Categoría: Living in Mexico – We Have All The Lifestyle Information You Will Need.

 (Jesús María Municipio el Nayar, Nayarit)

Holy Week celebration has many interpretations in different parts of México; almost every community has a way to represent the events that lead to the Passion of Christ”. The most interesting ones are the ones represented in Indian communities, because of the syncretism of the Indian and the catholic cosmogony. The Cora Holy Week is probably the most interesting and representative of this fact.

The Cora people “na´ayarijl” live in its majority in the northeast portion o the Estate of Nayarit. Their territory covers the municipalities of Del Nayar, Acaponeta, Rosamorada, Ruiz y Tecuala, in the towns of Santa Teresa, Jesús María, Mesa del Nayar y Huaynamota. This mountain region is known as Sierra del Nayar, bordering with the estates of Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas and Jalisco. The most ancient data of the existence of the Coras come from the reports of the conqueror Nuño de Guzmán who explored the lowlands of Sierra del Nayar in 1531. Today according to the CDI-CONAPO (National Population Council) the Cora Population is estimated in 24.390 with 16.000 speaking the Cora Dialect. The Coras is one of the poorest and most marginalized Indian communities in Mexico

Since 1581 the Cora history was shaped by episodes of strong intents to subdue them politically and religiously. Due to the abrupt topography and the scattered settlements the conquerors were obligated to make numerous intents to congregate and convert the Coras to the catholic religion.

After more than a century of trying, the Jesuits could penetrate the territory in 1722 for only 45 years, leaving behind missions that were later occupied by the Franciscans. Even though the contact with the evangelizers was short and very conflictive in comparison to other Indian groups the Cora People adopted elements form the Catholicism and assigned a compatible meaning to their preexisting codices resulting in what you can call a Cora Catholicism and that is how a number of ceremonies were modified and adapted to recreate their own culture among them “La Judea” (Holy Week)

In a period of 8 days the coras will transform themselves into different characters( all based in the in the original participants of the Passion of Christ) Jews, Pharisee, moors white and black demons, (“Los Borrados”) , Christ, etc. to carry on with the ritual of holy week, representing cosmic duels , and dances executed in a very precise timely manner.

The different characters have different disguises, the demons the Jews and Pharisee, paint their bodies with ash, and are named “Los Borrados” As an emblem they have a machete and at the rhythm of the drum and the flute the perform warrior dances, screaming and bellowing, and making symbolic sacrifices, to stage a cosmic war. This part of the celebration is where “evil” threatens the cosmic harmony; they peruse “Cristo Niño” (Child Christ) or “Cristo Sol” ( Sun Christ) and after several intents on Good Friday Christ is symbolically captured and killed. (Christ is “Hatzican” in cora meaning Morning Star or Sun Star).

On Saturday (Sábado de Gloria) the situation is the opposite; Christ resuscitates, the demons are self destroyed and go back to the river where they came from at the beginning of the ceremony. Finally, peace and balance come back to the people once the last procession, to the catholic temple takes place presided by Christ, along with the Virgin Mary Saint, Joseph the Pharisee, the Jews, musicians and the people in the community.

La Judea intricate symbolism is closely related with the agricultural cycles of the corn and the approaching of the rains and the renewal of the vegetation and the resurrection of life. Is also related to other celebrations like “The Day of the Dead” and the council to elect their authorities in January.

During “La Judea” (Holy Week) all the cora people participate, including everyone, children women and older people, constitutes a cohesion element in the community. It is an expression of cultural syncretism with exceptional value in its permanence through time and its impressive symbolic richness in the characters, the use of space, and the relation to the gods and the agricultural cycle, its great artistic expression in the body decorations, masks dances, and finally because is a fundamental expression of the Cora identity.

The Cora Holy Week has interested a number of researchers from the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX like Carl Lumholtz, Leon Diguet and Konrad Theodor Preuss. The second half of the XX century has produced a number of research programs that witness the richness of information, interpretation and analysis with important video graphic documents (Guillermo Aldana and Fernando Rosales) as well as recordings and important bibliography. Among the most important researchers are Fernando Benitez Jesús Jauregui, Johannes Neurath and Laura Magaña.

Whether on the beach, street or in the tianguis (flea market), expectations are to bargain, on both sides of any regateo (negotiation). Though some visitors to Puerto Vallarta find bargaining a bother and even embarrassing, it can also be fun and educational. Try a little bit of your Spanish knowledge of numbers. Know the difference between quince, cinquenta and quinientos and how to say them and half the battle is won!

Seriously…bargaining is not rocket science. Many inexperienced tourists are afraid they are getting cheated but the opposite is often closer to the truth. Northern Americans are much too accustomed to a fixed price and don’t understand the lack of structure.

Amazingly, the vendors one deals with in Puerto Vallarta find bargaining to be a fundamental part of their job and enjoy it immensely. It’s fun and tinged with just the nicest small amount of drama to be entertaining for all involved.

When a beach hawker’s price is offered and simply accepted, they walk away laughing at the dumb gringo who is just throwing his money away.

Knowing this helps us understand business in Mexico as a whole. In Mexico, it is customary to personalize all affiliations and invest one’s own time. Mexicans are much more interested in humanizing transactions in business at any level.

We try to keep in mind, when considering any purchase, how much time has gone into the creation and crafting of any object. Embroidery work on a María doll must take a fair amount of time and yet the cost to the customer is negligible. Rugs that weigh heavy on the sellers back in the beating sun, colorful and made from quality materials, are brought back across the border in abundance because they are so well priced and such a great representation of the culture.

In the market in Puerto Vallarta, one finds a community; it’s not a spot to sell wares as much as a gathering place for people to interact on a personal level. The friendships

and family connections in mercados are evident and symbolize so much of what is Mexico… people enjoying one another and sharing stories, gossip and life, in general.

Mind you, shops and galleries do have price tags and they have been meticulously calculated. When purchasing jewelry, clothing, food, wine and other goods in shops around town, bargaining is frowned upon and simply not acceptable.

Que cómo es es.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by 犀利士
connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

Low Season in Puerto Vallarta Begins

High season is officially over as of Easter Sunday April 1^st, but that doesn’t mean things slow down in Puerto Vallarta. Pride week rolls out for the first big event of spring and in Puerto Vallarta, it’s become a grand affair in recent years, with an entire week devoted to the cause. Many of these events are not just for the LGBTQ crowd; they are for everyone to participate and all are welcome.  May 20th to 27th is a rainbow allied time in Puerto Vallarta! A highlight will certainly be a multimedia presentation about the history and LGBTQ lore of the city, with Teresa Delfín on Monday May 21st at Villa Mercedes Petit Hotel at 7 pm.

Commencing at the same time (7 pm, Monday May 21st) will be the Opening of the International Film Festival at ACT ll Entertainment on the Main Stage. This is the famous Guadalajara Film Festival, this year with a theme of “One Hundred Reasons to Celebrate.”

Markets are still open as well throughout May, with some staying open all through low season. We recommending asking your favorite vendors at these markets what their summer plans are, since many sell year around.

Pro tennis is back, as we’ve mentioned in past blogs and we’re super excited to follow this global tour that hits Puerto Vallarta on April 30 running through May 5th. The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour Puerto Vallarta Open will be held at Parota Park.

Puerto Vallarta will join in two worldwide events with the International March Against Homophobia, taking place on May 17th. Everyone is welcome to participate and a huge turnout is expected. This march will commence at the Hotel Sheraton at the north end of the Malecón from 6 – 8 pm and wind up at Los Arcos, with further festivities.  The second march will be by candlelight; the International Sunset Memorial Candlelight March will begin on Sunday, May 20th at 8 pm at the Hotel Rosita and also be completed at Los Arcos. This is a SETAC-sponsored event to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS. We highly recommend using public transportation on these evenings.

There’s no reason to be bored in low season and we’re off to a great start!

Que es cómo es.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

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San Sebastián del Oeste

The heat in Puerto Vallarta can be stifling in the summer months and we often venture out of town for an escape. It’s a great time to travel with less tourists and roads that are not quite so crowded. A favored destination is San Sebastián del Oeste, San Sebastian of the West.

This lovely colonial town in the mountains, a mere 90 minute trip from Puerto Vallarta, is rich in history and culture for those seeking more than a getaway from the high temperatures and humidity. Though San Sebastian wasn’t formally granted township until 1812, it was settled long before, in the very early 17th Century and at one time had a population of more than 30,000.

San Sebastian was a very prosperous settlement and in the early days, wagonloads of families vacationed in Puerto Vallarta, bearing fine crystal, china and linens to camp on the beach. Agriculture has always been a mainstay in this mountain vicinity, but mining, over the centuries, is what sustained the populace. Many families were made wealthy with their diligence in the pursuit of gold, silver and lead, with more than twenty-five mines and many more foundries developed before the 19th Century. Currently, the main crops are heavenly coffee and the ubiquitous agave that is grown so well in this region.

San Sebastian shares a major holiday with Puerto Vallarta, the December celebrations in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe. They have similar colorful fiestas and main events taking place in the adjacent municipality of Los Reyes.

The colonial Baroque Church of Saint Sebastian is not to be missed for its architecture, Corinthian columns and gorgeous frescoes. Built in 1608, this structure has been well cared for and is the pride of San Sebastian.

The general population has dwindled down to less than a thousand people at this time but remains a desired tourist destination, with enough hotels and inns to accommodate the overnight traveler. A day trip from Puerto Vallarta is also an easy choice, starting early in the day and returning before sundown.

Tours from Puerto Vallarta are available through local agencies, transportation ranging from buses to quick airplane flights. Using one’s own car or renting is also highly recommended and the roads that have been rebuilt make the drive pleasurable with incredible countryside scenery.

Que cómo es es.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.