This is a copy of the issue in its entirety, therefore a relatively large file. Please be patient while it loads. It’s worth the wait!
Category Archives: May & June 2013
Editor’s Letter
“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad
Water is the common denominator for all life. Yet most of us live lives in which it is so easy to take this life force for granted; turn the tap, flush it down, wash the car. Did you know a small drip from a faucet can waste as much as 75 litres of water a day? An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than the average person in a developing country slum uses for an entire day. Continue reading Editor’s Letter
Huatulqueño Pride
By Alfredo Patiño
The question I’ve frequently been asked is, “how do you feel about the development of Huatulco?” My response is that there are good things, like schools, hospitals, jobs, business opportunities etc., and I listed the bad things as drugs, poverty, crime, etc., until lately. Since my wife’s observation that as a community we are not preparing our children to be in high position jobs, I started looking back at things. Jobs such as director of FONATUR, or general manager of a big hotel for example, are positions that are filled mostly by people from other parts of Mexico or even other parts of the world. Continue reading Huatulqueño Pride
Water Shortages in Oaxaca
By Alvin Starkman, M.A., J.D.
It’s never really a good time of year for water in Oaxaca, even though during the rainy season the heavens certainly do open up. The summertime rains are just a teaser, intent upon making us forget what’s in store for the balance of the year and until the following May or June – severe and worsening water shortages in most of the state of Oaxaca. Continue reading Water Shortages in Oaxaca
Lakes and Rivers of Mexico: Magical Moments
By Marcia Chaiken and Jan Chaiken
The Rio Grande River (literally “Big River River”) was virtually the only Mexican body of water mentioned in north-of-the border public school geography text books in the 20th century. The name of the river used in Mexico, Rio Bravo, was ignored, as were the tributaries flowing from the mountains of Mexico and feeding the river. We, as young students, could trace the routes of the Rhine and other European rivers, but had the impression that Mexico was a vast arid desert fringed with ocean. Not until we were young adults did we begin to discover magical moments in and on the interior waters of Mexico. Continue reading Lakes and Rivers of Mexico: Magical Moments
Cacaluta
By Julie Etra
Cacaluta is one of the famous nine bays of Huatulco, the third bay moving west to east, sandwiched between Chachacual to the west and Maguey to the east. Cacaluta is an Aztecan or Nahautl word, signifying place of the crow (although crows are not found in this part of Mexico, and it probably referred to vultures). The Cacaluta watershed, topographically defined, is fairly well-studied given its relatively small size of 49 sq. km. Fifty-five percent of the watershed is located in the Parque Nacional de Huatulco, which was established on July 24, 1998, with the remaining area occurring along the river outside of the Park. It is a unique watershed in that biological diversity is very high, but it is also threatened by land development, competing land uses, and competing government jurisdictions. Continue reading Cacaluta
Beyond the Guidebook: Literary Companions for Summer Travel Abroad
By Carole Reedy
“Pleasure is found first in anticipation, later in memory.” Julian Barnes, Flaubert’s Parrot
There are many preparations to be made for a trip abroad. For me, one of the best parts of travel is the reading list I compile and complete before, during, and after the trip. Taking Barnes’ quote as inspiration, these initial steps and, later, reflection may prove most enjoyable. With this in mind, here are some literary fantasies to accompany you on your journey to unknown (or known) lands. These books may neither help nor influence your decisions concerning the best restaurant for foie gras or the hotel with the most comfortable beds, but possibly they’ll tempt your palate and enhance the anticipated enjoyment of the lands you visit. Continue reading Beyond the Guidebook: Literary Companions for Summer Travel Abroad
Huatulco Water Works
By Brooke Gazer
Aside from Huatulco’s natural beauty, we chose to live here because of the excellent infrastructure. Water is now or will become a major issue in many parts of the world so before investing we wanted assurance that there would always be an abundant supply. FONATUR has two types of water treatment facilities: potable and recycled. Potable water is fresh water which has been treated and is piped into every property within the development. Recycled water is sewage that has been treated and is used to keep the public areas lush and green year round.
POTABLE WATER
Huatulco’s potable water comes from a series of 8 wells located several KM into the mountains near the Copalita River. On several occasions over the past couple of years Huatulco has experienced a shortage of water, especially during holidays when all homes and hotels are filled to capacity. The problem was that three wells required maintenance and the funds for this were not immediately forthcoming. As with any mechanical devise, the longer this was delayed the graver the situation became. Fortunately, this problem has been solved. Continue reading Huatulco Water Works
Agua Fresca: Fresh Water, fruited up!
By Kathy Taylor
As the weather warms up down here in our tropical savannah, nothing beats the heat like a cool glass of aqua fresca. In markets, taquerias, and street carts all over Mexico, big glass jugs frosted with condensation hold delicious refreshing aguas frescas. Continue reading Agua Fresca: Fresh Water, fruited up!
The Scoop on Poop
By Kary Vannice
The average resident of North America uses an estimated 280 liters (74 gallons) of water per day for household daily chores and consumption. Roughly a third of that is flushed down the toilet. That’s 84 liters of water a day. Almost 12 liters each time you flush. Continue reading The Scoop on Poop
You must be logged in to post a comment.