Juan was a quiet young man, an engineer and worker on a red fruit ranch. Photo: Courtesy.
Family and friends of Juan Diaz Rodriguez demanded justice and clarification of what happened to the young engineer, who was known and appreciated by many people in the town of San Juan Tecomatlan, municipality of Poncitlan. Juan had been reported missing on Monday, March 14, but three days later he was found dead in the town of Mezcala.
Juan did not mess with anyone, according to what his friends said, describing him as a hard worker who working on a ranch growing berries, and collaborated on the website «San Juan Tecomatlan Oficial»,. The wevbsite issued a statement lamenting his death and demanding the authorities provide more security and clarifiy what happened.
Diaz Rodriguez left San Juan Tecomatlan in a van, which had a satellite locator, so the unit was found, but without the driver. On Thursday, March 17, it was reported that the engineer had been found dead in Mezcala, in a field on the side of the road.
For now the motive of the crime is unknown, the authorities will be in charge of the investigations to solve the murder, while the angry and dismayed inhabitants of San Juan Tecomatlán demand justice
Translated Patrick O’Heffernan
By Lety Trejo
Yoga is a system with several well-defined, concrete processes; steps to follow that help us to move through this world making conscious and assertive decisions, instead of unconscious reactions that often generate pain and suffering to ourselves and others. In the last edition we wrote about the eight arms of yoga of the philosopher Patanjali, specifically the first three steps: Yamas, Niyamas and Asana, so we continue:
7.cis the deep state of meditation with multiple benefits for the nervous system and the body in general. Modern science has documented this in studies conducted by accredited institutions worldwide.
Climbing the eight arms of Patanjali’s yoga is neither easy nor quick given that the world we live in and the cultures through which we integrate ourselves in communities imply a state of intense and generally chaotic mental activity. In this aspect of life, our attention is also more connected to achieving social status, material objects (that we believe we need to live), and attachment to our possessions and personal relationships based on co-dependence. Our outward-facing attention prevents us from giving self-exploration and self-knowledge the importance it really has in our lives and the wisdom we could theoretically achieve at the end of our days.
In part III I will write about another of the yoga processes that help us to reflect on the causes of suffering and which are called KLESHAS. For now dear reader, I invite you to practice Yamas and Niyamas. It will be really liberating.
Translated by Elisabeth Shields
The mishap happened at the entrance to a gas station
Editor: A cyclist was left lying on the pavement of the Chapala-Jocotepec highway, after being hit by a pickup truck.
The victim was riding on the bicycle path in the La Canacinta area during the afternoon of March 23, when he was surprised by a truck accessing the entrance to the gas station. Apparently, the driver of a beige Jeep-type truck did not notice the cyclist.
The victim was attended by Red Cross personnel, prior to being evaluated by Chapala Fire Department personnel, while a traffic police officer investigated the accident.
Translated by Nita Rudy
The pickup truck hit the vehicle from behind
According to the driver of the red car, he was driving along the highway when he was suddenly hit from behind by the pickup truck, apparently due to an oversight of the other driver who failed to brake. His car suffered damages to the hood and spilled antifreeze, while the pickup truck suffered minor damages.
The mishap caused a traffic jam for motorists who were driving from Jocotepec to Chapala.
Translated by Sandy Britton
Don Pedro Mendoza Navarro received the «Roberto Montenegro» recognition, granted by the Ministry of Culture of Jalisco for his trajectory as a wool sarapes weaver. Photo: María Reynozo.
Don Pedro Mendoza Navarro, who has been weaving wool sarapes in the municipality of Jocotepec since he was eight years old, is one of the twelve artisans of Jalisco summoned to receive the «Roberto Montenegro» award for his lifetime career as a creator of wool woven sarapes. The recognition is granted by the Ministry of Culture of the State Government to the most experienced men and women.
The Patio de los Angeles cultural center in the Analco neighborhood of Guadalajara is the setting for the award ceremony; since before four o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, March 18, a dozen artisans and their families from some ten municipalities in the state have been seated waiting for the ceremony to begin.
There is a predominance of gray-haired men in the front row; an elderly man in a wheelchair is constantly attended to by his relatives. They adjust his hat, talk in his ear, check his mouth and eyes. One wears light leather huaraches. Two men wear white hats; one of them holds it in his hands waiting for the session to begin. Meanwhile, he spins it around, like the character in Edmundo Valadez’s story (Death has permission) who waits nervously in a meeting.
Doña Elena Quezada Cabrales, 89 years old, embroiderer, is the only woman being honored. She also waits seated next to the man in the wheelchair, in silence.
It is about five o’clock in the afternoon and the artisans are still waiting for the authorities who are about to arrive.
Don Pedro Mendoza, 76 years old, is very happy and nervous too, the wait lengthens the nervousness because he is the one selected to speak once the awards ceremony begins.
-Tomorrow is Saint Joseph the Worker’s Day,» he says, proud to feel the same way, a simple worker who makes pieces worthy of being shown to the world.
One of his sarapes is on display; it is cream colored natural wool with colored threads; the bright rhomboids in the center seem to move, the light blue and red flowers appear bright, next to a poster with a phrase of Don Pedro obtained from a series of interviews conducted by the agency.
«When I teach a boy to use the loom, I am happy, because I know that my knowledge will not die when I am gone,» reads the small sign.
According to Rafael Castro Rivera, Head of Popular and Urban Cultures of the state cultural agency, the artisans honored are on average 78 and 92 years old.
Around five o’clock in the afternoon, Margarita Alfaro Aranguren, Director of Artisan Promotion; Lourdes González Pérez, Secretary of Culture of Jalisco and Mario Alberto Limon Carranza, Director of Integral Project Management of the same agency, were present. They occupied the chairs placed at the front of the presidium. Don Pedro and Doña Elena were also there.
In his speech, the Jocotepec weaver expressed his emotion for the possibility of transmitting his knowledge to the new generations through the Jocotepec Weaving School, where he teaches young people to weave wool.
Amidst applause and after the speeches of the officials, the artisans receive the recognition framed in a wooden frame that they embrace for the photo.
The 12 artisans recognized were Alejandro Alfaro, Juan Manuel Águila, Pedro Mendoza, Elena Quezada, Flavio García, Luis Zermeño, Carmen Torres, Jesús Flores, Luciano Jacobo, Jorge Soriano, José Hernández and José Ascensión Juárez.
Around the meeting and on the occasion of the Day of the Artisan (March 19), the head of the Secretariat of Culture organizes the exhibition of handicrafts Made with the heart in which pieces from different municipalities are exhibited. On display are huaraches and cutlery from Sayula, ocochal objects from Mazamitla, pink quarry sculptures from San Miguel el Alto and bone carving objects from Teocaltiche.
The attendees begin to leave, some hurriedly drink the horchata water offered to them and eat the steamed tacos that were served. Others take them and leave in a hurry.
The authorities continue to participate in the tour. Among all the pieces; Don Pedro’s serape seems to shine; the flowers acquire movement when the Secretary of Culture, Lourdes Gonzalez, takes it in her hands in her final tour of the exhibition. Don Pedro talks proudly about his process, showing the authorities his hands marked by a lifetime’s work at the loom. He not only has dozens and dozens of sarapes to his credit, but dozens more on the waiting list. He is finishing a path for the Lord of Huaje, of which he will only charge for the material, because he reiterates, the work for him is not charged.
This weaver of colorful threads represents today the municipality of Jocotepec in an event of austere recognition where what shines the most is that serape dotted with figures that «seem to move».
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
The president of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, and local deputy, María Dolores López Jara offered a floral arrangement at the “Benemérito de las Américas” Credit: Jazmín Stengel
Editor (Chapala).– Chapala President Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curie called for citizens to unify in the municipality and leave divisions behind during the commemoration of the 216th anniversary of Benito Juárez’s birthday
«May the framework of this celebration for the 216th anniversary of the birth of Benito Juarez, be the perfect reason to overcome harsh divisions, and unite in favor of Chapala and Chapala residents.» Aguirre told the citizens, adding that, «The example of Benito Juarez should remind us of the principles of democracy, equality, tolerance, and respect – indispensable foundations of the rule of law of any nation.» At the event, students from the Eugenio Zúñiga elementary school provided a short history of the life of Benito Juarez, also known as “Benemérito de las Américas” or “deserving of the Americas’ praise.” Valentín Gómez Farías highlighted Juarez’s history of public service including: the governorship of Oaxaca, magistrate of the Supreme Court of the Nation. As president of Mexico, he is credited with major legal reforms.
Translated by Amy Esperanto
Caldo Michi often has potato and carrot
Sofia Medeles (Ajijic).– “Caldo Michi” or Michi Soup is a very traditional dish for many of the towns around Lake Chapala, and Ajijic is no exception. The former Director of the Historical Archive of Chapala and researcher, Eduardo Ramos Cordero, shares his memories of this traditional dish. According to his grandfather’s memories, the broth was prepared by fishermen after their day’s work. Back in the 1950s and even before, Ramos Cordero recalled that he observed this custom, not only during Lent, but on a daily basis, «Before, the shores of the lake were full of crops: peanuts, watermelons, melons, chili peppers, cucumbers, papaya, jicama, even marijuana and poppy. Some of the owners of these orchards did not pay with money, but in trade. The fishermen would agree that one or two would go to the shore of the lake to start preparing the soup, so that by 2-3 pm, everyone would be eating.»
What varied in the broth was mainly the type of fish used. The fishermen used everything from catfish, tilapia, carp, white fish, charales (chirostoma), to acociles (a tiny crayfish), red crab, small crabs, eels or lamprey fish and turtles. The original preparation includes a bit of lard, tomatillos, onion, plums or green mango (depending on the season), and chiles güeros or banana peppers. The veggies are sautéed, and then the water, fish, salt are added. It’s garnished with a few sprigs of flowered cilantro.
«I had nutrients from many fish,” said Eduardo Ramos Cordero. Known also as Lalo. “When the broth was made, everyone ate: the fishermen, their wives (who brought tortillas), and sometimes their children. Although it was originally made by fishermen, lots of others made it, especially during Lent,» Lalo finished.
Some sources say that this dish originated in the town of Atotonilco, Jalisco, however, for the most part, researchers have found a broth being prepared in a similar way throughout the Lake Chapala area. Its name comes from the Nahuatl word, Michi, which means fish, although others claim it’s because it comes from Michoacán.
Caldo Michi Recipe
Ingredients:
2T lard
4 tomatillos, cut in large wedges
1 onion cut into quarters
6 banana peppers, without tip
A sprig of flowered cilantro
4 medium catfish
Water
Salt, to taste
Optional: Depending on the season, ¼ of green plums, or 4 green mangoes peeled and split and pitted.
Directions
Translated by Amy Esperanto
In Castillo de La Floresta, jacarandas abound. Photo: Sofía Medeles.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Ajijic has earned the designation of Magic Town, not only for its traditions, but also for the beauty of its streets and the diversity of nature. Proof of this are its spring landscapes with the large number of colorful flowering trees.
La Floresta, in the east of the delegation, is one of the areas bursting with flowering trees.. It is enough to walk a few steps inside the subdivision to find several jacarandas – Jacaranda mimosifolia – that turn the planters purple. The so-called «Castle of La Floresta» has one of the highest concentration of these trees in Ajiic.
In the streets of the central part of Ajijic, what is most abundant are the spring trees – Tabebuia donnel-smithii – in yellow color, standing out among the older houses. «They must be at least 50 years old, even older,» commented some of the older adults interviewed.
In some streets, pink also stands out due to the purple rose tree -guayacán or Tabebuia rosea-, as well as the bougainvillea. Although the bougainvillea bloom most of the year, they are most intense in spring.
Likewise, on Ajijic’s boardwalk, on the west side, there are several trees in shades ranging from yellow to pink and purple, which are the most admired by visitors.
Walking through Ajijic Magic Town during the spring, one is immersed in a colorful atmosphere that comes from its facades as well as from trees and flowers that decorate its narrow cobblestone streets.
Translated by Elisabeth Shields
Verbena Jamaica del Pasado 2019. Photo: Luilli Baron.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).– The Verbena Jamaica del Pasado will be held Sunday, April 10th, after two years of cancellations. When it returns, it will have some modifications; the main one will be that it will focus on supporting the families of sick people of Ajijic, giving the event a “church fair” feel.
The General Director of the Passion of The Christ Church, Eduardo «Lalo» Ramos Cordero, and the Treasurer, Ricardo Mora, noted that there are 17 families who will be selling different types of food throughout the day. The event starts at approximately 8am and runs until 10pm. At the event, there will be donation boxes; contributions will be distributed in equal parts to the sick.
In addition, the organizers assured that they will be bringing back another tradition, Light of the Past, turning off the lights, for about half an hour, starting at 9pm. The municipal government of Chapala will provide infrastructure for the event. The decoration in the stands will be the same as always, ‘papel picado’ or traditional cutout paper, and reeds. Around the square, visitors will see paper lanterns and bows with papel picado.
Local bands such as La Incomparable, Estrellas del Lago, La Misma Banda and Orquesta Típica de Chapala will provide free entertainment throughout the event. Event Organizers are looking for more groups or dancers to provide entertainment in the morning portion of the event.
Ramos expressed gratitude that he and the whole team have towards for everyone in Chapala, since they have always shown unity and support in these matters, as well as to the municipal authorities, including Municipal Trustee, Gamaliel Soto Perez, and his brother Carlos, Ajijic Delegado-Elect Maximiano Macias Arceo, and Councilwoman Denisse Michelle Ibarra, for their support
Translated by Amy Esperanto
Bikini models from various nightclubs stole the attention of attendees. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.
Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- The 13th Bikini Car Fest was held Sunday, March 20, as it was done “before the pandemic.” Masks and antibacterial gel were generally not required, but there were cars, drinks and women.
The event started at 7am in Chapala’s Parque de la Cristianía. The only “sanitary filter” was at the main entrance where pedestrians were checked. Control was not very strict, since many entered without masks. At the access for cars, through the parking lot, there were no controls.
After being canceled for two years due to the pandemic, the event showcased around 900 modified and exhibited cars. About 450 were entered in one of the multiple categories of the Bikini Car Fest. A total of 280 prizes were awarded to 60 percent of this year’s participants, according to organizers.
The number of categories may vary according to the cars entered, since it takes at least five cars with the same characteristics to open a new category. If there are not sufficient entries, cars can be entered in other categories compatible with their modifications. These can vary between the trends of tuned or modified cars such as the euro and DJM branches, open and air-cooled, among many other subcategories. In the end, 70 categories were awarded, all with first, second and third places.
The audio sound specialists were divided into two main ones, SPL and Open Show, which in turn were divided into 10 other subcategories according to the type of amplifier. In the audio category, 50 cars participated, of which up to 30 of them were awarded the first three places in each subcategory.
There were also 20 prizes for the best modified car on display, as well as 50 more prizes for the special car of the event, or what is equal to the second place of the best cars, organizers said.
In addition to the cars, articles and spare parts for sale, bikini models from the Cadillac, Roma and Chicas de Guadalajara nightclubs, as well as the Models Brasil models from different Latin American countries, stole the public’s attention.
Translated by Mike Rogers
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