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EVERYBODY COMPLAINS ABOUT the weather, but nobody does anything about it, quipped Mark Twain. We're not particularly good at predicting it, either. We do know that generally the rains are heavier and more frequent in the latter part of the season.

Personally, I love the rainy season: An emerald blanket covers the hills, dramatic skies of boiling clouds relieve the eternal azure. The rivers are running, the fish are biting and the birds are nesting, and the surf is awesome.

But extended periods of rain can be a challenge for year-round residents, and put a damper on the vacation of our visitors. So this issue we explore some of the activities that can enjoyed, come rain or come shine, from lazing in a hammock with a good book and a cool beverage to shopping at the market or taking a dance class.

Enjoy and please visit our friends who advertise their services here and make it possible for us to deliver this magazine to you free each month.
- - Warren Sharpe, editor

This Month in Puerto

Tuesday 12
Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseids are considered by many people to be the year's best shower when the moon is out of the way during the shower's peak. This year's moon is not quite out of the way during the Perseids, but there is a window for meteor-watching in the hours before dawn.

[taxi]
Day of the Taxi Driver
Following a special mass and the blessing of the cabs, Puerto's taxi fleet, decorated in ribbons and bows, parades through town for few hours and then the cabbies are treated to a lunch and party. You might have an extra wait finding a taxi today.

Tuesday 12 - Friday 15
Feast of the Ascension of the Holy Virgin
This feast of the Ascension is celebrated in many towns and colonias, most named for Santa Maria, including Santa María Colotepec, Santa María Tonameca (near Pochutla), San Pedro Mixtepec and the Mixtec community of Huazolotitlan (see story).

The traditional fiesta is a mixture of the religious and the profane, solemnity and revelry. Parades, processions, fireworks, dances, rodeos, carnival rides, big markets, sometimes cock fights and horse races, as well as the religious observations.

The lighting of the castillo (castle or tower), a spectacular fireworks display, always takes place on the saint's day eve (in this case, Aug. 14).

[bomberos] Friday 22
Fireman's Day
Congratulations to our heroic corps of firefighters. They deal with emergencies ranging from auto accidents to removing swarms of killer bees. Many local families drop off food and other gifts during the celebration at the Fire Station.

Wednesday 27
Grandparents' Day
Besides Father's Day, Mother's Day, Day of the Child and Students' Day, today is to honor the old folks. The city often hosts a special program to honor its seniors
5 p.m. City Hall Esplanade.

Wednesday 27 - Thu 28
Martyrdom of John the Baptist
Important festival in the Chatino town of Lachao Pueblo Nuevo, on the road to Oaxaca vía Sola de Vega. (There are some cool waterfalls nearby.)

Thursday 28 - Sat 30
Santa Rosa de Lima Fiesta
Beyond the wetlands complex of Chacahua National Park, Santa Rosa de Lima is a major center for the cultivation of limes, the all-purpose seasoning and astringent that is a local staple. Look for the friendly, country-style restaurant named Doña, it's worth a trip in itself for lunch. There's also a Santa Rosa near Pueblo Nuevo Lachao.

[calderon] Monday, September 1
Presidential Address
For the Mexican President's "state of the union" message, banks and government offices are often closed.

Friday 5
Election of "Miss America"
The official inauguration of the "Month of the Nation" is the selection of Srta. América and her maids-of-honor, all of whom hopefully look good in the national colors when they represent the spirit of Mexican liberty at all the month's patriotic civic and cultural events, Open to any young women age 15 to 22, contestants will be judged on how well they can sing the national anthem
5 p.m. Town Hall Esplanade

Saturday 6 - Tuesday 9
Fiesta of the Birth of the Holy Virgin
Seems that Santa María Colotepec has a ton of Annual Fairs. Every date on the liturgical calendar referring to St. Mary is occasion for a full-blown fiesta. Nothing wrong with that, of course. The traditional convite and calenda parades with brass band and huge papier-mache puppets take place Saturday; Sunday is the castillo fireworks; Monday includes a community meal at 2 p.m. and dance with live music at 10 p.m. Closing event ceremonies will be held Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Santa María Colotepec

Live Music [vuida]

Alfonso Fors - Eclectic, progressive rock, original
Thursday: Los Tugas, Villas Carrizalillo.
Friday: Guadua, Brisas de Zicatela.
Wednesday, Saturday: Buena Vida, Blvd Juárez, Rinconada.

Viuda de Romero - Mexican, Latin
Thursday: Sativa, Zicatela.
Friday: Split Coconut, Hotel Jardín Real, Bacocho.
Saturday: Los Tugas, Villas Carrizalillo
Wednesday: Congo, Adoquin.

Rosela & Memo "Los López"
Monday: Bar Aquí, Zicatela beach.
Jam Session, Friday: Bar Aquí

Proyecto Mandala, Mexican reggae
Tuesday, Friday: Fajitas, Zicatela.

Read this Month's Featured Articles:
To Live in Paradise, You Gotta Keep Busy
Stuff to Do, Come Rain or Come Shine
Visiting Paradise & the of Art Hanging Out
Magic of the Market
Getting Out of Town - Huazolotitlan


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