What's New?
May & June, 2008

Exhibition of "Calendar Girls" at Casa Catherwood:
In the years following the Mexican Revolution, modern advertising took root across the country and helped to foster a new, united national identity by including Mexican cultural symbols on a wide range of packaging and promotion – foremost, the popular calendar. In the heyday of calendar production, from the 1930s to the 1960s, talented Mexican artists produced hundreds of painting for calendars on a range of subjects, from celebrations of Mexican cultural heritage to racy pin-up girls, covering lots of ground in between. Many of these images still adorn Mexican calendars today.
In Mexican Calendar Girls, author Angela Villalba has drawn on years of research to present the history and social circumstances behind these delightful calendars, profile the companies and artists who created them, and collect and reproduce more than 150 of the most famous, rare, and beautiful calendar images.
www.casa-catherwood.com

Easy Orchids to Save the Sea Turtles - June 7th
Learn about Cultivating Yucatan’s Orchids at Casa Catherwood
When: Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 1 p.m.
Where: Casa Catherwood, Calle 59 #572 x 72 and 74
Why: A Benefit on behalf of Pronatura’s Program to Save the Sea Turtles
Orchids: The Yucatan is filled with orchids, and Joann Andrews will share three decades of wisdom in cultivating and growing the orchids of the Yucatan. Which are appropriate for your terrace, your garden or your home? Come learn all about the wonderful orchids of the Yucatan and how you can bring their beauty into your home!

All About the Sea Turtles Save the Sea Turtles
The Easy Orchids seminar will benefit Pronatura’s program to Save the Sea Turtles. The $150 peso contribution is a way of helping the Yucatan’s largest conservation group get out there and do their work to protect the sea turtles that will son arrive on the shores of our peninsula to lay their eggs – help us save the next generation of sea turtles.Come join us – seating is limited, so please sign up by sending an email to
Email: info@casa-catherwood.com
www.casa-catherwood.com
Calle 59 No. 572 between calles 72 & 74
Barrio de Santiago, downtow

Events & Ativities Calendar
Click Here for a complete description of the activites, events and attractions in the Yucatan.

Nature’s Wonders Arrive at Casa Catherwood
Butterflies, Insects, Moths, Tarantulas, Beetles, Walking Sticks, and more!
Exotic specimens, beautifully encased in glass shadow boxes, are now in stock at Casa Catherwood, by popular demand.
All specimens sold died natural deaths at laboratories working in tropical forests around equatorial nations. The are here in stock beginning this Friday, April 25th!
Email: info@casa-catherwood.com
www.casa-catherwood.com
Calle 59 No. 572 between calles 72 & 74
Barrio de Santiago, downtown

Group coaching for foreigners living in Merida
Moving from your home country to a new one could be an excellent way to make big changes in yourself, a very exciting and rich experience, a great chance to build a new life. However, it can also be a hard process of adaptation. Immigration includes many things. Not only the learning of new customs and culture. You'll also need to create new social support, new friends, new networks. Sometimes even to create a new life project. All these may be big challenges. Besides, isolation and sadness are issues immigrants usually have to deal with. One way you can face these situations easily and faster is becoming a member of a Group coaching for foreigners living in Merida. In a group like this you'll be able to clarify what you want in your life in our country, to set certain goals you'd like to reach, to establish an action plan to get them and to receive support in the process to accomplish them. Coaching is a self-development process where an important alliance is created between two people: the client, who wants to make changes, reach certain goals in his life, and a coach, who is an expert helping people to build a gap from where they are to where they want to be. When you have the experience to be coached in a group many resources maybe enhanced. To reach your goals maybe an easier and more satisfactory process. You'll meet people a little behind and a little ahead of you in their journey and they may become an important support and resource for you to get what you want. If you are interested in participate in one of these coaching groups for foreigners get in touch with Silvia Bobadilla Rosado Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Personal Coach www.silviabobadilla.com to phone 9416749, cell 9999 70 06 03 or send an e-mail to silviabobadilla@hotmail.com

Promotions & Discounts
Click here to get the best deals for your visit in the Yucatan.

What Yucatecans Eat
Hacienda Ochil has a new buffet called What Yucatecans Eat - a very unique idea. Ochil is the perfect place to include on your day trip to Uxmal and/or the Puuc Route or a great place to just drive out to for a nice lunch during the week or on the weekend. Try their authentic chocolomo, beef chilaquiles, mondongo, lentil potaje (stew), black beans and pork (frijol con puerco), two meat stew (puchero.) Ochil is a colonial hacienda that has been lovingly and exquisitely restored. Visit the museum, handcraft workshops, gift shop, take a ride on the train and don’t forget your bathing suit so you can take a dip in the hacienda pool.

Whale Shark Watching
Whale shark watching time is once again upon us! From May to the end of September, these impressive, gentle, enormous (30 by 50 foot long) sea creatures hang out around Holbox.

Promotions & Discounts
Click here to get the best deals for your visit in the Yucatan.

New Store
Alma Mexicana, translation: Mexican Soul. Shopping for the heart & home. Emporium opens June 2008. We offer a unique collection of: fine handcrafted Mexican folk art, exclusive home decor pieces, lighting & furniture, unusual gifts, Day of the Dead art, tour guide books & interesting curios. Explore our delicious gourmet section full of seductive Mexican coffee & chocolate, Mayan honey, pure vanilla, zesty salsas & local spices, Cuban cigars & special limited reserve Tequila, all great souvenirs. Receive 10% discount off cash purchases. We are located in the beautiful grand old colonial ‘Canton’ home, on the corner of Calle 54 & 55. Calle 54 #476 x 55 & 57 Centro tel +52.999.923.4711 info@almamexicana.com

Rental Car Promotions
Alamo car rental has two promotions going: free night for rentals of two days or more and 4th day free in three day rentals. Hotel Hyatt agency 925 5433, airport 946 2255 and toll free 01 800 718 1556.

New Merchandise
Hotel MedioMundo just received a new shipment of Guatemalan bedspreads and pi-llow covers. They also have a new selection of earrings made with silver and exotic natural stones and crystals. And, they still feature crafts from Michoacan and Oaxaca. Calle 55 between 64 and 66. Open 10 am – 9 pm daily. www.hotelmediomundo.com

Events & Ativities Calendar
Click Here for a complete description of the activites, events and attractions in the Yucatan.

Summer Spanish Courses
Study Spanish at CIS (Centro de Idiomas del Sureste.) Yucatan Summer Institute courses are for students with either an intermediate or advanced level of Spanish. Take an all-inclusive course for 2 or 4 weeks of class, 5 hours a day. Plus, study Mexican and Yucatecan literature and Maya culture and archaeo-logy. Home stays include free air conditioning in the bedrom if you enrolL in the May or June classes. Classes start on June 30, end on July 11(2 weeks) or July 25 if 4 weeks. CIS Centro Calle 52 # 455 between 49 & 51 downtown, two blocks from Paseo Montejo and seven blocks from the Main Plaza. Ask about our Spanish Total Immersion course and our Spanish Made Easy course for residents.
Click here to read about language schools in the Yucatan.

Promotions & Discounts
Click here to get the best deals for your visit in the Yucatan.

100% Mexico
100% Mexico is a Fonart franchise that helps Mexican artisans to preserve their domestic and traditional art form. Merida is lucky to have one of these shops at the entrance to the Paseo Montejo in the Hotel Casa San Angel. Come see the finer, hand made, unique creations of the artisans from 32 states in the Mexican republic. They offer black pottery from Oaxaca, talavera from Puebla, alebrijes from the state of Mexico and hammered copper from Michoacan to name a few.

Peninsula Residents Special
Hacienda X-Canatun has a great oferta during May and June for residents of Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Campeche. For only $2,150 pesos (+ taxes) you will stay in a Superior Room (upgrade if available). The package includes a bottle of sparkling French wine, 1 anti-stress massage per person per stay, and an Xcanatún breakfast for 2. For everyone who wants to take a break and enjoy a hacienda stay, this is a great opportunity.
www.xcanatun.com

Jazz at La 68 - May 22nd
Artist: Armando Martin
When: Thursday May 22nd
Where: Calle 68 #470A x 55 Downtown
Tel. 924 9540
Time: 9:00 PM
General entrance fee: $40 pesos

Victoria Day! - May 24th
Come Celebrate Her Majesty's Birthday
Host: Luca Cuturi Iguana Blanca
Location: Casa Frederick Catherwood
Calle 59 No. 572 x 72, Merida
When: Saturday, May 24, 6:00PM
May 24 is Victoria Day! We celebrate with Canadians everywhere!
The Making of a Holiday - Victoria Day
On May 24th,1819, Queen Victoria was born. Every May 24th Canada celebrates her birth. In the 1900's Canadians celebrated it as Empire Day. The name changed to Commonwealth Day, in 1947. May 24, Queen Victoria's birthday, was then declared a holiday by the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1845.
So there it is! If you are Canadian and you are in Merida, come celebrate Victoria Day on May 24 th.
SHOW US CANADIAN IDENTIFICATION (DRIVER'S LICENSE, PASSPORT) AND IT IS 2 FOR 1 BEER OR WINE ALL EVENING!!!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee! God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
Our menu is online at:
www.casa-catherwood.com/bistro.html
Come toast to Her Majesty's well-being!

Casa Catherwood Bistro opens - May 16th at 5 pm
We open for DINNER on FRIDAY, May 16 at 5 PM
Host: Luca Cuturi Iguana Blanca
Location: Casa Frederick Catherwood
Calle 59 No. 572 x 72, Merida Other |
When: Friday, May 16, 5:00PM
Finally! After a few days delay getting all the ingredients delivered, we are set to open, Friday, May 16, 2008 at 5 p.m. for dinner!
Our hours of operation will be 5 p.m. to Midnight, Monday to Saturday. We will also have menu for delivery of takeout, but for now, please come join us for a great meal!
Bravo to everyone who has helped get us into Santiago!
Our menu can be viewed here:
http://casa-catherwood.com/bistro.html

Yoga for Kids - Tuesdays
Claudia and Danae invie you and your kids to enjoy the pleasure of the practice of yoga. Kids fom 5 to 9 years old are welcome every Tuesday from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm at Calle 11 #206 corner of 26 Col. Garcia Gineres (infront of CIS language school). For more information:
Cel. 044-999-127-0304
Email: claudiacirco@gmail.com

Promotions & Discounts
Click here to get the best deals for your visit in the Yucatan.

Mayan Getaway
Chichen Service offers Yucatan Today readers over a $100 savings on: 1-night stay for two adults in a double guestroom at Hacienda Chichen & Yaxkin Spa, 2 Mayan breakfasts, private gated parking, all taxes and your choice of a Holistic Ritual Combo at Yaxkin Spa per person: Pepen & Su-uk or Nicte Ha & Pakal. Hacienda Chichen’s Honeymoon Guest-room (one Queen bed) $165 US per person or the Master Suite with one King bed or two double beds $175 US per person. Special packages for new reservations only based on double occupancy. Reservations: info@chichenservices.com or call us in Mexico: 52 (999) 920 8408 or US & Canada Toll Free 1 877 631 4005. Chichen Service is an active donor to the Maya Foundation In Laakeech’s Maya Children Nutrition Program.
Valid May 15 to July 15. Yucatan Today readers will have a welcome cocktail added as a courtesy of ours. Limited bookings available.
www.chichenservice.com

Organic Coffee, Etc.
Looking for organic goodies that include co-ffee, jellies and jams plus body oil, soap, cream, gel, repellent or shampoo? Need Neem capsules? Visit Café Organico and you’ll find it all. Calle 33D shop 1 by Reforma Ave between Cupules and Colon, by the shady trees. Tel. 925 2831. Open 9am – 7:30pm Monday – Friday; Saturday 9am – 2:30pm.

City Tour Valladolid
Visit 6 neighborhoods and 11 sites of interest in Valladolid on the colorful open-air Carnavalito city tour buses. Departures from the Main Plaza at 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm. $75 pesos. You will see the Zaci cenote, San Bernadino Monastery, Frailes de Calzado street, etc. Bi-lingual in English and Spanish.

Events & Ativities Calendar
Click Here for a complete description of the activites, events and attractions in the Yucatan.

Tropical Sorbets
Café Organico now has sorbet made with tropical fruits such as coconut, lemon, mamey, nance, pineapple, pitahaya, tamarind, zapote plus the traditional cream flavors that are delicious and refreshing for your parties and reunions. Café Organico Calle 33D shop 1 by Reforma Ave between Cupules and Colon, by the shady trees. Tel. 925 2831. Open 9am – 7:30pm Monday – Friday; Saturday 9am – 2:30pm.

Delicious Aged Beef Cuts
Casa de Piedra at Hacienda X-Canatun is promoting their great new cuts of aged beef and their traditionally always fresh selection of fish. Located just north of town off the Merida to Progreso highway, fine dining is guaranteed at Casa de Piedra.

Events & Ativities Calendar
Click Here for a complete description of the activites, events and attractions in the Yucatan.

New PDC Beach Club
Bang Club is the new beach club at the Holiday Inn Express Playacar in Playa del Carmen. Bang Club is located right on the spectacular Caribbean Sea between Calle 4 and 6 - just one block from 5th Ave. There is shuttle service for their guests

Resident's Discount
Holiday Inn Express is offering a special discount during May and June to residents of the state of Yucatan. For more info, call the hotel at 984-206-3434 or toll free 01-800-000-3434. Holiday Inn Express Playacar Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

House & Garden Tours
The House & Garden Tours offered by Merida English Library are taking a break for the summer and will begin again in October. Keep They thank all who supoorted this fundraiser and look forward to the next season.

Anniversary Cocktail
Toh Boutique at Hacienda Chichen invites you to its anniversary cocktail party on May 20, 2008 starting at 5pm. Come and cele-brate with us! Yucatan Today readers will have a special token of appreciation: any purchases of $100 USD or more will receive a 10% discount courtesy. Toh Boutique is an active donor to the Maya Foundation In Laakeech’s Maya Children Nutrition Program, please visit our social volunteer website: www.yucatanadventure.com.mx

Events & Ativities Calendar
Click Here for a complete description of the activites, events and attractions in the Yucatan.

Free Yoga Class
With Claudia Guerrero. She is certified by Dona Holleman at Centered Yoga Italy and by the Herta Rogg Foundation a lyengar method in Mexico City. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm at Calle 11 #206 corner of 26 Col. Garcia Gineres (infront of CIS language school). For more information call Cel. 044-999-27-0304 or email claudiacirco@gmail.com Class is in Spanish.

House Call Doctor
There is nothing worse than feeling sick while on vacation. If you do feel under the weather, call Dr. Pablo Ribas, a professional medical care expert with years of experience in travel medicine. He will go to your hotel or ha-cienda room. 100% English. Wheelchair rental and annual check-ups. Call: 9991 72 4772.

Promotions & Discounts
Click here to get the best deals for your visit in the Yucatan.

Inauguration of El Dragon Sabio Art Gallery - May 21
Wednesday May 21st at 8pm we inaugurate the new instalations of our gallery located on calle 13a #231 corner of Calle 22 in colonia Itzimná (behind Gran Chapur circuito colonias.)

XIV Biennial of Painting
MACAY Museum invites you to participate in the XIV Biennial of Painting Rufino Tamayo. The work reception limit date is July 11, 2008. Visit the following link to lear the bases for the event: www.museotamayo.org

Tell your story
We are interested in articles, stories, experiences, knowledge and advice! Tell our readers where you've traveled, what you've learned, what you love and what you think other people need to know about to make the most of their trip to the Yucatan. Send to info@yucatantoday.com We will give all writers credit for their submissions. Contact us!

Write for us
We are always open to articles from our readers. If you have gone on a special trip or have something to share that will be of interest to our readers, contact us at info@yucatantoday.com with up to 500 words. Our readers love up-to-date info on prices, distances, schedules, experiences. Our deadline is the 25th of the month. We will give you credit if and when we publish your article. Contact us!

www.yucatantoday.com
Did you know that Yucatan Today comes in two versions? We have the printed version with 15,000 copies a month and the online version with 90,000 visits in February. The online version is kind of like the archives of the printed version and is a wealth of info.

What's New - last month
Click Here for a complete description of all the new happenings in the city of Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Events & Activities Calendar
Click Here for a complete description of the activites, events and attractions in the Yucatan.

To read in Spanish click here