"Life's a Beach"

Spending a quiet evening at home with the kids last night I had plenty of time to sift through all of our photos from 2008 and do a bit of much needed reorganization. Judging from the many yearend comments on Facebook, it seems that most everyone is bidding "good riddance" to 2008 and looking hopefully toward 2009. Certainly, ...

 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through la casaNot a creature was stirring, CARAMBA, Que Pasa?Los ninos were all tucked away in their camasSome in vestidos and some in pajamasWhile Mama worked late in her little cocinaEl Gordo was down at the corner cantinaThe stockings were hanging con mucho cuidadoIn hopes that Saint ...

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 ...

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. ...

Once again, Angel Notion is doing its annual Christmas toy and fund drive in Playa del Carmen. Four trees have been set up along 5th 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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...