Last night another 20 victim bloodbath happened in northern Veracruz. I like how a correpondent describes it: It should be noted that the number of presumed dead varies because there is the custom of the armed forces and police not to allow access to the press and not allowing official coroners to remove the bodies, which turns the body count into a state secret and allows them to quote whatever number they want. EnlaceVeracruz
Not to be outdone, the Christian Science Monitor fear-mongered Veracruz to be one of 3 nuclear places around the rim of fire. Gee, I thought that was on the Pacific. And while we are going nuclear, send a little support to the Mexican relief effort.
Los Tuxtlas is getting a bad rap
The federal senator let the cat out of the bag and bragged about 23 kidnappings in the area in the last 3 months.
Catemaco is getting a bad rap
Last weekend the chief of Public Works was kidnapped. Of course that was hidden by most newspapers, except one.
Aside from that, I finally got rid of my wraps and am enjoying some gorgeous days here.
Catemaco is expanding on the culinary front and opened a branch of Don Tako, a local mini chain located 2 blocks behind the basilica. Their cholesterol heaven version of a baked potato with carne asada is to die for. 35 pesos, opens late. Bring a defribrillator! See fotos dispersed in Don Gringo Foto Diario.
Casa Lost keeps expanding their menu with a recent email alert to clients and is well on its way to become the best deli between Matamoros and Cancun.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. The local gringo haven is not only two jerks. A mess of them actually put down their money to support DEMATAC, the local faltering Defenders of the Los Tuxtlas Environment.
The clowns of Catemaco are at it again. They sponsored a successful salsa concert and introduced the candidates for queen of the Catemaco Carnival. A dozen papers reported it but couldn`t give dates for the Carnival because as of today, it is still a municipal secret.
Travelling around Catemaco is becoming a nightmare. The number of topes and potholes are approaching drug crime statistics. So a few days ago a few dump trucks arrived with what they use to fill holes with. It's a joke to see it aside the road by the Hospital. Locals say they'll apply a "mano de gato", a cat`s paw brushing, meaning they'll paint the holes black.
Unbelievably, some hotels dropped their pants and advertised rooms for half of the listed prices. Except of course this Benito Juarez weekend, when the city and beaches will be swamped.
It's almost a great time to be in Catemaco.
Correction:
Apparently the rental jerk left the gringo haven a while back. Only the owner remains in that category.
