Thursday 19 December 2013

Costalegre Rotary Club Christmas Dinner & Dance 2013 - Fundraiser Event in Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico

Costalegre Rotary Club Christmas Dinner & Dance 2013

Fundraiser Event

Costalegre Rotary Club Christmas Dinner & Dance 2013 - Dec. 19th. - Fundraising Event. Barra de Navidad, Jalisco

MERRY CHRISTMAS

COSTALEGRE ROTARY CLUB

CHRISTMAS

 DINNER DANCE & AUCTION

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Ambar en Mar y Tierra

(across from jardin in Barra de Navidad)

No Host Bar 5:30 - 7:00

International buffet 7:00

Silent Auction throughout the evening

(auction will begin during cocktails)

Dancing to follow dinner

$500 pesos PER PERSON

Information & Tickets:

Grace Ryan 355-0129 or graceryan@live.ca

Lynette Garbarino 355-0114 or  hv3220@gmail.com

All Proceeds from this event go back into our local community!


Club Meetings: The Rotary Club Costalegre meetings are held every Wednesday at 9:00 am at the Cabo Blanco Hotel in Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico. Everybody is welcome!


CHRISTMAS DINNER, DANCE & AUCTION PICTURES
Some pictures of the great Rotary Club Costalegre Christmas Dinner, Dance & Auction held today at Ambar di Mare Restaurant in Barra de Navidad. The fundraiser event got a great response by the community as it sold out all 150 tickets!  

Rotary Club Costalegre - Christmas Dinner, Dance & Auction 2013 - Barra de Navidad, Jal.
Rotary Club Costalegre - Christmas Dinner, Dance & Auction 2013 - Barra de Navidad, Jal.
Rotary Club Costalegre - Christmas Dinner, Dance & Auction 2013 - Barra de Navidad, Jal.
Rotary Club Costalegre - Christmas Dinner, Dance & Auction 2013 - Barra de Navidad, Jal.
Rotary Club Costalegre - Christmas Dinner, Dance & Auction 2013 - Barra de Navidad, Jal.
Rotary Club Costalegre - Christmas Dinner, Dance & Auction 2013 - Barra de Navidad, Jal.
Rotary Club Costalegre - Christmas Dinner, Dance & Auction 2013 - Barra de Navidad, Jal.
Rotary Club Costalegre - Christmas Dinner, Dance & Auction 2013 - Barra de Navidad, Jal.



Monday 9 December 2013

Helping Indigenous Migrant Children Workers and their Families in Mexico - Asistencia a la Familia - Albergue Villa Pinal

Helping Indigenous Migrant Children Workers and their Families in Mexico

Albergue Villa Pinal 

"Asistencia a la Familia" 

More Than Just Feeding Indigenous Children

Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
"Son nuestros hermanos, nuestra sangre, todos tenemos algo de indígena, y en consecuencia, debemos asumir la responsabilidad de preservar su legado y garantizar sus derechos" / "They are our brothers, our blood, all of us have something indigenous, and therefore, we must assume responsibility in preserving their legacy and guarantee their rights"  Antropólogo, investigador de la filosofía e historiador cultural Miguel León Portilla, nombrado Premio Leyenda Viva por La Biblioteca del Congreso de Estados Unidos que será otorgado el próximo 12 de Diciembre, 2013 por primera vez a alguien de nacionalidad extranjera. Texto tomado del artículo publicado en: El Universal  

Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico

Click:  Miguel León-Portilla  To learn more about the anthropologist, historian, and the world's foremost authority on Náhuatl philology and philosophy most recently presented with the prestigious Living Legend Award by the Library of Congress. 

Following the example of Miguel León-Portilla and Fernando Benítez there are organizations in Mexico helping indigenous groups who live and work in the hardest of and poorest conditions. One of them is the Albergue of Pinal Villa.

The following information has been provided by Bruce Campbell: "  The Albergue of Pinal Villa in the hamlet of Pinal Villa, inland from Melaque, Jalisco in Mexico is a collection of buildings that serve as residences, a school, and a medical clinic for indigenous Mexicans families from the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca who migrate during the winter months to work picking crops in the fields around Melaque. 

The children of these families join the parents in picking crops and do not attend regular school hours.... The albergue help these families during the months the live in the area helping them to alleviate their very hard and poor living conditions.

The albergue and all services provided are managed by "Asistencia a la familia de Cihuatlan A.C." a charity registered with the Mexican government... The Albergue at Pinal Villa was constructed in 2008/2009. It has since served to house up to 16 families of the dozens who come to work in the area, plus to provide basic medical care for residents and rudimentary schooling for the children... "


How to Help:

For more information about Albergue at Pinal Villa and how to help email: Bruce Campbell brucecampbell001@gmail.com 
Click in the link for => "Villa Pinal Albergue" List of Needed Items  


Dr. Rosa and a hairdresser lady who come to help sometimes  - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
Dr. Rosa with a migrant child i her consultorio at the albergue clinic - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
Dr. Rosa Vivas Alcaraz the prime mover of the Albergue Villa Pinal who practices medicine in Melaque during the winter months. Dr. Rosa has attempted to insist that the children not work at all in the fields and attend school during the day.
 Community Kitchen - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
A New Time for Mexico by Mexican Writer Carlos Fuentes : "... The Indians of Mexico are part of our polycultural and multiracial community. To forget them is to forget ourselves and condemn ourselves to eventual oblivion..... " / Tiempo Nuevo Mexicano de Carlos Fuentes: "... Los indios de México son parte de nuestra comunidad policultural y multirracial. Olvidarlos es condenarnos al olvido de nosotros mismos ".

Carlos Fuentes artículo de El País  "... Fernando Benítez escribió sobre los indios a sabiendas de que muchos de ellos se estaban muriendo poco a poco, víctimas del abuso, la injusticia, la soledad, la miseria y el alcohol. La pregunta de Benítez nos concierne a todos: ¿Cómo salvar los valores de estas culturas, salvándolas de la injusticia? ¿Pueden mantenerse los valores del mundo indígena, lado a lado con los avances del progreso moderno y la norma nacional del mestizaje?  [] ...La lectura de Los indios de México (de Fernando Benítez) crea en nosotros la conciencia de que nuestros primeros habitantes son parte de nuestra comunidad policultural. La justicia que ellos reciban será inseparable de la que nos rija a nosotros mismos. [] ".


Dr. Rosa with Juan Rubio delegado in Villa Obregón filming a video for the local TV channel Canal 10 Melaque - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
Volunteers Roxane David, Mural Artist Ed Gillams and singer Miguel Ángel Pardo a volunteers musician - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
Hermila the albergue cook Kitchen volunteer  - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
Computer volunteer - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
Volunteer Bruce Campbell teaching kids about computers -  Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
typical casica kitchen inside of the tiny apartments -  Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
Inside f the tiny apartments - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
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Front of two apartments - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
Volunteer Michele Tomich talking about the Christmas posada for the children - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
New mural dedication  - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
Dr. Rosa showing the bathroom for girls - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico
Diet schedule - Albergue Villa Pinal Hostel for Indigenous Migrant Workers "Asistencia a la Familia A.C."  Melaque, Jal. Mexico








Saturday 26 October 2013

Lady of Guadalupe Festivities – Rosaries, Altars, Novenas, Floats and Parade, Pilgrimages in Barra de Navidad, Villa Obregon, Melaque and Cihuatlan

Lady of Guadalupe image in Tacos Johny Restaurant in Cihuatlan
One of the most important religious holidays in Mexico is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe (Virgen de Guadalupe) on Dec. 12th. The celebrations actually start 46 days before Dec 12th with the praying of the Rosary each day.

This is a recount of how the Lady of Guadalupe Festivity is celebrated in Barra de Navidad and surrounded villages of Villa Obregon, San Patricio Melaque and municipality city of Cihuatlan.


Lady of Guadalupe Altar / Altar a la Virgen de Guadalupe: An altar dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe is set up in the front of houses and businesses starting October 28th. Usually the altar is set up for people participating in the praying of the 46 Rosaries.
Virgen of Guadalupe altar at Sea Master Restaurant

46 Rosaries: Walking in the streets of Barra de Navidad in the evening you would probably have noticed groups of people gathering in front of an altar of the Lady of Guadalupe, these people are praying the Rosary. Barra de Navidad is divided in sectors, so, there are different groups of prayers of Rosary depending of the sector they belong. The Rosary pray is usually at 6:00 p.m. and when it finishes the host offers aguas frescas (refreshing beverages) or a small complimentary snack to the assistants. The group will collect 46 starts in the image of the Virgin. The image of the Lady of Guadalupe and the starts are taken on Dec 12th on pilgrimage by the group participants to the church.


Novenas: These are 9 Rosaries prayed 9 days before Dec 12th. People and most commonly children are dressed up as Chichimeca Indian San Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin with his `ayate` showing the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the front. Girls are dressed up with the Indian outfit similar to the one of the Chichimecas used to wear at the time when the miracle occurred. Villa Obregon also organizes a pilgrimage as part of the novena to the main church, praying of the Rosary and a mass after the Rosary.


Veladas: Cihuatlan has Veladas in different Barrios (sector of the city). In a Velada the image of Lady of Guadalupe of the Parroquia de la Santa Cruz (Main Church in Cihuatlan) is taken around 8:00 pm to `velarla` spend overnight in the barrio where a mass is celebrated. There are also danzas, and pozole and coffee are usually offered to the assistants. The image of the Lady of Guadalupe is taken back in a pilgrimage early in the morning to the main church and a mass is celebrated at 5:30 am.



Pilgrimage to Cihuatlan: Melaque, Barra de Navidad, Jaluco, Infonavit and El Aguacate participate in a pilgrimage that start around midnight to end very early in the morning around 5:00 am walking to Cihuatlan by the old road and then the highway. A mass is celebrated in the main church in Cihuatlan.


Pilgrimages in Cihuatlan (Peregrinaciones del Pueblo): There are individual pilgrimages in Cihuatlan of the different groups that also participate in the pilgrimage of Dec 12th. The individual pilgrimages start on Dec 1st. Some of the groups are taxi service, primary schools, children groups, banana field workers, bank employees.


Church Ringing Bells or Fireworks (Repique de Campanas y Cuetes): Church ringing bell in the Parroquia de la Santa Cruz from Dec 1st to Dec 12th is at 4:30 a.m. In Barra de Navidad, Melaque and Villa Obregon there are fireworks very early in the morning at around 5:00 a.m.

Mañanitas a la Virgen: Mañanitas (traditional songs dedicated as a birthday present very early in the morning) usually played by Mariachi bands is offered to the Lady of Guadalupe. In Cihuatlan is every day at 5:30 a.m. every day starting Dec 1st.

Cihuatlan



Dec 11th Midnight mass in the Parroquia de la Santa Cruz.

Dec 12th

9:00 a.m. First Communion Mass

11:00 a.m. Pilgrimage of the habitants

5:00 p.m. Floats and Danzas.

Floats show life scenes of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe.


Danzas are different groups of dancers dancing in pre-Columbian style and dressing either like Apaches or a mix of pre-Columbian and Hispanic dresses. They held flags with the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe or have this image printed in the outfit.

Some of the groups that participate in the Danzas are:

Danza de Los Plataneros

Danza de Los Plataneros


Danza del Amarillo
Danza del Amarillo

Danza de la Tecolotera (Colonia Miguel Hidalgo)

Danza de los Niños del Divino Nino



Danza de los Apaches

Danza del Chavarín

Locos de la Danza. Danzas in Mexico usually have at least one participant call Loco de la Danza. They represent the evil fighting against the dancers. In the danzas in Cihuatlan they are dressed up in costumes made with balloons, newspaper or banana leafs.
Loco de la Danza

Locos de la Danza with outfits mades of newpaper
Locos de la Danza with outfits mades of newpaper

8:00 Solemn Mass dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Blessing of Roses and Images.

After the mass there are traditional Mexican fireworks: "Castillos", "Toritos" and "Bombas".







The following will be updated soon: 
El Aguacate and Infonavit Community

Dec 11th

5:00 p.m. Rosary and pilgrimage to the church with Lady of Guadalupe images and starts

6:00 p.m. Mass



Jaluco

Dec 11th

6:00 p.m. Rosary and pilgrimage to the church with Lady of Guadalupe images and starts

7:00 Mass

Dec 12th

10:00 a.m. pilgrimage to the church with Lady of Guadalupe images and starts. The pilgrimage starts by the Bull Fighting ring in Jaluco.

10:45 a.m. Mass



Barrio San Felipe de Jesus in Barra de Navidad

Dec 11th

7:00 p.m. Rosary and pilgrimage to the small church in the Barrio with Lady of Guadalupe images and starts

8:00 p.m. Mass (joining Colonia Ejidal)

Dec 12th

9:30 a.m. Mass

Barra de Navidad

Dec 11th

8:00 p.m. Rosary and pilgrimage to the main church with Lady of Guadalupe images and starts in downtown Barra de Navidad

9:00 p.m. Mass (joining Colimilla)

Dec 12th

8:00 a.m. Mass

12:00 p.m. Mass

6:00 p.m. Pilgrimage and `Danzas` to the Barra de Navidad church with Lady of Guadalupe images and starts participating families of Barra de Navidad and Barrio San Felipe de Jesus. This pilgrimage starts in the high way by the foot ball field and ends in the Barra de Navidad church in downtown.

7:00 p.m. Mass

Visitng Barra de Navidad? Stay at Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas

Sunday 1 September 2013

¡Viva México!

¡Viva México!

Septiembre Mes de la Patria / September Month of our Homeland


¡Viva México!




Thursday 15 August 2013

The Beautiful Beaches of Navidad Bay - Barra de Navidad Beach

The Beautiful Beaches of Navidad Bay - Barra de Navidad Beach

Aerial View - Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas

Beautiful Beach Scenes of Barra de Navidad ........

Beach de Navidad Beach - Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas

Barra de Navidad is a small town located in the Navidad Bay, close to Manzanillo airport in the Mexican Pacific Coast.


Malecon - Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas


The Navidad Bay as well as Tenacatita Bay, Careyes Coast, Chamela Bay, Majahuas Coast and Cabo Corrientes is known as Costalegre.


Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas




Malecon - Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas


Barra de Navidad Beach - Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas


Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas


Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas


Windsurfing - Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas


Sailing boats, Barra de Navidad lagoon - Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas


Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas


Barra de Navidad lagoon - Mexican Pacific Coast - Barra de Navidad, Jal. - Vacation Rental Casa Las Margaritas


Barra de Navidad Vacation Rentals. Visiting Barra de Navidad? Stay at Casa Las Margaritas