You’re considering starting up your own brand of the Mexican spirit, mezcal, yet you have some doubts as to the viability of the project in this now burgeoning market for the lesser known cousin of tequila. Alternatively, you’re just having a bit of difficulty understanding all of the steps you either must take or have as options. You want to be a part of the boom; perhaps as an ardent no-holds-barred capitalist who jumps on opportunity when it knocks. Or alternatively as someone with pure passion for mezcal and its hand-crafted production methods and rudimentary tools of the trade. Maybe you’re somewhere in between. Is there still room for your project given that virtually every month there is a new product line in the market into which you want to export from Mexico? You likely have your eyes set on importing from the southern state of Oaxaca where the lion’s share of the agave based spirit is distilled.

The simple answer to the question about market saturation is yes, there are still practical business opportunities. But this assumes that you have a reasonable price-point for the quality of mezcal you have in mind, and a solid distribution/promotional plan.

Start out by learning as much as possible about the regulatory framework of the jurisdiction in which you want to distribute mezcal. On balance it is very different from how you would go about importing and selling shirts, microwaves or sofas. Presumably you already have at least a cursory understanding of alcohol distribution in at least your home country. But remember that, for example, with respect to Canada, there are governments (i.e. of the province of Ontario) which control at least some aspects of all liquor, beer and wine sales. If you are considering the US, there are some states which are subject to the three-tier system. Accordingly, take your time and learn before diving in.

There are matters which you should at least consider even prior to visiting Oaxaca with your mezcal business in mind. They impact the extent to which your plan will be feasible and more importantly successful. Think about:

• ABV (alcohol by volume) of the spirit, because making that determination will impact the price you pay for your mezcal and the ultimate retail cost to consumers, and will have an effect on your target market. It must be somewhere between 36 and 55 percent, although it is suggested that the closer you get towards the bottom end of the range, the less successful you will be in attracting those who are already aficionados of the spirit.
• Packaging in terms of bottle, top, labeling including sealing. Are you considering a stock bottle, or having a mold made? Will it be more or less standard 750 ml shape, or do you have a more squat bottle in mind with a shorter neck. If the latter, the weight and form might adversely impact the extent to which bartenders will be inclined to grab it from a shelf containing several other products. Are you considering natural as opposed to artificial cork, and why? Would you prefer putting your money into the label rather than a costly heavy bottle? If leaning towards the latter, realize that a pallet for transporting might accommodate only 500 bottles as opposed to 900 bottles, thereby increasing your ultimate cost per unit.
• Whether you want your mezcal to be priced high-end, middle of the road, or inexpensive.
• Deciding upon whether you’ll be selling only blanco / joven (un-aged clear), or considering having an aged mezcal in your repertoire. Why?
• Will you be starting out with just one agave specie such as espadín and then over time expand your offerings, or hitting the market guns blazing? Don’t forget that there is a middle ground.
• Deciding if you will initially be working with only one palenquero, or more. Do you expect exclusivity over all of your palenquero’s certified mezcal, and recognize that at least initially this might not be in his best interests?
• You might want to consider a start-up plan of approach, working out an arrangement with a palenquero who is not yet certified and is seeking capital in order to go that route whereby he, through you, has access to the export market, either domestic or international.
• Is the plan to import ancestral (typically distilled in clay and crushed in a relatively rudimentary fashion) or artisanal (traditionally distilled in copper alembics? There are other permutations in and differences between these two categories.
• You should consider whether or not you would be prepared to live in Oaxaca, or at minimum visit the city / region of the state where your operation is located a few times a year. Alternatively you might have one or more full-time staff to run it.
• Can you afford to embark on a project which might not necessarily produce sufficient revenue for its continued viability?
• What type and amount of capitalization are you considering?
• Determining the most prudent approach in terms of numbers of bottles to initially import into your market, and the long-term goal. This will likely impact your decision on the type and size of distillery / distilleries with which you want to partner, and the ultimate number of palenqueros when your project is running at its full potential.
• Legal matters such as contracts, registrations and filings must be considered for not only the jurisdiction into which you want to import the mezcal, but also for Mexico. There is a relatively sophisticated regulatory multi-departmental administrative framework with which you must comply in order to export mezcal, and so a Mexican lawyer is suggested, better yet a Oaxacan with expertise in both intellectual property and spirits.

Brand name is of course important, but sometimes other factors play more important roles impacting a mezcal project’s success. Your brand name must be registered in Mexico even if you have no interest in the domestic market. So you should consider a name you think is available in the jurisdiction of your proposed market as well as in Mexico. Don’t spend an inordinate amount of effort and resources on brand name development until you have confirmed the name is not taken in Mexico. Some entrepreneurs actually wait until they have been to Oaxaca and decided upon a palenquero, to then select a name, or wait until in the region and somehow have been inspired to the point when a marketing concept, including name, leaps out.

The foregoing is an enumeration of a limited number of considerations to be pondered early on in the process of embarking upon a mezcal import project. The listing is far from exhaustive, and meant to merely alert those with an interest in getting into the mezcal business as to its complexity. Proceed with caution, and explore every detail meticulously, thereby maximizing the likelihood of success.

There’s an area in the Gulf of Mexico that has been labeled the dead zone and for very good reason. The water in that area is filled with nutrients and algae that kill the marine life and plants which normally would call it their home. Much like the Dead Sea in the Middle East, the dead zone is not conducive to normal marine life and activities. Unlike the Dead Sea, however, is the fact that the problems in the gulf have been brought about by human causes. Issues are caused by nitrates and other substances flowing into the rivers which, in turn, flow into the Gulf. It’s a huge problem that will only get larger unless someone figures out a way to stop it.

All up and down the rivers which feed into the Gulf, water treatment plants and billions of dollars are being used to try and stem the flow of these harmful nutrients in the water. By definition, we think of the word “nutrients” as being a good thing. In this case, it may be too much of a good thing that causes a negative result. These elements run off the thousands of farms in the Midwest United States and make their way into the major rivers, such as the Missouri and the Mississippi. Even with all the money being spent to stop the pollutants as they rush toward the gulf, the best efforts aren’t making a dent in the problem.

Attempts to clean up the chemicals have been going on for the past 30 years, but during that same time span, the nitrate levels in the Missouri River have increased by 75%. These pollutants lead to algae which suck all of the oxygen out of the river water and kill everything living there. Branded as liable for the problem, farmers have tried to limit the amount of chemicals they use on their farms, even to the point of using computerized systems to pinpoint the exact spots where they want to place them instead of just using them on entire acres. Everything that’s been done, however, is failing to curtail the rising levels of nitrates in the rivers.

The problem is centered in the Mississippi River Basin, an area that encompasses 1.24 million square miles stretching all the way from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians. Run-off from farms, cities, vehicles, industrial sites, and even family lawns contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and other pollutants which works its way into the major rivers that ultimately pour into the Gulf. Oxygen deprivation leads to a condition know as hypoxia which causes water life to either leave the areas it affects or die. The only thing that continues to live and flourish is algae, a phenomenon which triggers toxic algae blooms.

After billions of dollars in lost fishing and shrimping revenue, billions more spent in clean-up attempts, and putting the theories of top environmentalists to the test, the problem just keeps on growing leaving everyone wondering how we’re ever going to stop it.

SISAL IS A FORMER SPANISH colony on the north-western tip of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It’s a poor place. A lost place. But definitely not a lonely place.

We pulled in at midnight after a five hour car trip across the peninsula with friends. They wanted to introduce us to their home. We wanted to see it. The moon had risen and was casting its glow across the lagoon where the fresh water from the cenotes mixes with the sea. We unpacked our overnight bags and fell into bed in a twelve-dollar-a-night hotel and slept like the dead.

In the grey light of pre-dawn we dragged ourselves from slumber in anticipation of a sunrise glimpse of Mexican-pink flamingos, preferably while we nursed steaming mugs of local coffee. Little did I know my day would go all Anthony Bourdain and I would end up in the kitchen of my host’s great aunt where I would learn recipes carefully guarded and handed down from mother to daughter to wide-eyed traveler.

I relished that day with its Spanish immersion with Mona and Tia Ligia amid sizzling Yucatán pumpkin and shrimp and fresh tomatoes and chilies and bacon and crab purchased at the market and conch and octopus ceviche and achiote paste and epazote and soft noodles and light-as-air meringue. I will never forget it. A connection. A few hours with family I just met. Not my family, but my family. Because in those moments, they became my family. Because, as I left late that afternoon Tia Ligia gripped my hands and insisted in her sweet broken English, “This is your home. This is your home!”

I hope to go back someday, although it is a long trip through miles of scrub jungle and marsh. Not to mention far, far off the grid. I fell in love that day. And I am sure if you had been there you would understand.

This is the place.

Thank you, Mona, for teaching me how to make meringue and introducing me to your iguana. And thank you, Tia, for inviting me into your heart.

MERINGUE

Closely guarded and hailed as the Yucatan’s own version of this classic French dessert.

6 egg whites

2 cups organic sugar (ivory colored)

Slice of lime rind the size of a quarter

2 drops lime juice

11 soup spoons water

1. Add water and lime rind to sugar and bring to a boil until it rolls into a ball on your fingers after being dropped into cold water (soft ball stage).

2. Add 2 drops lime juice. This makes the meringue bright white.

3. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.

4. Pour sugar syrup in one steady stream into egg white while turning the bowl and beat until thick and stiff.

5. At this stage the meringue makes a velvety smooth frosting for cakes and cookies.

6. If desired, spoon onto cookie sheet and cook until glassy and dry.

Driving in Mexico can be a Great way to visit the country and see the beauty of its people, but there are some things you need to know and do, before and during the trip if you plan to be Driving in Mexico.

First and most important is that you will need Mexican Insurance when Driving in Mexico. Your US insurance does not cover you or your car once you cross the border. The good news is that Mexican Auto Insurance does not cost a lot of money. A 30 day policy can be found starting at $79, a 180 day policy starting at about $105 and annual rates starting at about $129

There are many agency’s to be found on the Internet. If you’ll be Driving in Mexico, you will want to purchase your policy in advance so that you don’t lose a lot of time purchasing it at your crossing point. You want it to be in effect before you cross the border.

Do not even think about Driving in Mexico without insurance because the outcome should you be involved in an accident, could result in jail time. An important tidbit of information you want to remember is that in Mexico, you are guilty until proven innocent.

Here are two of the better known agencies that sell insurance; info@sanborninsurance.com and Lewis @ Lewis, who can be found at info@mexicanautoinsurance.com there are many other good agency’s and I can only suggest that you shop around to find the best deal. When you do purchase your policy, make 3 or 4 copies of it. Place one in the glove compartment of your car, one with your other important papers and a couple in your suitcase or backpack. The reason for this is because if you are involved in an accident, the police will want you to give them a copy of your policy and you don’t want to be without your own copy.

The other important papers you will need to have at the border are:

1. A valid passport

2. A valid drivers license (make sure that it won’t expire during your trip)

3. Lien holders notarized letter of permission to allow the car out of the country where it was purchased.

4. A credit card (with the same name as on the title of the car)

5. Original title or Vehicle registration.

You will want to keep all these papers together with you when you are driving in Mexico. You may never be asked for them again until you are leaving Mexico, but it is best to carry them in case you are pulled over for a minor traffic violation.

It takes a little planning to get this all together but you will enjoy your trip a lot more once your papers are in order. Now, as to the actual rules of the road, that is another whole post. I’ll post it, check it out.

If one of the highlights of your Mexican vacation is sampling authentic Mexican cuisine, you are in luck. Sometimes, whether traveling with a finicky eater or vacationing for an extended period of time, food other than Mexican may be desired. Should this be a realistic need, vacationing near a popular Mexican city our tourist area can provide many choices in “American” comfort foods as well as other international cuisines.

As a change of pace, many expatriates from the U.S. and other countries have relocated to Mexico. With them, they bring their culinary knowledge regarding native cuisines. In addition to Mexican, there are plenty of Caribbean, Chinese, Italian, German and Japanese restaurants. If dining choices are important to your party, plan on visiting the Mexicali area of Baja. Because of its close proximity to the American border, it features diverse, sit-down dining choices available at bargain prices.

Travelers vacationing in other areas of Mexico can also find authentic Mexican and other types of eateries, in addition to the U.S.’s familiar chicken and hamburger fast food restaurant choices. While not the best choice for children, these familiar chain restaurant choices may entice picky eaters to consume kid-approved foods. If looking to supplement fast food meals with healthy snacks, open-air produce markets offer freshly-picked, portable snacks.

When visiting a familiar restaurant, don’t be surprised if the Mexican menu offered varies from a suburban American one. Regardless of type of restaurant: traditional, fast food or international cuisine, restaurant operators only sell and prepare foods desired by locals, as that is where most of their pesos originate. Options presented may appear somewhat odd, but if able to find familiar favorites, especially at fast food chains, these foods will always taste the same, regardless of global location.

When in Mexico, be sure to always try local foods first to fully experience all Mexico has to offer. Should your palette be pleased, you are in luck but if looking for something different, most of the time everyday, familiar foods are just a brisk walk away.

Mexico’s historical attractions ranging from the ancient ruins of the Olmecs, Maya, and Aztec, to the train routes used by the brash and legendary Pancho Villa – rank second only to the beaches of Cancun and Alcapulco are the main tourist magnets for the nation. The reason for this is simple: the tale of Mexico’s past, accompanied by an overwhelming amount of historical remnants beautifully preserved, is as romantic, dramatic, and complex as it can get.

The Plaza de la Constitución, or Zocalo:

This is the main square of Mexico City’s historic center. At 830 x 500 feet, it’s the second largest public square in the world (Moscow’s Red Square is bigger). The great expanse of paved space is decorated with a single huge Mexican flag in the center.

This is the heart of the city, the site of events, festivals and protests, and a good place to start your explorations.

Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral):

The enormous cathedral on the North side of the Zocalo was built over a period of 250 years and has a mixture of architectural styles. Like many buildings in Mexico City’s historical center, it is slowly sinking into the ground.

An extensive engineering project was undertaken in the 1990s to rescue the building, not to stop it from sinking, but to ensure that the cathedral would sink uniformly.

Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe:

This is not only an impressive building but also the central religious shrine for every Catholic in Latin America. It is near Mexico City so you don’t have to navigate too much away from the city. If you are interested in politics, the house where Leon Trotsky lived during the last years of his life is also in Mexico City as is the Templo Mayor, which are the ruins of a temple that the Aztecs believed to be the center of the universe, will prove more than satisfying.

In Guadalajara there is the Jose Cuervo Distillary and the Plaza Tapatia where all of the tourist shops are located. In Oaxaca there are the Monte Alban ruins and if you have any chance to at all take the train ride through the Copper Canyon.

The hotels in and around the tourist spots are some of the finest in all of Mexico. Getting to Mexico for any tourist from any part of the world will never be a problem thanks to the many flights to Mexico from various parts of the world.

Because the Gulf of Mexico is considered warm waters by most, it is that ideology that makes it so dangerous. Yes, the water is much warmer than Northern waters, but the human body reacts the same way to 58-60 degree water as it does to 45 degree water. You will first encounter a cold water shock, which will cause you to start gasping while somehow shouting some expletives between the gasps, you will ball up in an attempt to stay warm, you will shiver uncontrollably, your fingers and feet will start losing mobility, and without floatation, you will not be able to keep your head above the waterline.

Cold water immersion is survivable if you take the proper steps. If my article “The-Seven-Steps-to-Survival” you will learn that Recognition is the first step. If you fail to recognize that a ditching is possible, as some do, and if you fail to place floatation (life-vests and life-raft) in your aircraft, you will likely be one of the many sad statistics stating, “The occupants had no floatation devices”.

While in the U.S. Coast Guard stationed in Kodiak Alaska, I had the privilege of serving with Dr. Martin Neimeroff (Captain). Dr. Neimeroff was the Coast Guard’s leading expert for cold-water immersion. Through his teachings, I learned that hypothermia (lowering of body core temperature) has an adverse effect on the human body, even in small degrees. This human machine was designed to operate at a constant 98.6 degrees, and any variation up or down causes ill effect (hyperthermia/hypothermia).

The human body generates a small amount of heat through shivering (Stage One Hypothermia 98.6 F to 95.0 degrees). Feeling Cold, Shivering, Drowsiness, Slurred Speech, and Disorientation are all symptoms of stage one (mild hypothermia). Note: A person with “Stage One” hypothermia will appear to be intoxicated.

As you can see, a variation of only 3.6 degrees from your normal body temperature can cause adverse effects that can severely affect your ability to do the things necessary to survive.

Now lets go a step further. Lets say your body temperature drops below 95 degrees. You are now entering Stage Two Hypothermia (95-91 degrees). The symptoms include diminished shivering, decreased level of consciousness, and slower rate of respiration. For the person in water (P.I.W.) without floatation, this is where you are starting to get into very serious trouble. The shivering you experienced in stage one hypothermia has caused you to use up a lot of energy. Once the shivering stops, your body will no longer have the ability to re-heat itself. You will be very exhausted and unable to maneuver from on coming waves and swells. You will start gasping in mouthfuls of water and will not be able to stay above the surface, thus drowning will eventually occur.

Now move down to the next level. Stage Three (Severe Hypothermia) 91-86 degrees. Symptoms include muscle rigidity, and loss of consciousness. I hope I don’t have to explain what happens to a P.I.W. without floatation when he loses consciousness.

Hypothermia stages will depend on the time in the water. This will vary from person to person and a lot has to do with body mass. For instance, a child would be quicker to succumb than a man. The thicker the body mass, the longer the survival time.

The likelihood of dying from hypothermia is slim for a PIW without floatation. His cause of death would most likely read; Drowning due to the inability to keep his head out of the water. He drowned, but the drowning was likely caused by the result of losing control of his arms and legs or losing consciousness due to cold water immersion.

Even though the EXPECTED TIME OF SURVIVAL for a person in 75 degrees water to be from 3 hours to Indefinitely, the “Indefinitely” wording is based upon the condition that you are wearing a lifevest and are able to keep your head out of the water even in the event of unconsciousness (as all CG approved lifevests are designed to do).

The water temperature in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico today (April) is averaging around 75 degrees. Depending on time in water and what you have on, you could become unconscious within three hours! From November through March the see cooler water temperatures give you even less time to survive. This is why it is so very important that you get out of that “heat robbing” water.

The major heat loss areas are the head, neck, underarms, sides of chest, and groin. When you submerse your body in water, you immediately start losing heat in these areas through: Convection (the movement of “colder than you” water), and Conduction (skin touching anything cooler than the body temperature).

The human body response is to protect the core chest and heart area. The blood is getting cooled too fast (x25 in water), so the human body response is to close off blood flow to your outer extremities, for example; your fingers and your toes. Soon after, the blood will continue it’s withdraw from the arms and legs and will pool in the core area of the body. As well, blood flow to the brain will be restricted, thus causing unusual behaviors such as muttering incoherent sentences, swimming off, and stripping down, (removal of clothing and floatation) a common find with many wet hypothermia victims.

Because of the blood now pooling in the core area of the body, any sudden jolts such as hoisting the survivor in a vertical position, jumping down off of a helicopter after rescue, or even walking can cause a sudden rush of this pooled blood into your legs. This would cause your heart to beat even harder to get the “now pooled in your legs” blood back up. Lack of blood and oxygen to the heart and brain = Cardiac Arrest. Hypothermia patients will claim they are okay to walk, but they should always be transferred in a horizontal position and kept this way until medical attention can be administered. The pooled blood in the core area has to eventually go back into the legs and arms. Ideally you would want this return to happen slowly, and under the care of a medical facility.

Conduction from water submersion occurs twenty-five times faster than air!

By assuming the Heat Loss Lessening Position (H.E.L.P.), you can protect the vulnerable heat loss areas of your body (head, neck, underarms, sides and groin).

Please take note that this position can only be maintained with the help of a floatation device (U.S. Coast Guard approved lifevest). Without the floatation, you would have to straighten your legs and kick, exposing your groin area, and move your arms outward to steady yourself, exposing your neck, underarms, and sides. By maintaining the H.E.L.P. position you can extend your survival time by hours.

Liferafts, are they necessary in the Caribbean waters? I say absolutely!

In a real life scenario waves will be knocking you all around. You may be excited to see a rain cloud coming your way but yet surprised to find that these rain squalls actually pack quite a punch. Granted, a liferaft ride through a squall would be exciting as well, but at least you won’t be swallowing sea-water during your ride.

By removing your body from the water, you increase your chances of survival by over 70 percent! By getting into a canopied liferaft, you not only get out of that heat robbing water, but you can now protect yourself from the sun, wind, and rain, and you’re assured that all members of your crew are together.

If your ditching occurs late in the day, you stand a good chance of an overnight stay. That’s eight to ten hours! A life-raft can be your best friend, your life-saver, in this situation. By climbing into a liferaft, you have increased your survival time by getting out of the water, you have increased your target size, and you should now have excess to signaling equipment that may facilitate in your being found.

Even on land, the liferaft acting as a tent will provide the same protective and signaling features. Why would you not carry a liferaft?

Huddle Position (can only be accomplished with floatation). Place injured persons or children in the center. The idea is to “lock in” the water in the center of the huddle. This “locked in” water will be warmed by the combined body heat of each survivor. No, it will not reach 98.6 degrees, but it will be a lot warmer than the water on your backside. Remember the five major body heat loss areas. You still need to cross those legs, arms to the side, use your inflated vest bladder to block water from and insulate your neck area and, if you’re lucky enough to be wearing a hat at this point, pull it down just a little tighter.

The HUDDLE Position not only provides shared warmth, but it also helps to overcome survival obstacles as a team while significantly enlarging your target size for searchers. Utilize The Seven Steps to Survival Plan.

Searchers in your area? Reverse around and place yourselves back to back while locking arms. Now kick away! This circle splash can be seen two miles away by air searchers and about a half a mile to a mile away by marine assets.

I just got back from spending a month on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It was a great trip and I found myself delving into some interesting things while I was there.

A race of tiny people called Aluxob (the singular is Alux) live in the jungles and cenotes of the Yucatan. You assume I am speaking of ancient folklore? I am not so sure…

I had some personal experiences with one about 4 years ago in my home in Puerto Aventuras (a town on the beach in the Riviera Maya) and I wanted to dig into the experience a little deeper. So I interviewed local Maya to see what they had to say.

Let me tell you my experience first:

I was living in a nice condo on the ocean and my daughter, Sarah, and her Mexican boyfriend, Javier, were staying with me. Some weird things were happening in the house.

• In the middle of the night, I repeatedly heard someone yell my name right in my ear and it woke me up and practically sent me through the roof. Sarah and Javier experienced the same thing.
• The blender and other small appliances turned on in the middle of the night.
• While walking down the hall, I would feel a slap on my leg just above the ankle.

All this was odd, but not too troubling (Except flying out of bed to shut off the blender in the middle of the night. I hate that adrenaline rush.) The kids were experiencing everything I was and several times Javier said, “You have an alux.”

Of course I didn’t take him seriously.

Until the foot prints appeared in the hall.

This hall went to my daughter’s room. My bedroom was on the other side of the house. When I got up early one morning and walked past it, I saw water on the floor all the way down to my daughter’s bedroom. I figured Sarah had taken a shower and dripped all the way down the hall. The floors can be very slippery, so I started to go remind her to not drip water everywhere, but as soon as I stepped into the hall I saw that it wasn’t just dripping water, it was tiny wet foot prints.

“I told you, you have an alux,” said Javier.

OK. I believed.

Later I went to a close friend of mine, Crescent. She is from Canada and also lived in the Riviera Maya in Mexico with her Mayan husband. They own a dive shop. I asked Crescent if she knew anything about an alux. She said she didn’t but she would ask her husband, William.

“Oh yes,” (Imagine hearing this in a drawn-out fashion) said William.

And then he proceeded to tell about how the fishermen see the tiny wet footprints on their boats early in the mornings. Mind you, I had mentioned nothing about the wet foot prints in my hall.

OK. So now I am sure an alux is a real creature, not just a myth. But what exactly IS an alux?

Enter this most recent trip and many interviews.

I found when at first I asked locals if they knew about the alux, they were reluctant to say anything. But after I shared my story, they became animated and very open. Some shared stories of their own and some thanked me for sharing mine. Apparently, even the sharing of stories is considered a noble thing and I was delighted to be a part of that. Also, I want to note that I had these conversations in Spanish. Most of these people speak Maya. They all function daily in Spanish, and most of them speak limited English. Speaking in Spanish, I believe, was comforting to them and encouraged them to share more freely.

Things I discovered:

1. Alux live all over the peninsula, but mostly in the jungle. Not as many live in the tourist areas of Quintana Roo by the beach (commonly known as the Riviera Maya). The farms and old villages in the interior state of Yucatan are rife with them. They are considered the guardians of the jungle.

2. They are small people, about 18 inches high. I have read on-line about their ability to turn into animals, but no locals confirmed this. They did, however, say that they hide in the rocks and cenotes and some said they can shape-shift and actually make themselves appear as rocks.

3. Most of the time they are invisible to us, but sometimes they are caught in their natural form.

4. When asked if they are spirit or corporeal, people responded that they are neither. They are AIR. This is very interesting and I am currently trying to learn more about this. People also said they are NATURE or NATURAL. Does this mean they are elemental beings (fire, air, earth, water)? I also heard a story of a human form created from water (called a Kanan Sayab which literally means guardian of the jungle but is also considered the guardian of the springs) walking through the ruins at Coba. Wow… so much to track down!

5. They love to play. Sometimes the Maya people find tiny toys left lying around the house. If they are not happy they throw small stones or sometimes hit you.

6. If they are happy they will guard your home or farm (milpa). They can be very good and helpful if honored correctly.

7. Farmers build houses for them to keep them in their fields. The alux will guard all four corners of the filed and if someone comes to steal anything, they will surround the robber so he cannot escape.

8. In Costa Rica they are called duende.

9. VERY COOL STORY. The city of Cancun was building a new bridge just outside the airport and it kept collapsing. The local Mayans went to the city and told them they had an alux. So the city hired a Mayan shaman to contact the alux and find out what to do. The alux said it wanted a house, so the city built a beautiful alux house in the shape of a pyramid under the bridge. Then they were able to complete the work on the bridge. It still stands today with no problems and the pyramid-house is there all lit up at night and beautiful for everyone to see as they head out from the airport and into the beach strip on vacation.

10. If you have an alux in your house and you want it to leave, you (or preferably a Mayan shaman, called a J-Man) can do a ceremony with herbs and plants (I hope to learn more about this) including burning incense made from the resin of the copal tree.

I have more questions about the alux. I have read they dress like the ancient Maya. Some of the people I interviewed have seen them or have stories of family members who have seen them. I forgot to ask what they were wearing, but I will go back and see if I can track that down. I also want to know more about their nature. What does it mean that they are AIR?

In my interviewing, I also heard a story of different beings called gnomes (pronounced in the Spanish way nome-es) They were described as being bigger than an alux, having horns, having an unpleasant nature, carrying knives, causing children to hurt each other and argue, wearing black sombreros, and needing to be evicted by means of a ceremony done including a Bible. I wonder, are they also air or are they earth?

We have so much to learn.

Cheers

Laura

I must say first that any Mexico spots or travel destination you choose you won’t be disappointed; this is a game/test that will help you understand where to book your next Mexico travel, based on your favourite activities, the things you like to do on vacations and the way you are.

Are you keen of legends and mysteries, archaeological sites or adventurous seeker? Are you looking for secluded spots or quiet Mexico beaches where you can play with your kids? Are you a man looking for business travel or a luxury lover? … And about lovers… Seeking the most romantic spots in Mexico for your Honeymoon vacation?

For each question, select the option that best describes your personality and discover which part of Mexico reflect yourself…

To know what Mexico travel destination is suitable for you, considerate the number of the answer corresponding to your choice, write on a paper and read the related profile below.

(Example – if you choose more answers corresponding to the number “one”, you may read the profile number “one”)

Good Luck…

Who would you like to bring with you to a Mexico Vacation?

1. Friends
2. My partner
3. My Family
4. Colleagues, Business partner
5. Whoever wants to come
6. Alone

Which one among these activities you prefer?

1. Water sports
2. Horseback Riding on the Beach
3. Visit Theme Parks
4. Golf
5. Archaeological tours
6. Bird watching, Jungle exploration

Choose among these mental image, which one you prefer?

1. Practice Surfing, Parasailing, Kayaking, Water skiing, Diving, Snorkelling, or Fishing and get ready for the exciting Nightlife
2. Assist to romantic sunsets, dining on the beach with fresh lobster, great hotel suites with all the amenities…
3. Play with the kids on a quiet beach and bring them in a theme park
4. Lay down and relax all day on a deck chair by the pool or the Sea, sipping a colourful cocktail, and receive a wonderful massage on the beach
5. Refresh under a waterfall, after a long walk in the forest, admiring the nature
6. Move the branch of a tree and have ancient ruins in front of you, or visit museums, colonial cities and discover the history of Mexico

Which one, among the Spanish words below, does inspire you the most?

1. Fiestas
2. Me Amor
3. Olè
4. Gracias
5. Maravilloso
6. Chido

Choose among this characters

1. Pancho Villa
2. Zorro
3. Speedy Gonzalez
4. Zapata
5. Pakal
6. Stephens or Caterwood

Which among the following contrasts of colours you prefer?

1. Turquoise Blue – Yellow
2. Orange – Red
3. All colours
4. Black – White
5. Red – Green
6. Green – Blue china

Choose the transportation you like the most

1. Motorbike
2. Car
3. Bicycle
4. Airplane
5. Train
6. By walk

Profiles and Mexico Travel Destinations….

1. Energy Vacations – You are young (not necessarily of age), dynamic and athletics, with an unbelievable desire to enjoy minute after minute your Mexico Vacations! The Sea and the nightlife should be an important element for your holidays.
   The best Mexico spots for your vacation are:

   Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Acapulco, Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta

2. Romantic Spots – “An eternal dreamer, a lover of love..” If what you are looking for is a place where create unforgettable memories with your beloved, sipping tasteful cocktails while snuggling him/her, watching a wonderful sunset, or walking hand in hand on calm and pristine beaches … the most Romantic Mexico destinations any time of the year are:
   Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, Riviera Maya, Tulum, Costa Alegre, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos , Isla Mujeres, Hol Box (secluded)
3. Mexico Family Vacations – It is not always easy to choose the destination for your family travel. You may consider the needs of your children and pick a place which allows fun together in a safe and refreshing environment. … but don’t forget that this are also yours vacations! Much thought and preparation has gone into developing the Mexico attractions that will be of interest to family members of all ages , because is important to understand that amusing moments during your Mexico Family Vacation give the energy to continue to love and to conquer day after day the trust of your kids. We suggest to consider the following Mexico travel destination for you and your family:

   Riviera Maya, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Acapulco, Huatulco, Mexico City, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel

4. Relaxing, Business and Luxury Travel – We live in a jet-fueled world where relaxation is a luxury! Life isn’t just about stress and job, sometimes must be enjoyed! Do you have an important conference and you are looking for the best environment and luxury hotels?! Does it tickle you the idea of some body treatments in a Spa on the beach?

   These are the best destinations that can offer you all of this:

   Playa del Carmen, Mexico City, Riviera Maya, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Monterrey, Costa Alegre, Los Cabos

5. Eco Adventures and Natural Vacations – In Mexico you can feel the love for nature and wildlife with its spectacular landscapes, fascinating mix of high mountains, unlimited beaches, vast rainforests, incredible variety of amazing animals of all kind of colours and shapes, volcanoes, cenotes, waterfalls, unique and rare species of plants, but mostly amazing tours for discover all of this… So, if you like the Mother Nature there is no better place! The ideal Mexico Spots for you are:

   Chiapas, Aguascalientes, Morelia Michoacan, Villahermosa, Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido, Copper Canyon, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Cozumel, HolBox, Chihuahua

6. Historical Mexico Travel – Keen of culture, history and curious for other people way of life, and an artist inside… Staying with you it’s always a pleasure and that’s why we recommend you some historical Mexico spots. The history of Mexico speaks of a country full of civilizations and changes. The emotion given by marvelous archaeological sites ( indelible memory of pre-Columbian civilizations, wounded in the jungle), colonial cities, museums full of every kind of memories of past epochs, it’s something you can’t miss! I believe that everywhere you go in Mexico has interesting things to see.. Here, you will never feel alone …

   Book your Mexico vacation in : Merida Yucatan, Mexico City, Chiapas, Palenque, Riviera Maya, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, La Paz, Queretaro, Villahermosa, Taxco

Mexico is a country with a variety of landscapes, changing from snow-capped volcanoes and lush jungles to ancient Mayan ruins and golden beaches. Tourists can enjoy everything from swimming with dolphins to cultural events. With jungles in the south, deserts in the north, stretches of beach along the Pacific and Caribbean shorelines and magnificent mountainous regions in Central Mexico, history and traditions at every corner, it’s obvious why Mexico is one of the most versatile vacation destinations of the entire World!

Enjoy as much as you can during your Mexico Vacation.

Presbypopia literally means “old eyes,” highlighting the fact that as we age our eyes become less flexible, making it more difficult to focus. This normally occurs between the ages of 40 and 50 and progresses through age 65. Initial symptoms typically include difficulty reading smaller print, leading to the use of reading glasses, bifocals, and trifocals.

The high cost of vision care and optical surgery in the United States has sent many people seeking treatment for their vision problems to medical travel agencies representing the largest private hospital network in Mexico where the price for high quality medical care is considerably more affordable for Americans.

In addition to wearing eyeglasses, there are several treatments for Presbypopia, including monovision LASIK (which leaves one eye suited for distance viewing and the other for close-up viewing); conductive Keratolasty (used to help one eye see better up close while the other eye remains untouched with a contact lens correcting distance sight); Surgical Reversal of Presbypopia (SRP) with Scleral Expansion Bands (SEBs); and refractive lens exchange (RLE), which entails replacing the natural lens with an artificial lens.

Innovative PresbyLASIK Procedure Approved In The U.S. In 2010, In Mexico NOW

One of the newest and most promising treatments for presbypopia is multifocal LASIK or PresbyLASIK. PresbyLASIK is a procedure currently in clinical trials in the U.S., but the procedure has been approved in Mexico and Europe. With multifocal or PresbyLASIK, different ‘zones’ are created on the surface of the cornea to correct vision at near, intermediate, and far ranges. With monovision LASIK correction for presbypopia, patients must use their eyes independently for seeing near or far; with PresbyLASIK, patients are able to focus naturally with both eyes on any object of any distance.

Although the multifocal PresbyLASIK procedure is not yet FDA-approved in the U.S., it is performed with state of the art VISX technology in Hospital Angeles Tijuana, just 15 minutes across the border from San Diego. Hospital Angeles is one of 20 technologically modern hospitals comprising the largest private hospital network in Mexico, and frequently hosts American medical travelers searching for affordable, high quality medical and surgical care.

Low Cost Of Medical Travel To Mexico Attracts Patients From Around The World

Surgical procedures and hospital stays in the most modern hospitals are available in Mexico for as little as one-third of the price paid in America. The U.S. nonprofit Medical Tourism Association reports in its survey of American medical travelers (estimated at more than 500,000 per year) that the great majority are enthusiastic repeat customers and referrals of the state-of-the-art private hospitals and medical centers of Mexico where they received their surgerical procedures. While private Mexican hospitals are every bit as modern as famous U.S. hospitals, they typically cost less than half as much as their American counterparts do. Although Angeles Hospitals feature identically sophisticated equipment and resources, the U.S. healthcare system has higher costs associated with medical education, training, insurance, and facility construction. Costs are driven up even further by the U.S. healthcare insurance industry. The net savings to the Mexico medical travel patient working with a medical travel, Mexico, agency is often quite substantial, from 50-75% less than U.S. medical and hospital costs.

Convenience And Savings

With the help of a medical travel, Mexico, agency, getting to the right hospital is easy. There are 20 hospitals in major metro areas throughout Mexico with direct flights from most major American cities. Most medical travelers have easy access to inexpensive flights in and out of Mexico on a daily basis, which makes affordability an appealing option when long wait times are added to the sky-high prices of medical and surgical care in the U.S.

Because Presbypopia LASIK surgery can be performed on American medical travelers over the period of a weekend (flights, procedure, and hotel inclusive), the savings are high for this type of medical travel package for Americans. The innovative procedure implemented on the latest VISX technology, costs less than $5,000 (both eyes), while the procedure is expected to debut in the U.S. at $10,000-$15,000 or more. According to the Medical Tourism Association survey of medical travelers, patients engaging in medical travel to Mexico frequently enjoy tourism time, including fine dining, relaxed shopping, and resort beaches; more than 8 in 10 said they would definitely choose medical travel, Mexico, as a solution again in the future.

Mexico Meets And Exceeds Current Medical Standards

While many people know Mexico offers gorgeous beaches, delicious food, lively music, stellar golf, and excellent deep-sea fishing, in the past decade Mexico has rapidly become widely known for quality, affordable medical care. Even the most sophisticated medical and surgical care in Mexico is typically one-third the cost of the same medical care in the United States. After factoring in travel-related expenses, U.S. medical travel patients realize considerable savings by seeking treatment in Mexico.

But savings and quality are not the only attractions of medical travel, Mexico. In a 2009 survey, most medical travelers report to the U.S. nonprofit Medical Tourism Association that they found their hospital and surgical care in Mexico as good or better than any U.S. healthcare experience they’ve had, and would not hesitate to recommend the experience to other U.S. patients needing quality affordable medical care.

Mexico’s low cost of living and lower costs for the same medical technologies found in the U.S. as well as lower doctor, hospital, and specialists’ fees versus the U.S. can all work together to offer American medical travel patients exceptional care at a fraction of what they would pay for the same care in the United States.

Mexico hospitals undergo a rigorous credentialing process that guarantees the highest international standards of education, training, equipment, and patient centric care. Mexico hospital patients do not experience the restrictions on and rationing of healthcare through insurance premiums, policies penalizing for pre-existing conditions, claims denials, and out of pocket expenses. This results in high levels of service and patient satisfaction with their overall experience.

Americans can save thousands of dollars by seeking medical care in Mexico receiving the same high quality medical care they would expect in the U.S. at a fraction of the cost, and in a hospital that is modern, beautiful, and convenient to fly to from most major U.S. city airports.

In particular, the merging of medical care and tourism is a winning combination for patients seeking Wavefront Presbypopia LASIK surgery.

Affordable And Convenient Care

Medical travel, Mexico, includes 20 hospitals in major metropolitan areas throughout Mexico, including Tijuana, Juarez, Mexico City, Puebla, and Guadalajara. For most Americans, a Mexico hospital is just a quick direct flight into Mexico, San Diego, or El Paso where they enjoy airport to hospital pick-up service as part of their medical travel package. In addition, almost half of the United States population lives within driving distance of Mexico, making it a convenient alternative to American healthcare.

Medical travel, Mexico, agencies work with hotels and airlines to offer patients specially discounted rates. Instead of waiting months for a three-minute appointment with a Wavefront LASIK doctor in the United States, American medical travel patients choosing Presbypopia LASIK surgery in Mexico can save thousands by driving or flying to Mexico for the same care and prescription medications at a fraction what it would cost in the United States and enjoy a more innovative, effective treatment for presbypopia that may not receive FDA approval in the U.S. for years to come.