Feb 28, 2013

February 2013 - Catemaco


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



Feb 24, 2013

Catemaco Brujos 2013


Brujo Festival in Catemaco
Thursday,  Feb 28 / Friday, March 1,  2013


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

Feb 1, 2013

January 2013 - Catemaco

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