A deep day on Playa Zipolite, Mexico

brydanger 01/15/2013 Bryan and Jen Danger, Mexico

We had read that one of the much debated translations of Zipolite was “beach of the dead”.  Sadly, today we found out why.    
We awoke to the calming sound of waves breaking just out the open doors of our cabana.  As morning arrives the mosquito net surrounding our bed adds a gentle glow to the beachscape beyond.  Jen has already climbed out twice to snap photos of a breathtaking sunrise, one which tried hard to outdo even the sunset from last night.  We move slowly, enjoying the tranquil nature of our surroundings.  First coffee, then breakfast looking over the hammock.  This is a life we could get used to.

As the temperature follows the rising sun we eventually wander to the water where we’ve been watching a few locals doing tricks on their boogie boards.  The waves that crash out front seem to range anywhere from gentle 1’-2’ rollers to thundering overhead monsters and these kids on their boards seemed dwarfed in comparison to the wall of water towering behind them.

I wade out to try and snap a few photos of the 100s of hungry pelicans sitting just past the break and we chuckle as the laziest of pelicans doesn’t take off fast enough to fly over the wave and instead finds himself surfing clumsily in to shore.  I try to float along with the crashing waves to get a photo just at the moment when the wave starts to break and the pelicans dart overtop…waiting until the last possible second to momentarily leave their meal ticket.

I play for maybe half an hour before heading back in to jen and karma who have been standing guard in the shallow water- Karma is convinced she’s the lifeguard of every beach we visit.  As i try to show Jen a photo of our surfing pelican, clothingless guys come running up from the point and shouting for help.  Apparently two guys have been pulled into the riptide and then pushed into a churning hole between the rocks and the point.  I hand jen the camera and run into into the water to help (in hindsight, not taking enough time to discuss my plans with jen nor to set her mind at ease).  I swim out into the current and try to find a place to get near the closest guy without getting sucked in and becoming part of the problem, but the rip proves too difficult.  A local with fins and a boogie board is making faster progress towards him and i abort mission, swim with the rip out to sea before swimming parallel to safety and crash with the waves back into shore.

The boogie boarder eventually does the same with guy in tow and we pull him in to shore where an actual lifeguard is arriving from the far end of the beach.  The lifeguard directs others to the point (and to the guys companion), then goes back to work on trying to resuscitate.  Sadly, they work on him forever and cant successfully bring him back.  A tranquil day and happy vacation ruined, and the lives of whoever he has touched immediately have gaping hole that he used to fill.  We never met this man, but our hearts pour out to his companion and to everyone who knew him.

We have since come to learn that this is a tragic but frighteningly frequent occurrence here.  On our walk last night we saw the speed at which the water was gathering at this end of the beach and discussed the force with which that water must be returning to sea, but we certainly didn’t expect this type of outcome hours later.  Zipolite apparently has always had very dangerous riptides and currents the length of the beach. Deaths here used to be extremely high but with the changing of the beach landscape and the creation/training of a lifeguard crew a decade ago the number of deaths has plummeted.  Rescues it seems are still a daily occurrence, and as we set out to walk down the beach later in the day men, women and children are laughing and playing in the massive waves rather than sitting frightened on shore.  It’s only near sunset that we notice the flags alerting swimmers to the danger level.  Todays flag was flying red.

While we sit quietly in our cabana and later wander out to tour the beach and town, our minds keep coming back to this morning’s fateful event.  A good reminder for us on so many levels.  One of safety and security clearly, but more one of respect and of being thankful.  A reminder that life is an excruciatingly fleeting event that is almost completely out of our control.  Every day and every minute is a precious gift.  There are warnings about just about every thing that a person could choose to do and each choice can end good or bad.  If we spend our time worrying about the worst possible outcome we would likely would never leave home, open a window or turn the lights on.  We certainly wouldn’t be driving on any highway, out traveling the world or playing in the waves (on this or any other beach).  Those who warn most loudly not to are often those who haven’t done it out of their own fears.

I live and play with a constant and healthy respect for the ocean.  I am so aware that this thing that we find so beautiful can become powerful and deadly in a moment, and will always remember coming close to losing my own life in a current off another beach.  At moments in the water today i had pauses of fear.  Fear for my own safety, that i had may have made a bad choice by entering the water or that (as it turned out) i was too late or couldn’t help.  Looking back, my current fears are simply not taking advantage of every moment to love and live life fully.

It seems about the only thing we do have control over is how we choose to spend the days/moments that we do have.  To breathe in deeply the air around us, to love/respect/cherish those dear to us, and to strive to live our dreams while there’s time.  Tomorrow i’ll be more thankful for the opportunity to walk down the beach, to be walking with those that i love and to be given the chance to go back in the water to play with the pelicans.

Ballenas en Mazunte, Oaxaca, 3-01-13

H500C - C - FujiReala100 - El Chelito Mazunte

POCHUTLA

Seattle Seahawks 2012 Tribute

http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=4320

Mexico Residency Visas

JAN08
201311 COMMENTS AND 1 REACTIONWRITTEN BY JOHN CALYPSO

We have no picture – but we do have a thousand words below:

We have interrupted the Beach Bodega project to renew our right to stay in Mexico.  This has been an annual event for the last 8 years – truth be known – not our favorite yearly event.

Over the years we have attempted to be a beacon of information in this regard. That with no knowledge as to what it is worth, if anything, to anyone.

So here is this year’s first installment: How we obtained permission to be in Mexico – Part 1

Before I start venting, let me administer the most sage advice to any of this. Go to the INM office on an exploratory mission FIRST. In the last few years they have provided a sheet with a list of documents and procedures to secure your particular flavor of visa. It has taken these many years to get it in my thick skull that this is the ONLY sound method of starting out.

What I had been doing (OK the venting is starting) was scouring the Internet, and reviewing others and our own past experience for a head up on getting started. This is pretty much a waste of time (and paper if you have any green concern).

We had been reading a Merida Forum that leads to a myriad of comments, experiential stories and advice. Not to dis those that contribute because just the idea that people would share information without demanding money for it is a wonderful thing – but in this case counterproductive – truly. By the time you go away from there you will be so confused and disoriented that you will run out (not walk) to find the first help available at any price.

Rest assured there is help. A cottage industry of help to get your passport has sprung up. Dare I say that perhaps some of the confusion is spawned by those that can make a living at setting you straight – rather like the unemployed fire fighter that starts a fire to get some work? Principled as I am – I refuse to take this most sensible approach.  Did I just write principled? OK let’s go with stubborn and cheap – it fits.

Starting Sunday we put together a plan for our first visit. A plan spawned from aforementioned Internet advice from well intending people.

Monday we went to the copy store; one capable of transferring computerized documents from a memory stick (we have a half dozen printers in various states of non-working – let’s not even go into that. We had request letters and financial statements and numbers to supply to the INM officer – lots of stuff – lots of copies.

We headed to the Puerto Airport complex which houses, well trailers, the local INM office. We had to sit outside after filling out the ‘guest book’ registration. There were a couple of people before us including a small herd organized by one of those aforementioned paperwork handlers.

In short order – perhaps 15 minutes – we were motioned to enter the small trailer. Here I should credit two points of advancement – a few years ago we had to sit in stiff chairs under the sun – now there is an awning and the sweat box they called an office with little elbow room beyond space for two people, is now refrigerated. Layered dressing will probably work best to adapt from the hot to chilly environments.

We were greeted by the hombre (Mexican Federal Agent) that made Anita cry a couple of years back. He was super friendly. I suppose still carrying some guilt for his harsh treatment. Good greeting passed, our paperwork just did not cut it.

We are applying for permanent residency in Mexico. The laws and requirements have changed radically (as of early November of last year). The immigration (INM)  offices seem to be getting organized and more aware of requirements and process.

Here is an overview of some of the major changes – When wishing to stay in Mexico for longer than 180 days (tourists,) first time applicants MUST apply at a Mexican Consulate in their home country for a temporary or permanent stay in Mexico. There are no exceptions to this.

The financial requirements (income from sources out-side of Mexico) have increased substantially. A lot of people are worried, upset and/or angry over these financial increases – MANY will no longer have the monthly income or other qualifying factors any longer. Our understanding is that there are some ‘grandfathering conditions’ to all that. But those seem to be transitional and thus remain distressing to many.

The annual fees have also increased, however the fee is on a declining scale based on the number of years one applies for. The good news in that regard is you can now apply for as many as four years of continuing permission to stay as a temporary resident. Very good news for those that have been doing this Mexican Hat Dance for years – each and every year.

Even better still is a much more friendly method to attain permanent residence – NO MORE VISITS to the INM office – HOORAY! This comes with some VERY STIFF financial requirements; and a still undefined possibility of no longer being able to drive your foreign plated vehicle here in Mexico.

There is also a point system that equates to one being worthy of attaining residency by way of academic and working skills deemed beneficial to the country.

Does this all sound complicated? Boy howdy it is!

Getting back to our actual experience yesterday – we were given a printed form with 13 issues to be satisfied when applying for permanent residency. In the last few years we had been able to submit financial information in English – no longer – they wanted our bank statements in Spanish – ugh!

A letter requesting our desire for permanent residency which was created in Spanish via a sample from the Merida Forum was deemed unsatisfactory. Different language was provided to re-do the document.

They did manage to give us a paper to take to any bank for each to pay a 1000 peso application fee. We waited in line at the bank for more than an hour to pay the fees.  End of day one – we were off to home to redo and gather information as required on the newly acquired form – We go back today – more on all this tomorrow. Stay Tuned!

Posted in Around Mexico, FACTOID, Frugal Travelers, In The News, Mexico-Travel, Puerto Escondido

Playa Zipolite

http://www.flickr.com/groups/zipolite/pool/?view=lg

XiZALO Un Lugar de Encuenros Bar L.G.B.T.

http://www.gaymexicomap.com/detail.php?l=Xizalo+Bar+%26+Guesthouse

Xizalo Bar PROMO IMPREDIBLE PARA HOSPEDARSE:¡¡ te quedas 7 días y pagas 5!!!!!! PROMO IMPREDIBLE to stay: stay 7 days and pay 5! (Translated by Bing)

Xizalo Bar

14 minutes ago

PROMO IMPREDIBLE PARA HOSPEDARSE:¡¡ te quedas 7 días y pagas 5!!!!!!

PROMO IMPREDIBLE to stay: stay 7 days and pay 5! (Translated by Bing)

Vamos por una margarita al Xizalo Bar quien dijo yo ?

Are we going for a margarita at the Xizalo Bar who said I?(Translated by Bing)

Xizalo Bar & Guesthouse

Two story bar and guesthouse. Ground floor: place to enjoy a snack in comfortable armchairs or swim in the pool. On the 1st floor: bar with good music, drinks and a place to dance. Elsewhere on the 1st floor: rooms for rent to visitors daily, weekly or monthly. Free breakfast, private bath, good quality mattress, air conditioning and a welcome glass of champagne.

Imagery ©2013 , Map data ©2013 - Terms of Use

500 ft

200 m

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David Archuleta - Rainbow (Remix)

Fiesta fin de año 2012 Zipolite, Oaxaca

Published on Jan 5, 2013

No se quienes estaban tocando, pero la fiesta, la musica estuvo muy

 buena, esto es algo de lo poco que pude grabar en video

La Puesta Antro-Bar Zipolite Chuper Party!!!!! este viernes 18 de Enero, con la presencia de 3 dj`s para poner el super ambiente!!!!! no faltes!!!!

La Puesta Antro-Bar Zipolite

52 minutes ago 

Chuper Party!!!!! este viernes 18 de Enero, con la presencia de 3 dj`s para poner el super ambiente!!!!! no faltes!!!!

Los Cuencos y el Mar ,Zipolite,Oaxaca,diciembre 2012 Humberto Alvarez

Participants in the Carnaval parade in Puerto Escondido.Mane Rosales | visitapuerto.com

THE MONTH AHEAD IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO

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Puerto Music, Carnaval, the Chila Fair: there’s lots to see, do and hear in Puerto Escondido in the weeks ahead.

Puerto Music continues until March 2 with live music concerts under the stars and the palms on the beach at Playa Marinero. Shows are January 17 and 19, January 24 and 26, January 31 and February 2, February 14 and 16, and February 28 and March 2. Enjoy the music, dance on the sand and watch the surf roll in. See the calendar for details.

The annual Chila Fair begins February 1 and runs till the 23rd, with all kinds of events planned. Take in the rodeo, horseracing, fireworks (along with a castillo), a dance and plenty more in Bajos de Chila, just 10 minutes up the highway from Puerto Escondido.

And then there’s the Carnaval de la Costa, when Puerto Escondido lets loose and has a party. Well, it’s not the only party of the year, but it’s a big one. Popular Mexican guitarist Paco Lentería will give a free concert on the first night, February 8, at the Agencia Municipal. There will be parades, crowning of the carnaval king and queen and the traditional burning of ill humor. Don’t miss it — February 8-10.

Keep track of these events and more with our events calendar. Use it to plan your next holiday on the beach in Puerto Escondido!