak Lu’um parent and member of the race organizing committee. “The support from the community for the school has been remarkable. So many people have offered to donate prizes for the runners!” Ak Lu'um is Mexico’s first ecological school and an ambitious undertaking. Set on a self sustaining campus in the jungle outside of the city of Playa del Carmen, Ak Lu’um is successfully integrating education and ecological responsibility. The non for profit school has been a labor of love for the teachers, administrators and parents since its inception in 2006. Recently, during the COP16 Summit in Cancun, the small school made a splash in international headlines for its ‘Family Eco-Challenge’, a first of its kind event in Mexico.

Local businesses have been very generous with their support of this school and the annual race. BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors, title sponsor for the race, has been joined this year by Ink Me, a printing company in Playa del Carmen, LocoGringo.com and IntheRoo.com, two of the most reputable online sources of information about Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. Race support and prize donations have been provided by Abyss Dive Center, Agua Paraiso, Bauer Compressors, Bicipartes Luisito, Casona, Colegio Mexicano de Masaje, Credito Global, DAC, Estia Greek Restaurant, Flora, Fauna y Cultura, Friends of Ak Lu’um, Hot Baking Co., Ink Me, John Gray’s Place, Dr. Jorge Armenta, Mariposas en la Panza, Rancho Baaxal, Starbucks, Taste of Playa, The Little Mexican Cooking School, Wicky’s Restaurant, Xcaret and Yoga by the Way. Organizers also acknowledge the continuing support of The Municipal Offices of Solidaridad and Condominio Playacar.

Participants are asked to appear in the Parque Leona Vicario at 7:15am to register and receive their numbers. For additional race information including a route map and a complete list of sponsors, visit the official webpage http://www.akluum.com/correporakluum . All race proceeds will support daily programs and special activities at Ak Lu’um International School in Playa del Carmen.

Have you discovered The Little Mexican Cooking School?

435836 — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:30:00 GMT

Headed to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico? Then Puerto Morelos, midway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, is worth a stop. One of this region’s best kept secrets with its world class snorkeling and a LIVE music nightlife to envy, has a new claim to fame that is putting Puerto Morelos on the map. A map that some visitors to Cancun may not discover.

The Little Mexican Cooking School has been awarded the designation of #1 Attraction on the entire Yucatan Peninsula by popular travel website TripAdvisor.com, topping the charts of over 600 attractions offered in this area. But, some visitors to the Cancun area won’t find out. That’s because, oddly, the destination is unable to be listed on Trip Advisor's Cancun listings page. There’s something about the geographical delineation between Cancun and it’s ‘next door’ neighbor, Puerto Morelos.

For those in the know, The Little Mexican Cooking School offers a one day, in-depth introduction to authentic Mexican cuisine, 5 days a week. Dishing up recipes for original dishes with a modern touch, it gives tourists the opportunity to try their hand at some Mexican staples, like tortillas and tamales, while demonstrating many recipes per class in a 4 menu rotation. You laugh, you learn, you taste, you sip, and you eat. There’s an abundant feast that caps the day.

Since launching in December 2009, The Little Mexican Cooking School has quickly become a ‘must do’ tourist experience. Food and Travel writers are flocking there and Rough Guide’s Zora O’Niell has promised to boast about it in her next edition of Rough Guide to the Yucatan. Students are raving about the knowledge and enthusiasm of Mexican-born chef Pablo Espinosa. Pablo’s passion took him to Canada’s West Coast, a hot bed for foodies and the organic farming movement. After the rave reviews for his novel “Café Maya” in Squamish BC, he was eager to share the love for “what a Mexican really eats”, with tourists, here. Pablo says: “I am proud to show people that Mexican food is not just about American franchises. The food and culture of the Mexican people is fascinating, and I just love surprising our students”.

Catriona Brown and Patti Murphy, the founders of the school, are proud of their unique concept. “We wanted to create an experience like we seek out when we travel. A place where one can learn about an intriguing culture through their intellect and their senses.” Murphy says. On the key to their success, Brown says “We give people more than what they expect. Tourists in this region are fatigued with the hard sell. We take a more elegant approach, do our homework and deliver the goods.”

To book a class go to: www.thelittlemexicancookingschool.com

For more info contact: Patti Murphy, teatimetango@gmail.com

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