July 14 - 24, 2011 - Catemaco
See the entire program here: (in Spanish)
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Jul 1, 2011
May 26, 2011
Catemaco Carnaval 2011
If you want to know all about the same parade that crossed my street 3 days in a row, see 200 or so picture linked to from Facebook sites on :
Update: Photos gone, but not forgotten
May 2, 2011
Catemaco Nauticopa Review
The event attracted just about everyone from the region.
See more photos and videos in:
Catemaco Nauticopa 2011 (script in Spanish)
Photo of the two beauties is from Andrès in Facebook:
Sep 28, 2010
Catemaco Island
Catemaco is royally screwed.
Highways to the north, south and west are disrupted. Heavy rains and the incompetents that manage the dams holding Laguna Catemaco in check, have resulted in parts of downtown Catemaco being flooded:
Enjoy the views of beautiful downtown Catemaco:
Update: the flood of less than 2 feet lasted less than 36 hours.
Update: Sep 30 - No passage south or north of Catemaco
Update: 1 Oct - Catemaco to Acayucan - open 1 lane, backed up a mile.
Update: 4 Oct - Catemaco to Veracruz - open with caution.
Update: 6 Oct - Catemaco to Veracruz - closed again, probably only for a day
Update: 7 Oct - Catemaco - Veracruz, open again
STAY HOME FOR A WEEK or a MONTH!
Mar 8, 2010
Aug 26, 2009
Catemaco Rapture
"...At the northernmost point of the American tropics lies the beautiful Los Tuxtlas Mountains of southern Veracruz. This lush flora supports individual species of several tropical bird families, such as tinamous, woodcreepers, parrots, tropical flycatchers, and foliage-gleaners. Our stay here will include visits to a variety of habitats, with easy walks amongst spectacular lowland rainforest and cloud forest, and a boat trip on a scenic coastal lagoon.
The lowland forest reserves of the UNAM Biological Station and Nanciyaga hold Red-lored Parrot, Bat Falcon, Keel-billed Toucan, Slaty-tailed Trogon, White-bellied Emerald, Stripe-throated Hermit, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Bright-rumped Attila, White-breasted and Spot-breasted Wren, Red-crowned and Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Ruddy Crake, and the spectacular White Hawk. In the cloud forests, we should see Emerald Toucanet, the endemic Long-tailed Sabrewing, Scaly-throated and Buff-throated Foliage-gleaners, Eye-ringed Flatbill, Common Bush- Tanager, Golden-crowned and Golden-browed Warblers, White-winged Tanager, and a local subspecies of Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch. This lovely forest is also home to the endemic Tuxtla Quail-Dove. During our boat trip on the Sontecomapan Lagoon, we hope to see Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Violet Sabrewing, up to 5 kingfisher species, and perhaps the elusive Sungrebe and Gray-necked Wood-Rail. Additionally, en route to Catemaco, we will explore an extensive natural savannah at Las Barrancas to look for Pinnated Bittern, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Aplomado Falcon, Double-striped Thick-knee, and Fork-tailed and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. Our evening owling trip might yield Mottled, Spectacled, and Black-and-white Owl."
OK, had enough birds? Here is the link:
River of Raptors - Veracruz Conference 4-10 Oct. 2009
The lowland forest reserves of the UNAM Biological Station and Nanciyaga hold Red-lored Parrot, Bat Falcon, Keel-billed Toucan, Slaty-tailed Trogon, White-bellied Emerald, Stripe-throated Hermit, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Bright-rumped Attila, White-breasted and Spot-breasted Wren, Red-crowned and Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Ruddy Crake, and the spectacular White Hawk. In the cloud forests, we should see Emerald Toucanet, the endemic Long-tailed Sabrewing, Scaly-throated and Buff-throated Foliage-gleaners, Eye-ringed Flatbill, Common Bush- Tanager, Golden-crowned and Golden-browed Warblers, White-winged Tanager, and a local subspecies of Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch. This lovely forest is also home to the endemic Tuxtla Quail-Dove. During our boat trip on the Sontecomapan Lagoon, we hope to see Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Violet Sabrewing, up to 5 kingfisher species, and perhaps the elusive Sungrebe and Gray-necked Wood-Rail. Additionally, en route to Catemaco, we will explore an extensive natural savannah at Las Barrancas to look for Pinnated Bittern, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Aplomado Falcon, Double-striped Thick-knee, and Fork-tailed and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. Our evening owling trip might yield Mottled, Spectacled, and Black-and-white Owl."OK, had enough birds? Here is the link:
River of Raptors - Veracruz Conference 4-10 Oct. 2009
Jul 14, 2009
Catemaco Pilgrims
In a more than 300 year old tradition, pilgrims from deep within the mountainous Sierra Santa Marta began arriving in Catemaco today.
Thousands make the yearly trek, walking up to 60 miles, in the hot sun or pouring rain, crossing rugged mountains and, depending on the rain, torrid rivers. Most will stay in Catemaco till July 16th to worship the catholic Holy Mary in its local version of "la Virgen del Carmel", alleged to have appeared here to a fisherman in a cave in the 1600's.
The pilgrims are accompanied by more than a hundred horse riders bearing the standards of their faith, while hundreds of bicycle riding pilgrims and road runners will brave the treacherous Los Tuxtlas roads from as far away as Oaxaca and Chiapas.
Dozens of tour buses, plus a downtown fair, choke beautiful downtown Catemaco and joyous singing and the smell of a plethora of dozens of open air food stalls permeates the evening. while in the nights every nook and cranny will be jammed with pilgrims overnighting on cold concrete.
Visit the Catemaco Basilica, Home of the Virgin
Jul 5, 2009
Today is Torta day in Catemaco
Ever since the French invasions of Mexico, tortas have been making inroads on tacos. Tortas are sandwiches of the submarine genre, served on small sizes of French bread, often called "bolillos". Lately foreign fast food joints are competing with them and to protect the Mexican tradition there are now several state torta festivals to celebrate and promote the second best fast food group in Mexico. Tortas are served both hot and cold and ingredients range from beef tongues to stuffed chiles, fried fish, chunks of pork and the staple of sliced ham. Usually sold in mom'n pop stands, the owners name their tortas after whatevever suits them, so don't expect a "Tejano" torta to taste the same in Xalapa and Acayucan.
Today only, beautiful downtown Catemaco along with the rest of Mexico serves a unique version of a so called torta. It is an imaginary bread roll stuffed with a 500 peso bill and swallowed by zillions of impoverished peasants and workers ready to sell their vote to the torta giver. Of course the process is illegal, but election officials nationwide are deaf, dumb and blind to the entrenched custom.
The rest of July is a great month to be in Los Tuxtlas. Giant parties, street festivals, dances, lots of beer and loud music roil the three major cities.
Verafest 2009
San Andres Tuxtla
July 12-9
Celebration of the Virgin del Carmen and county fair
Catemaco
July 18 & 19
Climbing around Volcano San Martin Tuxtla
reserved for 200 by DEMATAC
July 18-26
Celebration of Saint James
Patron Saint of Santiago Tuxtla
Photo of Torta - El Asador
May 6, 2009
Catemaco Tegogolos 2
While the secretary of tourism and the mayor of Catemaco are looking for another way to fill their pockets with selling beer to Catemaqueños who mostly live on less than 2 minimum wages, there is a fabulous opportunity:
The largest snail cocktail in the world!
attempt at the Guiness world record book.
Catemaco is famous for "tegogolos", a shelled fresh water snail endemic to Laguna Catemaco. These snails have a reputation in Mexico as an aphrodisiac and are much more tasty and cheaper than Viagra.
Thus, this event would attract thousands who seek erections to magical Catemaco.
The abandoned structure near the Laguna Catemaco "harbor master's" quarters could be converted into a giant garbage can liner outfitted cocktail glass.
Mexican and international lovers would flood the dozens of hotels and bars in town. The forgotten whores of the Catemaco red zone would earn some well deserved financial cushions, and the snail divers of Maxacapan, who regularly complain about the hard work of catching these snails, would finally be able to buy snorkels.
The largest snail cocktail in the world!
attempt at the Guiness world record book.
Catemaco is famous for "tegogolos", a shelled fresh water snail endemic to Laguna Catemaco. These snails have a reputation in Mexico as an aphrodisiac and are much more tasty and cheaper than Viagra.
Thus, this event would attract thousands who seek erections to magical Catemaco.
The abandoned structure near the Laguna Catemaco "harbor master's" quarters could be converted into a giant garbage can liner outfitted cocktail glass.
Mexican and international lovers would flood the dozens of hotels and bars in town. The forgotten whores of the Catemaco red zone would earn some well deserved financial cushions, and the snail divers of Maxacapan, who regularly complain about the hard work of catching these snails, would finally be able to buy snorkels.Furthermore, it could be attached to the upcoming festival of "Mother's Day" and would solidly cement Catemaco's growing reputation as the best place to get drunk north of Cancun.
Mar 1, 2009
Offroad Catemaco
68 adventurous souls rode off to conquer the roadless beaches, hills and valleys of the northern Tuxtlas from Coatzacoalcos to Catemaco. The weather is so bad, I wouldn't let my proverbial dog out. Let's see how many actually make it in this 10th annual event.
Photo: Catemaco Moto Extreme
Dec 18, 2008
Jan 26, 2008
Catemaco carnitas
When an ejidatario (owner of acreage in a communal ownership village) sells a ranch is he socially obligated to throw a party for his former fellow ejidatarios. The norm is carnitas (slow cooked chunks of meat). And beer! Lots of beer!
Depending on the size ranch, different size animals are sacrificed, ranging from a sheep, to a pig, a young steer, or a cow.
The ranch we bought in Sontecomapan, near Catemaco, is 23 hectares, not large, but also not small, actually the size of 40 cases of beer.
When it becomes our turn, I'm thinking of grilling turkey hot dogs. At least my dogs won´t roll around in bloodstained soil.
Sep 26, 2007
Catemaco Deads
A gringo died last night in beautiful downtown Catemaco.
He had been living in Catemaco longer than I.
I knew him by sight, but along with most of the rest of the local close knit gringo community, we never spoke to each other. Only local Europeans hold love fests in Catemaco.
The projected funeral seems to be going to be a quick dip & tuck.
So here is a nice "Tuba along" to say good bye to the Catemaco gringo, just in case the Mariachis don´t catch him..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE85pJmNwL0
Now we are down to 9, or maybe 21, or at least 15. Shucks! We need some new blood.
He had been living in Catemaco longer than I.
I knew him by sight, but along with most of the rest of the local close knit gringo community, we never spoke to each other. Only local Europeans hold love fests in Catemaco.
The projected funeral seems to be going to be a quick dip & tuck.
So here is a nice "Tuba along" to say good bye to the Catemaco gringo, just in case the Mariachis don´t catch him..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE85pJmNwL0
Now we are down to 9, or maybe 21, or at least 15. Shucks! We need some new blood.
Sep 15, 2007
Death to the gachupines in Catemaco
"¡Mueran los gachupines! Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!" ("Death to the Spaniards and Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe) was the battle cry of Miguel Hidalgo when he called for independence from Spain for Mexico the morning of September 16th, 1810.
The event is now commemorated September 15 in the evening as the "Grito de Dolores" (`Cry of Pain' or 'Cry of Dolores', the town where Hidalgo first shouted it, depending on how nationalistic you feel). This is possibly because many Mexicans have a hard time relating to events occurring early in the day. (Oops, I lack a quote for that one, except for a superficial judgement of my appointment schedule with bureaucrats, but not workers.)
The actual "grito" (shout) ocurred at church service on the morning of the 16th of September.
BUT, to honor Porfirio Diaz, Mexico's favorite dictator for most of the end of the 20th century, the holiday was moved up half a day to celebrate his birthday in the evening and the event has now been institutionalized to occur near midnight on September 15th. The event has now become a two day holiday, the first day to issue shouts, and the second to recover from hang-overs.
Beautiful downtown Catemaco restaurant owners and flag sellers are supporting this welcome diversion. They offer customary recipes such as champurrado, pozole, chiles nogados and other life threatening delicacies on the eve of September 15th, for surcharges of up to 500 pesos to surviving "gachupines" with reservations, and discounted flags of Mexico at roughly one dollar per square foot.
VIVA MÊXICO, CABRONES Video
(English lyrics garbled translation)
The event is now commemorated September 15 in the evening as the "Grito de Dolores" (`Cry of Pain' or 'Cry of Dolores', the town where Hidalgo first shouted it, depending on how nationalistic you feel). This is possibly because many Mexicans have a hard time relating to events occurring early in the day. (Oops, I lack a quote for that one, except for a superficial judgement of my appointment schedule with bureaucrats, but not workers.)
The actual "grito" (shout) ocurred at church service on the morning of the 16th of September.
BUT, to honor Porfirio Diaz, Mexico's favorite dictator for most of the end of the 20th century, the holiday was moved up half a day to celebrate his birthday in the evening and the event has now been institutionalized to occur near midnight on September 15th. The event has now become a two day holiday, the first day to issue shouts, and the second to recover from hang-overs.
Beautiful downtown Catemaco restaurant owners and flag sellers are supporting this welcome diversion. They offer customary recipes such as champurrado, pozole, chiles nogados and other life threatening delicacies on the eve of September 15th, for surcharges of up to 500 pesos to surviving "gachupines" with reservations, and discounted flags of Mexico at roughly one dollar per square foot.
VIVA MÊXICO, CABRONES Video
(English lyrics garbled translation)
Dec 11, 2006
Deadend Catemaco
So you wake up one morning in beautiful downtown Catemaco, Veracruz and your street has turned into a dead end. A hive of workers apparently spent the night building a fair size slum shack in the middle of the street to celebrate the 475th anniversary of The Virgin of Guadalupe of Tepeyac.
According to my Popoluca partner, this particular neighbor is famous for an annual ritual and invites the entire town to free food, worship and hot chocolate. Invite is not the word, there is one of those giant loudspeakers on wheels cruising the neighborhoods belting out invitations.Meanwhile apparently a dozen women slaved over rolls of colored paper, creating exquisite flowers, while their male friends are driving my dogs nuts with illegal Iraq sized firecrackers.
By now the downtown streets and the basilica are a parking lot of arriving worshippers, who ran, pedaled or bused into town from places as far as several hundred miles away. Since the reason for these pilgrimages lies in a personal commitment people made during the year to express their thanks, this Virgin must have made a lot of people happy this year.
So tonight, I, too am invited and can’t wait for the goodies. My Popoluca will do the praying. Later on we’ll have the chance to get rid of our 10 peso coins or (tamales by the cash deficient) to hordes of child troubadors repeatedly singing a single refrain from the Guadalupana.
And if we stay up long enough, by midnight the entire town will be singing Las Manañitas. Tomorrow, it will be a rare street that does not have something similar to my dead end happening throughout the day.
AND THEN, a few days of quiet (I hope they ran out of firecrackers) and then the posadas begin on Hanukah (only coincidentally occuring on the 16th of December this year), and this sleepy little village will not rest till after January 6th.
I am considering moving to Oaxaca.
Dec 5, 2006
Catemaco Apocalypto
As predicted, Gibson loved the alleged blood lust of the Mayas and apparently did a Halloween 13 theme on those unsuspecting Indians.
Rave reviews are now pouring into the media, ranging from American Indians proud for his using “native Americans” and Yucatan Mayas “proud to listen to their language on film”, plus remarkable farces about the jungles of Veracruz, which in actuality were “second growth” forests now inhabited by tourists.
As a local yokel, I am mainly concerned with the gold mine that Catemaco is expecting, about which most previous press releases were very much absent.
About two weeks ago the Spanish press starting picking up on Apocalypto, mentioning Catemaco. It was not until today that the English press did the same.
Hopefully the film will create the same touristic benefits to Catemaco that the previous major “Medicine Man” and a few minors did for Catemaco.
To see previously posted mentions of Apocalypto in this and related blogs, including a review of the film’s beginnings in Catemaco, read here:
Catemaco News Apocalypto Review
Personally, I am dying to see the complete film, which should be available in Mexico in a counterfeit version within 2 days of its public release.
Rave reviews are now pouring into the media, ranging from American Indians proud for his using “native Americans” and Yucatan Mayas “proud to listen to their language on film”, plus remarkable farces about the jungles of Veracruz, which in actuality were “second growth” forests now inhabited by tourists.
As a local yokel, I am mainly concerned with the gold mine that Catemaco is expecting, about which most previous press releases were very much absent.
About two weeks ago the Spanish press starting picking up on Apocalypto, mentioning Catemaco. It was not until today that the English press did the same.
Hopefully the film will create the same touristic benefits to Catemaco that the previous major “Medicine Man” and a few minors did for Catemaco.
To see previously posted mentions of Apocalypto in this and related blogs, including a review of the film’s beginnings in Catemaco, read here:
Catemaco News Apocalypto Review
Personally, I am dying to see the complete film, which should be available in Mexico in a counterfeit version within 2 days of its public release.
Dec 3, 2006
Catemaco Holidays
If you have high blood pressure, stay out of Mexico!
There are only 7 official, legal holidays in Catemaco and the rest of Mexico. Plus an extra one, every 6 years for the presidential inauguration.
But try to find a major government official or judge or transact major business on maybe an extra 40 illegal holidays. GOOD LUCK!
Starting December 12th, after singing the Guadalupana, official Mexico goes into hibernation till around January 6th.
Then there is Easter which stretches a whole week, and of course the Day of the Dead, which is actually two days, and 5 de Mayo, which is always good for a parade, and Mothers day which never gets moved to a Sunday unless absolutely necessary, and visiting dignitary day, when noone wants to be seen working, and every village’s saints day, which might actually might last a whole week, plus Navy day when boat people in Catemaco cook giant soups, and, and, and…
Oh yeah, I forgot summer vacation, mid July to end of August.
During the illegal holidays, you may actually find some government people working, but if your concern requires an “executive” signature, I wish more good luck to you. Of course, the common working people in most businesses work most every day, legal or not, and usually do not get paid those holidays.
Yes, it is wonderful to be in Mexico, especially if you are rich, a politician, or have a management job in government.
There are only 7 official, legal holidays in Catemaco and the rest of Mexico. Plus an extra one, every 6 years for the presidential inauguration.
But try to find a major government official or judge or transact major business on maybe an extra 40 illegal holidays. GOOD LUCK!
Starting December 12th, after singing the Guadalupana, official Mexico goes into hibernation till around January 6th.
Then there is Easter which stretches a whole week, and of course the Day of the Dead, which is actually two days, and 5 de Mayo, which is always good for a parade, and Mothers day which never gets moved to a Sunday unless absolutely necessary, and visiting dignitary day, when noone wants to be seen working, and every village’s saints day, which might actually might last a whole week, plus Navy day when boat people in Catemaco cook giant soups, and, and, and…
Oh yeah, I forgot summer vacation, mid July to end of August.
During the illegal holidays, you may actually find some government people working, but if your concern requires an “executive” signature, I wish more good luck to you. Of course, the common working people in most businesses work most every day, legal or not, and usually do not get paid those holidays.
Yes, it is wonderful to be in Mexico, especially if you are rich, a politician, or have a management job in government.
Aug 6, 2006
Mel Gibson in Catemaco
Beautiful downtown Catemaco, Veracruz only has good memories of Mel Gibson’s effort to produce the film Apocalypto in the region.
Mel Gibson never got drunk in Catemaco.
(a loose translation from El Universal)
Mel Gibson never got drunk during the eight months he filmed Apocalypto in the area, according to a local film production member.Mostly Gibson showed up in town to eat pizza or dance in a nightclub. A local bartender says that maybe once in 10 times here, he drank a beer, the rest of the time he shot pool (billiards), teaching others his techniques. Sundays he would come alone into a local cafe and plan his work, sometimes joined by friends playing cards. He enjoyed to eat quesadillas and drink natural juice waters.
A waiter states that Gibson was always an amiable person, who played with children and took photos with admiring local girls.
His only vice seemed to have been racing around the area unaccompanied in a green Volkswagen. Even during the end of the local production cast party, Mel abstained from alcohol and instead entertained his collaborators.
Mel Gibson never got drunk in Catemaco.
(a loose translation from El Universal)
Mel Gibson never got drunk during the eight months he filmed Apocalypto in the area, according to a local film production member.Mostly Gibson showed up in town to eat pizza or dance in a nightclub. A local bartender says that maybe once in 10 times here, he drank a beer, the rest of the time he shot pool (billiards), teaching others his techniques. Sundays he would come alone into a local cafe and plan his work, sometimes joined by friends playing cards. He enjoyed to eat quesadillas and drink natural juice waters.
A waiter states that Gibson was always an amiable person, who played with children and took photos with admiring local girls.
His only vice seemed to have been racing around the area unaccompanied in a green Volkswagen. Even during the end of the local production cast party, Mel abstained from alcohol and instead entertained his collaborators.
Jul 22, 2006
Catemaco Gibson says NO
Catemaco Gibson says NO
Apparently Mel Gibson did not like the food served at the Hotel Catemaco, or perhaps he had indigestion after transversing the potholes between the city and his filming redoubt.
He donated a large sum of money for housing assistance in San Andres Tuxtla and the rest of Veracruz, via the Rotarians and the DIF, and he obviously omitted Catemaco City.
What is with this dude? Heartburn from Nanciyaga cinnamon rolls, bad press from the non-existent Catemaco newspapers, or simply being disgusted with the Veracruz film coordinator who had promised “good” weather?.
Beautiful downtown Catemaco deserves more than this. Even though its Rotarians are defunct, there is a DIF that supposedly distibutes things to the needy,
Mel Gibson obviously prefers to donate to non-governmental organizations (Smart move) - but he blew it in Catemaco. He could have sent the money to me and I would glady have constructed another 100 houses in the middle of nowhere.
Apparently Mel Gibson did not like the food served at the Hotel Catemaco, or perhaps he had indigestion after transversing the potholes between the city and his filming redoubt.
He donated a large sum of money for housing assistance in San Andres Tuxtla and the rest of Veracruz, via the Rotarians and the DIF, and he obviously omitted Catemaco City.
What is with this dude? Heartburn from Nanciyaga cinnamon rolls, bad press from the non-existent Catemaco newspapers, or simply being disgusted with the Veracruz film coordinator who had promised “good” weather?.
Beautiful downtown Catemaco deserves more than this. Even though its Rotarians are defunct, there is a DIF that supposedly distibutes things to the needy,
Mel Gibson obviously prefers to donate to non-governmental organizations (Smart move) - but he blew it in Catemaco. He could have sent the money to me and I would glady have constructed another 100 houses in the middle of nowhere.
May 27, 2006
Catemaco horse apples
Open Letter to the Catemaco Mayor.
Thank you for buying those dozens of benches now gracing the Malecon with the insignia of your term of office and "ESCAPATE AL PARAISO. That is a very nice slogan to read, especially once I am already here and sitting on my paradise.
A few days ago you sponsored a cavalcada on the flanks of the San Martin Volcano. Apparently this was a remarkable event, 80 horse riders passing from Cuauthemoc to Perla San Martin. It must have been a wonderful experience, and I wish someone had informed me ahead of time so I and my harem could have participated.
That brings me to the point of this open letter. I realize Mexican journalism depends on financial contributions from news sources to create "news". Would it be possible to scrounge some pesos from the Catemaco budget and publish a weekly legitimate ad in a newspaper, (unfortunately all situated in San Andres Tuxtla), which would announce all upcoming events in beautiful uptown and downtown Catemaco?
I hate being on the wrong end of a horse.
Thank you for buying those dozens of benches now gracing the Malecon with the insignia of your term of office and "ESCAPATE AL PARAISO. That is a very nice slogan to read, especially once I am already here and sitting on my paradise.
A few days ago you sponsored a cavalcada on the flanks of the San Martin Volcano. Apparently this was a remarkable event, 80 horse riders passing from Cuauthemoc to Perla San Martin. It must have been a wonderful experience, and I wish someone had informed me ahead of time so I and my harem could have participated.
That brings me to the point of this open letter. I realize Mexican journalism depends on financial contributions from news sources to create "news". Would it be possible to scrounge some pesos from the Catemaco budget and publish a weekly legitimate ad in a newspaper, (unfortunately all situated in San Andres Tuxtla), which would announce all upcoming events in beautiful uptown and downtown Catemaco?
I hate being on the wrong end of a horse.
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