Mana - In the spring of San Blas (video) ... Maná - En el muelle de San Blás (video)

Shambhala, Casa De Gloria

Zipolite, punto de encuentro. Zipolite, a meeting point.

Los Mind Lagunas con Enrico Crivellaro, Babel Cafe, Jueves 13 de Febrero 10pm

Loredana Moro shared her photo.

http://www.enricocrivellaro.com/

Vermilion flycatcher captures our hearts, imaginations | WHIDBEY BIRDING 

• by FRANCES WOOD,  South Whidbey Record Columnist 
• Feb 9, 2014

A vermilion flycatcher perches atop a bare thorn branch. Record columnist Frances Wood calls the bright-red avian the Valentine bird. 

— Image Credit: Craig Johnson Photo

• 0
•  
•  

• inShare0

• by FRANCES WOOD,  South Whidbey Record Columnist 
• Feb 9, 2014 at 10:00AM

My husband and I recently returned from a month of birding in and around the city of Oaxaca, Mexico. It’s in a high, dry valley in South Central Mexico where the native habitat is described as thorn scrub. One of the most common little flycatchers is also a brilliantly colored bird, the aptly named vermilion flycatcher.

On our first morning there we spotted this ruby red ornament perched on a bare branch, and I stopped in my tracks to admire it.

Similar in size and shape to our house finch, the 6-inch flycatcher sat horizontally, red head and breast reflecting the strong Oaxacan sun, black mask and wings setting off the dazzling color. The bird glanced from side to side, tilting its head and occasionally raised a short crest to further sparkle in the sun.

I like to think of this flycatcher as the Valentine bird, not only because of the shining red color, but also because, even in the winter months, this species is usually found in pairs. The female, a brownish counterpart with a pale salmon-colored belly, was likely somewhere near by.

The locals call this bird “bien viaje” — literally good travel — but often simply translated as the good luck bird.

The bird was facing me, which, according to Oaxacan lore, is a very good omen. If the bird is turned with its back to you showing its dark wing feathers, however, bad luck could be in the offering.

Flycatchers are constantly scanning their surroundings for flying insects and they tend to keep an eye out for big mammals like people, so nine times out of ten, the birds are looking your way and good luck is bound to follow you.

Birds are among the most popular animals used in mythology and are the source of countless superstitions and allegories. Life, death, luck, and love have all been tied to the tail-feathers of these winged marvels. In Western European culture many birds are linked to bad omens. The owl’s ominous hoot, for example. The term given to a collective group of crows is a “murder” of crows. Thanks to Alfred Hitchcock, flocks of blackbirds are frightful.

Some birds have more benign symbolism. We know that doves represent love and peace and are a savior of humanity. Eagles embody strength, swiftness and majesty. Robins suggest joy. The return of swallows symbolizes spring. All valued assets, I admit.

But where are the “good luck” birds in our culture?

For sailors, a sighting of the cumbersome albatross was considered a harbinger of good luck. But when was the last time you saw an albatross and how many of us are sailors?

There is the old saying that it’s good luck if a bird defecates on you, but I see that as more annoyance than evidence of good fortune.

Years ago the ivory-billed woodpecker, a large showy bird of the southeastern United States now assumed to be extinct, was called the “Good Lord Bird.” But that reflected the amazement of anyone lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it.

A bluebird seen in spring is a lucky sign to some. But I’m looking for a bird that one could encounter any day of the year. Something bright and delightful to see. A species of bird that will immediately lift your spirits, chase the clouds away and turn you into a bird watcher over and over again.

Any nominations? Seriously, I’d like to hear from you.

Later during our month in Oaxaca some Whidbey Island friends came for a visit. They love to hike, but weren’t bird watchers. One morning we set off on a four-hour trek along a dusty road between two villages several miles from Oaxaca City. One of the first birds we saw was a bright male vermilion flycatcher. I forced binoculars into my friend’s hands and helped her locate and focus on the bird.

The moment she caught sight of that bird, she gasped and couldn’t put the binoculars down. I’m pretty sure that one look turned her into a birder. And the next time I see her I’m going to ask how her luck has been recently.

Frances Wood can be reached at wood@whidbey.com. Craig Johnson is at Craigjohnson@whidbey.com.

Las Ingles "everybody wants some"

Judith Frey via Derek Joe Brockett

Las Ingles "everybody wants some"

youtube.com

Las Ingles performing van halen's "everybody wants some!!" 05.feb.2014 @ livelula bar, zipolite, oaxaca.

Yoga, Venice Beach, California, 2/8/2014 ... A very fun beach! Ivan

Duffy's Tavern Valentine's Day Shelley Winters 1950

Judith Frey shared Piquete Ziña, Mezcal de autor's photo.

Judith Frey shared Piquete Ziña, Mezcal de autor's photo.

Susan Spíndola shared her photo. Nuestros verdaderos amigos. ¡¡¡¡ Las mascotas. Our true friends. ¡¡¡¡ :) Pets. (Translated by Bing)

Susan Spíndola shared her photo.

Nuestros verdaderos amigos. ¡¡¡¡  Las mascotas.

Our true friends. ¡¡¡¡ :) Pets. (Translated by Bing)

Augmented Reality: AntiVJ in Oaxaca By Bruce SterlingEmail AuthorFebruary 6, 2014

Augmented Reality: AntiVJ in Oaxaca

• By Bruce SterlingEmail Author
• February 6, 2014 | 
• 10:33 am | 
• Categories: Augmented Reality, Tech Art

*Check out that projection-mapping in a Mexican cactus garden. AntiVJ is second to none.

http://www.antivj.com/theark

THE ARK from ANTIVJ is a visual label on Vimeo.

ANTIVJ

“The Ark
“A site specific installation by Romain Tardy & Squeaky Lobster

“Proyecta Oaxaca, festival Internacional de diseño y artes digitales
“Ethnobotanical garden of Oaxaca, Mexico
“April 19th & 21st 2013

“The Ark is an ephemeral, site specific installation built around the cacti that line the Aljibe, at the heart of the Ethnobotanical Garden of Oaxaca.

“Adopting a poetic approach, The Ark gives voice to the garden’s plants, participants in the work, the beating heart of the space and an unpredictable choir.

“Telling their story, revealing their fantasised and fantastical nature, The Ark is a mise-en-abîme of the trail. Loosely inspired by the myth of the Great flood, this audio-visual installation in three parts unfolds like a movie project into space, in which the wandering spectator plays the role of the camera.

“Concept & Visual design by Romain Tardy

“Music composed by Squeaky Lobster

“Project Management by Nicolas Boritch

AntiVJ

“On the invitation of Proyecta Oaxaca, several artists from the Antivj visual label have devised four visual and sonic works to be installed at the heart of the Ethnobotanical Garden in Oaxaca. Conceived of as a trail of light, these in-situ works offered the chance to (re)discover a singular and magical location in a particularly unique way – by opening the garden to the public at night.

“A trail of the senses, in several variations, it also presents spectators the perspective of four artists on this atypical space, in which ancient nature and new technology come face to face, like a distant echo of the ancestral techniques that have allowed for its conservation.

“The trail consisted of the following four works:

Onion Skin, by Olivier Ratsi
The Ark, by Romain Tardy
3Destruct | Oaxaca, by Yannick Jacquet, Jeremie Peeters & Thomas Vaquié
Réplica, by Laurent Delforge & Thomas Vaquié

“A project commissioned by Proyecta Oaxaca.

“All photos by Romain Tardy

“Video filmed by Xavier Chassaing & Romain Tardy.”

Xochitl Alderete Arreortua shared Pañales ecologicos ñiñoña's photo. promo!!!!

Joseph Contreras amo zipolite .....

Joseph Contreras

amo zipolite   .....

Paco Hernandez posted in Zipolite

Paco Hernandez

Paco Hernandez posted in Zipolite

Zipolite es un lugar magico con gente especial y el que aun no ha visitado este maravilloso lugar deberian ponerlo en su lista de cosas que hacer en la vida, estoy seguro que despues de visitarle se descubriran a ustedes mismos y se sensibilizaran con la naturaleza y el respeto a la vida. No lo dejes para mañana...que el tiempo sigue su rumbo!!!

Zipolite is a magic with special people and which has not yet visited this wonderful place should put it on your list of things to do in life, I'm sure that after visiting him will discover yourself and is sensitive to nature and respect life. Not leave it for tomorrow... that time continues its course! (Translated by Bing)

Argonauta Caffe posted in Zipolite Argonauta Caffe Argonauta Caffe 7:02am Feb 9 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cayman/328614380603598?ref=hl Cayman Hip Hop Mexicano Delicia Record´s 2.0

Argonauta Caffe posted in Zipolite

Argonauta Caffe 7:02am Feb 9 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cayman/328614380603598?ref=hl Cayman Hip Hop Mexicano Delicia Record´s 2.0

La playa del Amor

Jose Ars

La playa del Amor

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leunams/12281543783/

The beach of love http://www.flickr.com/photos/leunams/12281543783/ (Translated by Bing)

4 HOURS of The Best Relaxing Music - Sleep and Spa Music by RELAX CHANNEL

10 Travel Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Life Posted by Caroline Morse on Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Home » Airfarewatchblog » 10 Travel Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Life

10 Travel Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Life  Airfarewatchblog 10 Travel Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Life Posted by Caroline Morse on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 (Photo: Hand on Mountain Ledge via Shutterstock) From contracting parasites and bedbugs to illegally crossing a border or racking  up exorbitant cellular fees, these 10 travel errors could have serious health or  financial consequences that will haunt you long after your vacation is over. (Photo: End of Border via Shutterstock) Crossing the Wrong Border In some places, it's easy to wander over an unmarked and unguarded border  from one nation to another. While this might not be such a big deal if you're in,  say, the European Union, it can mean big trouble in other parts of the world.  Take the case of three Americans who were imprisoned from 2009 to 2011 for  allegedly crossing into Iran while hiking near the border in Iraqi Kurdistan. The  Iranian government accused the hikers of being spies and sentenced them to eight  years in prison. (One of the hikers was released after 14 months, and the remaining  two were let go after serving about two years and paying more than $465,000  each in bail money.) (Photo: Thinkstock/Digital Vision) Contracting Parasites You can't see them, and you might not know you have them until months or even  years later, but parasites can ruin your health. Microscopic parasites can be contracted  by drinking contaminated water, by eating undercooked meats or improperly washed  fruits and vegetables, or through a bug bite. One SmarterTravel staffer experienced the trauma of a parasite, and his story  gives us chills: "I don't know where I contracted [leishmaniasis]. They think  most likely when I was in Crete, since that timing seemed to fit and that was the  only place I'd been where this disease occurs, although it's still pretty rare there.  If it was Crete, the symptoms didn't appear until almost a year later. I was on and  off sick for about four months until they figured out what it was. Went through lots  of doctor's visits and tests. They were going to remove my spleen for diagnosis but found out what it  was right before that." (Photo: Bedbug via Shutterstock) Getting Bedbugs Contrary to their name, bedbugs can live almost anywhere—including in luggage, on  clothing, or on furniture. All it takes is one bedbug hitchhiking from a fabric airline  seat or hotel bed to infect your entire home. Getting rid of them once you have them  can cost you more than your trip—think thousands of dollars in extermination fees,  furniture replacement, and laundry bills. Be sure to always check your hotel mattress for signs of bedbug infestation, wash  your clothing immediately upon returning home, and consider using hard-sided  luggage to keep bugs out. (Photo: Thinkstock/iStock) Having Your Identity Stolen Opportunities for identity theft are everywhere while traveling. Making a transaction  with an unfamiliar ATM, using a public Wi-Fi connection, or being the victim of a  pickpocketing—these are all ways in which your identity could be stolen. Identity  thieves can open fraudulent accounts in your name and ruin your credit for years  while the matter is straightened out. Use secure Internet connections; consider using an RFID-blocking wallet; and check  your credit card, bank, and credit-report statements carefully and frequently after  traveling. (Photo: Burglar via Shutterstock) Having Your Home Burglarized Being away from home for an extended period of time can make your house a prime  target for burglars. Even something as innocuous as mentioning an upcoming vacation  on Facebook can alert thieves that your house will be empty. Consider the case of  a New Hampshire robbery ring, which used Facebook postings to target victims while  they were out of town. Limit who you tell that you'll be gone (including out-of-office emails, voicemails,  and social media postings) and freeze newspaper and mail deliveries so they don't  pile up when you're gone. (Photo: Thinkstock/iStock) Getting Locked Up Abroad The television show Locked Up Abroad may be entertaining to watch, but it won't  be so much fun if you have to live through it. Make sure you know the local laws  wherever you're going. For example, did you know that in Singapore, officials can  legally submit anyone(including tourists) to a drug test—which means that you could  get in trouble for illegal substances consumed before you even traveled? It gets  worse: Some narcotics offenses carry mandatory death penalties in Singapore. Or,  in the less-obviously-illegal department, a British couple received a one-month  prison sentence for kissing in public in Dubai. Familiarize yourself with local laws before traveling! (Photo: Kidnapped via Shutterstock) Getting Kidnapped Travelers, especially business travelers, can be easy targets for kidnappers looking  for financial or political gain. Last year, an American tourist was kidnapped, robbed,  and raped in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Four kidnappings in Honduras have been reported  to the U.S. embassy in the last two years, and in 2011 the Mexican government  reported a more than 300 percentincrease in kidnappings since 2005. Check the State Department's website for travel alerts and warnings for regions  that you are planning to visit—it will have good information on whether or not kidnapping  is a high risk and which areas should be avoided. (Photo: Drunk Man Passed Out via Shutterstock) Getting Too Drunk Knowing your limits while drinking alcohol is important, especially while traveling.  A drunken slip could mean lifelong consequences. Take the case of Joe Rickey  Hundley, a former executive who lost his job after he got drunk and slapped a  toddler on a plane. Be careful to always watch your surroundings while drinking  as well—the State Department warns of reports out of Thailand of tourists being  robbed after their food or drink was drugged with a sedative. Drink alcohol in moderation while traveling (and remember that being tired,  jet-lagged, or dehydrated can make you feel more drunk than you would under  normal conditions), and never accept a drink from a stranger. (Photo: Thinkstock/iStock) Not Turning Off Cellular Data Don't forget to turn off your cellular data (or set up an international plan) if you are  bringing your phone with you on the road. Consumers have been hit with unexpected  bills for exorbitant amounts (think $10,000) because they used their phones briefly while  abroad or they forgot to turn off cellular data/roaming. Consult our handy guide on using your smartphone abroad to avoid a surprise  savings-ruining bill. (Photo: Open Bottle via Shutterstock) Consuming Counterfeit Products Inadvertently buying a fake handbag in a foreign market may be annoying, but it's  nothing compared to what could happen if you consume a fake product. Multiple tourists have died in Indonesia after drinking methanol (a lethal substance)  that was sold to them as regular alcohol in a money-scamming scheme. Other travelers have experienced dire consequences from taking counterfeit medicines  while abroad. The CDC, for example, warns against buying antimalarial drugs while  abroad; many sold outside the United States are counterfeit and ineffective. Stick to bottled beer in places where counterfeit alcohol is a known problem, and buy  your medications before you go. You Might Also Like: 101 Clever Travel Tips for 2014 8 in-Flight Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Trip 8 Foods You Should Never Eat Before Flying 10 Beach Dangers Everyone Should Watch Out For This article was originally published by SmarterTravel under the title 10 Travel Mistakes That  Will Ruin Your Life. Follow Caroline Morse on Google+ or email him at editor@smartertravel.com.