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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

Friday, September 15, 2017

Fiestas Patrias: September 15-16 Independence Parties in Mexico

Fiestas Patrias: September 15-16 Independence Parties in Mexico

On September 16, 1810, the Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the bells of his church in Dolores, Guanajuato. A crowd of locals gathered around him on the front steps, and Hidalgo gave a passionate speech about the need for an independent Mexico, though today the exact words aren’t known.
Today, there are fiestas everywhere in Mexico to commemorate this symbolic beginning of the Mexican War of Independence against Spain. The end of the war finally came 11 long years later in 1821.
Hidalgo’s grito (cry, shout) is reenacted throughout Mexico on September 15, the night before the holiday, usually at 11 p.m. The most important available government official rings the bell that hangs from the front of the government palace in nearly every city and town. People fill the zocalo, the center square fronted by government buildings and the cathedral. They dance to live music, waiting for the mayor, governor or president to hang out the window, pull the cord for the bell, and give the grito. This is followed by cheers of ¡Viva México! from the crowd.
¡Viva! ¡Viva! ¡Viva!
Toluca sept 15
This is Mexican Independence day, not Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo was a victory against the French in the city of Puebla in 1862, though it’s better known in the U.S. as a good day to shove a lemon down the neck of your Corona, do tequila shots, and eat tacos.
(By the way, in Mexico, they squeeze a lime into the beer, not a lemon, and never stick it down the neck. It’s like when Mexicans put ketchup on pizza – it just ain’t right.)
If a Mexican family doesn’t go to the zocalo to watch the grito on September 15, they may host or go to a noche mexicana (Mexican night), a party where they listen to Mexican music, eat traditional food (antojitos mexicanos) and maybe dress up in traditional clothing.
It’s a big holiday in Mexico, and everyone has the day off on the 16th. Some fortunate folks – government workers like me – get more days off for a long weekend.
For weeks before, you can buy party favors on the street: flags, sombreros, fake moustaches – stuff like that. You don’t need to buy fireworks – the city will have plenty of those, along with bands, food and drink. It all depends on where you are.
sept 15 1

In a city

There will be a big stage set up in the zocalo and a few bands. In big cities, or when especially popular bands are scheduled to play, people might get there in the afternoon before it gets too crowded. In Mexico City, where the president gives the grito from the executive building on the zocalo, there are outdoor parties in other parts of the city as well.
After the grito you can expect big fireworks, and then more music.
Toluca sept 15 4
I’ve been to the zocalo on September 15 a few times in Toluca, where I live. Among others, I’ve seen classic groups like Los Angeles Azules, Los Tucanes del Norte, Pepe Aguilar, Banda el Recodo, and the comedian Adrian Uribe, better known as “El Vitor.” He’s the host of the Mexican naco version of Family Fued, 100 Mexicanos Dijieron.
Toluca sept 15 3

Small towns

In a small town with a close community, the party might be more like a huge potluck. Everyone stocks up on disposable plates and utensils, and they bring lots of food. The food might come out of a big tupperware container, or it might be grilled up right there. You’ll eat tacos, pozole, pambasos, tostadas, and much more. There’s also plenty of tequila, dancing and patiotism. Once in Temoaya, in the State of Mexico, they brought out a original copy of the Mexican declaration of independence:
temoaya fiesta 1 temoaya fiesta 2
Elsewhere, a fun thing after the grito is for the kids to spray everyone with silly string or sticky powder in a can. I’ve seen this after soccer victories too. This sleepy girl and her family are selling eggs full of powder and confetti to throw at people:
pueblito sept 15 3
The party goes on, before and after the grito. If small towns don’t have a stage set up for live bands, they at least have an extra loud DJ:
pueblito sept 15 1
The queen of the party:
pueblito sept 15 4

On the beach, etc.

I’ve never been to a beach on September 15 or 16. I get a few days off work, but so does everyone else, so it’s not the ideal time to travel.
Another common event during this long weekend is a charro show, like a rodeo, a great time to put back a few beers and admire Mexican cowboys.
Mexico is a big, diverse country with regional cultural differences in every corner. It’s a bad country for generalizations. I’m just describing what I’ve seen here in the center of the country. Each region has at least one thing in common, however: a deep, colorful, musical, delicious culture.
If you’ve been to a different sort of Mexican Independence party, please tell me about it below.
¡Viva México!

Off to Zipolite / MexicoTravel Vlog #116 / The Way We Saw It

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Festival Internacional de Jazz Mazunte, 1-19 Nov. 2017 Oaxaca Mio Inicio Mazunte|Zipolite|Puerto Angel Festival Internacional de Jazz Mazunte, 1-19 Nov. 2017. Mazunte|Zipolite|Puerto Angel ...


Festival Internacional de Jazz Mazunte, 1-19 Nov. 2017
Inicio Mazunte|Zipolite|Puerto Angel Festival Internacional de Jazz Mazunte, 1-19 Nov. 2017. Mazunte|Zipolite|Puerto Angel ...




Guido's Lounge Cafe Broadcast 0287 Waiting In Vain (20170901) by Guido's Lounge Café

A 360 fom Zipolite, Oaxaca

Ocean Radio Chilled "Midnight Silhouettes" 9-3-17 by EYE

Earthquake also left cultural damage Churches and other historical buildings have sustained extensive damages

Earthquake also left cultural damage

Churches and other historical buildings have sustained extensive damages

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Not only were homes and public infrastructure in Oaxaca and Chiapas damaged by last Thursday’s earthquake but buildings and sites of historical and archaeological value as well.
The federal Culture Secretariat said among the worst affected were Catholic churches in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region of Oaxaca. In the city of Oaxaca, the Macedonio Alcalá theater, the ex-convent of Santo Domingo and the Cathedral of Oaxaca also sustained damages.
The building with the worst damage was probably the municipal palace in Juchitán, built in 1860. Military authorities have advised that the entire building should be demolished due to structural damage, but local officials are awaiting further inspection.
Also in Juchitán, the church of San Vicente Ferrer, built in the 17th century, has been reported severely damaged.
In Chiapas, the Regional, Altos de Chiapas and Soconusco Archaeological museums were damaged well as the Iglesia Vieja archaeological zone and historic buildings in the municipalities of San Cristóbal de las Casas and Chiapa de Corzo.
In the latter town, the condition of the fountain in the town square is a serious concern among residents. Known as La Pila, the fountain was built in 1562 but sustained structural damage on Thursday night.
The church of San Lorenzo in the town of Zinacantán may be a write-off, according to the mayor, but if not repairs could cost as much as 25 million pesos.
In Veracruz, minor damage was reported in the Tuxteco Museum, while the archaeological zone of Malpasito, in the Tabasco municipality of Huimanguillo, was also affected.
Some damage was reported in the Hidalgo state ex-convents of Tepeapulco and Epazoyucan and the archaeological zone of Xihungo. The Tecoaque Archaeological Site Museum in the state of Tlaxcala also reported damages, though minimal.
Source: El Universal (sp), Excélsior (sp), NVI Noticias (sp)


Efforts under way to aid earthquake victims Over 2 million people have been affected by Thursday's quake

Efforts under way to aid earthquake victims

Over 2 million people have been affected by Thursday's quake

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As donations are being gathered by various organizations and individuals to assist the victims of last Thursday’s earthquake in southern Mexico the government has announced it will withhold further aid to victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.
It was unclear how much aid Mexico sent but the Foreign Affairs Secretariat said today that it was suspending shipments due to domestic needs caused by the earthquake and Hurricane Katia, which struck Veracruz on Saturday.
Authorities estimate that at least 2.3 million people have been affected by the earthquake, which claimed 96 lives, according to the latest figures. The government of Chiapas says 40,000 homes have been damaged; in Oaxaca the number is 12,000.
The national office of the DIF family services agency says earthquake victims in Oaxaca and Chiapas need goods such as blankets and bedding, clothing and shoes, food products including tuna, beans, sardines, powdered milk, water, cereal, biscuits, instant coffee and health care items such as soap, sanitary towels, tooth brushes and toothpaste.
The Red Cross said yesterday it had shipped more than 40,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the two states most affected by the 8.2-magnitude quake.
The organization has sent 250 paramedics and 500 volunteers to deliver supplies, joining 1,500 volunteers already working in Oaxaca.
Mexico City has also joined donors by sending 32.5 tonnes of supplies donated by citizens at the donation center installed in the zócalo, a shipment sent with support from the Federal Police.
On the weekend, the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) announced a US $200,000 donation to aid earthquake victims and the allocation of loan funds to Mexico of up to $100 million to rebuild infrastructure.
Here are some locations that are taking donations.

Mexico City

  • Fundación Milenio, Avenida Morelos 16, between Balderas and Bucareli
  • UNAM: Estadio Olímpico 9:00am till 5:00pm.
  • Home of Natalia Toledo, Avenida Mazatlán #5, entry S, apartment 2, corner of Juan de la Barrera in Condesa.
  • El Centro Cultural Macario Matus, Edificio Guanajuato, in front of Jardín Santiago, in Tlatelolco.
  • Avenida Coyoacán #939, Colonia del Valle in Benito Juárez, between Ángel Urraza and Matías Romero.
  • Calle Dr. Atl #196, in Santa María la Ribera, 2:30pm until 10:00pm.
  • Calle Guanábana #201, interior C, Nueva Santa María in Azcapotzalco.
  • Zócalo, Centro Histórico.
  • Calle Montes Urales #800, Lomas de Virreyes in Miguel Hidalgo.
  • Almacenes #74, in Tlatelolco, Guanajuato building, Cuauhtémoc.
  • Calle Lago Wetter, corner of Lago Ginebra, Miguel Hidalgo.
  • Various campuses of Monterrey Tec.

Oaxaca

  • DIF volunteers’ offices, Avenida Juárez #914, in Centro.
  • Oaxaca Congress, Calle 14 Oriente #1, San Raymundo Jalpan.
  • DIF of Oaxaca, Calle Vicente Guerrero #114, Miguel Alemán.
  • Gimnasio Flores Magón, Calle Derechos Humanos, corner of Privada de Brasil, América Sur.
  • El Universal newspaper, Calle Dalias #1010, corner of Avenida Fuerza Aérea Mexicana, Reforma.

Chiapas

  • Any state or municipal DIF office.

Puebla

  • Calle 25 Sur #905, La Paz, Puebla.

Red Cross

Donations of personal and home hygiene products are accepted at offices in Polanco, Toluca, Oaxaca and Tuxtla Gutiérrez, as well as Walmart, Superama and Supercenter stores. Cash donations can be made to account #0404040406 at BBVA Bancomer.

Starbucks

Donations accepted at any Starbucks café: non-perishable foods, bottled water, personal hygiene products, clothing, blankets.

Cash donations

  • Banorte, 066 900 6667
  • Citibanamex and Alfredo Harp Helú Foundation 1×1 campaign, in which donations will be matched peso for peso. Account 23, branch 100 in the name of Fomento Social Banamex. Clabe for electronic transfers is 002 180 010 000 000 235.





Earthquake devastates Oaxaca’s Mixe region In one municipality, 300 homes damaged, dozens destroyed

Earthquake devastates Oaxaca’s Mixe region

In one municipality, 300 homes damaged, dozens destroyed

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The Mixe region of Oaxaca.
The Mixe region of Oaxaca.
At least 15 municipalities in the Mixe region of Oaxaca have been devastated by last Thursday’s earthquake.
The head of a local organization called Servicios del Pueblo Mixe (Services for the Mixe People) said the situation has been complicated by heavy rainfall in the region for more than seven days.
Adelfo Regino Montes said highways have been severely damaged, hundreds of homes have collapsed, crops have been lost and electrical service knocked out.
Of 300 homes damaged by the 8.2-magnitude earthquake in Santiago Zacatepec, dozens have been completely destroyed.
Residents are only now just recovering after a storm ripped the roofs off many homes, leaving them partially or completely destroyed, Montes said.
Donations for citizens of the Mixe region, located in the eastern highlands of the state, are being accepted at three locations in Oaxaca city: Calle Cosijoeza 113, corner of Libres; in the zócalo; and in front of the Monte Albán convention center.
Source: El Universal (sp)








More Oaxaca ...

More .... Oaxaca .... today from the WWW


Oaxaca .... today...

The owner of the Hotel del Río in Juchitán perished inside.













Aftershocks continue in Chiapas, Oaxaca More than 1,100 have followed Thursday's massive earthquake 0


Aftershocks continue in Chiapas, Oaxaca

More than 1,100 have followed Thursday's massive earthquake

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Continuing aftershocks in Oaxaca and Chiapas are making things difficult for census takers trying to evaluate the damages to buildings after last Thursday’s massive earthquake.
Interior Secretary Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong said today that a damage census would be complete by the end of the week regardless.
The concern is that buildings will sustain further damages as a result of the aftershocks, of which there have been more than 1,100 since Thursday.
A temblor measuring 5.6 at 4:09pm yesterday caused a cell phone tower to topple from the roof of a three-story building and land in the street in the Chiapas capital of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Epicenter of the quake was 126 kilometers from Tonalá.
In Juchitán on Saturday, a three-story building fell into the street, a day and a half after the 8.2-magnitude quake that has killed 96 people.
In Oaxaca yesterday, army personnel began to demolish buildings that were beyond repair in the municipalities of Ixtaltepec and Juchitán. Federal officials have confirmed that 12,000 homes have been damaged in the state, and that 971 of them had been completely destroyed.
The federal government has announced that funds will be provided to employ residents of affected areas in cleanup operations and rebuilding.
Other structures affected by the quake are schools and churches. State Governor Alejandro Murat said yesterday that damage has been reported in 402 schools; in 60 the damages are severe. Seventy-eight churches were affected, he said.
The total number of victims in Oaxaca is now estimated at more than 800,000.
As of yesterday, 8,000 people were still without electricity.
Efforts to locate victims in the rubble in Juchitán continue with a canine unit of the Navy Secretariat. A marine said yesterday they had recovered 12 victims who were still alive. Another 41 were dead.
In Chiapas, reports indicate damage has been far more extensive. As of late yesterday, the state’s Civil Protection office said 1.47 million people had been affected by the earthquake and nearly 18,000 families are staying with relatives or in temporary shelters.
Homes that sustained damages number 40,633; 6,000 of those were destroyed, chiefly in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Tonalá, Parral and Chiapilla.
Also affected are 1,000 schools, 48 health sector facilities, 29 public buildings, 52 churches, 106 business premises, numerous highways and 11 bridges.