El Azuzul is a swamp at the north end of downtown Catemaco, Veracruz. Supposedly it is inhabited by fresh water shrimp, one or two of the almost extinct local turtles, maybe a tiny crocodile or two, and of course some goblins. In the "old days" the swamp was connected to Laguna Catemaco and served as a reservoir of bait shrimp for the local fishermen.
Since then, a short causeway separating the swamp from the laguna was developed which has now become Playa Espagoya, one of the Catemaco beaches that tourists are advised to use for swimming, in order to avoid getting chopped by boat propellers elsewhere.
Of course, with customary foresight, no culverts were installed. So, El Azuzul depends on sub surface percolation to keep its waters level with Laguna Catemaco. And of course when it rains a lot, the area becomes flooded.
A rich Catemaco hotel owner now occupies one corner of the swamp. He must have been reading the Noah section of the bible. His walls are 15 feet tall, topped with electric stunners. Maybe one day his whole castle will float out to the lake to form a new island.
Another hotel owner is now proposing to convert the swamp to a deification of the Olmec gods. Meanwhile the local neighbors of the swamp are praying for mosquito relief.
