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A little about Playa Zipolite, The Beach of the Dead . . .

Playa Zipolite, Oaxaca, Southern Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean. A little bit about my favorite little get-away on this small world of ours.

Zipolite, a sweaty 30-minute walk west from Puerto Angel, brings you to Playa Zipolite and another world. The feeling here is 1970's - Led Zep, Marley, and scruffy gringos.

A long, long time ago, Zipolite beach was usually visited by the Zapotecans...who made it a magical place. They came to visit Zipolite to meditate, or just to rest.

Recently, this beach has begun to receive day-trippers from Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido, giving it a more TOURISTY feel than before.

Most people come here for the novelty of the nude beach, yoga, turtles, seafood, surf, meditation, vegetarians, discos, party, to get burnt by the sun, or to see how long they can stretch their skinny budget.

I post WWW Oaxaca, Mexico, Zipolite and areas nearby information. Also general budget, backpacker, surfer, off the beaten path, Mexico and beyond, information.

REMEMBER: Everyone is welcome at Zipolite.

ivan

Monday, February 10, 2014

Vermilion flycatcher captures our hearts, imaginations | WHIDBEY BIRDING

Vermilion flycatcher captures our hearts, imaginations | WHIDBEY BIRDING 

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

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Las Ingles "everybody wants some"






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

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

amo zipolite   .....


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
Argonauta Caffe7:02am Feb 9
Hip Hop Mexicano
Delicia Record´s 2.0


La playa del Amor





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



10 Travel Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Life

rss link 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 
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:
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.

Bernardo Macias Igual me tiran de a loco desquiciado pero 3 veces de las varias que he ido a Zipolite vi ovnis en el cielo y en el horizonte junto con testigos de varios paises a alguien le a sucedido lo mismo? Magia Zipoliteca jeje Do I just pull a deranged madman but 3 times of the several that I've gone to Zipolite saw UFOs in the sky and the horizon together with witnesses from several countries someone you happened to it? Magic Zipoliteca hehe (Translated by Bing) Unlike · · Share · Yesterday at 12:14am near Mexico City, Mexico


Igual me tiran de a loco desquiciado pero 3 veces de las varias que he ido a Zipolite vi ovnis en el cielo y en el horizonte junto con testigos de varios paises a alguien le a sucedido lo mismo? Magia Zipoliteca jeje
Do I just pull a deranged madman but 3 times of the several that I've gone to Zipolite saw UFOs in the sky and the horizon together with witnesses from several countries someone you happened to it? Magic Zipoliteca hehe (Translated by Bing)

SUNSET - NAPLEMENTE - PUESTA DEL SOL

SUNSET - NAPLEMENTE - PUESTA DEL SOL
1 hour ago  •  0 views
dicika53
SUNSET - NAPLEMENTE - PUESTA DEL SOL
ZIPOLITE OAXACA, MEXICO
CASA DE DELILA


Xochitl Alderete Arreortua shared Pañales ecologicos ñiñoña's photo. pañales que te ofrecemos!!! diapers we offer! (Translated by Bing)

pañales que te ofrecemos!!!
diapers we offer! (Translated by Bing)


My Spanish Notes Una paja por favor

My Spanish Notes


Posted: 08 Feb 2014 06:00 AM PST
Have you ever need to know how to ask for a straw in Spanish? Surprisingly, knowing how to say straw in Spanish can be more difficult than you might think.

I remember when I learned how to ask for a straw.  I considered this a victory and moved on.  Then I discovered there was more than one word for straw.  After that I discovered there were actually quite a few words for straw. 

Let's take a look at some of the words for how to say straw in Spanish:  Paja, pajita, caña, sorbete, cañita, pajilla,pitillo and popote.  



If you're wondering why there are so many words for straw, it's because they're all regional.  I'm not sure if there is a generally accepted word for straw, so if you have any suggestions feel free to leave a comment.

Let's revisit that list of translations for straw and I'll tell you what words are used in what country.  At least in general.

Catalunya (Spain) - caña
Rest of Spain - pajita
Argentina - pajita, sorbete
Peru- cañita, sorbete
Dominican Republic, Cuba - sorbete
Puerto Rico - sorbeto
El Salvador, Costa Rica - pajilla
Mexico - popote
Colombia, Venezuela - pitillo

This list is not meant to be exhaustive, those are just the words this gringo has heard of.  And the list comes with the additional disclaimer that it's based on my conversations, experience and opinion, so everyone may not agree with my list.  


I also want to point out that in certain parts of Spain a caña can also be a beer, so you really need to know your audience.
Now it's time to talk about the title of this post.

¿Una paja por favor?
A straw please?

Something as simple as asking for a paja can end up being a little embarrassing.  Yes, I know what you're thinking, how can asking for a straw be embarrassing? Let me explain.

It turns out paja has another not so innocent meaning.  And by not so innocent I mean vulgar.  It's also a way of referring to masturbation in some countries.  I won't go into detail on this blog, but you can read more about that here, on my blog about Swearing in Spanish.   If you're the paranoid type when you ask for a straw using the word paja you can clarify things by asking for a paja para beber.  Or you can simply avoid the word altogether by using pajita instead.

Let's get back to the real issue, straws.
For those of you who like pictures, here's a nice photo that also serves as a handy reference.  It was created by Veinte Mundos, which is a great (free) podcast site.  You should check it out.  




So what can you do to remember the right word at the right time?  My advice is to just learn the words the people you associate with use the most.  Beyond that you'll have to use good old-fashioned body language if you can't find the right word.

And that's it.  Now you're equipped with everything you need to know for how to say straw Spanish. 

Know any other words for straw or have some words of wisdom?  Leave your comments below!

¡Hasta la próxima!

Let Me Roll It - Paul McCartney & Wings (1973) (2010 Remaster 1080p Video)