Colima Volcano Erupts

Ash and cinders spewing from the Colima Volcano in western Mexico have prompted authorities to evacuate 19 people from a nearby village.

The volcano began erupting on Thursday and has become increasingly active, leading officials to relocate people from the community of Yerbabuena in the municipality of Comala.

Civil Protection officials said Saturday the residents were taken to a temporary shelter. Residents of other communities were evacuating voluntarily.

The department reported that 2 inches (5 centimeters) of ash had fallen on Yerbabuena.

The Colima Volcano, which sits near the border of the western states of Colima and Jalisco, is also known as the Volcano of Fire.

Bev Landfair Joins Mexico Calling As Writer

As Beverly Landfair, I am accepting your invitation to blog on your site as I see fit.

Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System

Mexico News Daily announced that "Mexico now has 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites following the addition yesterday of the Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque to the list."

Built between 1554 and 1571, the aqueduct is noted for its series of arches, three in total, of which the Main Arcade with 67 arches is the tallest at 39 meters. It crosses the Papalote River near Santiago Tepeyahualco.

This 16th century aqueduct is located between the states of Mexico and Hidalgo, on the Central Mexican Plateau. This heritage canal system encompasses a water catchment area, springs, canals, distribution tanks and arcaded aqueduct bridges. The site incorporates the highest single-level arcade ever built in an aqueduct. Initiated by the Franciscan friar, Padre Tembleque, and built with support from the local indigenous communities, this hydraulic system is an example of the exchange of influences between the European tradition of Roman hydraulics and traditional Mesoamerican construction techniques, including the use of adobe.

It's amazing to me that Columbus sailed in 1492 and half a century later we have such sophisticated structures in Mexico

Eat Mexico

If you're going to talk about a cuisine with authority, there's one surefire way to get it: Go to the source and eat it there. Author and former Texan Lesley Tellez did that one better: She lived in Mexico for four years, giving her a fluency with the cuisine and culture that she shares in a new cookbook, "Eat Mexico: Recipes From Mexico City's Streets, Markets and Fondas." (Kyle Books).

Eat Mexico is a culinary love letter to one of the biggest cities in the world—a chaotic, vibrant place where residents eat from sidewalk grills and stands, and markets and casual restaurants serve up fresh, hot food daily. In this book, journalist Lesley Téllez—who also runs her own food tour company in Mexico City—takes you through the city's most classic dishes, offering recipes from her favorite haunts on the streets, in city markets, and in small, homestyle fondas.

A Trip to the ER

About 9:00 pm, I got a call from our good friends and neighbors. "It's an emergency." Can you take my husband to the hospital? The four of us piled into the car and drove to the emergency room over on the Libremiento. Bev and I dropped the two off at the door and parked the car. We had no idea how long we would be here. Judging by the States and my visits to places like this, we could be here for six to eight hours. Instead when we got to the waiting room, the emergency staff was already seeing  to his kidney stone(s). The docs said he needed to stay the night and they needed 7,500 pesos as a down payment, about $500.

The sky opened up as we ran through the deluge for the car. The lightning was flashing overhead. We fought high water all the way home. The rain was coming off the roof's gutters. It was like driving through a waterfall. We were home by 10:30 pm. Imagine, round trip in an hour and a half.

One note: When we first started coming to Mexico the exchange rate was 10 pesos to a dollar. Today it is 15.82 to the dollar. Assuming the hospital prices haven't gone up, in the past the down payment would have been 5,000 pesos not 7,500. That is a huge increase. In all probability, the price would probably been $300 to $400.

We have found the medical care to be excellent.

To Rod With Love

A memorial gathering was held at Orquidea Underground tonight for Rod Molot, chef and owner of the Thai restaurant. She suddenly died just shy of 38th birthday on June 30. It was also the one year anniversary of the opening of Orquidea. Luis Gasca was there tonight playing the trumpet, along with Cuban pianist Gabriel Hernandez and Luis' wife Janice Honeycutt.

It was a large crowd that hugged and shed tears for a beautiful and talented Rod, who was born and raised in Thailand, then moved to San Antonio before settling in San Miguel.

For Sale: #66 Umaran

The owner has put where we live, our rental until April 1, 2016, up for sale. Unless the new owner wants a good renter, we will be moving by April 1, 2016. Here's a link to the ad: http://www.sanmiguel-mgmt.com/for_sale/324.html. It's only listed for $399,000. We will miss the convenience to restaurants, the Jardin, and the easy walks. If you hear of a rental comparable to where we are now, let us know. All I want is 2BD/2BA, terraces with a great view, in or close to the Jardin, a pool would be nice for $1,000 mas o menos a month.