There has been some recent discussion among the Blog writers I read about privacy. I won’t mention ANY names here to protect those that feel the need. One person wrote they weren’t comfortable reading entries where the writer’s characters (non-fiction) were labeled with letters, “D told me that F made their enchiladas with light cheese.” I had to agree.

I suggested that as writers perhaps those who didn’t want to identify another could fabricate a complete name; this tends to read better. Very few of us Bloggers ever connect up face to face; more on that at a later date.

A Blog entry I read recently made comment that the author did not like to write about their neighbors and friends – seems that to this person it was an invasion of privacy. Of course I don’t agree.

I am not sure what bearing a specific ‘handle’ has relative to this form of communicating. A twenty something woman hailing from the United States was writing about starting a family and new life in Mexico with her Mexican born husband and new child. She had a fascinating writing style that led people to her doorstep – eventually literally. She disappeared. Many readers were greatly saddened.

I am pretty old, now venturing into my seventh decade. At this point I might be described in part as harmless; but that being true or not sometimes the pen (electrons in this case) is mightier than the sword. Our writings can stir the wrath of faceless readers.

Personally I like to read about Ralph’s hassle with the neighbor cutting into his sewer line – even in graphic detail and colorful language - or about how Sarah is tired of hearing about penis envy etc. Note the names have been changed – you know who you are

I tend to avoid writing about problems with neighbors or possible physiological hang-ups. My grousing is usually towards some civic circumstance, Mexican tramite or regulations on either side of the border. I have disclosed a libertarian persuasion (note the small ‘l’).

In a few days this Blog will enter into a new phase in its life; and I mean “its life” as sometimes it seems to have one of its own. If you have been following along you already know that the Blog will become affiliated with a new international news organization. I started this Blog…well if you have been here you know all about that. Suffice it to say I had no financial ambitions for it, or any goal to ‘be read.’

I have always liked to write. I wrote a book in my early teens in the style of a Holden Caulfield narration after being caught up with that fictional protagonist in “The Catcher in the Rye”. How I would like to have that book to look back on now. The memory gets hazy on the first two decades looking back from the seventh. But, alas my mother got a hold of that work and it never saw the light of day again. She has since passed away without my getting up the nerve to ask her what became of it.

I wrote a number of technical papers and a few instruction manuals. I wrote newsletters, financial reports and business plans; even a newsletter for natural leavened bread Anita and I baked and sold. I was the coffee, wine and entertainment editor for a former state-wide throw away newspaper. But, I don’t have any formal writing skills by way of education beyond college English 101 – you probably could tell.

I have detractors. One of my  neighbors in my own community recently sent me a private letter informing me they felt I was a wrong choice to have been selected by GlobalPost; going on to write in their opinion I am not very knowledgeable about Mexico or even the area in which we live.  There are one or two readers that I wish I could get restraining orders against. It’s not all accolades and pats on the back out here.

On or about January 12th I will fictionalize some names or get permission to use an actual name – however they will be complete fictional names. The names will be changed to protect the innocent and guilty. My intent never was to write a gossip column or to mislead people with fragmented or misleading information; nor was my ramblings meant to specifically inform people about Mexico with researched information; this Blog is not the Veracruz section of “The Lonely Planet”. But, I have to assume some responsibility for accuracy, plagiarism and libel & slander now with my new affiliation.

GlobalPost has guidelines to which I intend to adhere. On the same token they have written to me both by way of boiler plate and personally to just “…keep writing great stuff regularly (ideally once a week)”. I think that “great stuff” remark was boiler plate by the way. It isn’t as if I am writing a daily column for them. Even though they are a for profit organization I will not be paid; and I do hope they make a profit. I support their concept of including people’s views that come from close to the action.

I will try to write to a bit of a higher standard as outlined above. But I won’t stop writing about my friends, neighbors and interactions with others in the area I live in because I think that is why most of you are here. I am pretty sure I could count on one hand the number of people that might be interested in my political views, sexual persuasion or proclivities, or my spiritual followings. I am here to write about our experiences living in Mexico; written many times, “I will write about the good, the bad and the ugly from my perspective”.

I am happy that this Blog with the help of others has in some small ways helped the poor in the community we live in. I won’t say I am proud because that word bothers me in some way. I will say that this part of writing this Blog is a small success story for the betterment of some deserving people. It is my hope that this will continue and become a greater asset to Ursulo Galvan.

I did not seek out GlobalPost. You know how that ‘opportunity’ came about if you read here regularly. If not don’t worry about it. You can be guaranteed you are reading real life experiences of a couple formerly from the United States living in Mexico attempting to adhere to some basic journalistic standards with the sole purpose of having a good time living in Mexico. Stay Tuned!

Three Amigas!  (ENLARGE Here)

These three little bright faces were at Miguel and Veronica’s Christmas Party December 22nd. All the children in attendance, more than 85, represented some of the children coming from the poorer families of Ursulo Galvan.

Veronica is a family practice doctor here. She knows many of the needy as she provides her services as well as having lived in the Hood her entire life. Veronica gathered names and ages of these children. Then she and Anita picked out age appropriate toys for Santa Claus to give to each child by calling their name. All the gifts were purchased by Anita from funds donated by good people in the United States, Canada and extranjeros in Mexico. I call them angels.

The day after tomorrow, Three Kings Day, also known as The Epiphany, is celebrated on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas. This is another gift giving opportunity. Lidia runs a little gift shop from the front room of her small casa just up the street from us. Lidia has also lived in the Hood all her life and knows the story of many families here. Yesterday I watched as Lidia and Anita poured over a new list of names of still more children that will receive age appropriate gifts from the group of caring individuals mentioned above. Watching them work on the Project warmed my heart and sent me to the computer, my link to you.

Here again all these gifts have been provided by the kindness of strangers; readers of various gringo Blogs that have mentioned “Project Warm Hearts”. These folks thought enough to donate dollars through Paypal or send actual gifts.

As example Nancy bought some very nice children’s books and sent them here from Mazatlan; and BJ from Louisiana provided many school related items like crayons, markers, pencils, pens and more (and knitted some hats). We decided these things would best be donated to the school system here in the Hood where they would be available to many children.

I should add that other than Anita and I all these gifts and donations were made from people living in places in the world other than Ursulo Galvan. Somehow they had enough care from simply reading about the needs here to provide for these children – very heartwarming indeed.

The credit for getting this all started goes to my amigo Wayne living in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Wayne spearheaded “Project Warm Hearts”. The original concept was for him and friends to knit hats and scarves for our kids in Ursulo Galvan (’Project Warm Hands’). From that beginning things expanded; others lacking the time or knitting skills saw fit to contribute cash or mailed store bought gifts.

Before the beginnings of ‘Project Warm Hearts’, Wayne and I, who have never met, became friends via the Internet, both being expatriates living in Mexico - now our lives are inextricably connected forever. This is a man with a big heart. It is an honor to call him friend. We are already talking about doing this again for this years holiday season.

The same electronic fashion that motivated these givers is the way I have to give back thanks to you all. I had written before that I wished everyone that so kindly gave would have the same opportunity we have had to look into the faces of these children. There is no greater gift that Anita and I could have received this year than that. Thank you and please Stay Tuned!

My Babylon translator reports this for Cabañuelas:

“Noun -  wild weather forecasts (Latin America); first rains that fall in the summer (Andes); first 12 days of the year (used to predict the weather) (Mexico)”.

The other day while talking to a family here in Poor Man’s Shangri-La  we were told about Las Cabañuelas.  It was explained that this information was passed to them by their grandfather who fought in the Revolution.

The story goes like this; it is a bit complicated so stay with me here: one can expect (a prediction) the weather in January (Enero) to be like the weather on the first day of January; the second day will be like predicted February (Febrero) weather; the third like March (Marzo) weather and so on. Of course the twelfth of January will predict Decembers (Diciembre) weather.

Then on January thirteenth it starts over but in reverse. The thirteenth predicts December weather; the fourteenth will depict typical November (Noviembre) weather; the fifteenth like October (octubre) weather and so on.

Then the six days from January 25 to January 30 inclusive is divided. The first half of the day of January 25th will be like the predicted weather for January and the second half of the day like the predicted weather for February and so on over the course of those six days.

Finally January 31st will predict the year’s weather by the hour (that should be quite a weather day .

Therefore, if this has any truth to it, today being the third of January should be predicting typical March weather and tomorrow the fourth predicted to be warmer will be like April weather. Further it looks as if the first 7 months of this year are going to be pretty terrific weather.

Here is what The Weather Channel shows regarding the weather over the next few days. I added the green numbers that are the date of each day.

I love these kinds of wives’ tales or folklore. Our neighborhood is steeped in Catholic traditions and Aztec fables. The concept of old wives’ tales is ancient. In the 1st Century the apostle Paul wrote to his young protoge Timothy, “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness” (I Timothy 4:7).

Here in the Hood they seem to take these tales more serious than they might be received in say a neighborhood in Austin, Texas or Beverly Hills, California. One can assume the veracity is likely coincidental. But, sometimes it just isn’t as much fun being logical. Stay Tuned!

An article in today’s L.A. Times on the difficulties of getting through the Mexican maze of red tape. Back in April of last year I spent one week’s worth of visits to Xalapa to acquire an 8 week extension to my visa. It was frustrating – although I took it in stride – which you will learn to do here or die trying.

It is sunny and cold this Friday morning (about 48 F or 9 C). Looks to be a lovely day. Isn’t it nice to start off a new year by saying, “Thank God It’s Friday!” Hope you all have a great weekend – remember every day is Saturday for the Calypso couple Stay Tuned!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I know that the people we know are going to make 2009 a GREAT YEAR!

Another attempt at floral photography - why not start the new year with a challenge - I think the reality of it all is the beauty of a flower cannot be duplicated. Let us make 2009  a time to help save our planet.

This is my latest effort. I like the colors and the fact that there is a cluster of buds - new beginnings.

A MEXICAN Moment

Thank you for stopping by.

Let us all make it a good one!

and please Stay Tuned!

A lovely day is greeting us in Poor Man’s Shangri -La. We went to a baby Jesus placing party last night. I am still trying to piece together the whole story - but generally (we have been to quite a few now) there is a group that marches down the street from where the baby Jesus resides to a manager setting (Nacimiento). We march with candles and there are musicians and songs sang as we walk.

When the plastic or plaster Jesus child is brought to the manger and covered with smoke from an incense urn a Madrina (in this case six year old Bincente) holds the Jesus baby while everyone passes in a line to kiss it (we passed on the kissing part). After a few more songs and a prayer Rompope and cookies are served as well as a hot tea beverage. Rompope is a Mexican version of eggnog grog - spiked to 10% alcohol by volume.

A good time was had by all.

Today is Anita’s and my anniversary - a lot of years under our belts - and God willing a lot to go. I am cutting this short so we will enjoy the day starting early

Here are a few photos I took on the night of December 12th at the carnival. Sill working on getting good night photos - but I like these rather like a flashback of carnival’s from when I was a kid. Enjoy the day - be back tomorrow…

Carnival’s Wildest Ride (I avoided it)

Not Exactly the Tea Cups at Disneyland

Carnie Artwork - Probably not seen NOB

Midnight at Carnival Main Street

Stay Tuned!

Teens in the Hood (ENLARGE Here)

The parties have been fast and furious; we attended two yesterday. One was for a three year old. There were piñatas and a sit down dinner of pork, rice and beans with green salsa and chili seco finished off with jello cup and cake for desert.

We sat across the table from two couples; both the mujers were pregnant – very pregnant. The husband of one of the girls was sucking on a sucker and appeared to be very young. We had conversation with them all being at the same table. Somehow I worked in to ask how old the new mothers-to-be were being as it was their first.

One girl  reported she was catorce. Anita more or less shocked and not sure of what we heard asked “One – four? Uno – cuatro?”  I wasn’t sure why she started out clarifying in English. I think it was a response from the surprise. The child mother appeared older. But, her sixteen year old husband looked still younger with bad skin and a sucker protruding from his mouth.

Mexico has improved its birth rate statistics dramatically over the last ten years. The number of children per family has gone down from five to less than three. But there are no signs that the statistics for the Hood on babies having babies has been improved upon.

Our next-door neighbor’s seventeen year old daughter recently had a baby. The father is an older married man. He comes by now and again. I can tell when he is going to come because she gets dressed up and has an excited air about her. The girl’s father is one of the local borrachos (alcoholics). Her mother, the abuela (grandmother), is often seen proudly walking around with her new grandson.

Another former neighbor was at the party. She is a beautiful young girl with a four year old boy and a three year old girl. She has moved back with her parents living on the other side of the Hood trying to reconstruct her life having escaped a second generation wife beater. Recently Anita spoke with her on the bus on a return trip from Xalapa. The girl was returning from counseling she is receiving to help remove the demons in her head; to understand life has better things to offer a young woman -  things other than being held captive in a house with  two young babies and beaten regularly.

We have been living here in the Hood long enough to have already seen some of the preteens growing towards adulthood. The education and social systems in play seem to still be letting these children down.

Yesterday’s other party we crashed. The first being rather intimate was more of an invitation only type party – we were invited. The second was a Quincinera – a commonly held fiesta for 15 year old girls. In this case the girl was eighteen. Perhaps her parents couldn’t afford the party when the child was fifteen. Or maybe this was a second party because the daughter was still single?

The Quincinera is more of a community event. Streets are blocked off. Huge sound systems brought in by disco trucks providing music that permeates the entire community. There is a large covered area with balloons and all sorts of decorations. The other night we briefly visited one Quincinera that included a huge television screen with video accompanying the blasting music – very high tech for our little Hood.

The proud parents welcome all comers inviting them to sit down and eat or at least that has been our experience. In this case the father graciously came out to party’s edge where we were standing inviting us to sit down and eat. We had just eaten at the previous party, but thanked him both times he came to invite us in.

The music was blaring as usual. I grabbed my date and gave her a whirl suggesting we hit the dance floor. My reluctant dance partner wanted to wait until the debutante started the dancing – apparently part of the tradition I was not aware of. So I gave her another spin right there. Off to the side were a couple young girls. They giggled when they saw the tall gringo attempting the fandango with his girl. They both opened their cell phones slash cameras and started to capture this moment. I ignored them.

In the mean time I was still trying to coheres my date to dance – another twirl and then I pulled her in close to steal a kiss. I heard the two teenagers saying to each other – aw! - As if to say that is so sweet. I looked in their direction and they giggled as they continued to snap photos.

Here in this poor community the teenagers still manage to have cell phones and music systems; this being as important as a clothes washing machine is to a family of four - even in the Hood. Perhaps if there were more Nintendos and Game Boys and movie theaters and organized places to expend social energies there would be less 14 year old mothers? Or maybe it is a matter of education that doesn’t exist here?

My heart goes out to these young people. It is sad watching them grow from babies to mothers and fathers with so little life in between. Anita and I are probably of the few extranjeros (foreigners) that live close enough to this part of Mexican life to see it close up. It will be interesting to continue to follow these young lives – Stay Tuned!

The party for Hood Ninos was held at Veronica’s parent’s casa. Over the last few years we have been there for any number of events.

A couple years back they did a major remodel on their house. They have a LARGE cocina (kitchen). I always get a grin from seeing her aluminum foil covered stove top. This day the foil covering had expanded to the nearby ledge.

In case you find this hard to imagine I have included a photo:

A MEXICAN Moment

Veronica’s mother Marie, muy guapa senora, is soon to be a grandmother again – she doesn’t look the part. She has produced 6 beautiful and handsome (3 of each), successful children – not sure about the number of grandchildren to date – but she will add another come next May.

Veronica is the Hood’s favorite doctora – she also owns and operates a pharmacy here in the Hood. She and Anita have been close friends since we arrived here.

Miguel and Veronica will have their first child; and I am sure will be the most wonderful parents.

We have been sitting on our tongues about this fact for several months now – I think Vero wanted to wait until the morning sickness subsided or??? In any case congratulations to Veronica and Miguel; and of course to mamá-señora Marie. I am looking forward to having a new photo subject – and there will be stories to be told – Stay Tuned!

Party Goers In Waiting (ENLARGE Here)

Yesterday at five in the afternoon there was a party that I had the good fortune and honor to attend. The poorer children of the Hood came too, about 85 strong plus moms.

It should be written that virtually all the children in Poor Man’s Shangri-la are poor relative to U.S. standards. But, these little ones are the poorest amongst the poor. They mostly live in clapboard shacks with dirt floors sharing a bed with their siblings and often mom and dad (if he is around). There were no dads in attendance.

Some of the Early crowd (ENLARGE Here)

They don’t need good math skills to count the presents under the tree. Many of them are malnourished, but being cute comes at less of a cost at six than say sixteen. They are no less loved by their mothers – hugs are for free and they stay close to the one person in the world who cares.

The protective moms came with questioning faces even though the party has been an annual event since we have lived here and perhaps before. Here is a link to the 2006 entry for the event.  But, this time it was more special thanks to Wayne’s Project Warm Hands. We didn’t give his hats and scarves and gloves to ninos – that had already happened. This Christmas party included a gift for all 85 and then some from donations by people contributing money to Project Warm Hands.

At the party it was nice to see a number of the little ones sporting Wayne’s hats or others that we had purchased. It was chilly by Ursulo Galvan standards and warm clothing was the fashion statement.

Our friends Veronica and Miguel are our neighbors both here and up at Micoxtla. They are two successful people that give back. The party was held at Veronica’s parent’s house – mostly out-of-doors. There were piñata’s, party favors, drinks and treats; activities and things that these kids seldom experience. There were still some blank stares. Both children and mothers are undernourished. The kids are thin and the mothers are mostly overweight from their unhealthy tortilla and fried foods based diets. You could sense their being overwhelmed by the different surroundings and party atmosphere.

A three or four dollar gift represents a half days wages for many of their fathers – if they even have one. The sixteen dollars a month the moms receive from the Opportunidad Program and other very minimal social assistance hardly keeps these precious little ones alive. This night the spirits were not malnourished. There was energy for swinging at piñatas and running about, they managed to settle down long enough to hear a Christmas story told by Miguel.

Miguel Tells A Christmas Story (ENLARGE Here)

But the excitement and expectation of the arrival of Santa Claus was heavy in the air – along with some chipi-chipi that deterred none save me trying to keep my camera dry.

Santa showed up late – arriving late is a Mexican standard – but when it comes to the patience of children, universally they want it now. Miguel pulled the piñata line a little faster to slow the inevitable emptying of treats and I stalled their heads spinning with visions of Santa’s arrival by taking their photos and showing them the results – they had great fun posing and laughing at their images seen in my camera’s tiny playback screen.

The Holiday Favorite - The Piñata (ENLARGE Here)

Eventually Santa rolled in and presents were handed out by a roll call of names. Veronica had taken on the no small task of gathering up the names and ages of the 85 +. She and Anita checked the list more than twice to provide age appropriate gifts for all - naughty and nice. I am sure that personal touch was special for the ninos, hearing Santa call their name and then rushing to the front for their gift.

Santa is in there - Ninos Getting Gifts (ENLARGE Here)

A good time was had by all. Some of Wayne’s Project Warm Hands folks made much of the joy possible this night. It is encouraging to know there are still some good hearts out there. Anita and I thank you for your willingness to help strangers. There are too many Good Samaritans to name here – you know who you are.

GOODBYE - This Little Guy Was NOT Camera Shy (ENLARGE Here)

The future is very much in question for these little ones – a better life will be a real fight. Despite that battle it was lovely to see smiles on those little faces; to witness and share those moments of joy. When Santa sprang to his sleigh and drove out of sight, I think I heard him exclaim, “Happy Christmas little ninos and to all a good fight.”

Stay Tuned!

The ninos (children) in the Hood and all over Veracruz go from casa to casa carrying a colorfully decorated tree branch. They beckon to people by shaking tambourines and their cans of coins asking if the family wants to hear them sing their song. If the answer is yes they sing a verse for which they are given a coin or two. They have a short verse they sing after they receive a coin, off they go to the next house.

Some nino’s moms or dads seed the cans with their own coins or macaroni before the coins arrive . I have seen some very clever homemade tambourines - made from flattened out bottle caps strung on a wire and mounted to a pieces of wood - they have a lovely timbre actually

This starts on December 16 and continues until December 24th. Early December we start saving small change to give out.

Here are the lyrics – there are variations or abbreviated versions depending on the age and knowledge of the ninos.

In English

Oranges and limes
Limes and lemons
More Beautiful Virgin compare with all flowers

In a little house of
Lime and sand
Jesus Christ was born
In Christmas night

Green little grass
Filled with dew
Who doesn’t keep warm
Can die from cold

If something is given to La Rama (the branch) they finish with:

It’s leaving the branch
Very grateful
Because this house was well received
Spend goodnight and wish them
Goodnight pass, we are going now.

Or if you do not give anything in La Rama (the branch) they finish with

It’s leaving the branch
Very bereaved
Because in this house did not give anything
Spend good evening, we wish them well …

En Espanol

Naranjas y limas
limas y limones
más linda la Virgen que todas las flores

En un portalito
de cal y de arena
nació Jesucristo
por la Nochebuena

Zacatito verde
lleno de rocío
el que no se tape
se muere de frío

Y dependiendo de si se le da algo a la rama se canta:

Ya se va la rama
muy agradecida
porque en esta casa fue bien recibida
Pasen buenas noches, así les deseamos
pasen buenas noches, nosotros nos vamos.

O si no le toca nada a la rama, pues:

Ya se va la rama
muy desconsolada
porque en esta casa no le dieron nada
Pasen buenas noches, así les deseamos…

After Christmas day in Veracruz another tradition occurs with a different song, called ‘The Old Man’ (El Viejo). The children masquerade about as an elderly bearded white cane and bent old man, representing the past year. They also must be appeased with a coin.  We find some older children and even adults partake in this activity.

In past New Year’s Eves we have been at people’s houses having dinner or drinks when a group of hombres dressed up as old guys or women came charging into the party demanding money (in a friendly way).

In Veracruz we say, “Veracruz es el estado que lo tiene todo” Stay Tuned!