Quetzalcoatl – The Feathered Serpent God of the Aztecs
When you think of Mexican mythology, you might not think of flying dragons, but nevertheless in Mexico’s pre-Hispanic recollections there exists a mythical god who was symbolized as a flying dragon, or also called, a feathered serpent, or the Quetzal-like flying snake. In the native Nahuatl Aztec tongue, the name was Quetzalcoatl, also known in...
Aztec Mythology
The Aztec empire, which once dominated what is now Central Mexico, fell to the Spanish conquistadors in 1521. Yet, to this day we are constantly reminded of Mexico’s Aztec past in many ways. Among the most visible examples are the replicas of the Aztec Sun Stone (commonly known as the Aztec calendar) and other works...
Bus Travel in Mexico
If you’re ready for a little adventure, one of the great joys of traveling in Mexico is going by bus. During the past decade, service has improved by leaps and bounds. Today, you can catch a bus in Zihuatanejo and make it to Cancun in a day and a half. If you’re really determined, you...
The Hidden Treasures of Zihuatlan – Café Zihuatlan
Café Zihuatlan – Zihuatanejo’s award-winning organic coffee. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But Juanita is furious. Someone in town is trying to take advantage of the recent popularity of Juanita’s certified organic coffee and has the nerve to copy not only her packaging but also her registered trademark, “Café Zihuatlan,”...
Preparing for Retirement – Life Insurace
When we sit down to plan our retirement, we often contemplate beautiful sceneries, times with our family, and perhaps even a new business or career. However, it is just as important to consider the risks associated with growing older, especially the biggest one: Death. Let’s face it. Life insurance can be a pretty depressing subject....
Birding 101 – Birding in Paradise
A neighbor asked me the other day, “How did you get started looking at birds?” I have no idea. Growing up in an apartment in Chicago, we knew what pigeons were, we knew that robins arrived in the spring and they ate worms and that there were sparrows. That’s all I can remember. I moved...
Letter from the Editor – January 2007
Welcome to Another Day in Paradise. It’s January and if you are not feeling like that proverbial snowball barreling downhill—just wait a moment you will be. But we’re in the tropics, so maybe we shouldn’t use snowball or even skiers out-running avalanches, analogies. Let’s think surfing. Imagine a tiny dot of...
AMPI Joins Realtors® and Invades New Orleans
It was the largest invasion, including foreigners since the French troops arrived in 1815 for the Battle of New Orleans. A big difference, this group was here to “help rebuild New Orleans.” The Conference set attendance records with over 25,000 Realtors® attending. This resulted from a year long campaign by NAR. Fifty countries were represented...
Tropical Houseplants 101
In this climate, I find it hard not to use house plants. We live in a climate where plants are plentiful and beautiful. Plants will add liveliness and freshness to your abode. Plants are less expensive than furniture and will add pizzazz to any setting in home. And remember that plants, like books, can be...
Sailfest 2007
For the sixth consecutive year, Zihuatanejo will be host of the annual SailFest Regatta, an event whereby sailors (cruisers), locals and tourists participate in a fun-filled week of races, raffles, auctions and sailing-related activities designed to benefit the city’s poorest schools. The fun begins January 31st at Rick’s Bar on Cuauhtemoc Street, home of the...
Notary Public vs. Notario Publico
Throughout my professional practice I have noted several times that foreign clients—especially those who come from a country with a “Common Law” legal system, such as the United States—believe that Mexican notaries are very expensive, in comparison with a U.S. notary’s fee. There is a very good reason for this. Although notaries in both countries...
The Romance of a Mexican Garden
The nightlife of a garden: tropical plants rustling, nocturnal creatures calling outside the walls. Candlelight patterns the walls and shines on glasses clinking, on laughing smiles. A fountain musics the dark against the sound of waves on sand far down in the moonlight bay. There is a romance in outdoor spaces where the nights stay...