|
The Cozumel News in English, Vol 15 |
October 25-November 6, 2004 |
 |
|
|
Note: These articles are a great deal of work to find and translate. They are under copyright. But we all know what a temptation it is to want to share interesting info all over the internet. We don't mind you copying short snippets. But .....
Please GIVE CREDIT to "Cozumel News in English" at WWW.CozumelMyCozumel.Com. It's the right and fair thing to do. Don't you agree? |
|
MUNICIPAL
PALACE TRANSFORMED |
For the last three days the lower level of the municipal palace has been converted into a cultural ceremonial center honoring the dead as various local agencies and institutions created a total of 11 altars in honor of Dia de los Muertos.
Every year the first floor hallways are filled with the smell of incense and hundreds of marigolds in remembrance of those who have travelled ahead on the road of life. One by one government employees and private institution staffers arrive to place their offerings at the altars.
It’s important to mention Hanal Pixan*, a southeast Mexico tradition that has been celebrated for many years. Food, sweets and beverages are offered to the deceased as they are placed on a special alter along with the loved one’s photograph and other articles significant to that person.
|
BILL
GATES YACHT DOCKS IN COZUMEL |
U.S. magnate Bill Gates arrived in Cozumel yesterday aboard his yacht named the Octopus. This is the second occasion that Gates has visited the island this year.
The Microsoft mogul sailed to Cozumel in April of 2004 and remained for a week. He celebrated his birthday here, accompanied by his wife, their eight children, and more than 200 guests.
The Octopus measures 115 meters long with a capacity of 400. The craft carries a private helicopter on board and boasts a crew of 38 sailors.
After an early morning arrival in Cozumel earlier this week, Gates continued on to Belize and then began his return to Florida at 6:00 PM the same evening.
|
CAR
FERRY PROJECT REACTIVATED |
Puerto Morelos could once again become a port for a tourist ferry leaving out of Tampa, Florida, just as it was for a brief period in 2002. At this time directors from both ports are in talks directed at making this project a reality.
Port Authority official Jaime Aguilar Cheluja stresses that the Tampa ferry would bring economic benefits not only to Quintana Roo, but to neighboring states as well. “With the recent opening of the Puerto Morelos cruise ship terminal, this port now has the capacity to accommodate a ferry like the one that arrived here two years ago. At that time, the port did not provide enough depth to receive the ship”, pointed out Aguilar Cheluja. He added that Puerto Morelos now boasts space for up to three ships, each with its own ramp.
He clarified that the project had been suspended due to the complexity of the operational logistics. At that time the ferry traveled a weekly route that consisted of Progresso-Tampa and Tampa-Puerto Morelos. Because the final destination could not accommodate the ferry, the company elected to suspend the service completely.
The ferry made a total of 4 trips at that time, serving a total of 10,000 tourists and carrying approximately 2,000 vehicles.
|
OBJECTS
CONNECTED TO BLACK MAGIC FOUND IN CATHOLIC CHURCHES |
Local Catholic priest Angel Estella warns that the community must pray for good and not for bad. He says that strange objects have been found in various Catholic churches in Cozumel that could be connected to black magic and to those who pray to the dead.
In an interview with El Semanario Father Angel lamented the fact that this type of thing was occurring on the island. He said that while it doesn’t happen often, it is necessary that the community draw closer to God and feed their spirits so that they too won’t fall into bad intentions.
He added that a book was recently found that contained prayers to the devil, asking satan to harm people. He said they have also discovered strange objects like black candles and figures resembling voodoo dolls.
The priest detailed that those involved with black magic are not from Cozumel or the state of Quintana Roo, and most certainly not from Yucatan. He believes they must be from Chiapas or Vera Cruz where the Catholic culture is not predominant. He added that these individuals are of diverse beliefs lacking in religion, and believe that they can force God to do evil unto others. Above all, he says that these people have many problems and resort to black magic as a means of escaping their troubles.
He mentioned that up to this point they have not been able to detect anyone leaving black candles or voodoo dolls, however, now their on guard for this type of thing in all of the Catholic churches in Cozumel.
|
MORE
VACATIONERS ARRIVING VIA AIR |
Tourism activity at Cozumel International Airport increased this week as 32 national and international flights landed on the island. At the same time, the air link between Cozumel and Cancun increased their daily flight schedule to a total of six flights as of Monday of this week.
|
NO
PROBLEM IN FILING COMPLAINTS IN ENGLISH |
Cozumel’s District Attorney’s office says that language is not an obstacle in attending foreigners who wish to file formal complaints. He explains that department heads possess a rudimentary knowledge of English and, if necessary, they may possibly use translators. At this time, authorities say there is no justification for adding a separate department or personnel to handle these situations.
Jaime Alberto Ongay Ortiz, DA coordinator, specified that to date their office has had no problems attending ex-pats or tourists who wish to file complaints. Besides the fact that those responsible have the necessary knowledge to process the complaints, they can also solicit the assistance of the tourist police. In this way there will be certainty with regards to the lawsuit or complaint.
The coordinator said that fortunately the majority of foreigners that decide to file complaints speak some Spanish and this facilitates their statement. In addition, when they encounter individuals who speak a language other than English or Spanish, the complainants normally bring their own translators.
Ongay Ortiz underscored that there was actually no justification for adding a special department to assist foreigners, citing that in addition to the cost for contracting personnel, the number of complaints is relatively low.
“There is an average of 5 to 10 foreigners filing complaints each month and sometimes there are none”, reported the coordinator. “However, it’s always important to be prepared and that’s why we make sure that someone in the office possesses a certain level of fluency in English. Moreover, we have a good relationship with the tourist police”.
He went on to say that the majority of the cases involving foreigners involve traffic accidents or personal property thefts that generally occur on the beach or in their hotel.
He emphasized that when cruise ship passengers file complaints concerning a theft, despite that fact that the victims return to their own countries, investigators here have the obligation to continue in their efforts to solve the case and recuperate the stolen property. If the property is recovered, it is deposited with the courts or with the District Attorney’s office until such time as the victims return to claim it.
All Rights to the Above Material are Reserved. If you feel you must copy and paste any portion of what you've read here, please give credit to Cozumel News in English at www.cozumelmycozumel.com. Thanks for your cooperation.
Other Links in the Living on Cozumel Section |
|
