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Jack Swift

Oct 6, 2002, 5:30 PM

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Catemaco

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Just returned from 10 days in the Catemaco area.Despite 50 years of depilations of momma earth's resources, this is still one of the the wonders of the earth.Essentially a land island created by 9 or more volcanoes on Mexico's gulfcoast, Los tuxtlas, composed basically of 2 Mexican protected biospheres, deserves more than an overnight visit by anyone ecologically oriented.Hotels, Restaurants, etc, are bountiful, but the REAL Tuxtlas are reserved for those with high wheeled vehicles.And still a place to find those 10K beachfront lots

El Japonese

Oct 6, 2002, 6:18 PM

Post #2 of 9 (655 views)

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Catemaco-Thanks for That

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I haven't been for years but I remember it well.
One of the finest evenings of my life was spent walking slowly thru Catemaco town, my time on the lake and in the area were a world of wonder.
No wonder the Brujas like it so much!

Oct 7, 2002, 7:42 PM

Post #3 of 9 (655 views)

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Catemaco-Thanks for That

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: I haven't been for years but I remember it well.
: One of the finest evenings of my life was spent walking slowly thru Catemaco town, my time on the lake and in the area were a world of wonder.
: No wonder the Brujas like it so much!Has anyone had a good experience seeing a Brujo?
Could you tell me exactly what they do?Are they really healers? And why do so many of them live there?
Thankyou.

Oct 7, 2002, 7:44 PM

Post #4 of 9 (655 views)

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Catemaco---and Brujas

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:
: : I haven't been for years but I remember it well.
: : One of the finest evenings of my life was spent walking slowly thru Catemaco town, my time on the lake and in the area were a world of wonder.
: : No wonder the Brujas like it so much!: Has anyone had a good experience seeing a Brujo?
: Could you tell me exactly what they do?: Are they really healers? And why do so many of them live there?
: Thankyou.

Jack Swift

Oct 8, 2002, 5:53 AM

Post #5 of 9 (657 views)

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Catemaco-Thanks for That

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Historically the Catemaco area was the start of all of mexico's civilizations, (the olmec) - its biodiversity was unparalled anywhere further north and probably provided oodles of medicinal herbs which created a tradition of healers / shamans, etc.
Modern medicine has mostly supplanted them but remnants still exist and an offshoot are the brujos, witchdoctors, Catemaco's fame in that area results from holding an annual witch convention. Here's a somewhat descriptive article
http://www.freep.com/news/nw/ewitch26.htm:
: : I haven't been for years but I remember it well.
: : One of the finest evenings of my life was spent walking slowly thru Catemaco town, my time on the lake and in the area were a world of wonder.
: : No wonder the Brujas like it so much!: Has anyone had a good experience seeing a Brujo?
: Could you tell me exactly what they do?: Are they really healers? And why do so many of them live there?
: Thankyou.

carl

Oct 9, 2002, 3:09 AM

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I could not get out of there fast enough

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I did not find any of Mexico's charm in the constant solicitation. While riding in cars we were pitched by people on bicycles who rode beside us.

carl

Oct 9, 2002, 3:09 AM

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I could not get out of there fast enough

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I did not find any of Mexico's charm in the constant solicitation. While riding in cars we were pitched by people on bicycles who rode beside us.

jack swift

Oct 9, 2002, 3:58 AM

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I could not get out of there fast enough

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considering that 1 in 5 people in mexico live on less than a dollar a day, and 50% live in poverty,
I tend to be a little more gracious with people's attempt to make a living.If you looked closer, you would have noticed those bikers carried badges identifying them as official tourist guides, and a simple, "no thank you" works wonders.: I did not find any of Mexico's charm in the constant solicitation. While riding in cars we were pitched by people on bicycles who rode beside us.

carl

Oct 9, 2002, 2:57 PM

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gracious

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I have found that Mexico is abundant with charm and if you get off the road a bit there are plenty of people making a living that don't follow you.
A tourist trap is a tourist trap the world around. There is a difference between solicitation and harassment.
The badges. Cab drivers have badges.
May I suggest the Isthmus of Thuantapec if you are looking to see Mexico and want to spread it around?