Catemaco Feed

El primer viernes de Marzo en Catemaco era en Jueves

noreply@blogger.com (Dieter Zilant) — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:56:00 +0000

Catemaco Brujos 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Dieter Zilant) — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 10:46:00 +0000

JUEVES 5

22:00 Entrada a la misa negra privada del brujo El Ahijado

Leer más sobre el evento de brujos de Catemaco, su historia, videos, fotos y preguntas frecuentes

http://www.catemaco.info/s/brujos/index.html

Catemaco Solar 3

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 00:51:00 +0000

GENERATOR, BATTERY, CHARGER

Next time you sit for 8 days without seeing the sun in beautiful off-town Catemaco, you will curse your solar system!

You need a generator to provide your home's survival electricity, run a pump, circular saw, and best of all, a battery charger!

I have a 5000 Watt charger that does all that,.

You can get by with 3500 Watt. Figure on US 500 in Mexico, much cheaper on the border.

If you like the noise of the generator, you can plug an extention cord into your house current and that beautiful site you chose to live on, while wearing head phonnes.!

YOU NEED ONE OR MORE BATTERIES to store some energy which later will come from solar power.
You will also need an inverter to convert the 12 volt battery power to 110 volt house current. (More, later)

Batteries are the crucible of a solar system. They are expensive, heavy, and do not last long!
You need to buy the biggest (in amperage hours) deep discharge battery you can afford, that you can still pick up without a hernia. (About 150 AMP weighing 30+ kilos (75 pounds) about US $350.

That battery can only use up 40% of the battery's capacity, maybe 60 times before having to buy a new one. The more you discharge the battery the less it will last. Economizing, using a generator, etc. will maybe give you 5 years before replacement.

(A MUCH BETTER IDEA are lightweight, almost fully dischargable batteries, called LiFePO4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery which will cost you about US 1500 for the same battery. I'll start with one to keep it simple.

Technically the solar system will recharge the battery. (Except on those 8 days of rainy weather)
So you need a battery charger.

Deep discharge chargers are not simplistic 29.95 Walmart items. A low AMP charger will cost more in gasoline to run your generator than a new battery. Minimum is a 30 AMP continuous charger.
I cannot find an equivalent in Mexico. http://goo.gl/3PU3WH. I calculate 50% more to buy locally.
US $225

(There are inverter/chargers available, but considering potential problems, I rather have separate machines!)

ALLRIGHT

Now I have a house with water, gas and electricity. And I am still not talking solar.

SO FAR US $ 4050

BTW - this is being edited as I go alon. Please bear with me!)

Catemaco solar 2

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 23:53:00 +0000

WATER

The average gringo use 300 gallons (1000 liters+) of water per day. Living in Mexico, you do not want to be average or gringo.
By economizing on usage, I and my pets should survive on 3000 liters (800 gallons) per month. (More below.)

If you are lucky you willl be near a 1/2¨ black plastic pipe that supposedly provides potable water, and you contribute next to nothing to the community for the water you use
Next hope is a gurgling brook on your property or lake front. Worse would be to dig a hand-dug well. About 150 dollars per 7 feet, maximum about 50 feet. If you need to dig deeper, forget it! It is too expensive for this article.

Your other choice is a "pipa". A water truck that delivers "city" water. Capacity is usually 10000 liters (2650 gallons). To store that water, gets expensive. US $1600
http://www.homedepot.com.mx/comprar/es/torres/cisterna-10000-l-sin-equipo

You can also buy water in less quantity, let us say 3000 liters for 400 pesos (30 bucks, depending on location) and then only install a 3000 liter cistern for less than 600 dollars.

My option is a well/ pump combination

I already have a 25 foot dug well, and over the last 11 years, my friendly neighbors have stolen three of my pumps from my unoccupied property.
This year I installed a cheap 1 HP, (US $ 150) submersible pump. LOTS OF WATER!.

So my assumed costs for the well and pump are: US $750

But I also need a "tinaco", storage tank to store the water higher than my house, to provide water pressure.
I bought a 750 liter (200 gallon) tank, that my pump happily fills in about 10 minutes. About US $ 100
http://www.homedepot.com.mx/comprar/es/torres/tinaco-tricapa-750-l

I figure, roughly, US $ 1300 for the well, pump, tank plus wiring, plumbing, etc.

So now we are up to : US $3125, and we still are not talking solar energy!

NEXT: GENERATORS, BATTERIES

THEN: INVERTORS

20 pesos de Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 21:44:00 +0000

Catemaco Solar

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 16:09:00 +0000

I own an acre or more next to possibly the most beautiful lake in the world, in Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico.
http://catemaco.info/catemaco/laguna/index.html

Now hear this: I have a telephone line crossing my property. But I cannot get a TELMEX fixed line phone, because "no hay lineas disponibles" is the answer that I receive every year when I inquire.

There is an electricity pole less than 70 feet from my property line. It is private and I paid the owner 20 thousand pesos to connect me to his pole. The CFE, Mexican Electricity company, wants another 100 thousand pesos to install 2 more posts, transformer, etc.

SO, I am going solar!
I am writing this because Mexico is full of gorgeous places to live that lack electrical power.

FIRST I hard plumbed my house for distributed gas lines, which I will use for my stove, refrigerator, barbecue and fireplace. I will buy a small stationary tank to accommodate me for several of months until the gas company refills it.
http://www.homedepot.com.mx/comprar/es/torres/tanque-estacionario-100-l
That should last about 3 months based on my usage of one 20 kg tank per month.
About US $ 250.

My major expense will be a small gas powered refrigerator. They are expensive and reputed to be unreliable. So, I plan on top of the line. None are made in Mexico, so I plan a border trip, http://www.amazon.com/Norcold-Inc-Refrigerators-N841-Refrigerator/dp/B002OW6WYU/ref=sr_1_1?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1414338303&sr=1-1&keywords=norcold
About US $ 1400

I don´t plan to cook a lot, but there may be a turkey in my future A 20 inch stove/oven will serve http://www.coppel.com/linea-blanca/estufas/?numciudad=4&caracteristica_24274_sV=24%22,20%22
About US $ 200

I like hot showers and for the last 7 years I have been very happy with a mini water heater http://www.coppel.com/calentador-cinsa-38-lts/620025/4
About US $ 175

SO FAR-- US $ 2025
I will be economizing on these purchases, so the cost is not printed in gold!

NEXT: water, cistern, pump

And then:
generator, battery and charger

Visita Catemaco / Visit Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 19:26:00 +0000

Visita Catemaco / Visit Catemaco from Efrén (Freddy) del Rosal on Vimeo.

En peligro de extinción la mojarra típica de Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:19:00 +0000

Changos en Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 15:39:00 +0000

Monos y Changos celebrarán en Catemaco, sábado y domingo, 18 y 19 de octubre

La mojarra más grande de Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 12:55:00 +0000

Catemaco rompe record con la mojarra mas grande del mundo.

Rompen récord al armar la silueta del pez con 5 mil mojarras fritas.

UN ÉXITO EL EVENTO DE VERAUTISMO EN CATEMACO

La policia inuitil de Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 23:00:00 +0000

No pasa ni un dia reporteos de borrachos, jovenes fumando hierba, putas y sus servicicios, etc..
Aparentemente es el trabajo principal de los incompetentes policias de Catemaco.
Mientras el equilibrio de Catemaco esta collapsando por la cantidad de robos a casas, carros y violencias sexuales.

¡¡Balaceras en Catemaco, estremecen a propios y extraños cada fin de semana!!

Realizan primer gran carrera Catemaco 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 09:48:00 +0000

Murío el fundador de Nanciyaga de Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 22:18:00 +0000

Te voy a extrañar, amigo. Mis condolencias a su familia!

Catemaco aniversario

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 13:35:00 +0000

Feliz 3er cumpleaños, encargados de turismo de Catemaco

Plagio de Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 18:04:00 +0000

Es increible cuantos sitios web de personas, organizaciones, publicaciones, gobiernos y Facebookers roban mis fotos y palabras, sin creditos.

En cierto modo, me siento orgulloso de ver mis productos promoviendo Catemaco, por mis páginas de www.catemaco.info, tan dolorosamente traducidas al español con la ayuda de muchos amigos y ex familia.

Gracias a ellos! y al diablo con los otros.

La Virgen de Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 06:48:00 +0000

Postales con una canción hermosa acompañan la atracción pincipal de Catemaco.

También leer su histora en: La Basilica de la Virgen del Carmen

¿Están exentos de impuestos, brujos millonarios de Catemaco?

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 19:21:00 +0000

El presidente municipal de Catemaco, rechazó la posibilidad de que los tradicionales “brujos” y “chamanes” de esa zona deban ser incorporados al Sistema de Administración Tributaria, tal como sucederá con las asociaciones religiosas, pues son cosas muy distintas. - See more at: http://www.jornadaveracruz.com.mx/Nota.aspx?ID=140914_024928_616#sthash.NnULBiqZ.dpuf

VEN; VEN, VEN turista a Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 22:33:00 +0000

Actualmente no es noticia, es la realidad de Catemaco desde 12 años que soy residente aqui.

Y los locales preguntan por qué los numeros de turistas en la últimas temporadas estan en el inodoro!

Share house in Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 21:07:00 +0000

Share house in Catemaco
2 b/r, 1 1/2 bath located directly on the Malecón across from the lake.
Includes furnished bedroom with fan, TV, phone,full access to house with large porch and garden.

Paid electricity, gas, trash, cable TV, water, washer, internet, phone with free US calls, weekly maid service, fenced parking for small car.

US $ 350 per month, 3 months minimum. First and last. Prefer single foreign senior. Small pet ok, smoker ok.

I am preparing to live off grid outside of Catemaco and will spend most of my time away from the house. Email: catemaco@google.com

I am extremely knowledgable about Catemaco and can provide enough tips to keep you busy for a year or more.

bullshit

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 02:52:00 +0000

Las limpias sólo en Catemaco”, Seguridad Pública de Veracruz está preparada ante cualquier amenaza. Abordado previo a la entrega de patrullas equipadas con recursos del Subsidio para la Seguridad de los Municipios (SUBSEMUN) en Veracruz.

Puerto, indicó que la Marina Armada de México, la Fuerza Aérea y de la SSP hacen recorridos de seguridad y vigilancia durante el día y la noche.Referente al mensaje en redes sociales de que habrá una limpieza de “ratas” por el grupo Antrax en Veracruz.

Contestó: "yo les voy a decir que las limpias sólo se dan en este estado en Catemaco". Seguridad Pública de Veracruz está preparada ante cualquier amenaza. Y agregó: "y la Policía está más limpia para esperar cualquier rumor o

“Las limpias sólo en Catemaco”, Seguridad Pública de Veracruz está preparada ante cualquier amenaza. Abordado previo a la entrega de patrullas equipadas con recursos del Subsidio para la Seguridad de los Municipios (SUBSEMUN) en Veracruz.

Desaparecen 5 de las guacamayas puestas en libertad en Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 10:42:00 +0000

"Cinco de las 27 guacamayas provenientes del estado de Quintana Roo que fueron liberadas en meses pasados en el municipio de Catemaco, se encuentran prácticamente extraviadas a pesar de contar con un chip localizador, no se sabe hasta el momento de su paradero, así lo declaró en entrevista el ingeniero José Faustino Escobar Chontal, director de la reserva de la Biosfera de Los Tuxtlas, quien además aseguró, no se descarta la posible comercialización de las aves por parte de los lugareños.

El mismo entrevistado fue quien dijo que una de las cinco guacamayas apareció muerta, por lo que de inmediato la Profepa, ya se encuentra analizando la posible causa de su muerte para poder entablar una demanda en caso de que así sea necesario."

http://www.eldictamen.mx/movil/nota.php?id=74572

La mejor manera de ver Catemaco y Los Tuxtlas

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 00:54:00 +0000

antes de o después de?

Sin director - turismo de Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 19:11:00 +0000

http://www.informantesenred.com/se-separa-del-cargo-director-de-turismo-de-catemaco/

Opinion de Don Gringo

GABACHO ESTUPIDO

En mis casi 12 años en Catemaco he visto 4 directores de turismo en Catemaco. Ninguno de ellos merecía el título!

Cynthia - hija de un presidente,
Caco Jr, - hijo del dueño de Nanciyaga, y una licenciatura en biología.
El Bule - sobrino del presidente, y principalmente interesado en la promoción de sus propios espectáculos
David - propietario de la fallida La Changada, el partido PAN y otros
El Bule - otra vez, Fracaso! Despues de encontrar una mina de oro!

Catemaco necesita una persona con experiencia en el turismo. Y dudo seriamente que uno puede encontrar en Catemaco.

Alguien con experiencia para:
1. Atraer convenciones a Catemaco
2. Fabricar eventos en Catemaco, desde concursos de playeras mojadas, regatas, tegogolos de Guiness, carreras de bicis, kayaks, meseros Y 100 más eventos sin listar.
3. El uso de Internet con una página web y facebook con las maravillas de Catemaco y que incluye un nombre de contacto, número de teléfono, correo electrónico y alguien con inteligencia para contestar preguntas.
4. El conocimiento de cómo preparar comunicados de prensa para excitar a los lectores nacionales e internacionales sobre Catemaco
4. Preferiblemente con conocimiento de Inglés
5. Una oficina/palapa adecuada en el Malecón con folletos, mapas y personal informadas.
7. Obligación de cooperar con los municipios colindantes-
6. Un presupuesto anunciado adecuada para funcionar de manera independiente y no en los caprichos de un presidente.

Catemaco Desconocido

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 11:55:00 +0000

Clausuraron gravera principal de Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 19:30:00 +0000

Un documental de proyecto 40 que se hizo hace un par de meses, en el se señalan una serie de anomalías en los permisos y también el "propietario" de la gravera expresa que no cuenta con la documentación necesaria que lo acredite como propietario del terreno que esta explotando de forma ilícita.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjGTbtRed5E

"En varias ocasiones desde el 2004, Defensores del Medio Ambiente de Los Tuxtlas, A. C. ha realizado una serie de denuncias solicitando la revisión de la autorización otorgada al empresa PERFORACIONES Y VOLCADURAS, S. A. de C. V. (representante legal: Julián Méndez García), con número de oficio SGPARN.02.259/03. Dicho permiso autoriza el aprovechamiento

de grava, arena fina, arena gruesa y sello; la autorización tiene una duración de 15 años, iniciando en el 2003 y finalizando en el 2018. También se ha solicitado la revisión de la documentación

correspondiente al área de aprovechamiento, hablando específicamente de la escritura donde se señale al señor Julián Méndez García como propietario del área que se está aprovechando. "

http://www.dematac.org/Quejas-2014.html

"Desafortunadamente, en la región el turismo no está bien dirigido o enfocado, ya que lo que nosotros necesitamos como colindantes de un área natural protegida, es un turismo sustentable (industria sin chimenea: es decir sin contaminación, ni daño al medio ambiente). Desafortunadamente, nuestro gobierno no está capacitado para realizar el turismo de forma adecuada para la zona, cómo ejemplo están las playas después de Semana Santa.

¿De dónde conseguimos el material pétreo antes que abrieran esta gravera en 2003? ¿De dónde vamos a conseguir el material cuando termine su permiso en 2018? Esta gravera ya llegó, y pasó, sus límites según la autorización No. SGPARN.02.259/03, emitida por la SEMARNAT el 11 de marzo de 2013. Ya está limitado el material que pueden sacar y dicha gravera tiene semanas trabajando medio tiempo. Catemaco no va a sufrir por falta de una gravera.

La Gravera de ninguna manera tiene cienes de trabajadores, ni docenas de trabajadores, ni dependen de ellas miles de personas.

redactado -----

Es lamentable que a falta de argumentos sólidos, sólo tengan insultos y amenazas.

redactado......

Es importante que nos informemos antes de hacer comentarios para evitar caer en equivocaciones y hacer el ridículo.

Para las personas que estén interesadas en saber más sobre la serie de denuncias y trabajos que DEMATAC ha realizado con respecto a la empresa “PERFORACIONES Y VOLCADURAS, S. A. de C. V.” (representante legal: Julián Méndez García), pueden checar nuestra página web: http://www.dematac.org/Quejas-2014.html, y de ahí revisar los archivos antiguos. pueden comunicarse directamente con nosotros al teléfono: (294) 943 2910 o a nuestro correo demataclostuxtlas@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.715774228484333.1073741836.168696739858754&type=1

2 Julio 2014

Juan Duarte Pablo (Facebook)

La PROFEPA admitió que incurrió en arbitrariedades y este día a las diez de la mañana, se presentaron de nueva cuenta a retirar los sellos que ellos mismos habían puesto el pasado 26 de junio, la gravera seguirá trabajando de manera normal, reactivando el trabajo para los materialistas y que no se detenga la construcción en la zona de los tuxtlas. Don Juliàn Mèndez Gracia demostró con documentos que cuenta con los permisos correspondientes y que esta trabajando dentro de la normatividad que el propio gobierno establece a traves de sus dependencias involucradas en el mismo.

Catemaco incomunicado?

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 11:19:00 +0000

http://www.nuestrodiario.com.mx/index.php/catemaco/informacion-general/item/3909-comunidades-podr%C3%ADan-quedar-incomunicadas

Liberación de Guacamayas en Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:17:00 +0000

Reintroducción de la guacamaya roja en Los Tuxtlas

http://www.guacamayarojatuxtlas.unam.mx/

Adios Balzapote!

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 01:02:00 +0000

http://e-veracruz.mx/nota/2014-06-01/ecologia/semarnat-autoriza-destruccion-de-roca-basaltica-en-los-tuxtlas

Catemaco Hitler

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 21:47:00 +0000

Catemaco Deads Update

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 21:09:00 +0000

edited 21 march 2014

Catemaco News is dead. I stopped publishing.
Catemaco Notes on Facebook is dead. I stopped publishing.

The major reason is that I am bored with talking to mostly myself, and having to suffer too many fools and wannabees.

Facebook:
I'll be keeping Facebook's Catemaco Noticias and its 4900 adherents open, in case I need them.

The real Internet:
The site www.catemaco.info stays open, but I am about 2-3 years behind in both updating information and correcting software errors. The English section of the site still get about 5000 hits per month, but mostly on obtuse subjects.

Eleven years ago, I thought Catemaco had a future for foreign tourists and residents. I was wrong!

Anything you need to know about Los Tuxtlas, still shows up on the sidebar and its links of this blog.

Adios, Que te vaya bién!

March 2013 - Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:28:00 +0000

March rates # 3 to visit, and # 1 to live in Catemaco, Except for this year because of an extraordinary wave of cold spells with nasty cloudy days.

Tourism:

The big event this month was an early Semana Santa which pumped some much needed tourist pesos into the economy. Although government agencies fell all over themselves proclaiming the quantity of tourists, I did not notice any particular increase from last year.

Hotels:
Hoteliers were in clover, trying to get as close to 1500 pesos per night for a family of 6. A sporting event in San Andrés also helped the week before Semana Santa and jampacked the entire zone.

Beaches:
The road to the beaches is under repair, but many miles still suck. I snuck into Montepío and La Barra but found nothing remarkable.

Events:
The brujo event on the first of March was the usual farce with imported Indians and a dozen expensive palm huts, that were mostly unoccupied. The event was saved by by the first replay in years of an authentic Midnight Mass by a collection of brujos in the hills of Catemaco.
Semana Santa brought an amusement fair to the outskirts of Catemaco and drew no crows. Despite the Fliers from Papantla, a free dance concert and some other events, I think that venue has had its day and I wonder whether the next mayor will return the mess to the inner city.

Weather:
March fooled me this year. I would say half of it was not to my liking, cold and nasty. But as usual, some days were just absolutely gorgeous, clear and sunny with mild temperatures

Business:
No news that I noticed. EXCEPT - rentals for boat rides increased 45% to a minimum of 650 pesos per boat. Single fares are 100 pesos. Catemaco is basically a resort for low income people, and I think that increase will not help increase tourism.

Food:
The owners of Tepetapan opened a "Cevicheria & Beer" joint on the Malecón. It's attractively done and is worth a visit.
In honor of Semana Santa many hotels opened their dormant dining rooms. I expect them to disappear as soon as the spring doldrums hit.

Drink:
The Italians of La Ostería fame opend their huge second floor rock cantina on the Malecón. Food service is promised. Nice place to watch the lake in the late afternoon.
Cundo, a local collector of antiquities opened a cantina just off the Malecon stuffed with historic photos of Catemaco and has automatically become a "must" visit. Next to the Hotel del Lago.

Crime:
No significant crime as usual, except someone stole one of my 500 peso cactuses, and I have no idea how they did it.

Politics:
I'll repeat the quote from last month: "Elections are in July and the dozen wannabees are making so much noise in the press that it is hard to find nuggets of good news" Scuttlebutt says a former two time mayor and state deputy is the frontrunner. He is primarily famous for stealing Catemaco blind.

General

A grader has been at work and improved some of the roads to the ecotourism hill communities. April is a great month to visit them.

February 2013 - Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:43:00 +0000

I had some negative feedback on my best months to visit and best months to live in Catemaco.
Frankly I put a lot of time into this and it is damn difficult to rate 12 months. Of course there are other perceptions.
If you like beaches, August is number one to visit. If you live here, the month rates 8 because there are more visitors than beach, etc.

I live here year round except for my frequent escapes to other places. Would I recommend to live in Catemaco? Only for a chosen few! Would I recommend to visit here? DAMN YES, 12 months of the year, but as I am saying, some months are better than others.

Tourism:
A long weekend brought some relief from the doldrums, with the usual Mexican tourbuses and sprinkles of backpackers and foreigners.

Hotels:
I noticed nothing new, except for some discount offers.

Beaches:
This was one of the few times that I didn´t make it to the beach. I hear I did not miss anything. And the road still sucks.

Events:
A few parades, a huge funeral. That's it.
Today, Feb 28 begins the first Friday in March (Brujos) celebration and I'll save it for next month.

Weather:
I hate February. Frequently it is too cold for my taste, too many days are overcast with almost no rain, then a southwind whips through and shakes up every dust particle.

Business:
A small grocery chain is rasing walls behind my house. I keep scratching my head about where their business will come from.

Food:
Prashanti (of the hotel and beach resort clan) opened a primitive garden restaurant next to the monster by the ADO bus station. Maybe I'll drop in when I actually see someone eat there.
The small restaurant on the first floor of Hotel Berthangel has new owners and it is a nice place to people watch the laza in front of the basilica.

Drink:
Looks like BossaNova (by the kayak place) will reopen.
Rumor has it the Italians of La Osteria fame, will try again with a bar/restaurant atop the TEXX store (the old El Pescador).

Crime:
I know everyone is eagerly awaiting a body count, but no, nothing of significance happened, as usual, except some jerk stole my garbage can.

Politics:
Elections are in July and the dozen wannabees are making so much noise in the press that it is hard to find nuggets of good news.
The mayor of Catemaco died. That came as a shock, being barely 40 years old. He was a good guy and bought a house from us. He'll be remembered by the locals for the new pier, and by me for trying to get the sewage problem fixed.

General

My favorite local photographer did it again and issued part two of his Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas videos

Catemaco Brujos 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 23:36:00 +0000

Brujo Festival in Catemaco

Thursday, Feb 28 / Friday, March 1, 2013

Read more about the brujo shenanigans, Q & A, videos, photos, etc.

http://www.catemaco.info/brujos

January 2013 - Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:34:00 +0000

On a scale of 1 to 12 months, I give January in Catemaco a 10 for visiting and a 6 for living here.

Tourism:
Lots of tourists showed up the first week of January and then went into hibernation.

Hotels:
Nothing exciting. The newest Del Cid Hotel has added a restaurant on its ground floor, and the Casa Rosa has a new website.

Beaches:
The winter storms, as usual, are nibbling on the beaches. But don´t worry, the sand returns by summer.
The crashing waves made for great beach walks, on the few days that were nice and sunny this month.

Events:
The enjoyable musical presentations on Saturday night in the central park seem to be occurring less and less- And that is a shame!.

Weather:
Typical yo-yo weather, from freezing (68f today) to sweating (88f tomorrrow).

January at times gets pretty foggy in the mornings

Business:
The recently opened mega stores are flourishing with employees. Customers seem to be a rarity. In the US, by now, I think they would have "going out of business signs".

Food:
Several new or new owner taco stores have opened. I am sure that will make someone happy.

"Tampiqueña" at La Casita

Drink:
Basically only the drunks in the Zona Rosa (by the boat docks) are holding their own.

Crime:
Nothing exciting, unless you want to read about a young women slicing up her lover.

Politics:
Hot Hot - a dozen pretenders that want to be future millionaires and live in Xalapa are now cluttering the local press, juggling for the July7 elections.

Dozens of political signs messing up the neighborhoods

General:
Good time to be in Catemaco, if you can stand the coldest month of the year, average 68.9f. (Unfortunately I am hot blooded and become lethargic.)

Yes, you can get your hat polished in Catemaco

December 2012, Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 15:53:00 +0000

Tourism:
I live on the Malecón, Catemaco's most famous street, and I mostly judge the amount of tourism by how many people walk in front of my nose, steal my parking spot, and the number of boatmen shouting "lancha- lancha" on my corner. Looks like December turned out pretty good for Catemaco. Better than last year.

Hotels:
The first world Club Neyama, on the way to Ruiz Cortines in San Andrés Tuxtla, added 7 cabañas to its recreation center. They also have gocarts and a restaurant. Interesting place to visit when it is open. They are flakes and apparently only open when they feel like it. Nevertheless, this is not what you expect to see in Los Tuxtlas. http://www.clubneyama.com/

Events:
The celebrations of the Virgin of Guadalupe, whose home is actually in Mexico City, attracted thousands, maybe even 10000, mostly day trippers, to the local Virgin version. The parades were endless and as usual mostly composed of taxis decorated with Virgin photos and blaring horns. Soon after, the customed "viejos" started strutting the streets of Catemaco until on New Year's eve, firecracker stuffed replicas were exploded. O Joy! After you have seen both events once, you may consider heading for the beach or the mountains instead.
One nice recurrent addition are the fairly regular jarocha music presentations in Catemaco's central park. I hope they keep them going.

Weather:
Running hot and cold, and most everyone I know laid down for a week with some really bad cases of the flu. I was lucky, I had mine a few months ago.

Business:
A Coppel department store opened where the Hotel Catemaco used to be. Two storied, with a little bit of parking behind it, it is a very welcome addition to Catemaco. I just wish they had built it on the highway instead of "beautiful" downtown Catemaco. Contino, a mostly dry goods retailer opened in the Bancomer building on the plaza. I think that is a future disappearance act in that jinxed building.

Food:
Nothing exciting, except households fall all over themselves preparing dishes you usually do not see in restaurants. Make a friend in Catemaco, maybe they'll invite to a holiday meal.
I had my first meal at Valentino's, (next to El Caballo). Not bad!

Drink:
The teeny bopper and above crowd is barely holding its own in Catemaco's pink zone (Malecón near the boat dock). Watch out for some of those gorgeous creatures that have 5 o'clock shadows!
Saturday night, Dec. 30th, started a party that was still going strong at 7 am this morning 1 Jan.
For adults, nightlife is pretty much limited to El Caballo and the increasingly popular Wahikini, both at the south end of the Malecon.

Crime:
Didn´t really notice any this month, except for some really nasty stuff in neighboring counties. Very heavy army and police sightseeing traffic.

Politics:
The Catemaco mayor, best known for his frequent absence from Catemaco, followed by a flurry of self praising pronouncements, did offer his 2nd annual computerized "state of the union" speech. A big let down from the pomp of last year, especially the absence of monetary figures that would give citizens a chance to understand where the money went.

General:
Good time to be in Catemaco, if you can stand the noise. If not, don´t worry. 95% of the rest of Catemaco stayed idyllic.

New News for Catemaco (in Spanish)

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:53:00 +0000

Catemaco Noticias

http://www.catemaconoticias.blogspot.mx/

November 2012, Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 02:47:00 +0000

What sticks out in my mind about November was the arrest of a guy while trying to screw a mare in neighboring Lerdo de Tejada. That news may give you a hint of my current mindset.

Tourism:
Except for 2 of those famous long weekends (Days of the Dead and Revolution Day - (make that week, this year), Catemaco's Malecón was a bowling alley cluttered only by shrieking boatmen and gypsies.

Snowbirds in their road hogs are now again arriving in transit to the south. Since I don´t talk to the Lard of Tepetapan anymore, I don´t know if business is good, but I doubt it.

Hotels:
Casa Rosa added a few rooms. Aside from being a friend of mine, that German lady literally will do hand stands to please her guests. If there were more like her in Catemaco, we might have a return tourism business.
The renovated El Cid, down the street from city hall is also doing well.
La Finca hung out its seasonal 689 peso sign (plus tax in small letters, on weekdays) which makes it a best buy in the overpriced "luxury" market.

Weather:
The chill arrived, and out came all those heavy comforters. Each year it is more difficult to survive when the temperature drops to the maximum subarctic 61 degrees F. A few rain storms hit, but overall, this season is relatively dry, and most of the days are simply gorgeous.

Business:
The mini Soriana supermarket opened with a great parking lot and not much else to brag about, still leaving me in the quandary of: if not here, then San Andrés, if not there, Veracruz.
Last month, I mentioned Tienda Lores as another "GAP" - wrong! It is another aggressive grocery chain, that temporarily halted its construction, because their architect screwed up their plans.
Over the next few years I think that will be marked as the death knell for the miserable central "mercado" that is still the heart of commerce in Catemaco.

Food:
No new major restaurants. Taco joints and food stalls open and disappear faster than you can say "tacos al pastor". I have not eaten there, but the joint next to Don Pedro's liquor store keeps attracting a crowd.
And somehow, great sweet ball tomatoes are now available. Love 'em!

Drink:
The hole in the wall "The Pub" is celebrating its first anniversary, and I think all 12 of its chairs are taken for the anniversary party.
The new "Caballo", near Gorell's on the Malecon is jam-packed on weekends, not necessarily because some raunchy bible thumping gringo is doing country music.

Crime:
What crime? Catemaco never really had any, except for the occasional hits here and there. But what can you expect from a county of almost 50 thousand?

Politics:
Actually this should be under the Crime header!
Between now and next July you may read a lot about this. The gist is that some of the same dinosaurs that I have never, ever, heard anyone saying anything good about, (granted!, my circle of spies is small), are all running again to be mayor of Catemaco. If this town spent as much effort on improving itself, as on political infighting, this might be a functional tourist resort.

General:

I am almost 70 years old and have…

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 00:27:00 +0000

I am almost 70 years old and have wasted away my last 10 years in beautiful downtown Catemaco.

Recenty a non local friend died and líke to remember him.

http://youtu.be/754sRFIHIrA

October 2012, Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:55:00 +0000

The rains that were promised during the previous months of the "rainy season" finally hit!
But surprisingly, almost no obstruction in coming or leaving Los Tuxtlas.

The new Soriana is almost ready to open, give them another 30 days!
Meanwhile, supposedly CONTINO, a hardware dealer is supposed to occupy the space behind Bancomer on the plaza.

Day of the Dead festivities ran their course, as usual. and the local mayor tried to turn it into a mega event. He flunked, I think, despite some nice presentations! I think local yokels are switching their kids to Halloween. Bad news, I guess, for pure-ists.

The construction mania in Catemaco continues. Within a month I expect a SORIANA subsidiary to open along the carretera and eat the local Walmart's shorts. (o goody, their ice cream section sucks, both here and in San Andrés).

The new Coppel, on the side of the municipal "palace" is going gung ho at American speed. I expect it to be open for all the impoverished local Christmas shoppers, eager to receive credit cards with up to 55% interests.

The famous Caballo, formerly on the edge of the basilica, now in a rat hole on the edge of the Laguna, is again being threatened by EVICTION. I hope he finds another locale, better than the great gringo doc Ganzoni who left for greener pastures in Tulum, QR.

After 7 days of almost being a model city, because the local mayor tried to impress some friends, the city reverted to the usual. But, it strikes me a little cleaner, less cluttered than usual.. I know that it will not last.

Catemaco no longer is a one traffic light hick town. Now we have four hicks, three of them evenly spaced to make crossing Catemaco a 15 minute experience. Take photos of some of the side street vendors. They will be remarkable!

The new TEXX (imitation 7-11) is now operating at full speed on the Malecon at 14 of 24 hours, except weekends. (Incompetent assholes).

There is no food news, except the Fool on the Hill keeps bragging about better than prime, rib eye steaks being delivered in Catemaco and disappeared faster than I wrote this from Casa Lost.

Did I miss something?
Oh yeah, the mystery building on the highway is still a mystery. Looks like a shack being converted into a mansion with a few store fronts in front. O yeah, a new hardware store with probably less than what you were looking for, is opening on the carretera.near the Tepetapan turn off.

And yes, they tore down half a block of historic Catemaco behind my home, planning to erect a Tienda Lores, the equivalent of Mexico's Gap for extremely low income earners.

After a few weeks of permanent rain, the weather today is magnificent! A little chill, almost 79 degrees, but very welcome.

We are now in the absolutely dead touristic season in Catemaco. What a great time to visit!

September 2012 - Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 06:42:00 +0000

To keep this blog alive, I will publish a monthly update of beautiful downtown Catemaco and its surroundings.

Nothing of importance happened in September.

Because of some stupid event, supposedly promoting the adventure tourism of Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas, to which the governor but almost nobody from Catemaco was invited, the downtown of Catemaco miraculously cleaned up itself, disappearing almost all loud mouths screaming "lancha, lancha", painting anything that held still, either green or yellow, and constructing some fabled figurines and a boat dock for some political VIPS.

The road work on the Catemaco - Sontecomapan highway continues to be a fool's paradise. It amazes me how many workers and machines produce rubbish instead of a highway.

Progression of the the new commercial centers of Soriana and Coppel are zipping along at US speeds. Expect openings within the next two months.

Another mickey mouse chain "Tienda Lores" also purchased an antique half a block in downtown Catemaco and expects to adds its cacaphony to the local environment, a la Doctor Zimi. Unfortunately, I live 2 lots away from them and I need new ear plugs..

Tourism is next to nil, as expected during this time of the year.

Rain has been surprisingly mild during the last few months. Despite a few storms, I expect Catemaco to present a relatively dry profile for the year. Remember that the higher altitudes report up to 15 feet of rain per year! One of the wettest places in the universe.

Amazingly, another two rip off offices of loan sharks opened in downtown. Where 5 years ago there were none, now there are a more than a dozen pawn shops and "personal" finance companies. And still only one bank with lines, at times, around the block!

Food has not improved. The Aurrera (Walmart) store maintained a freezer full of rotten ice cream for 2 weeks before anyone apparently noticed. The pizza in the "pizzeteria" has deteriorated. and the egg rolls in the new chinese joint are yesterdays.

I had some very nice lunches, as usual, in the Playa Cristal, La Finca, and some hole in the wall that apparently has no name. YET! My first venture to Valentino's on the Malecon was a bust because they "ran out of gas". And I am damn tired of the Coney Island Hot Dogs at Casa Lost. (I wish that beautiful joint would increase their menu).

That is pretty much the attitude of local restauranteurs. (Here I will sneak in a recomendation for a rib eye steak proffered by the Fool on the Hill at Merendero's in San Andrès). Of course I know you all want typical Mexican food. I DO NOT! I like Texmex.

Catemaco's Malecon has actually reverted into a pleasant place to walk after dark, after the local government abided by the state law to prohibit drinking alcohol in public. Overnight, dozens of loudspeakers on wheels and hundreds of underage drinkers disappeared. Now the few rent paying joints are fighting for customers.

Oh yeah, a BIG TEXX convienence store opened on the Malecon, Almost none of the conveniences of any self respecting 7/11, including the absence of 24 hour service.

The hole in the wall "Caballos" on the Malecon, after deservedly getting kicked out its premise below the basilica, is holding its own. Also, the offshore La Panga seems to attract customers. I have yet to go, because I still have to digest my opinion of its current lessee.

The gringo haven Tepetapan, after suffering a drought, is now again enjoying mostly full capacity of retirees pumping a few bucks into the local economy.

There is nothing new on the beaches except for complaints about the roads on how to get there.

A recent article reported that 40% of the annual 15,000 visitors to the community museums of Santiago Tuxtla, Tres Zapotes and San Lorenzo were foreigners. Since I suspect that less than 2% of visitors to Los Tuxtlas are foreigners, that figure both indicates that most Mexicans prefer their heritage on TV or wherever, while gringos, or whatever, prefer to walk it.

More gringos would be welcome.

Actually, anyone, wanting to spend more than 3 hours in Catemaco would be welcome (the average stay of a Mexican tourist). I can provide an itinerary of 7 or 365 days of local adventures without getting bored!

Catemaco, the beautiful!

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:40:00 +0000

Yeah, I know Catemaco News is kinda dead!

It is just so much more fun to publish junk in Fuckbook, duh, Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/CatemacoNews

This is a local photographer who every once in a while gets off his ass and publishes stunning photos of Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas.
http://www.facebook.com/Catemaco.Fotos

Catemaco Walkabout

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:22:00 +0000

Those wonderful folks from DEMATAC, the Defenders of the Environment of Los Tuxtlas, have scheduled their annual exploration of the Catemaco wilderness for the 28th & 29th of July. Come along!

See their page:

http://www.dematac.org/Hike-2012.html

Catemaco Crocodiles

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:34:00 +0000

Republished from January 2009,
because I saw a bunch of crocs at Nanciyaga the other day. But none on their menu.
Also saw a live one at Laguna Amolapan (see link below) and I have photos from visitors with some huge crocs around Las Margaritas.

As you lazily float on Laguna Catemaco on your way to visit monkey behinds, consider that there are crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) in the lake. The last time anyone officially counted them, there were 5 in 2002.

Crocodile fat and oil is supposed to be a reliever of bronchial problems when rubbed over the neck and chest. Local healers say it works best when you catch your own croc. Crocodile tails are delicious when sauteed and taste somewhat like chicken.Guess why there are no more crocs in the laguna?

Nanciyaga, the ecological disney world of Los Tuxtlas, has a small crocodile breeding facility. Nobody knows what happens to the hatched eggs, because as said above, there only supposedly remain 5 swimming free.

The nearby Laguna Nixtamalapan supposedly was previously used as a crocodile experimental farm and had as many as 40 of these delicious critters. The same counter in 2002 reported 8 remaining, and rumors of a woman having been eaten. On a personal climb down to the laguna, I saw none, probably because a neighboring gravel mine has destroyed the lake's environment..

En 1995 Casas reporta 40 individuos para la laguna de Nixtamalapan Veracruz, una población de más de 20 individuos en el lago de Catemaco, y menciona que hay otras poblaciones no estimadas en Nanciyaga y Catemaco...Pérez-Higareda (1989) señala que en la Laguna de Nixtamalapan, Veracruz viven 36 cocodrilos de Morelet adultos (14 machos y 22 hembras), de los cuales 24 (14 machos y 10 hembras) ya se encontraban ahí, los 12 restantes se introdujeron en 1986 para balancear los sexos (1 macho por 2 hembras al menos), no se conoce el número de juveniles porque es difícil observarlos, al menos se sabe de 12. Gracias a ocho años de estudios por investigadores de la estación biológica tropical Los Tuxtlas, la laguna de Nixtmalapan en Veracruz de 4 has, es ahora una reserva natural para la protección, la cría y el estudio de los cocodrilos así como un ejemplo de conservación y ha creado entre la población una actitud de respeto hacia los cocodrilos (UNAM 1992). Conabio

a local croc delivered to Dematac to be released who knows where

A user, affectionally called "Fool on the Hill" made this comment:

Wrong!

Laguna Amolapan was used as an experimental croc farm, not Nixtamalapan. They screwed up, or did not know the correct name – common occurrence. I was there, dude. In ’86 – and after. I helped unload crocs. I loaned ‘em a canoe. They even had a f’ing sign. Don’t tell me, pinche gringo newcomer. They are also wrong for ’95; there were not 40 individuos then. Somebody doctored the books.

Also see: Laguna Amolapan in Spanish -

Catemaco's Carlos Fuentes

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:56:00 +0000

Carlos Fuentes, Mexico's Panama born author died today.

His novel "The years with Laura Diaz" is partially set in Catemaco. His grandmother was born in Catemaco to a German/Mexican couple and his great aunt, Marìa Boettiger, also born in Catemaco, is the area's best known poet.

Read his obituary:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/carlos-fuentes-prolific-mexican-novelist-essayist-dies-at-83-mourned-around-globe/2012/05/15/gIQAMFSJSU_story_2.html

Read the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Years-Laura-Diaz-Carlos-Fuentes/dp/0156007568

The Puntiagudo Cross in Catemaco

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:03:00 +0000

Looks like the Olmecs are back in Catemaco.

Without official support, appparently hundreds of local citizens are joining to construct a new cross atop Cerro Puntiagudo.

You can see more photos and text in Spanish here:

http://www.semanariopalestra.com/en-la-mira-del-aguila-25/

World’s Largest Tegogolo Cocktail

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:17:00 +0000

republished from july 27, 2006
Sitting here in beautiful soaked downtown Catemaco I am thinking of what could make Catemaco more famous.

AND IT DAWNED ON ME:
The World´s largest Tegogolo Cocktail, better known as THE WORLD’S LARGEST FRESH WATER SNAIL COCKTAIL.

Judging by the Guinness Book of Records, at present there are absolutely no entries in that category.

So, we would not want to insult them by serving one of those miniature cups served on the Malecon. Instead, we could use theabondoned garbage dump on the Coatzacoalcos entrance to Catemaco.

The surroundings could be cleaned up, the circular repositary could be filled with a plastic liner from Lopez Miranda, and the Maxacapan crowd could be urged to provide Tegogolos at wholesale prices. Around 200 kilos should do (maybe 450 pounds). Since tegogolos are supposed to be aphrodisacs, that quantity is just enough to give an erection to the state of Veracruz.

500 US dollars publicity via REUTERS or YAHOO would possibly attract thousands of erection seekers to Catemaco.

Hotels and the carretera whore houses would flourish. Brujos would flinch because they never promoted the substance.

And hopefully, all those tegogolos would have gotten big and fat after eating all the effluent discharging from the Catemaco sewer lines which at present lead directly into Laguna Catemaco.

Reference: How do I become a Guiness world record holder?

Catemaco Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:58:00 +0000

Until a few years ago, when the day was clear, a small cross was visible from Catemaco City on the top of one of its major surrounding ex-volcanoes, Cerro Puntiagudo. Probably constructed with the same techniques that they use on the local roads, the cross collapsed a few years ago.

There is now a local grass root effort to replace the cross. SEND MONEY! Because it will need about 750 people from Catemaco to carry 20 pounds each, up hill several hundred feet, to build a new cross.

Let's see if there are any Olmecs left in Catemaco!

continuing....

Carnival & Boat Races, Catemaco 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:58:00 +0000

Catemaco Oywey

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:34:00 +0000

More than 3 months ago, my web hosting server, Yahoo Sitebuilder, destroyed my website because of conflicts between Windows XP and Windows Vista/7/8.
Dozens of my 1200 pages in English and Spanish now lack photos, words and titles.

It took me 5 years to build the site to show my love for the paradise of Los Tuxtlas.

At the moment I have neither energy, nor love, to make all the necessary corrections.

To any affected reader, I am sorry.
www.catemaco.info

Catemaco Brujos 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Don Gringo) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:26:00 +0000

Traditionally the brujo event of Catemaco begins at the stroke of midnight on the first Thursday of March (1st of March 2012 this year), which is actually the first Friday of March.

At present, although two neighboring cities have announced their events, Catemaco so far has not

deigned to announce anything.

Stay tuned.......

First tune: I think they were drunk when they added the dates to the poster! Right now they are Wednesday to Friday, should be Thursday to Sunday! Stay tuned....

Second tune: Here is the program for Thursday and Friday,

read it and weep

Third tune: 23 Feb

Also see http://www.catemaco.info/brujos/index.html