Wishing all our readers and supporters the very best for the festive season. We’ll be back with more of the same in the New Year – here’s to a really great 2012!
Archive for December, 2011
Festive Greetings
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011Half of Brazilians in Fear of War Over the Amazon
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
As more and more places in the developed world join those already heavily reliant on non-domestic resources, it’s no wonder that folks in some developing nations might be worried about the future – and in Brazil, they are. According to the results of a new poll, half of all Brazilians surveyed are either certain, or strongly believe that within the next 20 years an attack will be waged on their homeland for control of the resource-rich Amazon rainforest. But who would do such a thing? Well, 37 percent say the United States is a likely aggressor.
The survey, conducted by the Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA), found that out of the 3,796 Brazilians questioned, there are underlying concerns about the state of their nation’s resources. All told, 50 percent of respondents were seriously concerned about attacks pertaining to the Amazon; 45 percent believed that access to Brazil’s pre-salt resources could lead to an attack.
When asked which nation they feared was most likely to attack, 37 percent said the United States. Meanwhile, only 32 percent perceived the United States as an ally.
“People still find themselves threatened with countries which have unmatched military capabilities. At the same time, U.S. companies export, make investments and the possibility of partnership is very high. This ambiguity stems from the variety and versatility of U.S. power,” researcher Rodrigo Fracalossi tells G1 Globo News.
To many Americans, this scepticism felt by Brazilians in regards to U.S. foreign policy in Latin American may come as a surprise. But it wouldn’t be the first time charges that the U.S. might use force to acquire resources has been levelled. The notion that the U.S. military in recent Middle East conflicts was driven by oil persists to this day, both domestically and abroad.
With the world becoming an ever more crowded place, where the finite resources are already being stretched thin in places, it seems entirely possible that future international conflicts will be spurred not by the traditional triggers, but by a lack of water, arable farmland, or fossil fuels. And if that is indeed the case, Brazil, with its abundance of natural resources, could very well find itself on the front line one day.
Mexico Launches 2012 Mayan Apocalypse Countdown
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
Exactly 52 weeks are left before 21 December, 2012, when some believe the Maya predicted the end of the world.
Unlike enthusiasts of other doomsday theories who suggest putting together survival kits, south-eastern Mexico, the heart of Maya territory, plans a yearlong celebration.
Mexico’s tourism agency expects to draw 52 million visitors by next year only to the regions of Chiapas, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Campeche. All of Mexico usually lures about 22 million foreigners in a year.
It’s selling the date, the Winter Solstice in the coming year, as a time of renewal. Many archaeologists argue that the 2012 reference on a 1,300-year-old stone tablet only marks the end of a cycle in the Mayan calendar.
“The world will not end. It is an era,” said Yeanet Zaldo, a tourism spokeswoman for the Caribbean state of Quintana Roo, home to Cancun. “For us, it is a message of hope.”
Cities and towns in the Mayan region on Wednesday will start the yearlong countdown. In Chiapas the town of Tapachula on the Guatemalan border will start a countdown on an 8-foot digital clock in the main park exactly a year before the mysterious date.
In the nearby archaeological site of Izapa, Maya priests will burn incense, chant and offer prayers.
In the tropical jungle of Quintana Roo, between the resorts of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, people are putting messages and photos in a time capsule that will be buried for 50 years. Maya priests and Indian dancers will perform a ritual at the time capsule ceremony.
Yucatan state has announced plans to complete the Maya Museum of Merida by next summer.
“People who still live in Mayan villages will host rites and burn incense for us to go back in time and try to understand the Mayan wisdom,” Zaldo said.
The Maya reputation for wisdom has people taking the alleged prediction seriously.
The Mayan civilization, which reached its height from 300 A.D. to 900 A.D., had a talent for astronomy
Its Long Count calendar begins in 3,114 B.C., marking time in roughly 394-year periods known as Baktuns. Thirteen was a significant, sacred number for the Mayas, and they wrote that the 13th Baktun ends on 21 December, 2012.
The doomsday theories stem from a stone tablet discovered in the 1960s at the archaeological site of Tortuguero in the Gulf of Mexico state of Tabasco that describes the return of a Mayan god at the end of a 13th period.
Believers have taken the end-of-the world fears to the Internet with hundreds of thousands of websites and blogs.
“The Maya are viewed by many westerners as exotic folks that were supposed to have had some special, secret knowledge,” said Mayan scholar Sven Gronemeyer. “What happens is that our expectations and fears get projected on the Maya calendar.”
Gronemeyer of La Trobe University in Australia compares the supposed Mayan prophecies to the “Y2K” hype, when people feared all computer systems would crash when the new millennium began on 1 January, 2000.
For some reason, Gronemeyer says, people have ignored evidence that dates beyond 2012 were recorded.
The blogosphere exploded with more speculation when Mexico’s archaeology institute acknowledged on Nov. 24 a second reference to 21 December, 2012, on a brick found at other ruins.
“Human beings seem to be attracted by apocalyptic ideas and always assume the worst,” Gronemeyer said.
It’s all a bit frustrating for serious Mayan researchers whose field has made huge strides in recent years.
“This new historical and archaeological knowledge is so much more interesting and mind-blowing than the fantastical claims about Maya prophecies one sees on TV, books or on the Internet,” David Stuart, a specialist in Mayan epigraphy at the University of Texas at Austin, said in an email to The Associated Press. “We’re dealing with thousands of newly deciphered texts and trying to weave together a coherent picture of Maya history and culture, which to me is as exciting as it gets.”
While the 2012 hype might increase interest in the Maya, “that will probably be offset by the long and difficult effort ahead to correct the ubiquitous lies and misconceptions, even after 2012 has come and gone,” he wrote.
Jonnie Channell of Albuquerque, New Mexico, says that 2012 “is going to be one of those things where people are definitely going to have to plan,” not because of impending apocalypse, but because hotel rooms in the Maya region are probably going to be full.
Channell, who owns Maya Sites Travel Services, is surprised that she already has 24 reservations for three tour packages she is offering to major Mayan ruin sites in the week leading up to the solstice.
She named one “Beginning the New Calendar Era Under the Yucatan Stars.”
“We put together these tours, and we’ve got lots of signups, and people are excited about it,” she said. “If anybody thinks it’s going to be the end of the world, then they better stay home.”
New Year’s Eve in Ecuador
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
A New Year’s Eve, or Año Viejo, spent in Ecuador provides a fascinating insight into local culture and folklore. During the build up to the day itself, you will see effigies for sale in the streets, made from wood, paper, cloth and firecrackers. These effigies, also known as año viejos will usually represent international political figures that are hated, locally despised politicians, or icons from popular music or culture, from the old year. These figures are dressed up in the family’s clothing and with masks of the personalities they seek to depict. They are then burned on New Year’s Eve to banish the bad and welcome in the new.
In Quito, Amazonas Avenue is the place to head early in the evening to check out the stalls and the open-air entertainment. Themed effigy displays line the road along with live music and street food. You may see effigies being burned here and you will certainly see fireworks. Plaza Foch in Mariscal is supposed to have an especially big display of dummies to burn this year. Outside of Quito, the coastal town of Salinas is a popular Ecuadorian New Year’s Eve haunt.
Similar to Halloween in the United States, New Year’s Eve is a day when children and adults alike dress up in costumes, wigs and masks. Throughout the country, a popular pursuit is for men to dress up as women – the widows of the año viejo – and beg for money. Also, outside of the main cities, especially on roads to the smaller countryside towns, you may come across children holding string across the roads. They are trying to stop the traffic with the aim of relieving you of your small change. In the countryside, many people light fires in the street, upon which they burn the effigies. This happens in Quito too, but more frequently in the suburbs.
Midnight itself tends to be a family affair, with a meal spent at home with relatives. A local tradition is to eat twelve grapes (uvas) at the stroke of midnight, which is supposed to bring luck throughout the year. The streets become ablaze with little fires as each family burns its own effigy. After dinner, younger people head off to clubs or parties to see in the New Year in style.
Use Sunscreen in Peru
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
Peru will be exposed to high levels of solar radiation this summer, according to a new report by the Peruvians Against Cancer League (LPLC).
Citing data from the National Meteorology Service, the LPLC said that Peru’s solar radiation levels would reach 14 (on a 1-15 scale), due to deterioration of the ozone layer.
Dr Alcides Pinedo Cárdenas, an oncologist, said high levels of ultraviolet radiation have generated high incidences of skin cancer in recent years.
He explained that cases of skin cancer usually occur in people over 40, but that they were becoming more common at earlier ages due to frequent exposure to solar radiation.
According to Andina, there are between 3,000 and 5,000 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in Peru every year – the fourth highest type of cancer in the country, after stomach, lung and breast cancer.
The highest radiation rates are found in Lima, Piura and Arequipa, the report said.
Dr. Pinedo stressed that even people who were only exposed to ultraviolet radiation for short periods of time were still at risk, and urged everyone to take precautions and use sunscreen with SPF of 30, or higher.
Looking to Party on NYE?
Saturday, December 17th, 2011
A New Year. New possibilities. New commitments. New resolutions. Celebrations and customs may vary around the world, but in most places, New Year’s Eve (NYE) is one of the biggest party days of the year. For many, simply spending the night with close friends and family is the best way to celebrate. While it’s certainly a great way to ring in the New Year, there are many people who like to turn it up a notch.
The are many great places to watch the clock strike midnight in Central and America, but if there is one place that does give any traveller and adventure seeker a starting point for celebrating this holiday in a unique and raucous way, it has to be Rio de Janeiro.
Rio is known as one of the party capitals of the world, so you know what you’re getting into if celebrating the New Year in Brazil. Like Sydney, you’ll find yourself in the middle of summer in Rio, so beach parties, bikinis, and swim suits could be the norm for the night, depending on your preferred party location. If you’re going to Rio for NYE, you’re going to dance and party with some of the best in the business – Brazilians. These people know how to spend a night out, so attending the city’s second biggest annual party (after Carnaval) will have you boogying the night away on the beach.
Like many things in Rio de Janeiro, it begins and ends on Copacabana beach. Party central is located up and down this famous beach, with all different genres of music and plenty of activities to keep you up and dancing all night long. This year’s New Year’s celebration will feature the usual massive fireworks display in addition to different stages set up along Copacabana beach, each featuring different music.
Rio is definitely a fantastic, rowdy, fun, and unique city to ring in 2012. One of the best NYE parties you’ll find anywhere.
A Union is Born: Latin America in Revolution
Saturday, December 17th, 2011
While much of the world is in crisis and protests are erupting throughout Europe and the United States, Latin American and Caribbean nations are building consensus, advancing social justice and increasing positive cooperation in the region. Social, political and economic transformations have been taking place through democratic processes in countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil throughout the past decade, leading to a massive reduction in poverty and income disparity in the region, and a substantial increase in social services, quality of life and direct participation in political process.
One of the major initiatives of progressive Latin American governments this century has been the creation of new regional organizations that promote integration, cooperation and solidarity amongst neighbouring nations. Cuba and Venezuela began this process in 2004 with the founding of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), that now includes Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Dominica, St. Vincent’s and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda. ALBA was initially launched in response to the US government’s failed attempt to impose its Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) throughout the region. Today ALBA is a thriving multilateral organization with member nations that share similar political visions for their countries and for the region, and includes numerous cooperation agreements in economic, social and cultural areas. The fundamental basis of trade amongst ALBA nations is solidarity and mutual benefit. There is no competition, exploitation or attempt to dominate amongst ALBA states. ALBA even counts on its own currency, the SUCRE, which allows for trade between member nations without dependence on the US dollar.
In 2008, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) was formally established as a regional body representing South American states. While ALBA is much more consolidated as a unified political voice, UNASUR represents a diversity of political positions, economic models and visions for the region. But UNASUR members share the common goal of working towards regional unity and guaranteeing the resolution of conflicts through peaceful and diplomatic means. UNASUR has already played a key role in peacefully resolving disputes in Bolivia, particularly during an attempted coup against the government of Evo Morales in 2008, and has also successfully moderated a severe conflict between Colombia and Venezuela, leading to the reestablishment of relations in 2010.
Two hundred years ago, South American Independence hero Simon Bolivar, a native of Venezuela, dreamed of building regional unity and creating a “Patria Grande” (Grand Homeland) in Latin America. After achieving independence for Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia, and fighting colonialists in several Caribbean nations, Bolivar attempted to turn this dream of Latin American unity into reality. His efforts were sabotaged by powerful interests opposing the creation of a solid regional bloc, and eventually, with the aid of the United States, Bolivar was ousted from his rule in Venezuela and died isolated in Colombia several years later. Meanwhile, the US government had proceeded to implement its Monroe Doctrine, a decree first declared by President James Monroe in 1823 to ensure US domination and control over the newly-freed nations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Nearly two hundred years of invasions, interventions, aggressions, coup d’etats and hostilities led by the US government against Latin American nations shadowed the 19th and 20th centuries. By the end of the 20th century, Washington had successfully imposed governments in every Latin American and Caribbean nation that were subordinate to its agenda, with the exception of Cuba. The Monroe Doctrine had been achieved, and the US felt confident in its control over its “backyard”.
The unexpected turn at the beginning of the 21st century in Venezuela, formerly one of Washington’s most stable and subservient partners, came as a shock to the US. Hugo Chavez had been elected President and a Revolution had begun. A coup d’etat attempt in 2002 failed to subvert the advancement of the Bolivarian Revolution and the spread of revolutionary fever throughout the region. Soon Bolivia followed, then Nicaragua and Ecuador. Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay elected socialist presidents, two of them former guerrilla fighters. Major changes began to occur throughout the region as the peoples of this vast, diverse and rich continent assumed power and made their voices heard.
Social transformations in Venezuela that gave voice to people’s power became exemplary for others in the region, as did President Chavez’s defiance of US imperialism. A powerful sentiment of Latin American sovereignty and independence grew stronger, even reaching those with governments aligned with US interests and multinational control.
On 2-3 December 2011, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) was born and the overwhelming force of a continent nearly 600 million strong, achieved a 200-year dream of unity. The 33 member nations of CELAC all agree on the unquestionable necessity to build a regional organization that represents their interests, and that excludes the overbearing presence of the US and Canada. While CELAC will take time to consolidate, the exceptional commitment evidenced by the 33 states present at its launching in Caracas, Venezuela, cannot be underestimated.
CELAC will have to overcome attempts to sabotage and neutralize its expansion and endurance, and the threats against it and intents to divide member nations will be numerous and frequent. But the resistance of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean who have resumed this path of unity and independence after nearly two hundred years of imperialist aggression, demonstrates the powerful force that has led this region to become an inspiration for those seeking social justice and true freedom around the world.
Become a Permaculture Warrior
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
This project is looking for real green warriors who will get the chance to learn about and participate in permaculture design and implementation, green building, gardening and reforestation, bio-diesel production, alternative energy, goats and milking, cooking from fresh produce, chocolate and cheese making, teaching, and much more.
The project also offers horse internships for people who want to learn more about these gorgeous animals. Interns get to do all the general things that are part of a horse owner’s life, like cultivating and processing home grown feed, brushing, washing, fence maintenance and mucking as well as horse handling and riding lessons if needed.
The volunteer program costs £9 per day and the internship costs £16 per day (based on a 3 week stay). You will get 3 mostly home grown meals a day, a comfy bed, and get to use the spring water pool, dance/yoga studio, and have access to the internet. Cheaper rates are negotiable for longer term volunteers (minimum commitment of one month). The volunteer fee is used to cover the cost of food, energy, and the wages of permaculture teachers – the accommodation is provided free.
Fiesta Grande, Andacollo, Chile
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
Once a year the quiet mining town of Andacollo in Chile transforms into a thriving festival of colour as groups of traditional dancers take to the streets to commemorate the miracles of the patron saint of miners Virgen del Rosario. Thousands of people swell the town in the days leading up to festival, literally setting up camp where limited space is available.
Every detail, from the colours in their costumes to the beats of the music and steps of the dances have a special meaning, and are passed down from generation to generation. All the senses come alive at this thriving festival, which intertwines religious ceremonial dances with secular activities, such as horse-racing, cock-fighting, feasts, and of course, drinking.
The Fiesta Grande Andacollo runs from the 24-26 December 2011 in Andacollo, Chile.
Christmas Gift Ideas 2011
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
Do you have a globetrotter on your pressie list and are struggling for gift ideas? This Latin American infused gift guide offers the perfect solution for the avid traveller. Before braving the madness of the high street or mall, peruse these gift ideas from the warmth of your home, and toast your shopping savvy with a cup of seasonal nog.
Solar Cell Phone Charger – Portable chargers are great travel gadgets, but ultimately they need to be charged as well. The nifty Ray solar charger (see image) uses a suction cup to attach to a car or airplane window to get the juice it needs. At barely three inches square, it is easy to carry with you or throw on the dashboard to quickly charge your mobile, tablet and other necessary devices.
An Underwater Camera – Capture all of the colours, movement and life of the aquatic world with Nikon’s Coolpix AW100. This new point-and-shoot underwater camera is shockproof, freeze-proof and (of course) waterproof, and comes with an internal GPS system and HD video capabilities. Snorkelers and scuba divers seeking up-close-and-personal shots of marine life can use the macro setting, which yields clean and crisp detail.
Classic South American beachwear – The colourful, rubber Havaianas flip flops are the unofficial footwear of South America’s beaches for males and females of every age. While they are cheapest to purchase right in their native Brazil, you can craft your perfect pair online.
A Story of Magical Realism – Isabel Allende is one of Latin America’s most acclaimed writers of all time, and The House of Spirits is the Chilean author’s debut novel. While tanning on the beach, travellers can brush up on the magic realism that is so characteristic of the continent’s literature. Allende’s latest, Maya’s Notebook, already a bestseller in Spanish, is due out in English in 2012.
Waterproof Binoculars – Binoculars are an essential item for wildlife enthusiasts, but they can also be cumbersome. The compact pairs from REI have a slim, foldable design that is perfect for slipping into a pocket for wildlife walks. The sealed, nitrogen-filled housing makes them weather and fog-proof. And the fold-down eyecups allow travellers to view animals even with sunglasses on.
Luggage with Brazilian Flavour – Brazilian artist Romero Britto may now reside in the U.S., but his bright, punchy work is decidedly South American, incorporating the spirit of the continent and especially its beach culture, with playful designs and colours.
Undercover Secret Sleeves – Undercover sleeves for laptops and phones give gadgets the appearance of ratty old envelopes while their padded interiors keep electronics pristine. Made from tough rip and water proof material and padded with protective PE foam, you can use an undercover sleeve to disguise anything that will fit in it. The disguise is so effective that you’d better hope your laptop or phone doesn’t get posted by accident.
A Mate Gourd and Bombilla – Every group of beach-lounging South Americans, especially in Uruguay and Argentina, has their mate gourd, “bombilla” (metal straw) and tea. The social drink that keeps South Americans on a nice caffeinated buzz is made from dried yerba mate tea leaves and hot water, and the temperature outside is of no importance for consumption.
Passport-Concealing Underwear – There’s no safer place to keep a credit card, cash and important documents than down under, but it’s so much easier with nifty pants and their zip-secure pockets. And it’s a saviour from the waist-widening evils of travel belts and fanny packs, meaning the essentials are kept secure while the wearer stays svelte.