September 16th , 2009 Page 2

Happy 37th anniversary to Gary and Sharon Rohaly who celebrated it at Rincon de guayabitos...they have been coming down for 27 years.

Prepaid Credit Cards Used to Move Funds to Mexico, and It's Legal
Chris McDaniel - The Yuma Sun
go to original
September 14, 2009

Taking $100,000 in bills is illegal, while taking $100,000 in a cash card is not.

Smugglers have found an easier way to export illegal funds to Mexico: prepaid credit cards.

Tucson, Arizona - Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said there are currently no federal laws regulating such cards, allowing money to be laundered with incredible ease and without violating the law.

"This trend has been around for a long time, and our anti-money-laundering program, as far as I'm concerned, is just full of holes," Goddard said. "One of the biggest holes is what we call stored-value cards. Most people think of them as gift cards, but these are gift cards on steroids. Users can put millions of dollars on them if they have a financial institution that is willing to honor them, and easily take them into Mexico."

Goddard said most of the cards are issued by offshore banks in countries such as the Dominican Republic, the Cayman Islands and Panama.

"I can say safely there are not many of these cards that are actually involving United States-regulated financial institutions," he said. "They are issued offshore, but loaded up in this country. These cards have a service where people can go to a 7-11 and load a certain amount of money on a card and then have it withdrawn in Mexico. There is nothing to stop them from taking that card into Mexico."

Goddard said there is almost no accountability with these cards, because nobody sees who is doing it.

"One of the most important parts of money laundering is anonymity," he said. "The thing that bothers me most about these cards is they can be loaded anonymously or by using a pseudonym. This is another way to facilitate the illegal movement of cash across the border."

Goddard said a person possessing a prepaid card doesn't have to declare whether the card is worth more than $10,000, which he would have to do if he were carrying hard currency.

"You would think it would come under the $10,000 limit imposed under federal law, but it doesn't because the Treasury has never determined a stored-value card to be a monetary instrument under federal regulations," he said. "They can take a million dollars on one of those little cash cards across the border, and even if they are stopped and law enforcement discovered it was a million-dollar card, it would not be in violation of anything. It is totally legal."

Goddard said it's much easier to find and seize cash at the border.

"There has been a lot of southbound traffic of hundred-dollar bills, but that can be circumvented by simply loading the hundreds into a cash card and carrying the card across. Taking $100,000 in bills is illegal, while taking $100,000 in a cash card is not."

Goddard said law enforcement should focus on ways to stop this form of money laundering.

"It seems our goal should be to do everything in our power to stop it," he said. "The cartels are not operating because they love the work, but because it is really, really profitable. Anything we can do to cut off the cartels' source of money is a way to stop violence in Mexico and violence that comes across the border."

Goddard said he would like to create a regulation making prepaid cards a monetary instrument under the law.

"That would mean taking more than $10,000 across the border into Mexico (on a prepaid card) would be illegal. I would also like to make the cards accessible to law enforcement."

Mexico: From A to Z
Andrew McCredie - The Vancouver Sun
September 15, 2009

With airfare and accommodation deals too good to pass up, there's never ben a better time to visit Mexico. (IFStudios)

Premier Gordon Campbell would do well to headhunt a public relations person or two from Tourism Mexico. After all, can there be anyone who has suffered the slings and arrows of misfortune more in the past year than the Latin American country's tourism industry?

The industry's struggles make the Liberals' ballooning deficit and deflating approval rating issues seem pretty tame by comparison. First, a worldwide economic downturn of unprecedented scope decimated the number of international travellers visiting the country; then a tiny Mexican village became ground zero for a swine flu pandemic; and now hurricanes and all-around nasty weather batters its Pacific coastline.

Once the skies clear, just as they have for centuries, the Mexican people will rebuild and come back better and stronger than ever.

As the industry heads into an all-important winter season, an improving global economic outlook should help their effort, as should airfare/accommodation deals too good for Canadian travellers to pass up.

If that's not enough, here's a list from A to Z of what the country has to offer.

Archeology

Get in touch with your inner Indiana Jones at any number of archeological sites, featuring pyramids, caves, lost cities and sacred sacrificial bogs. Catch one of the ancient wonders of the New World at Chichen Itza, especially during the spring or fall equinoxes when the sun's light creates a slithering serpent descending the Temple of Kukulkan. Simply otherworldly.

Beaches

Of course, reading about ancient civilizations is almost as good as being there, and there's no better place to soak up some scholarship and the sun than a Mexican beach. My personal favourites run along the Pacific Ocean, as surf big and small is never far away, and there's nothing like falling asleep to the sound of rolling waves.

Cancun/Cabo

The bona fide Spring Break capitals of Mexico - if not the world - the double shot of Cancun and Cabo San Lucas is party central from January through May. Tens of thousands of college students descend on the beaches and bars of these built-to-party resorts to blow off semester stresses. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Diego Rivera

Just as the Group of Seven's stark, desolate style defines the Canadian experience, Diego Rivera's paintings define Mexico's. Much of his great works are found throughout the world's top museums and galleries, however, Mexico City's Museo Dolores Olmedo is home to a treasured Rivera collection and one well worth a visit.

Ecotourism

Sure it's a rather contrived buzzword, but ecotourism is a vibrant part of Mexico's tourism business, and judging from the ever-increasing number of operators going green, it isn't going away any time soon. One of the best tours is the Sian Ka'an Biosphere, located on the Mayan Riviera in the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean.

Festivals/fiestas

If there's one thing Mexicans love to do it is party, and the nation's calendar is littered with fiestas. Festivals large and small take place throughout the year and throughout the country. You've still got time to book a flight to Mexico City to catch El D�a de los Muertos, the spooky Day of the Dead festival, on Nov. 2 in the city's Mixquic suburb. Once a village in its own right, it retains its rural roots and its Day of the Dead celebration is said to be one of the most colourful.

Golf

The game of golf's global explosion the past two decades has left an indelible imprint on Mexico, with some 150 courses scattered throughout the country. For a memorable golf holiday, check out El Tamarindo Beach & Golf Resort, located between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta in a 2,040-acre nature preserve. The thing about this luxury resort is even if you don't golf, you'll be blown away by the lush and undeveloped setting.

H1N1

Taking a page or two from Tourism Canada's playbook following the SARS outbreak of 2003, Mexico has been on full damage control since spring, when the so-called swine flu devastated the all-important tourism business. The upshot? Great deals for Canadian travellers. And wash your hands.

Isla Mujeres

Located a dozen kilometres from the party capital of Mexico, this tranquil island couldn't be more different from the nearby Spring Break Mecca of Cancun. Just seven kilometres long and 650 metres wide, Isla Mujeres is a great place to chill out for a day or totally unwind for a week.

Jalape�o

The little chili that launched a million heartburns is cultivated in a number of places in Mexico, but the Papaloapan River basin is where it was traditionally produced by the townspeople of Xalapa.

Kissing

Latin American countries are renowned for their homegrown lovers, but its not difficult for visitors to Mexico to find a little love in the air. Long a honeymoon destination, the country is ripe for romance.

Lime

What is it about putting a lime in a pint that makes even a rainy night in a Vancouver lounge seem a little bit of Mexico? Nearly 15 per cent of the world's limes come from Mexico, and with the fruit growing virtually everywhere in the country.

Mayan Riviera

Few stretches of waterfront anywhere in the world offer the diverse range of experiences that this 132-kilometre tourist corridor does. There are Mayan ruins in Tulum at one end, at the other a Hooters restaurant in Cancun; there are all-inclusive luxury resorts just minutes from the quaint seaside town of Playa del Carmen; and there are five-star restaurants where a dinner jacket is required and beachside stands that serve you barefoot.

National Palace

Built more than a century before the Palace of Versailles, the National Palace in Mexico City sits on a site that has served as the seat of power since the Aztec Empire. Fittingly, the main stairwell mural painted by Diego Rivera is entitled The Epic of the Mexican People.

Oaxaca

The Free and Sovereign State of Oaxaca has more than 250 kilometres of accessible beaches, but it's the colonial architecture in the capital city of Oaxaca that brings camera-toting tourists to this Pacific Coast state by the planeload.

Pesos

With the loonie translating to roughly 12 pesos currently, coupled with the fact the country's reeling tourist industry has slashed prices across the board, there's plenty of value for the Canadian dollar.

Quesadillas

There's not a Vancouver tap house worth its salsa that doesn't have this Mexican dish on the menu, but as the old saying goes, "Ain't nothing like the real thing, amigo." Best one I ever had was at an outdoor restaurant in the busy town centre of Manzanillo.

Riviera Nayarit

Located just north of Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast, this new luxury resort community has quickly, and somewhat quietly, become the place to play golf in Mexico. No fewer than six championship courses are within an hour's drive of one another, and later this month the Jack Nicklaus-designed Punta Mita Pacifico course hosts a Canadian Professional Golf Tour event, the Riviera Nayarit Classic.

Scuba/surfing

From the world-class diving sites off Cozumel to the Pacific Ocean swells off Puerto Escondido, Mexico is heaven for those who like to dive below the waves and those who like to ride them. Most resorts offer scuba certification courses for beginners, while surf schools can be found up and down the Pacific coastline.

Tourism

As integral to Mexico's economy as natural resources are to Canada's, international tourism to the country has taken a battering the past year for reasons it can't control. But with more than one out of every 10 Mexican employed directly in the industry, the country is pouring resources into promoting itself around the world.

UNESCO

Mexico ranks first in the Americas and eighth in the world for the number of sites recognized in recent years by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. No fewer than 26 sites have UNESCO endorsement for their historical, cultural and natural significance.

Veracruz

Home to the highest point in Mexico - the 5,363-metre volcano Citalt�petl - the State of Veracruz is also home to the oldest still-standing Catholic chapel built in the Americas (in the village of La Antigua).

Whale watching

The Pacific Ocean off Mexico is a major whale highway, and an increasing number of tour operators are providing opportunities for tourists get close to these creatures. Mid-December to March is prime whale watching season, and with some tour operators using spotter planes to locate the massive marine mammals, your chances are good.

Xcaret Eco Park

Imagine if Walt Disney built a Mayan ecological theme park and you'll have some idea what this place is all about. Featuring the flora and fauna of the Mexican southeast, including sea turtles, manatees and spider monkeys, the main attraction is a massive water park that lets you swim with dolphins and other marine life. Great for families.

Yucatan peninsula

Rich in history and culture, the Yucatan peninsula was home to the ancient Maya and boasts two of the greatest archeological sites in all of Mexico - Chichen Itza and Tulum.

Zihuatanejo

This laid-back Pacific Coast community is part fishing village, part beach resort and is the ideal place to recharge for a week or so. For a great dining experience, check out Coconuts. And if the urge strikes for some Jell-O shooters and techno, the bright lights of Ixtapa are just a cab ride away.

Hospitals & Expats Push for Medicare in Mexico
PVNN

As the cost of health care in the U.S. continues to rise, Mexico's quality and affordable medical services are becoming increasingly attractive. However, since Medicare fails to cross the border at this time, it�s very difficult for many seniors to abandon the free medical care that they're entitled to in the U.S.

"Approximately 200,000 of the 800,000 American citizens living in Mexico are over 60 years old and thus are at or near eligibility for Medicare benefits," says Paul Crist, the founder and president of Americans for Medicare for Mexico, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing Medicare coverage to seniors living in Mexico.

Under the current system, an American who chooses to retire outside of the United States must travel back for medical care in order to access the Medicare benefits for which he/she is eligible. This process is both burdensome and inefficient - delaying treatment and incurring expensive travel costs even though medical treatment is typically less expensive locally.

The good news is that the Jalisco state government and private groups such as the Association for Private Hospitals in Jalisco are also promoting the advancement of Medicare for expats living abroad, according to a recent article in the Guadalajara Reporter:

"The rising cost of health care in the United States is forcing an increasing number of U.S. citizens to turn their sights on Mexico for expert and cost-effective medical attention.

Research done by the Association for Private Hospitals in Jalisco reveals that of the 21.5 million tourists who visited Mexico in 2006, about 160,000 � mostly Americans � came for medical attention.

"We hope to increase medical tourism by seven percent each year, a goal we believe is easily attainable," says Dr. Dagoberto Garcia Mejia, the association�s president and the director of the Lomas Providencia Hospital in Guadalajara.

The Jalisco state government also sees the benefits from promoting medical tourism and recently announced it would be investing $4.35 million pesos to bring private hospitals up to the standards required for certification by the Joint Commission International (JCI), an institution that accredits hospitals in Canada and the United States.

Although the health sector here is regulated and certified by the Mexican General Health Commission, the task of getting JCI certification for Jalisco�s private hospitals is of prime importance, says Garcia.

"One of the main reasons for pushing for certification is that the North American Free Trade Agreement obligates the Mexican medical system to be on a par with the United States and Canada, allowing for the free flow of patients from border to border and for fair trade, much like in other economic sectors."

But there is another huge reason for this interest in JCI certification and that is Medicare.

According to Paul Crist, the founder and president of Americans for Medicare for Mexico (AMMAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing Medicare coverage to seniors living in Mexico, of the 800,000 American citizens living in Mexico approximately 200,000 are over 60 years old and thus are at or near eligibility for Medicare benefits.

Crist, a former senator�s aide in Washington and now a hotel owner in Puerto Vallarta, says if Medicare is extended to Mexico, the program would only work with health care providers approved by JCI.

He revealed that ten hospitals in Mexico have JCI accreditation but another 23 are seeking approval. Among those already approved are the American British Padre Hospital and the Santa Fe Hospital in Mexico City and the Christus Muguerza Hospital and the Hospital Tec de Monterrey in Monterrey.

All Jalisco�s private hospitals are still seeking JCI accreditation.

The approval of Medicare would greatly benefit hospitals such as Christus Muguerza, a Texas chain that now has seven hospitals under construction across Mexico.

"Christus Muguerza stands to be a big player in the future," says Crist. "They have the advantage because their headquarters is in Texas, which gives Medicare a bit more confidence in the quality service they are going to provide."

Interestingly, Crist says Mexican hospital accreditation standards match JCI�s requirements in almost every respect.

"We are now asking that Medicare do their studies to accept Mexican accreditation instead of the JCI accreditation," he says. "Then there will be plenty of hospitals that can be Medicare providers."

Since he founded AMMAC last March, Christ has lobbied 85 members of the U.S. Congress and prepared a 34-page proposal in which he outlines the pros of making of extending Medicare to Mexico.

"Medicare is now spending $6,700 dollars per year per beneficiary in the United States. For the same care in Mexico, my estimate is that it will spend only $3,400 dollars, which translates to a very substantial saving."

In a recent interview with Forbes magazine, David Warner, a professor of health care policy at the University of Texas at Austin and a specialist on Medicare in Mexico, stated that an in-depth pilot project is needed to better understand the economics, determine whether Mexican heath care meets Medicare�s quality standards and determine if the payment system is sufficiently free of fraud.

According to Forbes, the U.S government is concerned that creating a Mexican medical exemption might be too complicated and costly to implement and would open the door for Americans in other countries.

Crist figures that if Medicare were accepted in Mexico, the 64 percent of American retirees currently flying back to the United States for expensive care would opt for treatment nearer their homes, cutting Medicare overall costs by a minimum of 22 percent.

Though Crist remains positive of Congress� response to his lobbying efforts, sympathetic legislators have also said that this year they have too much on their plate and that it would be politically wiser to introduce a stand-alone Mexico-Medicare bill next year."

the Mexican flag

Mediation Court For Expats, Tourists to Open in Rosarito This September

By Ron Raposa
STAFF WRITER
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---Attorney General Rommel Moreno will open this September in Rosarito the first mediation court to hear complaints between businesses and English-speaking non-nationals, Mayor Hugo Torres announced.

�We have an estimated 14,000 expatriates who live here and about a million tourists a year,� Torres said Tuesday. �This action by Attorney General Moreno is a great step in resolving amicably any disagreements between them and local businesses.�

The program is called Centro de Justicia Alternitiva.
The mediation court will function five days a week and will likely by set up in a suite in the large Pabellon Grand shopping center at the north entrance to the city. The opening day for the pilot project has not yet been set.

Unlike courts where written documents are required, complaints can be presented orally and in English.

�This will make it much easier for non-Spanish speakers to have their complaints heard and at no expense,� Torres said. �Disagreements that cannot be settled by mediation will be referred to the court system but we believe most will be resolved.�
Any consumer-related complaint from non-payment to non-performance involving any business, including professional services and real estate, can be heard.

�Rosarito is committed to its visitors and expatriate residents, that�s why we have so many,� Torres said.
�Almost all transactions go extremely well. But when there is a problem, we want to know about it and do what we can to resolve it. These people are either our valued guests or part of our family. They have helped us build the city.�

He added: �We�re deeply appreciative of Attorney General Moreno�s significant assistance in accomplishing this.�
Under the leadership of Mayor Torres, who took office in December of 2007, the city also has established a special department for tourist assistance, a tourist police force and 24-hour-a-day ombudsman.
Rosarito for several years also has had a Foreign Residents Attention Office, the first in Mexico, to assist its thousands of expatriate residents.

�They are people who originally came to visit for a day and decided to stay forever,� Torres said. �We value them highly and want to do everything possible to assist them

Mexican Health Care for Americans: Competent, Caring, Affordable
Roberta Rand - SF Productions TV
September 11, 2009

Puerto Vallarta - As the US economy continues to implode, the convergence of lost jobs, dwindling health insurance benefits and skyrocketing medical costs is forcing US citizens to seek alternative solutions to their healthcare needs.

Travel to Mexico is becoming an increasingly attractive option. Common dental procedures like crowns and root canals can be had for as much as 80 percent less than what you pay in the US. High-priced procedures like gastric bypass, LASIK eye correction and cosmetic surgery can be obtained for about half of what the same procedures cost in the US (although current volatility of world economic markets may affect actual savings.)

While many Americans seek dental work and prescription medicines in border towns like Juarez and Nogales, resort areas here in Mexico offer a special come-hither alternative: the "Medi-Vacation," or what falls under the broader category of medical tourism.

Have your medical procedures performed in a place like Puerto Vallarta, and with the money you save, you can recuperate for a week at a first-class hotel, hang out on the beach and dine at some of the best restaurants on the planet.

What can Americans expect in terms of quality of care in Mexico? Is it comparable? In most cases, the answer is "yes." Hospitals and clinics in Mexico are clean, efficient and modern, especially those located in large cities. Equipment used in procedures is the same equipment you find in the US. Doctors also receive medical training at medical schools as prestigious as any you'd find in the US.

Marcus Welby Gonzales, M.D.

If there is one adjective to describe medical care in Mexico that sadly, no longer applies in the US, it's "personal." Healthcare in Mexico avoids the bureaucratic obstacle course of automated operators, surly gatekeepers and red tape that separates patients from doctors in the US.

In Mexico, you don't have to run a gauntlet of general physicians before you can see a specialist. Make an appointment directly with the doctor's office and get in to see him within the week. You can also expect him to personally check on your post-operative progress in the hospital.

The Usual Suspects

Of course, not all Mexican hospitals and doctors are created equal. Doctors and medical facilities in small towns and outlying areas of Mexico will not be on a par with the US. And just as there are bad doctors in the US, Mexico also has its share of quacks and con artists. Doctors usually display their certifications and diplomas in their offices, but don't depend on visual proof alone - the mail-order diploma business is alive and well in Mexico.

Dr. Javier Diaz Nunez, a respected ENT in Puerto Vallarta, advises Americans considering surgery in Mexico to verify that doctors are certified by the corresponding boards governing their specialties. Research doctors online before you make an appointment. Board-certified specialists are listed on official government and professional websites.

The following websites list physicians, surgeons and dentists - or you can enter a specific name. Note: some of these sites provide information in English, but be prepared to brush up on your Espa�ol.

For Opthalmology:
Consejo Mexicano de Oftalmologia

For Orthopedics:
Consejo Mexicano de Ortopedia, A.C.

For Cosmetic Surgery:
Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica, Estetica y Reconstructiva, A.C.

For Dental and Maxilo-Facial Surgery:
Consejo Mexicano de Ortodoncia y Ortopedia Dentomaxilofacial
Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Oral y Maxilofacial, A.C.

Cheap Health Care for ExPats

Americans over the age of 60 who are full-time residents of Mexico may currently take advantage of a government-run program offered by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), which provides unlimited healthcare for a $250 USD annual membership fee. For those younger than 19, the fee is $95 USD. IMSS has about 1500 clinics and 264 hospitals across Mexico. IMSS benefits cover regular health check-ups, eyeglasses, medicine, dental work and even surgery.

Of course, there are trade-offs for all these too-good-to-be-true benefits

� IMSS will not cover pre-existing conditions for a period of two years.

� IMSS pharmacies only dispense common generic drugs - not the newer designer name brands

� Some IMSS facilities do not provide rehabilitative therapies.

� Patients in Mexican hospitals must arrange for family help to change sheets, provide help with feeding, monitor IV drips - and provide their own pillows.

� IMSS clinics may not have the newest equipment. Some tests may have to be performed at larger IMSS facilities

� You're in Mexico - Doctors and nurses may speak only Spanish.

Oh, the Irony

The loophole that allows American residents of Mexico to take advantage of Mexico's medical resources may not remain open indefinitely. The IMSS program already runs at a deficit. Just as US unemployment and decreased tax revenues have strained US government programs, the same problem is occurring in Mexico. A heavy influx of gringos seeking cheap medical care may put the current policy up for review sooner rather than later.

Puerto Vallarta: An Ideal Location for Surgical Needs

For Americans seeking medical, dental or surgical procedures south-of-the border, Puerto Vallarta offers the very best in modern, cutting-edge medical facilities, the latest in surgical equipment and highly skilled physicians and surgeons.

Pamela Thompson, director of Health Care Resources Puerto Vallarta cites some impressive statistics: "Puerto Vallarta boasts six, and soon-to-be seven state-of-the-art private hospitals with modern Intensive Care units and Dialysis units. Diagnostic centers offer MRI, CAT scan, Ultrasound and Cardiac Cath labs." She also adds that most doctors are bilingual.

Thompson cautions that costs in Puerto Vallarta and around Mexico have spiked recently. Puerto Vallarta is still a bargain, but she quotes a savings of 20-40 percent for inpatient services (depending on the service) and a savings of around 50 percent for outpatient services.

Sources:
"US Seniors Opt for Mexican Healthcare," by Steven J. DuBord, mexconnect.com
Pamela Thompson, Health Care Resources Puerto Vallarta

Roberta Rand is Public Relations Manager for SF Productions TV, a full service production and marketing company in Puerto Vallarta. Prior to relocating to Mexico from Colorado Springs with her dog, Bo, Roberta worked as a magazine editor, web editor and marketing copywriter. She is also an essayist and author, whose book "Playing the Tuba at Midnight" explored the quirks of living single.

To learn more about SF Productions, click HERE or visit SFProductionsTV.com.

New in 2009 The Yucatan Road Log

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Complete directory of Baja Camping Spots

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Click on the buy now button and you will be directed to a merchants page. Once you pay for the camping guide you will redirected to an easy to use download page where you will be able to receive your product immediately.

The Best Road Maps for Mexico

Mouth Magic in Mexico (or, I Am the Biggest Dental Weenie in the World!)
Pamela Thompson - PVNN
September 14, 2009

All my fellow dental-weenies feel free to follow the chronicles of the re-invention of my teeth... all the way to the new pearly whites.

This past year or so I have had a recurring nightmare that my teeth are crumbling and falling out of my mouth. A bit of research on the Internet showed that the significance of these types of dreams can be anything from anxiety about the dreamer's appearance, to how they perceive people see them, to the fear of sexual impotence, to an over-exaggeration of worries and anxiety.

Another rationalization is that the dreamer has a fear of being embarrassed or making a fool of himself. I don't think that the last one applies to me since I have bared my body-medical journey with the world for the past few years.

For me the above is all hogwash! I know MY reason! It is because I am beyond mortified to go to the dentist. I would rather stay home in agony and not speak at all rather than make a trip to the dentist. I would prefer to walk on hot coals, slide down a banister of razor blades or have a Chinese Water Torture than sit in a dentist's chair. I am a dental weenie!

Oh, I am good at making the appointment. Showing up is another story.

Last week I spent nearly three hours with a dentist who I know well. I have known his wife for many years. He went into great detail showing me his equipment that looks like it belongs in the space shuttle. He showed me a schedule of dentists who are coming from the United States to be trained by him!

Though he didn't make me sit in the actual dental chair, he gave me a stool to sit on as he showed me on the computer some "before" and "after" teeth photos of some previous patients (who I know personally!) He explained the entire process of how teeth are repaired. He let me hold some molds. He showed me the new veneers he would be putting in someone's mouth that day.

This is definitely not some back street dental office with old equipment. It wasn't even a moderate office. It was gorgeous! This place gleamed with cleanliness! Everything was shining and new.

One of the things I love about this guy is that we laugh. We laugh and I cover my mouth because I embarrassed for a dentist to see my teeth. No, I am not a toothless old lady but I am not proud of my choppers.

So, for all of you co-dental-weenies, feel free to follow the chronicles of the re-invention of my teeth all the way to the new pearly whites.

The next step: X-rays of my mouth. (I KNOW that won't hurt!)

Pamela Thompson is a registered nurse who has lived in Puerto Vallarta for over 17 years, 10 of them in health care. Pamela now leads HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, a local healthcare resource network. Her years of experience and expertise are available to you by emailing your questions to pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com or by visiting HealthCareResourcesPV.com.

Click HERE to learn more about the health and well-being services offered by HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta.

The Appeal of an 'OTZ' Property in Mexico
Stephen Slater - blucroix.com
go to original
September 03, 2009


	After searching OTZ for years, at final real estate decision time, as usual, we bought when we could walk in and say, 'this is the one.'

During our search for a second home upon the soil of my wife�s native land, a realization struck us, as we visited a lovely home in Conchas Chinas (Puerta Vallarta.) The property was a dream on the hill, overlooking the ocean. We paused however, when we learned the neighbor to the left was from Phoenix and to the right, from San Francisco.

Combined with the tourist crush at the PV Airport, being bordered on both fronts by N. Americans inspired our quest to search "OTZ." I created the acronym OTZ, to simply describe those properties in M�xico that are "Outside Tourist Zones." The primary tourist zones being Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel Allende, Chapala (retirement), etc.

OTZ properties are not for everyone. They do however offer an opportunity to intimately become part of the heart and soul of M�xico that is not quite as prevalent "WTZ," or "Within Tourist Zones." OTZ areas (which make up most of the country) offer properties that are typically designed, developed and sold to the domestic market. Architectural gems wait to be found. Contracts are frequently only in Spanish, multiple listing services (MLS) are prevalent but are also in Spanish and the Seller will rarely, if ever, be from Phoenix or San Francisco. For those from the north that prefer the path less traveled by, OTZ properties are worth the look.

After searching OTZ for years, at final real estate decision time, as usual, we bought when we could walk in and say, "this is the one." I have been in corporate real estate, working for a fortune 50 corporation and running my own consulting practice for 25 years. Every time we close on a property, we go through the same process, I do the research, I visit the sites, and I narrow to the "short list" and then bring in "La Do�a," to make the final decision.

Generally, higher end OTZ markets can exhibit very different market dynamics than mass WTZ markets:

� Buy and hold mentality is more prevalent. Flipping is not as common.

� Short term developer speculation is less prevalent; buyers and sellers are typically stronger.

� In most cases, developers will have deeper pockets and are not as reliant on buyer deposits for cash flow.

� In accord with historical patterns, properties are more likely to be purchased with cash or on very short terms. Transactions and contracts can be simpler. Seller financing is often built into a transaction via interest added to short term payments. It is not uncommon to have interest free short term seller carry-back.

� High end USD priced properties in premier colonias will retain relative value in a recession; liquidity will lengthen before price will drop.

� Old school values such as reputation and family name are more apt to be involved, offering enhanced levels of confidence for buyers.

� Escrow and title insurance is not as prevalent; under the right circumstances and pending confidence levels, frequently, they are not as important to the transaction.

� US based or US originated residential real estate service providers (title, escrow, financing, realtors, etc.) are concentrated in WTZ�s, primarily due to market depth, efficiencies and the economies of scale they can achieve. Rest assured, excellent domestic bilingual professional representation is abundant and accessible in OTZ areas.

As a bicultural family, today our second home is in Zapopan, which is part of metropolitan Guadalajara. It is an OTZ property and we are very thankful to have made the choice we did. So much so, that I see our Los Angeles home rapidly transitioning towards becoming the second home.

Stephen Slater is CEO of Blu Croix Ltd. He has completed numerous transactions in M�xico and Latin America and can be reached at s.slater(at)blucroix.com.

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How to Make Your Kids Happy - Buy Real Estate in Mexico!
Jim Scherrer - PVNN
August 30, 2009

For most of us, the key to enjoying retirement is to live somewhere warm where there's plenty of opportunity to play golf, tennis, fish, shop or just relax. Puerto Vallarta has all of this, plus all the modern amenities you�re accustomed to.

As parents, we all strive to raise healthy, good, productive, and happy kids. This goal is so important that there have been numerous articles and books written by psychologists and other experts in the field dedicated to the subject of raising children.

Most of the experts agree that giving kids anything they want, when they want it, only leads to spoiling them. Instead of creating happiness, this practice all too often leads to disappointment; kids that expect every wish to be fulfilled eventually find insecurity, inability to make decisions, low frustration tolerance, low self esteem, disregard for others, unappreciativeness, and general unhappiness. Most experts suggest that gifts to kids should be made when they are deserved or when the kids are mature enough to be appreciative.

The experts also agree that spending more quality time with your children is one of the key factors to raising psychologically healthy and happy kids. Sharing thoughts and stories during idle time, enjoying healthy activities out in the sun, and discussing plans, strategies, and goals creates lifelong bonds which lead to truly happy kids.

Okay, so how long should we try to satisfy our kids? As we all know, we of course want to make them happy during their entire lifetime; it�s never too late to please the kids! Now, enough for making our kids happy; let�s think about how we can simultaneously make ourselves happy!

As we approach retirement, in all probability, the kids are pretty well grown up and their personalities have already been shaped. However, it�s still not too late to please them while at the same time correct some of the mistakes that might have made while raising them by paying attention to - and spoiling - the grandkids!

Can you think of a better place to enjoy the kids and grandkids than in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico? Just imagine, you retire to a beautiful new condo in PV with jaw-dropping views of the Sierra Madres and Banderas Bay and you have nothing better to do than play golf, tennis, fish, or just relax poolside under the sun with a cool one in hand.

What better gift for yourself and your kids than to have them visit your little Paradise south of the border during the Christmas/New Year holiday period, a birthday celebration, or perhaps some other special occasion?

In Vallarta, the seven month �high season� of November through May offers perfect weather with an average daily temperature of 73�F and virtually no rain. The abundance of activities for young and old will allow you and your family to have the time of your life together. The only time the kids will be unhappy will be when they have to return back home to the �real world� and face the hectic stresses of routine daily life.

Keep in mind, Vallarta is situated on the same latitude as Hawaii, yet it is only 2-4 hours away from the kids. There are four modern hospitals in town staffed with well qualified and trained English speaking doctors that can handle just about every problem that a geezer is apt to encounter.

The entire community is clean and safe with most of the condo complexes staffed with 24 hour security. Modern supermarkets and shopping malls are located throughout the city; high speed internet, satellite TV, VOIP telephone service, and all the other amenities that you�re accustomed to are also readily available in Vallarta. Fine dining, limitless activities, clubs, and organizations for retirees (sorry, no shuffleboard!) will guarantee you never have a dull moment, unless you wish to have one!

For most of us, the key to enjoying retirement life to its maximum in Vallarta is to live in a community near other retirees with common interests. There are numerous condo complexes in Vallarta where the majority of residents are from the US and Canada. Most of these complexes are quite secure and are located either on one of the beaches or on one of the hillsides overlooking the beaches. They are almost universally within minutes of all the activities and of course, all offer world class views and sunsets.

Due to the fact that the local developers overbuilt during the past decade and then got hit by the global recession (and border town drug war news along with the swine flu media hype,) there is currently a glut of more than 7,000 new condos on the market in PV from which you can select your retirement nest. With the supply of condos far exceeding the demand, it�s the best buyer�s market in Vallarta that we�ve seen in a generation.

Beautiful new beachfront and hillside condos are being sold today at near pre-construction prices; not much more than the cost of construction. With the recent availability of Mexican mortgages, these incredible condos are well within the reach of most everyone nearing retirement. This opportunity should be especially attractive to Canadians as their dollar continues to strengthen over time.

As they say, all good things must come to an end; we all will pass on and when we do, the kids will probably be near retirement age. Hopefully, this will be a sad occasion for them, however inheriting a beautiful condo in Puerto Vallarta will surely ease the pain! Since the title to the Mexican condo is held by a Mexican bank in a 50 year trust with your kids as the beneficiaries, it will automatically pass on to them.

Regarding inheritance taxes; we�ll leave that matter up to you and your tax attorney - think about it! Last, but not least, this will be the ultimate gift to the kids and allow them to regain their happiness as they begin their own retirement planning.

So, come on down to this Mecca south of the border and check out the real estate opportunities that await you. In doing so, you�ll have the best time of your life; while self indulging, you�ll also make your kids really happy!

The founder of Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Buyers' Agents (PVREBA), Jim Scherrer is a retired entrepreneur who has owned property in Puerto Vallarta for more than 25 years. Utilizing his experience and extensive knowledge of the area, Jim's series of informative articles about travel to and retirement in Puerto Vallarta reveal the recent changes that have occurred in Vallarta, while dispelling the misconceptions about living conditions in Mexico.

For more articles by Jim Scherrer, click HERE or visit PVREBA.com.

Female%20Rufus%20Hummingbird-t[1].jpg Hummingbirds of the Riviera Nayarit

By Tara Spears

When I lived in the northern US, the window of time for sharing the garden with these gorgeous, diminutive birds was very short. And like most career people with a family and a packed schedule, I�d have to plan time to sit and watch the hummingbirds� I could �smell the roses� on the run but without putting �sit in garden/ 30 minutes� on m how to ID.gif y �to do� list, I�d often miss these transient birds� visit. But since living in tropical western Mexico, which is the natural habitat for hundreds of hummingbird species, seeing them year round is a daily joy if you have the right flowers in your yard.

While not a serious bird watcher, over time I have learned the name of several species of hummingbirds that I frequently see. Even the casual observer will note the differences in head and wing colors, size and flight behavior although you may never learn its name. I rarely look at the belly or try to assess the tail distinctions, but the head, throat (gorget) and wings are often enough of a marker for me to recognize the species. The following pictures are some of the hummingbirds that can be seen in the Riviera Nayarit area.

Allen�s Anna�s

allensm[1].jpg anna (2).jpg

blk chin3.jpg

Berylline Black chin

BuffBellied_Hummingbird[1].jpg Bumblebee (smallest bird)

calliope hummingbird kd[1].jpg

Caliope Coppery-headed emerald

Magnificent[1].jpg

Lucifer Magnificent

male rufous.jpg male Rufous Purple throated mountain-gem

Ruby-throatedHummingbird-3[1].jpg violet-crowned[1].jpg

Ruby throat Violet crowned

white ear2.jpg xantus-hummingbird[1].jpg

Violet sabrewing White-eared Xantus

Interesting facts about the exotic hummingbird:

� Hummingbirds are found only in the Western Hemisphere, from southeastern Alaska to southern Chile, although most live in the tropics. There are 339 species of hummingbirds, 17 of which summer in North America and winter in tropical areas, especially Mexico.

Hummingbird migration is triggered by temperature and length of daylight, and there are gender differences in departure and arrival time. The mating males head north earlier in spring, probably to be able to establish a territory before the females arrive. By the females starting north later in the spring, she is assured of more flowers to feed on and build up her strength for bearing young. Conversely, the early fall departure of the males may leave a richer diet available for the developing young of the year.

� Hummingbirds are promiscuous breeders: they do not form pairs so there is a lot of courtship behavior. (Very entertaining to watch!)

� According to the World of Hummingbird researchers, females don't like to build nests in a male's feeding territory, and a home feeder is probably part of one. Visits to distant feeders take too much time away from the eggs. When the chicks hatch, they need protein to grow, not sugar, so their mother spends most of her time catching small insects and spiders for them.

� These smallest birds in the world consume half their body weight in sugar each day.

One of the year round Mexican hummers is quite interesting. Lucifer means �light-bearing� in Latin, so the name probably refers to the iridescent plumage of the Lucifer Hummingbird. Males perch atop plants and launch into aerial displays lasting up to 45 seconds in an attempt to attract a mate. In the past this species of hummer was captured to be stuffed and mounted or even sold alive. A group of Lucifer hummingbirds are collectively known as an inferno of hummingbirds.

� The Ruby throat and Rufous The Rufus Hummingbird are the most widely distributed hummingbirds in North America and have been observed in every state and province except Hawaii.

Hummingbirds are able to fly up, down, forward, backward and sideways, besides stop in midair- they were the inspiration for modern helicopters. They can beat their wings 60 to 200 times per second-so fast that the human eye cannot detect it- and reach a flying speed of up to 60 mph! Unlike most birds, the hummingbird�s wing is joined to its body only from the shoulder joint, allowing it supple movement and an180 degree axial rotation.

There are so many reasons to appreciate the dazzling hummingbirds that are so prevalent in the tropics. Seeing the iridescent hummingbird is just another perk when visiting or living in the beautiful Riviera Nayarit area.

Contact the author: tara.sprs@yahoo.com

Lessons From Mexico for Next Wave of Swine Flu
Martha Mendoza - Associated Press
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August 31, 2009


	Mexico shared information early and frequently. Mexico did this at great cost to its economy, but it was the right thing to do. - Dr. Jon Andrus

Mexico City � Mexico is preparing for a second wave of swine flu, looking at what worked and what didn't last spring when it banned everything from dining out to attending school in an effort to control the virus.

As the Northern Hemisphere flu season begins, the rest of the world is also studying Mexico's experience, looking for measures to replicate and costly mistakes to avoid.

So what worked? Public awareness; rapid diagnosis, treatment and quarantine; and a near-compulsive outbreak of hand-washing.

What didn't? Travel bans, school closures, overuse of antibiotics and those flimsy paper face masks that tangled hair, slid down necks and hid the beautiful smiles of this gargantuan city.

When swine flu first flared up in Mexico in April, the government erred on the side of caution, closing schools and museums, banning public gatherings, playing soccer games to empty stadiums and telling people not to shake hands or kiss one another on the cheek. This bustling city of 18 million became eerily hollow.

Mexican health officials say they made the right call.

"Since we were the first country affected by the flu, we didn't know the possible magnitude and severity, so we took measures that we now know can be (focused)," said Dr. Pablo Kuri, the health secretary's special influenza adviser.

In hindsight, Mexico's most effective action � one now emulated around the world � was immediately telling its own citizens when the new virus was detected.

Not every country has been so candid when facing an epidemic: China was heavily criticized for its slow response to SARS in 2003, while Argentina refused to declare a national public health emergency when swine flu flared there in July.

But Mexico's openness didn't come cheap: Economists say the outbreak cost the country billions of dollars, mostly in losses from tourism.

"Mexico shared information early and frequently," said Dr. Jon Andrus at the Pan American Health Organization's headquarters in Washington. "Mexico did this at great cost to its economy, but it was the right thing to do."

At the height of the epidemic in March, you could hardly make it a block in Mexico City without a masked public health worker, maitre d', bus driver or store owner squeezing a dollop of antiseptic gel onto your hands.

Health experts say hand-washing offered the best defense � while the masks probably did little to stop the virus from spreading. Masks are now advised only for health care workers and people who are already infected.

Fear also left behind a cleaner city: Crews now regularly scrub subways and buses, park benches and offices � something almost unheard of before the epidemic.

"Clearly, millions of Mexicanos wore masks this spring everywhere they went, but H1N1 continued to spread," said Laurie Garrett, a senior fellow at the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations. "It now seems clear that the best personal protections are regular hand-washing, avoiding crowded places, and � when it is available � vaccination."

Many Mexicans wait until they suffer full-blown symptoms before going to a doctor, if at all. Often, people self-diagnose and go to a pharmacy to treat themselves since few drugs require a prescription. Since April, however, certain anti-flu drugs are distributed only at hospitals.

Millions of uniformed Mexican children were greeted with a dash of anti-bacterial gel as they returned to school last Monday. Classes were postponed until mid-September in southern Chiapas state because of an uptick in swine flu cases in the past month. Chiapas has had 3,400 swine flu cases to date, the most in the country.

Schools nationwide are checking for possible signs of swine flu among children and teachers and are sending home anyone who seems sick. They also have added new curriculum guidelines to ensure children learn about personal hygiene and basic sanitation.

But this time, schools will be closed only if so many sick children or teachers get sick that education is compromised. Plans are already under way to continue lessons at home.

"We aren't going to panic, but we are being more careful here this year," said Cecilia McGregor, spokeswoman for Colegio Ciudad de Mexico, an 1,100-student private school in Mexico City.

Janitors are required to wash doorknobs every two hours, she said, and an on-campus doctor was performing checks.

Despite all the precautions, Mexico's health advisers say the most important lesson they have learned about swine flu is that in most cases, it's fairly mild.

Swine flu caused 164 deaths in three months in Mexico, where tobacco-related illnesses kill that number every day.

"So now we can put into context what actually happened," Kuri said.

Chiapas Mexico by Bill Bell

New with travel guide information added!

Pacific Coast Road, Driving and Travel Guide Log 2010

We are confident that our road logs and driving guides will make your highway experiences just that much better and easier. Regardless of whether you are driving an RV or a suburban, a bike or a pick-up, our road logs will assist your journey. Even 20 year veterans of the route have benefited from the information.

We decided to present the road from a driving perspective going SOUTH. When your are looking at the Log, you read from the bottom of the page and read up. The Pacific Ocean, for example, would always be on your right, just as you would view it from your driver's seat.

The KM markings are the markings that you will see as you drive. It doesn't matter if your vehicle reads in miles or kilometers. You just read the signs on the road to get your bearings. Sometimes one highway combines with another and old kilometer signs are left up. Not to worry, just continue to read the guide.

Some of the best navigation points are the Pemex Station numbers clearly marked on all gas station signs. Topes (Mexican speed bumps) are marked in the guide just to remind you to go slow. We included Military and Agriculture check points even though we know these can change frequently. (Generally they are on one side of the state border or another between the Mexican states.)

How to download and buy the Road Log

Click on the buy now button and you will be directed to a merchants page. Once you pay for the road log you will redirected to an easy to use download page where you will be able to receive your product immediately. Now only $9.99

(Please submit your birthday amigos dates and pictures to Tara Spears tara.sprs@hotmail.com)

Turtle Time: Participate in Rare Turtle Hatching in Mexico�s Riviera Nayarit this Fall
RivieraNayarit.com
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August 05, 2009

When hatching time comes, participants in the program can watch as the newborn turtles begin their journey through the ocean to their new life.

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico - Experience the magic of life first-hand by taking part in turtle hatching season in Riviera Nayarit. The turtle hatching process is but one of the many wildlife and outdoor adventure opportunities in the destination. Ecologically friendly, Riviera Nayarit recognizes the importance of all its living inhabitants and takes great strides to ensure their survival and preservation of the natural habitat.

Help newborn turtles through the first steps of their lives at the Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde marine turtle nursery and Platanitos Turtle Camp. During the summer and fall months, travelers can volunteer or go on tours of nurseries and nesting sites to learn about the fascinating life cycle of sea turtles for just one night or participate in a two month volunteer project, subject to availability.

At the Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde marine turtle nursery, visitors and volunteers can help release turtle hatchlings into their natural habitat. Just after sundown, the baby turtles are let out into the ocean to become independent. Also, every Wednesday night, the organization presents a slideshow at the Costa Azul Hotel for travelers and participants to learn about sea turtles. Interested visitors who want to volunteer in depth with the organization must stay for a minimum of two months and will have the chance to join in almost every step of helping the turtles survive their delicate first days. Volunteers pay for their own expenses. Short-term visitors can take tours of the nursery and release the hatchlings or help with whatever is needed that night at the nursery. For information on the organization, visit www.project-tortuga.org. For information on packages at the Costa Azul Hotel, visit www.costaazul.com.

Located at Playa Las Tortugas, the Platanitos Turtle Camp is focused on protecting and increasing the Olive Ridley sea turtle population. A joint effort between the Mexican government environmental agencies CONAP and SEMARNAT and the Home Owners Association of Playa Las Tortugas and its developer Robert Hancock, the camp promises to give travelers an unforgettable, exciting turtle experience. Visitors can help the staff patrol the beach and collect eggs from nesting turtles, and then learn how to incubate eggs in order to achieve a higher survival rate. When hatching time comes, participants in the program can watch as the newborn turtles begin their journey through the ocean to their new life. Options for participation include one-time visits or long-term volunteering. Cost is based on suggested donations depending on the number of participants and the extent of the visit. For more information, visit the organization�s new website, www.seaturtlecamp.org.

The official mascot of Riviera Nayarit, four protected species of sea turtles are native to the area. The leatherback turtles, Olive Ridley turtles, hawksbill turtles, and green turtles all use the 192 mile coastline of Nayarit as a nesting site every year. Each generation of female sea turtles returns to the beach where they were born to create nests of their own, resulting in a wonderful tradition in which visitors now have the opportunity to participate.

About Riviera Nayarit

Mexico�s newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, stretches along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains just ten minutes north of accessible Puerto Vallarta International Airport. The region extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic colonial town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita, picturesque fishing villages, miles of serene beaches and spectacular Banderas Bay. Riviera Nayarit offers countless activities, all pleasantly affordable, such as: PGA golf courses, luxury spas, whale watching, turtle release, zip lining, surfing, record deep sea fishing, bird watching, international cuisine, and shopping for local artwork and traditional Huichol handicrafts. The region attracts and satisfies vacationers of all tastes and budgets with its wide range of accommodations including chic luxury resorts, eco-tourism boutique hotels and quaint B&B inns.

For more information, visit www.RivieraNayarit.com

Mexico's economy taking hits from all directions

By Arthur Brice
CNN

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(CNN) -- The Mexican economy went off a cliff in the second three months of 2009, with the gross domestic product dropping 10.3 percent from the same period last year, according to government figures.

The GDP for the second quarter also declined 1.1 percent from the first three months of the year, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography said Thursday.

The GDP, which is the market value of all goods and services in a country, is used to measure a nation's economic performance.

Analysts say the main cause of Mexico's nosedive is that the nation's economy is tied strongly to that of the United States, which is mired in the deepest economic downturn since the 1930s.

About 80 percent of Mexican exports go to the United States, said Allyson Benton, an analyst with the Eurasia Group consulting firm.

"If the United States isn't importing, Mexico isn't exporting," Benton said.

Susan Kaufman Purcell, director of the Center for Hemispheric Policy at the University of Miami, said Mexico can take some measures but "until the U.S. economy really starts recovering, Mexico is going to have a hard time moving up."

Other factors dragging the Mexican economy down include a tourism decline caused by the H1N1 flu outbreak, fears over continuing violence, declining oil and tax revenues, and fewer Mexicans abroad sending money back home.

"They're getting a blow from almost every corner," Purcell said.

Oil revenues, long Mexico's main source of money, are being hurt by lower global prices and declining production. Purcell and other analysts point to the rapid decline of the Cantarell oil field, at one time the world's second-largest. Production at Cantarell peaked in 2004 and has been falling by more than 10 percent every year since then.

"Oil production has been in decline since 2004 but it has declined significantly over the past couple of years," Benton said.

Mexico, which relies on oil revenues for roughly 40 percent of its budget, also is hurt by falling prices for crude oil. According to some estimates, Mexico needs oil to be at $70 a barrel to sustain revenue levels. Prices on Friday hovered around $70, but earlier this year they had dipped to close to $30 a barrel.

Remittances from Mexicans working abroad, most of them in the United States, also have fallen victim to the economic downturn. Fewer jobs in the United States means fewer opportunities for Mexicans to find work and send money home. Remittances rank after oil in terms of revenue for the country.

That revenue fell from $26 billion in 2007 to $25 billion in 2008, Mexico's Central Bank said, and is expected to decrease even more this year.

Tourism, Mexico's third-largest source of revenue, has declined steadily since an outbreak of the H1N1 flu was first discovered in Mexico in April.

In addition to a global recession that has affected travel everywhere, tourists had already been wary of going to Mexico because of violence that has seen more than 11,000 people killed since President Felipe Calderon came into office in December 2006.

The Mexican government said earlier this month that the tourism downfall has already cost the nation up to $300 million and some analysts say that figure is sure to climb.

The H1N1 outbreak also caused revenue shortfalls because the government closed bars, restaurants and many other public places at the height of the epidemic this spring.

As a result of all these circumstances, tax revenues have taken a hit.

"The big problem in economic decline in both Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 has been much lower tax revenues," Benton said. "When you are not producing or you are firing people, you don't have taxes."

For example, Purcell said, the taxes that Mexico's state-owned Pemex oil company pays to the government have fallen by up to 40 percent.

Mexican officials see hope on the horizon, however.

"In June of this year, the economy probably stabilized or touched bottom, and ... we'll start to see a recovery in the next quarter," Deputy Finance Minister Alejandro Werner told the Wall Street Journal.

Purcell said Mexico could help itself by adopting labor and tax reforms and modernizing its energy policy. For example, she said, Mexico's labor laws make it difficult to fire unproductive employees and Pemex has not been aggressively pursuing other oil fields to replace Cantarell.

She doesn't see that happening, particularly since Calderon's PAN political party suffered a drubbing in last month's midterm elections and no longer controls Congress.

Mexico's economic problems, she said, are "a combination of bad luck, bad planning and a stalemated political system."

Rhodes by Bill and Dot Bell

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