Three Quakes Near Cabo

1. 5.1132km NE of San Jose del2015-08-07 01:52:20 UTC-05:0010.0 km
2. 4.9106km SW of Navolato, Mexico2015-08-07 00:53:58 UTC-05:0010.0 km
3. 5.3119km NE of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico2015-08-06 23:34:59 UTC-05:0010.0 km

And We Are Back

We arrived back in San Miguel de Allende at 11:00 pm. We got up at 3:30 am in PDX, so it was a long day.We schlepped five pieces of luggage including a box of clothes from the storage unit along with two carry on bags and my laptop. I managed to get my freelance writing done for 25 clients while away.

Front row: Gregor, Gary, Mom, Cheryl, Gilyn
Back row: Kevin, Ryan, Bev, Mike 

We were gone for 10 days to the states and stayed with Mom who celebrated her 91 years with a dinner at Beaches in Vancouver with the family, minus Erica who suffered heat exhaustion while hiking eight hours in the 100 degree heat. Sister Cheryl and Bev and I teamed up to buy a brewing machine for Mom that brews one cup at a time.

The one question that kept coming up was, "What do you do all day in SMA?" Then, "Do you like it there?"

I can wait at least a year before going back to PDX again. I think next time we drive so we can grab more stuff from the storage unit. We visited the old neighborhood for a block party, It was fun to see the good neighbors again. We felt no sadness or nostalgia however. It's like that part of our lives is over.

Oneonta Gorge

Erica

Jumping into the pool

Erica and part of the old highway

Erica and I decided last year to go to John Day and dig fossils for her birthday. With the weather so hot we decided all that time driving in the heat was not a good idea, so we opted for Bridle Vale Falls and Oneonta Gorge. Erica challenges me every time and this time was no exception. Getting to the falls at the back of the gorge was tricky. We had to climb over this huge log jam and at 71, I wondered if I was tempting fate. A fall here could lead to nasty consequences. I made it going and back and only fell once in the river. I fell to my knees and elbow, the one I broke last year, in water up to my neck, but managed to keep my phone above water.

Here's Bev and sister carol with Jane's 10 month-old Lauren

We stayed the last five days at Carol's, Bev's sister. We had a very relaxing time in their new Mountain Park house. The highlight was spending time with two-year old Perrie, who talks with a high little voice as she is in perpetual motion and Jane's 10 month-old Lauren.

As I write, I'm looking out to the terrace. The sun is shining and we are home.

Blue Moon and Popocatepetl Eruptions

Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention recorded 13 explosions at Puebla state’s Popocatepetl volcano over the weekend. This video captures the volcanic activity on the evening of Saturday, August 1, along with a full moon. Popocatepetl is one of the most active volcanoes in North America, currently emitting a near constant stream of gas and ash. Credit: YouTube/webcamsdemexico

Mexico Inspirational: Apple’s Steve Wozniak

Wozniak: admires Mexicans' passion. ALDEA DIGITAL

Mexico News Daily has an encouraging word: There is a passion in Mexico for developing new technology and changing the world, which for Apple Computer cofounder Steve Wozniak is inspirational.

Mexico, in fact, is the country that inspires him most, Wozniak said while attending the annual digital inclusion conference called Aldea Digital, being held until tomorrow in Mexico City.

“In all of Mexico [and particularly] in Hermosillo, in Querétaro, in León, in Monterrey, I have seen a lot of entrepreneurial interest; this is the country that currently inspires me the most,” said the former associate of the late Steve Jobs.

He said in his travels people ask him if he sees anywhere else as marvelous as Silicon Valley in terms of high-tech activity. His answer: nowhere else but Mexico.

He recognized Brazil and Colombia as players in digital technological development but the people who want to get involved in technology and make changes are in Mexico, he said.

The passion Wozniak has seen here is one of the key requirements he lists for a successful entrepreneur.

Others are being prepared to work hard, take risks, be tolerant of frustration and failure and constantly seek to move forward.

Aldea Digital, now in its third year, is presented by the Carlos Slim Foundation in the zócalo of Mexico City. More than 30 workshops are being offered this year, with more than 70 prominent national and international speakers.

Some 260,000 people participated in last year’s event; more than 300,000 were expected to attend this year’s, scheduled for July 10-26.

Source: El Diario (sp)

Walking to Breakfast

By Beverly Landfair

La Vanda Restaurante with Theresa our wait person

If you are contemplating visiting us in the future, we will be walking to breakfast at LaVanda Restaurante.  Located just off Umaran on Calle Hernandes Marcias, LaVanda is a small but quaint cafe that serves us one excellent breakfast.  We have not had the pleasure of having lunch here but that will be another story.

Michael and I just had returned from a nearby lab after having to submit to blood draws, etc. for securing some Mexican Medical Insurance for us.  We were ravenous after our twelve hour fast and in need of strong coffee.  Their home brew did not disappoint.  Now, I could concentrate on ordering breakfast.

Beverly and the coffee fix

I ordered Eggs Toscanos, two poached eggs presented like presents on my plate; mozzerella dollop and a generous amount of Basil Pesto accompanied by roasted tomatoes on the side.  My breakfast also came with a fruit bowl and toast with Guava Jam.  I was having a blissful experience.

Michael ordered his favorite, French Toast with fruit with a side of bacon that arrived in a small bowl and was crispy and delicious.  I know because he thankfully shared some with me.  We will be satiated until dinner with friends tonight!

La Vanda Restaurante

Atmosphere is part of making any culinary experience work, in my book. Lavanda has many rooms, natural stone and has been set up to make you feel like you are breakfasting at your friend's home.  I give LaVanda high marks.

Buen Provecho!

Mexico to Implement New Rules at Border

The Tijuana-San Ysidro border crossing.

Mexico News Daily reports, "Mexico will move forward with plans to fundamentally change its border operations, an official has confirmed, leaving many concerned that slower border crossings into the country could dissuade travelers, workers and family members from entering the country from the United States."

Rodulfo Figueroa, Mexico’s top immigration official in Baja California, confirmed that Mexico is moving forward to implement a 2012 law requiring travel documents and fees from some visitors in order to enter Mexico, a vast difference from the no-questions-asked approach of today.

“We are going to do everything possible to ensure that there are no obstacles,” Figueroa told reporters at the offices of the Tijuana Tourism and Conventions Committee. “We’re going to start applying the law gradually. We know there is going to be a learning period, we won’t be inflexible in applying the law, but certainly we’ll try to educate the public.”

Baja California businesses and politicians have protested the law, claiming it will hurt tourism and businesses, and the Baja California economy. The protests started in November 2014 when Mexico tried to implement it for the first time.

Activists blocked authorities’ first attempt to implement the law at the Otay Mesa border crossing east of San Diego.
Under the new measures, visitors staying in Mexico for more than seven days, or those working in Mexico, will pay a 332-peso (US $20) fee.
Enforcement will increase with a new pedestrian inspection station at San Ysidro, set to open in the coming weeks, according to Figueroa. Head of the Business Coordinating Committee, Humberto Jaramillo, told the San Diego Union Tribune he was not concerned.

“I don’t think there will be an effect, and if there were, we’d be the first to approach authorities,” he said. Others worry the measure will dampen tourism already hurt by negative press about narco-violence. Officials anonymously told the press last year the move was a matter of national security.

“This is more of a security measure,” a Mexican customs agent told El Mexicano. “It’s like saying to visitors: ‘We don’t want to bother you and we aren’t going to block your passage but we want to know who you are and where you are going.”

Others are concerned about the law.

“The idea that everybody has to carry a passport is totally ridiculous,” said president of SIMNSA Health Plan, Frank Carrillo, which serves U.S. workers in Mexico. “Many patients are Mexicans with permanent resident status in the United States. Most of them have g reen cards; do they have to carry their Mexican passport as well? It’s totally inconvenient.”
It appears the president of the Tourism and Conventions Committee, Miguel Angel Badiola, called Tuesday’s press conference in the wake of Matthew Suárez’s San Diego Reader article, entitled, “Welcome to Mexico, $22.50 please.”

In that report, Suárez gives a first-hand account of Mexican nationals encountering a new effort to establish the program.

“They stopped us because we used the ramp to get through the building that leads to the Mexican side,” Michael Acuña told Suárez. “They asked us for visas and passports, but when my wife showed him her resident card, he still asked her for her passport book, all in English. He asked us where we were going and how long we were going to stay in Mexico.

“Funny thing is, he never stopped speaking in English, even when he saw my wife’s Mexican passport. After we showed all the proper documentation, they let us through.”

Sources: San Diego Union Tribune (en), San Diego Reader (en) 

Mujeres en Cambio

By Beverly Landfair

young women are selected for scholarships

"Mujeres en Cambio" or Women In Change hosted a delicious Moroccan luncheon held at Hacienda de la Flores, lush, Boutique Hotel on Calle Hospico. My friend, Kristine Scherber, invited me to attend this afternoon at 2 PM. Tickets for this event were 200 pesos = about $13.00 and all of the money is donated to Mujeres en Cambio.  I was delighted and surprised by the beautiful property and all of the wonderful women in attendance for this meaningful cause.  Let me explain.

Kay, Sheila, and Jayne

"Mujeres en Cambio was founded in 1995.  The group's primary aim is to educate impoverished young women who live in rural communities near San Miguel de Allende. Every year 150 young women are selected for scholarships with direct input from the teachers and principals of their rural schools. These scholarships allow women to study in middle school, high school and university.  The hurdles for these girls are many and Mujeres en Cambio aims to ease these challenges in order for them to stay in school.

"Education will not only improve their quality of life but also that of their future families."

Hacienda de la Flores

Which brings me back to the fabulous lunch that was served to us under the direction of Victoria Challancin, who owns "Flavors of the Sun Cooking School" and also conducts tours to Morocco.  Some of the women at our table today had gone on this tour to Morocco and raved about it.  I had not had the pleasure of tasting much Moroccan Cooking before today.  What a treat I had in store:  

• Chicken Tangine with Caramelized Tomatoes, 
• Carrot Salad with Almonds and Raisins, 
• Moroccan Zucchini Salad, 
• Beet Salad, 
• Moroccan Cooked Tomato and Green Pepper Salad and 
• finally Moroccan Cookies and Coffee! 
• Moroccan Chickpea Salad with Cumin and Garlic

It was a beautiful array and a delicious plate full of scrumptious food.

Hacienda de la Flores

The best part is that every single aspect of this luncheon was donated from the food and preparation to the generous contribution of Hacienda de la Flores to every one who worked hard to make this luncheon possible.

Hacienda de la Flores

I am looking forward to next month's meeting!  Another bonus today; Victoria (Vicky) included all of her recipes in a booklet for all attendees. Let me know if you are interested in any of the above recipe's.