By Jane Bauer

It is the time of year when we are reminded of just how much we are at the mercy of the weather. Last month Oaxaca was hit by Carlotta- a hurricane of voluptuous proportions who shimmied her way along the coast leaving fallen trees and dark skies in her wake. The most badly hit areas were Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Zipolite and towns in the Sierra Madre, with many buildings losing roofs and damage from fallen trees. Quickly people pulled together and have been working to rebuild. If you are interested in offering help to hurricane victims we suggest contacting the local Red Cross in that area.

By the time this issue is off the press Mexico will have a new president. The new President of the Republic will serve a six-year term, replacing current President Felipe Calderón. The current 1917 Constitution does not contemplate presidential re-election. Leading in the poles has been former governor of the State of Mexico, PRI Enrique Pe a Nieto. He is running against former Mexico City mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for the PRD and Josefina Vazquez Mota for the PAN.

Last month I celebrated 15 years living in this area so I was thrilled to read Carole Reedy’s piece on foreigners living in Mexico. While we all have chosen to live here for different reasons; husbands, jobs, more pesos for your dollar living. One thing is abundantly clear; Mexico is a land of opportunity. It offers an incredible possibility for personal growth and with that many challenges. I consider myself privileged to have gotten to spend such a large part of my life here.

Through the hurricanes and elections I continue to be inspired and awed with each day. We hope to bring a little bit of that to our readers with each issue.