Turtle Tracks

Turtle tracks photo courtesy of Dailene Erickson

It is that time of year again, when the sea turtles will make their way to the ocean to hatch. The turtle tracks are everywhere as seen in the photo above taken by Dailene Erickson of triatalon fame.

There is a Facebook page you can join to learn about events and information on the sea turtle season. Just click here to join. They have an awesome photo on their opening page.

Sea turtles hatching August of 2012 courtesy of Cozumel Turtles Facebook page

Wthether Cruz Roja or Creu Roja: Still a Great Organization

Red Cross at Barcelona

I can leave Cozumel, but some things remain the same. At the Festival of Sant Jordi (St. George) - the patron saint of Catalan, there it was, the ever present Red Cross we know and love. In Cozumel, It is Cruz Roja. Here it is the Creu Roja. 

Roman ruins at Barcelona

Withn a half block of the Red Cross tent, there are Roman ruins, the hotel where I am staying, three department stores and a book fair with many famous Catalan authors signing autographs. That is a bit different than Cozumel. 

Roman ruin area at Barcelona

Massive crowds at Festival of Sant Jordi

I couldn't bear this much traffic every day. It is much more crowded than Cozumel's streets when the cruise ship arrive. But for a few days while on vacation, it is actually quite fun.

Chrysalis 5K Walk/Run

Chrysalis 5K Walk/Run at Cozumel

The Chrysalis 5K Walk/Run was yesterday, February 24th, at Cozumel Island. Sally Hurwich was the sponsor of this event. It had a great turnout and everybody had a wonderful time. Chrysalis is an organization that gathers money all year so that school children who don't have the funds will get their books and supplies, so they can go to school.

The Magic of Design Furniture & Interior Design was a sponsor for this worthwhile cause. This was the first event, and next year proves to be even more special.

Thanks, Sally, for such a great event!

Christmas Sentiment

Christmas ornaments photo courtesy of Chellie Haydon Castellanos

Hard to believe another year has flown by. The older I get, the faster it all goes. Add to the fact I live in the Caribbean and it never really feels like Christmas. The charity is certainly there. I have seen many photos on Facebook of Santa Ron giving out shoes at Kelley's and Candy Cane Corki handing out candy canes. Christmas Day, Dive Choice Mexico will be at Las Fincas with more gifts, a charity that I hold true to my heart and give to every year. 

Candy Cane Corki

Still it is hard to get in the mood of the season. Where is the snow and the gigantic decorated trees I remember from my childhood? Decorating a palm tree is just not the same. But I have to admit, not having to put on a big coat and gloves has its perks.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Christmas Charity from Dive Choice Mexico

Karen Bloemhoff and Ricardo Garcia buy new toys all year from the money they make from selling donated items. They work tirelessly so the less fortunate children of Cozumel each have a new toy for the holiday season. From the above You Tube video, you can see just how appreciative the children are. Karen and Ricardo run Dive Choice Mexico, a dive operation. For more information on their personalized dive services, click on Dive Choice Mexico.

Karen also runs a very successful property management service and works for one of the local real estate companies. They are married and also have a baby. Just thinking of all they do makes me tired! They are an inspiration to us all here. Hailing from The Netherlands, Karen is a warm and kind hardworking entrepreneur.  Thanks, Karen and Ricardo, for all you do for these children.

Happy New Year! We know a bunch of children in Cozumel will be celebrating 2012 with their spanking new toys!

The Meaning of Christmas in Cozumel

Artwork by Sarah Williams Pritchett

Cozumel is a small town. We have a group of people, both Mexican and foreigner, who look out for and care about each other. There is a flurry of activity now. The tourists have begun to arrive. For us locals, that is a mixed blessing. The roads become more congested and a lot of people who have no idea how to drive here are on the roads. But business is up. People are selling. Diamonds are being purchased, along with souvenirs and booze. 

Through the car window on east side of Cozumel

The weather is amazing, and I thank God every day that I live in such a beautiful place. It isn't perfect. We know that. Unfortunately petty crime tends to go up this time of year. As the island grows, we get the warts that go along with being just a little bigger small town.


I am looking forward to dinner with friends for Christmas Eve, brunch with a group of ladies I know for Christmas morning ... and dinner with more friends Christmas evening. Thank you to all of you who have come in to my life here in Cozumel. Thank you to my husband, this Christmas season.


I feel a sense of gratitude. Business is picking up and we all have the Humane Society Christmas party to look forward to on the 28th. Don't forget to buy tickets and head on down to the Money Bar! More information on the Humane Society in Cozumel can be found here. You can also find them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/HumaneCozumel

Photo courtesy of Humane Society of Cozumel Island

Merry Christmas, Cozumel!

Breakfast for Breast Cancer Awareness

Ex-pat community supporting Breast Cancer Awareness

One of my favorite people is Mari on the far left

Yesterday, there was a breakfast at Carlos and Charlie's for breast cancer awareness. About 150 women attended, and about 15 of the attendees were from our ex-pat community. I didn't make it but bought a ticket to support the cause. A lot of women wore pink and came out for a grand old time.

Discussing breast cancer awareness

There were prizes and a large donation was made by Carlos & Charlie's Restaurant. Our mayor's wife, Luisa Prieto, is in charge of DIF, which is the way it works here. I really never understood what DIF is in charge of other than they were involved in matters of children, but DIF is a lot more than that. DIF gets involved in cases of abandoned and abused children. It also is the agency which handles adoptions.

Luisa Prieto and her daughter Malu accepting the check from Carlos & Charlie's

Click here if you want to know more about adopting a child in Mexico.