Recycling Remains a High Priority on Mexico's Agenda

Mexico's attitude towards recycling has given the people an influx of recyclable bags and new recycling policies that are benefiting the economy, the job sector, and the environment. Recycling is now an every day practice in Mexico. This is great news for retirees as it shows that Mexico is concerned with the environment its citizens live in and the future of the country.

Picture credit: TreeHugger

PAN AMERICAN GAMES 2011 LIGHT UP GUADALAJARA

Photo by Mike Rojas

Last Friday, Paola Espinosa, Mexico's Olympic diving medallist illuminated the cauldron that sent fireballs shooting toward the roof of the Omnilife Stadium for the dramatic lighting of the Pan American torch. Among the many prominent Mexican figures present at the event were Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Enriquetta Basilio, who lit the torch at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, local rock group Mana, Eugenia Leon and Colombia's Juanes. The opening games ceremony included traditional regional motifs, vibrant fireworks, lively musical acts as well as the audience's cleverly coordinated use of colored flashlights.

"New York International Shipping"

This is another great web page for you to check out or pass along to a fellow soon-to-be retiree contemplating a move abroad. If you're looking into international movers that can fit the bill for your international moving company, this is a perfect resource, since they also have a great video that is educative and will inform anyone concerned with the topic. Hope you check it out and let me know what you think!

International Movers Web Page

I've been thinking that one of the most challenging parts of the process of moving to Mexico is actually transporting your belongings to another country. For that reason, I've been doing some research on international movers that can put you in good hands and offer a wide range of services and shipping methods that can make moving easier. Keep checking back for new posts on this subject! (I can't wait to find out more about what's the right way to go about an international move).

Museum of Popular Art in Mexico City

The Museum of Popular Art in Mexico City is one of the best of its kind in the country, bringing together folk art from all of Mexico’s 31 states. The Museo de Arte Popular
(MAP) is located downtown one block south of the Parque Alameda Central inside an Art Deco building that would look perfectly at home in Miami. This former police and fire station may seem like an unlikely spot for a museum but is actually a historic building in a wonderful location.

Mérida as one of the top ten colonial cities in Mexico

Mérida, the capital city of the Yucatan peninsula, is a must-see colonial city in Mexico, especially because of its large offer of Mayan culture. From Mayan ruins, to traditional Mayan dishes, indigenous fashion and Yucatecan dances and rituals, Mérida offers a host of things to do and see that will be an exciting way to learn about Mayan culture. Mérida has notable Spanish influence and is full of architectural and cultural gems. For instance, take a day trip to see the ruins at Chichen Itza & Uxmal and try the “salibutes” when you are in town. Besides discovering the ruins, the town and local fare, Mérida hosts a generous amount of free cultural events on a regular basis throughout the city. There’s also tourist information in the office on the main square.

Spanish Expressions: Échale Ganas!

¡Échale ganas! This expression means "Give it your all or Give it your best!"

On the topic of expressions, what are some of your favorite Spanish expressions or words?
I'd love to hear about them!

Basilica de Nuestra Señora Guadalupe: Top Travel Destination

Did you know that Mexico is "a top travel destination for members of the Catholic faith?" It just so happens that the Basilica de Nuestra Señora Guadalupe is the number one religious tourism destination of the world for Catholics and believers, the number of visitors exceeding that of the Vatican, Fatima in Portugal and Lourdes in France.

It turns out that Mexico has also been chosen as the latest host of the VII World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Tourism. The Mexican Ambassador to the Holy See, Hector Frederick Ling Altamirano, said, regarding the VII World Congress, “It is no doubt an important event, which recognizes the importance of Mexico in this field, particularly in the so-called religious tourism.”

Go to Mexicotoday.org for the full details on this exciting event for Mexico and the catholic faith.

5 Great Public Golf Courses in Mexico

Read this interesting article that lists more affordable options for golfers that would like to enjoy the beautiful weather and quality golfing while getting the most bang for your buck. Here is a list of different locations throughout Mexico with in-depth descriptions of the courses, helpful links, and of course, rates.

Four Seasons in Punta Mita, Riviera Nayarit

Did you know that the laid-back, authentically charming town of Punta Mita has a Four Seasons? This was the hotel to start the luxury boom along the 100-mile coast north of Puerto Vallarta known as the Rivieria Nayarit. I had no idea either, and the fact is they do a very good job of making it fit right into the relaxed atmosphere. So, for casual luxury with a side of sophistication, this could be your place to visit Riviera Nayarit for the first time.

Retired in Mexico: How to Plant a Beautiful Mexican Garden

If you're retired in Mexico and thinking of starting a garden, here is a great link to a gallery of plants that will grow strong in the Mexican climate as well as be a beautiful addition to your home.

Travel and Leisure's World's Best Awards

Check out this amazing list of world's best awards 2011, courtesy of travel and leisure magazine, that will show you the best hotels, cities, cruises, islands, family hotels, and spas in the world. For the 16th year in a row, the magazine has successfully listed all the must-be places in the world!

Which are your favorites? Feel free to leave your comments below.

The Sunsets of Puerto Vallarta

Banderas Bay is a part of Riviera Nayarit that is host to beautiful sunsets all year around.

Falling in Love with Mexico

Watch this woman's inspiring story on the journey that started decades ago with an internship to study in Mexico that has ended in a 40 year love story with the culture, the people and the literature of Mexico.

Beautiful Views of Riviera Nayarit's Beaches

Watch this video to get a feel for the tranquility and breathtaking beauty of Riviera Nayarit's beaches and weather.

Learning Spanish in Mexico

As this article mentions, the most difficult part of learning Spanish in Mexico is choosing among the myriad options. There are many schools to choose from, depending on where you decide to stay, and all cater to the non-Spanish speaker, making the registration process easy.

There is also, for those that are open-minded, the option of staying with a family, that will be a huge help with learning the language as well as a great cultural experience since you're able to see the day to day and how real Mexicans live. This is an ideal choice for those children or grandchildren that are serious about finally learning Spanish.

Click here to read about all of the options for those interested in taking on Spanish.

Interesting Article: "Why, Where and How North Americans Relocate"

I came across this article and thought it would be perfect to share with my followers. It's one of the best articles I've seen on the subject, going into full detail about towns in Mexico that are popular with North American tourists and why. During the cold winter months, up to 700,000 retirees will travel to Mexico to soak in the sun and the smiles (Mexico is a very friendly country). Although many travelers are snowbirds, a large population of retirees are permanent residents that enjoy the tropical climate and increased affordability all year around. See what is valuable information for anyone looking into creating a new retirement haven abroad.

Tacos El Iván: The Best Tacos in Sayulita

There's a wide variety of places that offer authentic Mexican meals but none like Tacos El Iván, which offers the best of the best in Mexican tacos in the town of Sayulita.

Fun 50's-Style Burger Drive-in on Mexico's Emerald Coast

Here's an inspiring story of a couple that changed everything in order to pursue their dream of retiring in Mexico. In a tiny town called Tecolutla, on Mexico's Emerald Coast, this American couple decided to not only revisit the 50's in the creation of an American-style drive-in but bring a taste of that charm to Mexico. The couple, Kai and Lois, turned their porch and yard into a hamburger stand, and from the beginning they're proud to say that they don't depend on tourist traffic to keep business alive. Another sign of their success, Lois Hendrikkson says, "Many local children insist on having their birthday parties here."

Villages: How They Help People Age in Place

This interesting article highlights the importance that retirees give aging at home. It talks about the added benefits of having a support system that allows the elderly to stay at home for longer. Villages are referred to in the article with the traditional definition and sense of community and a new definition: membership organizations for older residents of a community that help each other stay in the homes they love for longer.

The earliest villages, like Beacon Hill, were founded in relatively affluent urban areas, though new villages are now sprouting in suburbs and smaller rural communities, and organizers are adapting Beacon Hill's model to fit economically and ethnically diverse communities. Each is united by a common goal: a determination to age in place.

Click here to read why as people get older, the percentage of people wanting to stay in their current residence increases.