Thursday, November 30, 2017

MAGNIFICENT MEXICO CITY




The drive to the National Museum of Anthropology from Condesa, a leafy, upscale neighborhood in Mexico City,  is normally a ten-minute one.  Because of a large farmers protest march on Reforma, a main artery of Mexico City, the ride took an hour and twenty minutes.  The following day, after a one-hour drive to Topototzlan, the drive back took forty minutes longer because of a taxi drivers protest march on Reforma. Taxistas were protesting Uber´s permission to pick up riders at the airport.
MANIFESTACIÓN EN LA CALLE REFORMA - MÉXICO
Allowed by a leftist-leaning government, protest marches take place approximately half the year in D.F. The traffic can be terrible, but it is the only thing not to love about this magnificent city of 23 million people.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY -  An extension of Chapultepec Park, this superb museum covering almost twenty acres is almost as impressive for its architecture as it is for the centuries of art and artifacts inside. 
The monumental building is a long rectangular courtyard with an enormous pond and exhibition halls ringed by gardens, many of which have outdoor exhibits of reproductions of ancient temples, wall paintings, etc.  The courtyard is partially covered by a gigantic, concrete "umbrella" supported by a single decorated column. 


EL ¨PARAGUAS" -  MUSEO NACIÓNAL DE ANTROPOLOGÍA  - MÉXICO
           THE CASTLE IN CHAPULTEPEC PARK  - EL CASTILLO 


It is a short walk across Reforma to "El Bosque de Chapultepec," the largest city park in Latin America.  The forested park, which supplies oxygen to Mexico City, covers 1,695 acres. Chapultepec Park contains ancient ruins, museums, a zoo, botanical gardens, a lake for boat rentals,  and set up on a rocky hill, Chapultepec Castle.  This is where the Emperor Maximilian and his wife Carlota lived and reigned from 1863 until 1867, when Maximilian was executed as an "usurper."  The history is fascinating.  
CASTILLO DE CHAPULTEPEC


Chapultepec Castle, now a museum, is filled with beautiful rooms containing gorgeous furnishings and stained glass windows.  Carlota´s bathroom, with its graceful, white marble bathtub, delicate floral wall tiles and peacock blue silk chaise, is the prettiest I´ve seen anywhere.  (Unaware of chamber pots, a curious tourist asked me why there wasn´t a toilet in the bathroom).
BAÑO DE CARLOTA - CASTILLO DE CHAPULTEPEC





TEPOTZOTLÁN is an easy hour´s drive to one of Mexicó´s "pueblos mágicos."   The reason to go, if one has some extra time, is an excellent museum comprised of the 17th century Jesuit  Iglesia de San Francisco Javier and its adjacent monastery. The 24 kt. gold leaf altars in the church and in the Capilla Doméstica are dazzling.




THE BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE is on the way to the pyramids,  and Alejandro ("Alex") Guillen, our guide and driver, suggested we make the stop.  Before the Spaniards arrived in 1519, indigenous people had been worshiping an important mother goddess at a temple on a small hill in what is now Mexico City.  In 1531, after the Spanish had destroyed the temple,  Juan Diego reported his three visions to the local bishop.  A chapel was subsequently built where the temple had once stood, and immediately attracted throngs of worshipers. 
THE OLD BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE.  IN THE BACKGROUND, ON THE SMALL HILL, IS THE CHAPEL BUILT  WHERE THE INDIGENOUS TEMPLE HAD ONCE BEEN.  LA BASILICA VIEJA Y ATRÁS, LA CAPILLA DÓNDE JUAN DIEGO VIÓ SUS VISIÓNES.



To accommodate the many pilgrims, work on a basilica began in 1695 and was completed in 1709.  Because Mexico City was built on a lake, the foundation of the old basilica is visibly sinking. The    modern basilica, completed in 1976, holds the original portrait of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the cloak of Juan Diego and ten thousand worshipers.  The circular floor plan allows everyone a view of the portrait.  
THE NOT-BEAUTIFUL NEW BASILICA NEXT TO THE OLD ONE.  LA NUEVA BASILICA A UN LADO DE LA VIEJA BASILICA - ESPACIO PARA 10,000 DEVOTOS.


TEOTIHUACAN - An hour´s drive from Mexico City and important to arrive early to avoid crowds.  Covering 11 square miles, Teotihuacan, at its zenith and with 125,000 inhabitants, was the largest city in Pre-Columbian America.  Connected by the Avenue of the Dead ("Calzada de los Muertos"), the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon were both constructed circa 300 AD.  The complex of Teotihuacan is all original - no reconstruction.


SON CHRISTIAN, WIFE AMY AND CHILDREN - JUST BEFORE CLIMBING THE PYRAMID OF THE SUN.  HIJO CRISTIAN, SU ESPOSA AMY Y  SUS TRES NIÑOS ANTES DE SUBIR EL PIRÁMIDE DEL SOL.
The weather was perfect, in the low 70´s, when we arrived about 10 in the morning, so climbing to the top of a pyramid wasn´t daunting.  In order to help protect the pyramids from deterioration, this is the last year that tourists will be able to climb up them.  My family and I chose the Pyramid of the Sun, because at 215 feet high and with 248 steps, it is the highest pyramid in the complex, would have the most dramatic views, and looked excitedly space age.  It was also the closest one to the parking lot we were using.  

PIRÁMIDE DEL SOL

The Pyramid of the Moon, at the north end of Tetihuacan,  is 141 feet high with a shape that mirrors the mountain ("Cerro Gordo") behind it.
VISTA DEL  PIRÁMIDE DE LA LUNA DEL PIRÁMIDE DEL SOL - VIEW OF THE PYRAMID OF THE MOON FROM THE PYRAMID OF THE SUN
AVENUE OF THE DEAD WALKING TOWARDS THE PYRAMID OF THE MOON  CALZADA DE LOS MUERTOS CAMINANDO HASTA EL PIRÁMIDE DE LA LUNA


The climb up three million tons of cobbled together stone was not a very strenuous one.  At the very top of the pyramid and having in mind human sacrifices  (knives inserted through the back between the fourth and fifth rib and a beating heart removed in seven seconds), there was a medium-size homeless dog lying peacefully in the sun.  Her teats indicated having nursed multiple litters of puppies and I wondered why she had climbed up 248 steps ... escaping from male dogs ... hoping for food... hoping to be taken home ... or simply an adventure. 

There are estimates of from 1 million to 5 million homeless dogs living in Mexico City.  
CALLEJERA TODA ARRIBA DEL PIRÁMIDE DEL SOL
Re Mexico City - We stayed in Condesa and visited nearby Roma,  neighborhoods reported as having been the most affected by the recent earthquake.  We only saw a few damaged or taped off buildings.  
  
I highly recommend Alejandro Guillen, former professor of anthropology and history at the University of Mexico as a guide.  "Alex" is not only extremely knowledgeable (he is the only guide in Mexico to receive the highest rating of "Distinctivo M" from the government),  he is charming and fun to spend time with.  aleguillen00@yahoo.com.mx   http://www.travel4life.com.mx/

SAN VICENTE, NAYARIT
SAN VICENTE, NAYARIT


Crossing over into the very nearby state of Nayarit, San Vicente is a 45-minute drive northeast of Vallarta.   We have visited this inland town several times in the past, and there are always lots of animals.  We were in a different place this time,  not in the town´s walled-in event location, but in an empty, two-story cinder block building three blocks east of the central plaza.  Thank you to Linda Stewart for organizing the clinic and to (Santa) Elena for helping find the location.  Elena was there when I arrived on Friday, and had  brought in a dozen animals that day.

(SANTA) ELENA -CLÍNICA EN SAN VICENTE, NAYARIT

STERILIZATIONS IN SAN VICENTE, NAYARIT - NOVEMBER 22-25: 

Male dogs - 19; Female dogs - 54; Male cats - 23; Female cats - 54  TOTAL:  150!
PLUS 1 pregnancy terminated for cat with 4 fetuses


WAITING FOR SURGERY - CLÍNICA EN SAN VICENTE - ESPERANDO CIRUGÍA


DONATIONS AT CLINIC IN SAN VICENTE:  1,800 pesos


RECUPERANDO DESPUÉS DE ESTERILIZACIÓN - CLÍNICA EN SAN VICENTE, NAYARIT - ON RECOVERY TABLE



THE CLINIC IN TOMATLÁN WAS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE FONDATION MARCHIG.   www.marchigtrust.org

The Marchig Animal Welfare Trust was established in 1989 by the late
Madame Jeanne Marchig of Geneva, because of her deep concern for nature and
animals and in memory of her husband, the painter Giannino Marchig.
The objects of the Trust are to protect animals and to promote and encourage practical work in preventing animal cruelty and the relief of animal suffering.

(Two grants were given - $5, 000 USD from the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust, headquartered in Scotland and $5,000 USD from the Fondation Marchig, headquartered in Switzerland.  After five previous clinics sponsored by Marchig @$1,800 USD, a $1,000 balance remained.  That amount paid for the sterilization of 83 cats and dogs.

TOTAL ANIMALS STERILIZED THANKS TO THE MARCHIG GRANT OF $10,000 USD = 800


STERILIZATIONS AT TOMATLÁN, CABO CORRIENTES - NOVEMBER 15-18:

FEMALE DOGS:  75; MALE DOGS - 36; FEMALE CATS - 55; MALE CATS;  46  TOTAL  212!!!

PLUS 1 pregnancy terminated for dog with 6 fetuses

DONATIONS AT TOMATLÁN CLINIC:  820 PESOS

DONATIONS TO PEACEANIMALS:

The Dahl Foundation - $10,000 USD

Hadene Klassnik - $100 USD - "In loving memory of CHARLIE GIRL - Dearest companion who will be missed so much. With all my love."

NOTE:  Sterilization cost per cat or dog for PEACEAnimals is approximately $11.35 USD.  Monthly donations in any amount from animal lovers will be a big help to the clinics.  Automatic bank payments are easy to set up via the internet.  Monthly checks also appreciated.  Please consider.



DR.PACHECO - CLÍNICA EN SAN VICENTE

The mission of PEACEAnimals is to end the future suffering of cats and dogs.  The most efficient way to do this is via a massive, free spay/neuter clinic.  In 2016, PEACEAnimals sterilized 5,403 cats and dogs.


FOR PHOTOS/NAMES OF RESCUED DOGS THAT NEED HOMES, THE ACOPIO HAS A CURRENT ROSTER THAT INCLUDES PHOTOS, NAMES DESCRIPTIONS.

PARA FOTOS,/NOMBRES Y INFORMACIÓN DE LOS PERROS EN EL CENTRO DE ACOPIO QUE NECESITAN HOGARES:

RAISING FUNDS AND VISIBILITY:  Three hundred PEACEAnimals blue mesh shopping/beach bags with,extra-long straps are now available. The PEACEAnimals logo and website are on one side and the familiar mermaid on the other.  Bags are 200 pesos each and  can be purchased at:
BOLSAS DE PEACEANIMALS EN VENTA

Lucy´s CuCu Cabana -295 Basilio Badillo (AFTER OCTOBER 25TH)

Choco Museo - Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez 128 in centro (across from the malecón)

Galeria Uno - 561 Morelos

Colleción la Bohemia  -  Constitución and Basilio Badillo

Cork & Bottle - Los Mercados - Aquiles Serdan 265

Charlie's Sport Fishing and Tours- Local 8B -Marina Vallarta

Galeria Dante - 269 Basilio Badillo 

La Cruz Inn - at the plaza in la Cruz, Nayarit

Macaria- Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez 129, between Morelos and the malecón.   

Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens (gift shop)

Salon Divas-  Melchor Ocampo 51 - Bucerias


DONATE WITHOUT SPENDING MONEY:  PEACEAnimals is able to receive donations from Amazon Smile under the umbrella of Banderas Bay Charities, Inc. Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organizations selected by their customers.  This is a very simple way to help fund our clinics:    https://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-4752247  Even simpler, long on to www.amazonsmile.com and type in Banderas Bay Charities, Inc. (PEACEAnimals receives all of these donations).

Troy Valens -  Owner of Sea Monkey and Cheeky Monkey restaurants - $10  USD gift certificates to Sea Monkey and Cheeky Monkey for "sharing" AmazonSmile post.



GREATERGOOD - PLEASE CLICK!  Your daily clicks or direct donations help animals, people and the planet. www.greatergood.orgwww.greatergood.com   To donate specifically to PEACEAnimals:  http://bit.ly/1cWY0lP


PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE, FB PAGE OR BLOG FOR NEW DATES AND LOCATIONS.FAVOR DE CHECAR NUESTRO WEBSITE, PÁGINA EN FB O BLOG PARA NUEVAS FECHAS Y HOGARES.  




LINDA STEWART, VOLUNTARIA - SAN VICENTE, NAYARIT 


SCHEDULE/HORARIO:



November 29-December 2 - La Peñita, Nayarit - Pets for Life 

December 6-9 - San Pancho, Nayarit - Pets for Life

December 13-16 - Bucerias, Nayarit- in the Bi-lingual Center - Pets for Life

VACACIÓNES/CHRISTMAS VACATION


January 3-6 - Parque los Coyules - Calle los Coyules- esquina Calle la Capilla - Barrio Santa María, Puerto Vallarta
January 10-13 - El Porvenir, Nayarit
January 17-20 - Puerto Vallarta - TBA
January 24-27 - San Blas, Nayarit - PETS FOR LIFE 
February
February 14-17 - el Tuito
March - Tomatlán, Cabo Corrientes
April


DESIGNATED LINE WITH RECORDING ADVISING LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS – ONLY IN SPANISH –
 (322) 113 3955
GATOS RECUPERANDO - CLÍNICA EN SAN VICENTE



TO REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE, CALL THE CENTRO DE ACOPIO - 322-223-3690 OR THE POLICE - 911 -  AND ASK FOR THE "GREEN PATROL" ("PATROLLA VERDE")

  

PETS FOR LIFE  SPECIAL  ONE-DAY CLINICS ARE HELD ON THE ISLA CUALE THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH.   CLINICS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION AT 7 AM.  
     
PETS FOR LIFE, A MEXICAN S.C. (BUSINESS),  IS PAID 4,500 PESOS FOR THE STERILIZATION OF 30 ANIMALS.  IF NUMBERS ARE GREATER,  INDIVIDUALS OR ANIMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.  
For each cat or dog over the number 30,  sponsors of the Sunday clinics will be charged 150 pesos.  To sponsor a Sunday clinic, please contact: shannon@bestonproperties.com


   PETS FOR LIFE ISLA CUALE CLINICS:

December - sponsored by the SPCAPV
January - sterilization of 30 animals sponsored by Steve Stowell
February - anonymous donor - plus 11 additional clinics -
 which totals 360 cats and dogs @ $3,250 USD
March - sponsored by PEACEAnimals board member, Trisha Aljoe

  The clinics take place in the cultural center on the first Sunday of every month.  Registration is at 7:30 AM.  The island is overrun with cats and kittens.

LOCATIONS NEEDED FOR CLINICS.  REQUIRED:  WATER, ELECTRICITY, BATHROOM AND PARKING AVAILABILITY.
CLÍNICA EN SAN VICENTE




NOTE:  PEACEAnimals, per our agreement with independent contractors, Pets for Life, is obliged to pay extra for driving time and gasoline for areas outside Puerto Vallarta.  We ask that private or government groups pay those extra expenses.


PEACEAnimals does not buy advertising or pay for posters, flyers, megaphone announcers or locations.  All monies raised go directly to actual costs of the clinics.  Dr. Poli, as director of PEACEAnimals, a Mexican AC  (non-profit) and Pets for Life, a Mexican SC (business), selects clinic locations.

All pet registration forms with signatures of owners or rescuers are submitted by Dr. Poli to the local department of health, with copies to PEACEAnimals.
.

JORGE, ASISTANTE - CLÍNICA EN SAN VICENTE


Clinic schedule, including directions and other clinic information are always on website:  www.peaceanimals.org,  on this blog and on the PEACEAnimals FaceBook page.




Please "like" PEACEAnimals on FaceBook.



LUNCH DONATIONS NEEDED FOR VET TEAM.



PEACEAnimals has a lunch budget of 70 pesos per vet team member (four persons) per day -  4 days a week. 
Please consider donating lunches for them, and please advise so we can create a lunch schedule. By having lunches donated, these savings can used for purchases of clinic supplies.


WE NEED VOLUNTEERS AT THE CLINICS.  We are almost always short on volunteers.  Please contact Leslie Caratachea via FB or infopeaceanimals@gmail.com - or just drop by.  
CLÍNICA EN SAN VICENTE, NAYARIT

FOR INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEERING: 
 http://www.peaceanimals.org/volunteer_1/volunteer_duties



WE NEED DONATIONS OF USED AND NEW KENNELS FOR CATS AND DOGS OF ALL SIZES.  WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE USED OR NEW COLLARS AND LEASHES TO DOG OWNERS WHO BRING THEIR PETS TO THE CLINICS.

                 
CLÍNICA EN SAN VICENTE, NAYARIT

    

If directions needed, please call our dedicated line (directions are only in Spanish) or refer to our website or this blog:   113 3955 

COST FOR ONE SURGERY WEEK CLINIC IS APPROXIMATELY $1,800 USD. 



PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION VIA CHECK, CREDIT CARD, PAYPAL, BEQUEST OR STOCK TRANSFER.  Note:  Stocks are transferred at full value without the donating stock owner being taxed.



PEACEANIMALS VET TEAM - EL EQUIPO DE PEACEANIMALS - DR. ANTHONY, LESLIE, DR. POLI Y DR. PACHECO


PEACEAnimals is under the umbrella of Banderas Bay Charities, Inc.,  a US 501 (c)(3) charity located in Portland, Oregon.  



Please make payments payable to either BBC INC or Banderas Bay Charities, Inc.  Donations are tax deductible and should be earmarked for PEACEAnimals.



Banderas Bay Charities, Inc (BBC, Inc) offers tax-deductible receipts in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Amy Welch, Secretary-Treasurer amywelchpdx@comcast.net
505 N Tomahawk Is Dr  Portland, OR 97217    
503 285 4007


THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS:























THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT.






Gretchen DeWitt – President – Board of Directors
gretchen@peaceanimals.org
https://www.facebook.com/PeaceAnimals
###########################################
http://www.peaceanimals.org/espa_ol



Los animales no necesitan tener una camada para completar su ciclo vital, puesto que no existe una relación consciente con la reproducción como parte necesaria de su bienestar emocional.

PARA FOTOS,/NOMBRES Y INFORMACIÓN DE LOS PERROS EN EL CENTRO DE ACOPIO QUE NECESITAN HOGARES:




PARA REPORTAR ABUSO A LOS ANIMALES- LLAME  A LA POLICA - 911 - Y PIDA LA PATROLLA VERDE o al centro de acopio   293 3690


 
LINEA DESIGNADA PARA DIRECIÓNES Y COMO LLEGAR (EN ESPAÑOL) A LAS CLÍNICAS CADA SEMANA:   (322) 113 3955







NECESITAMOS LUGARES PARA NUESTRAS CLÍNICAS EN COLONIAS Y PUEBLOS. PRECISO:   BAÑO, ELECTRICIDAD, AGUA Y PARA ESTACIONARSE.






INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL SOBRE LA ESTERILIZACIÓN PARA MASCOTAS Y LAS CLÍNICAS GRATIS EN NUESTRO WEBSITE - www.peaceanimals.org



NECESITAMOS SU APOYO.  FAVOR DE DONAR ALMUERZOS PARA NUESTRO EQUIPO. NOS CUESTA 1,120 PESOS LA SEMANA PARA NUESTRO EQUIPO DE 4 PERSONAS.   CON SUS DONACIÓNES DE COMIDA, PODEMOS USAR ESTE DINERO PARA SUMINISTROS.   FAVOR DE CONFIRMAR CUÁL DÍA DE LA SEMANA PUEDEN.  LESLIE VA HACER EL HORARIO PARA ALMUERZOS.  GRACIAS.

 TAMBIÉN NECESITAMOS VOLUNTARIOS, POR FAVOR.

http://www.peaceanimals.org/espa_ol/protocolo_para_voluntarios

GRACIAS POR SU INTERÉS Y SU APOYO.


Gretchen DeWitt – Presidente de la mesa directiva
gretchen@peaceanimals.org




https://www.facebook.com/PeaceAnimals

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