La Catalina Foundation - Winter Newsletter

Just an example of what a Costalegre community group can do - and how to communicate !!!
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Issue 8 – Winter 2007 La Manzanilla, Jalisco, México

MIDDLE SCHOOL WINS GRANT FOR COMPUTERS & INTERNET SERVICE!!!

Working with our local middle school, La Catalina Educational Foundation assisted with completing a grant application to receive 10 new computers. Out of 20 schools in the State of Jalisco that applied, La Manzanilla middle school was proud to be one of three schools that won the grant. Our seventy middle school students and their teachers are eagerly awaiting the delivery and installation of these new computers along with the 5 year free high-speed internet access that was awarded as part of the grant. Thank you to foundation board member and middle school principal, Valentín Chavez Castro and our intern Dean Klompas for their great efforts!

SURVEYING THE COMMUNITY’S EDUCATION NEEDS

As we are in the process of planning for the construction of a community educational center, we have been surveying the Mexican community of La Manzanilla to see what kind of educational services and facilities they would like to see for their children and grandchildren. Our first community survey was conducted to 29 Ejiditarians. This survey is also being administered to the teachers and school administrators, the “Padres de las Familias”, the middle school students, and other groups of Mexican residents in the community.

The following are the results from three of the primary questions from our first batch of surveys administered to the Ejiditarians in October 2007.

[To view tables with survey results, please visit the website at the link below]:

Website and survey results

Tropical Storm Henriette

El arroyito de la Manzanilla


La Manzanilla Ocean September 03, 2007

Some pictures of Boca de Iguanas

Here are some pictures of the results of Tropical Storm Henriette in Melaque

Flooding the second year in a row for Melaque even with the new bridge and channel for the river. A very bad engineering job that probably won't be resolved any time soon.

Mexican Mangroves and Wildlife expedition

“This is not a sanitized holiday but a unique adventure…where you can learn new skills, experience exotic wildlife and locations, meet interesting people and get the satisfaction that you are actually doing something positive for conservation.”

The wetlands that line a large part (1,567,300 hectares) of the Mexican coast are rich in biological diversity. Mangrove ecosystems in particular are known to be important rearing grounds for marine fishes and provide important habitat for migratory and endemic bird species, reptiles, and small mammals. On the Costa Alegre of the Mexican Pacific, mangroves are the dominant coastal wetland and are home to the largest populations of American crocodiles in Mexico. Previous investigations conducted in Tenacatita Bay have shown the importance of these mangroves as habitat for many different species. The support of Earthwatch volunteers like you makes it possible to collect essential data on the mangroves themselves as well as the species inhabiting them. Similar to other mangrove ecosystems worldwide, both direct (e.g. habitat modification) and indirect (e.g. climate change) human influences are altering the biology and function of these ecosystems. During the last three years of Earthwatch-sponsored research, critical information was collected describing the disturbances caused to La Manzanilla mangrove. La Manzanilla is close to the city and structurally different than the previously studied Tenacatita mangrove, which has permanent surface water connections between the mangrove and the ocean. In the past year, the city of LaManzanilla has initiated a program that would input wastewater discharge into La Manzanilla mangrove. Wastewater contains higher concentrations of nutrients which can alter ecosystem structure and species composition, particularly in systems that do not flush regularly like La Manzanilla mangrove. Though the human influences affecting La Manzanilla are significant, this project works under the belief that it is in the early stages of change and that the time to act is now. It is essential to determine the conditions of the mangrove prior to major alterations, to predict future impacts, and to develop a natural resource management plan for the lower watershed. This project seeks to explore the basic ecological interactions taking place within each mangrove through an ecosystem-based approach and to assess the importance of the mangrove to the local community.

Link to PDF file about this years projects

Boca de Iguanas - Hotel - Beach Club - Spa - Community

And here's what you can pay $350,000 to $500,000us (only guessing - prices not yet posted) and pretend you are anywhere other than Mexico.

Their Web Page
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Life at Boca de Iguanas revolves around a dynamic community center inspired by the traditional pueblito at the heart of Mexico’s colonial heritage. First-class resort living mixes colorful, old-world architecture with contemporary Mexican design in a refreshing natural haven that features a boutique hotel, beach club and a holistic spa all situated around a rare mangrove ecosystem.

Located 40 minutes north of Manzanillo International Airport, Boca de Iguanas offers single-family ocean view homes and condos nestled in the jungle, gentle waves lapping a cream sand beach, fresh organic meals served under the stars and exceptional service.

Stand-alone “green” homes designed in a traditional Mexican pueblo theme will be set against ponds and mangroves surrounded by primordial jungle. The result is a pristine setting that allows residents and vacationers to experience the stunning natural beauty of the area while indulging in first-class amenities.

Boca de Iguanas will offer an unparalleled 21st century vacation/lifestyle experience in a pristine, ecologically-progressive gated community, with 24 hour security, alternative clean energy sources and underground utilities.

The development will revolve around a dynamic community center inspired by the traditional pueblito, with dining and shopping, open plazas and old stone fountains reminiscent of Mexico’s colonial heritage. Building in this style will also allow for more densely organized houising, maximizing land usage while offering an intimate, community-oriented feel found in Old World Mexican pueblos. Homeowners will have access to a beach club with an infinity edge pool, hammocks and lounges on the beach. Spectacular views, fresh organic meals and exceptional service will be offered from the al fresco beachside restaurant and bar.
Natural surroundings are kept in a largely untouched state, juxtaposing the striking ocean and tranquil beach with a mangrove ecosystem that will also provide a backdrop to many of the development’s eco-focused lifestyle. Cars will not be allowed : a covered parking area located at the entrance of the development will be available to the owners. Walking paths will encourage a healthy lifestyle, and electric golf carts will deliver owners right to their front doors.

To maximize on the “greenness” of the community, each house will have its own solar power array for electricity as well as solar hot water, and plumbing will connect to community gray water recycling system, and sewage treatment plant.

The Boca de Iguanas is for couples and families seeking wellness of being, physical activities, cultural encounters, and luxurious surroundings packaged in a complete high-end vacation experience.

Want a job or just info on the new Boca de Iguanas

Independent Sales Representatives

Description: Mixed use real estate developer looking for seasoned independent real estate contractors to serve as regional sales representatives for ecological beachfront development project in Costalegre, Mexico.

The Boca de Iguanas development project is a multi-phased mixed use eco-development consisting of 40 single family homes and pre-sale condominium units on 18 acres of spectacular jungle-strewn beachfront property that shares its site with a 10-room boutique hotel, beach club, holistic spa and ecological reserve.

The target market is upwardly mobile couples, young-minded retirees and families in the Western U.S. and Canada seeking a cutting-edge yet natural community whose devotion to conservation is reflected in built-in bioclimactic architecture, underground wiring, supplemental solar power generation, onsite composting, grey water recycling and environmental stewardship programs.

We are seeking highly motivated, dynamic sales associates who are commissioned based and who will handle negotiations and closings for multiple real estate transactions. The sales representative is based in his/her home region with possible travel to Mexico for scheduled appointments and onsite sales presentations with leads generated. Must demonstrate strong organizational and communications skills, and must possess a valid real estate license for the REGION.

Here's a link to the original job Ad

Fotos taken within the last few months of construction, the restaurant and the pool ...

HELP SAVE LA MANZANILLA BEACH & MANGROVE (Part 2)

And here follows the rest of the "Official Denunciation" letter to save the coastal mangrove zone between La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas....
As well, the cumulative environmental impacts of these construction projects are affecting, and will negatively affect, the habitats for refuge, roosting, and feeding of the following aquatic and terrestrial birds also cited in NOM-059-ECOL-2001 and found in the La Manzanilla mangrove: Least Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma microsoma), Least Grebe (Tachypatus dominicus), Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), Mangrove Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus), Heermann´s Gull (Larus heermanni), Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans), Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis), and Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis); In addition, the following species’ nesting grounds will be effected: Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius), Green-backed Heron (Butorides virescens) and Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).
Fundamentally, the realization of these individual construction projects represents an urban subdivision with service infrastructure and roads in this coastal mangrove zone. Thus, we are requesting that all current projects be evaluated under the terms of the aforementioned Article 11 Ordinance and that the developers and the Municipality of La Huerta, Jalisco, be required to complete a “Regional Mode” EIS. Likewise, we request that the already authorized projects, or projects in the process of authorization, be treated under the terms of Article 16 of the same Ordinance, and that the generated environmental impacts be analyzed and revised. Finally, we request that the current projects underway in the aforementioned coastal mangrove zone be halted until revised environmental impact statements are fulfilled and made available to the public.

Furthermore, in light of many of the construction projects in the La Manzanilla/Boca de Iguanas coastal mangrove zone—from small palaces to substantial houses, the majority of which are inhabited by temporary residents—that SEMARNAT is treating as “one-family dwellings”, we request that SEMARNAT officially declares what exactly is meant by this term. It seems that the lack of criteria surrounding this term is leading to environmental overuse, and in some cases, abuse.

In addition to the supposed “one-family dwellings”, the other principal concern is the construction of condominium units bordering the mouth of the mangrove exactly at its point of confluence with the ocean, violating the aforementioned presidential decree and the Ecological Ordinance Plan of of the Costalegre by:

1. Compromising of the integrability of the hydrologic flow of the mangrove.
2. Compromising zones of nesting, reproduction, shelter, feeding and breeding for the American crocodile and the Olive Ridley and Leatherback sea turtles.
3. Surpassing the carrying capacity of the surrounding mangrove and dune ecosystems.
4. Provoking a negative change in the ecological services and the natural beauty of the mangrove and dune ecosytems.

We request that this project as well be halted until it is reviewed by appropriate authorities who can comment on its viability regarding environmental impacts that have been thus generated, and will continue to be generated if it is allowed to continue.

In sum, we are concerned that if the current residential and tourist development is allowed to continue without restrictions, the zone of La Manzanilla, Boca de Iguanas, and Tenacatita Bay in general (one of the five biggest bays in Mexico) will confront the following environmental risks:

1. Proliferation of uncontrolled urban developments that undermine the sustainable development of Tenacatita Bay.
2. Removal and destruction of dune vegetation due to the construction of retaining walls over it.
3. Overuse of critical fresh water from the same aquifer that replenishes the mangrove and provides water to the coastal communities of the area.
4. Contamination of the mangrove and ocean due to the lack of grey and black water systems, or due to systems that are not up to ordinance code—i.e., they are not re-using grey and black water.
5. Construction of two-,or more, story structures that block the view of the ocean and mangrove thus compromising the aesthetic value of this area.
6. Destruction of nesting sites of endangered birds and reptiles cited in NOM-059-ECOL-2001 which will lead them to have to modify their behavior in order to survive.
7. Alteration and/or destruction of the refuge, feeding, and roosting habitats of aquatic and terrestrial birds cited in NOM-059-ECOL-2001.

With the best future interests of the citizens, and of the environment, of La Manzanilla, we submit this urgent request for an immediate halting of all coastal development between the beach and the mangrove of La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas. The current developments pose a grave threat not only to the fragile dune and mangrove ecosystems and the threatened wildlife that inhabit them, but as well to the future prosperity of the citizens of La Manzanilla. The mangrove and beach dunes of La Manzanila are critical wildlife habitat. This means that they are a sustainable source of tourism dollars for many years to come. As well, the mangrove protects La Manzanilla from catastrophic hurricanes and floods, ensures a healthy fishery, and maintains water quality in Tenacatita bay due to its natural filtering effects.

Please help us protect one of Mexico´s richest and rarest coastal zones from destructive development, and help us insure sustainability of this fragile ecoregion. Please immediately halt all destructive coastal development between the beach and mangrove of La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas until official inspections are made by appropriate authorities, and environmental impact statements are made public to the concerned citizens of these communities.

To confirm this denunciation, and for accompaniment to the noted sites, you can contact Natalia Uribe Morfín at (315) 351-7146, or by e-mail: naturamor@yahoo.com.mx. The address is Paraíso 15, corner of María Asunción, La Manzanilla, Jalisco. La Manzanilla is located at km. 14 on Highway 200 from Melaque to Puerto Vallarta, and its beach belongs to the grand Tenacatita Bay.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and prompt response.

Sincerely,

Dave Collins Gabriela de la Vega Dorrie Woodward Natalia Uribe

Sebastián Ambriz Víctor Amescua Pablo Martínez del C. Mercedes
Taboada

Ana Luisa Solis Mercedes Gargollo María Castelazo Willy Mason

Kimberly Mason Miguel Martinez Ma. De Jesús Mtnez. Juli Julian Wagner

Charles Schuete Paul Spong Helena Symonds Milora Spong

Norma Rejall Ani Mac

HELP SAVE LA MANZANILLA BEACH & MANGROVE (Part 1)

Dear Citizens,

The following "Official Denunciation" will be open for signing until Thursday, March 1, at El Girasol Bistro from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., every day but Sunday. After this date it will be sent to a number of government agencies, including SEMARNAT, PROFEPA, and the Municipality of La Huerta, as well as the press. We are also SOLICITING the backing of several Mexican NGOs, foundations and universities such as Tortuga Negra, A.C.; Ecological Foundation, A.C.; UNAM Biological Station, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur (Univ. of Guadalajara), and PRONATURA to name a few. As well, we are already allied with the University of Nevada, Earthwatch Institute, Greenfire Productions, and the Land Trust Alliance.

But more than anything, we need to show the support of concerned citizens like you in order to halt the insidious, unregulated development of the coastal mangrove zone between La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas. Democracy should be more than two wolves and a sheep sitting down and deciding what to have for dinner! Show your support for your community and ecosystem. Take a moment to read the following letter and consider signing it. Together, we can make a difference. Thank you!

P.S. If you are not physically here to sign, but would like to support this campaign, please request an electronic copy of the letter from me. Then you can sign the last page, and scan it or fax it to me: 315-351-5341.

P.P.S. Since this letter is too large for the La Manzanilla Message Board, it will have to be sent in several parts. Please bare with me.

OFFICIAL DENUNCIATION

La Manzanilla del Mar
Municipio de La Huerta, Jalisco, México
February 23, 2007

To Whom it May Concern:

We are requesting that all the current coastal developments bordering the beach and the mangrove of La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas be immediately halted until official inspections pertaining to this zone are made by appropriate authorities, and environmental impact statements are made public to the concerned citizens of these communities. Furthermore, we are requesting that all environmental impact statements be revised in light of the new presidential decree signed by President, Felipe Calderón, on December 22, 2006, that restricts construction and development activities in coastal mangroves.

The newly decreed Article 60 of the General Wildlife Law states that: “It remains prohibited the removal, filling, transplanting, pruning, or whatever other work or activity that effects the integrability of the hydrologic flow of the mangrove; of the ecosystem and its zone of influence; of its natural productivity; of the natural carrying capacity of the ecosystem for tourism projects; of the zones of nesting, reproduction, shelter, feeding and breeding: either the interactions between the mangrove, the rivers, the dune, the adjacent maritime zone and the corals, or that which provokes changes in the characteristics and ecological services. Works or activities that have as their objective to protect, restore, investigate or conserve mangrove areas will be exempted from the prohibition referred to in the preceding paragraph”

In addition to not being in accordance with the new presidential decree, the current developments are neither in accordance with the Ecological Ordinance Plan of the Costalegre, which emphasizes the necessity of low density infrastructure due to the presence of a highly fragile environment.

According to Article 11 of the Ordinance of the General Law of the Ecological Equilibrium and the Protection of the Environment in Material of Evaluation of the Environmental Impact, the following activities require an environmental impact statement (EIS) for their evaluation and possible authorization: “Q) Property Developments that Effect Coastal Ecosystems: Construction and operation of hotels, condominiums, villas, urban housing developments, restaurants, commercial installations and services in general, marinas, docks, breakwaters, golf courses, tourist or urban infrastructure, general communication thoroughfares, works of restitution or recovery of beaches, or artificial reefs, that effect coastal ecosytems….” As well, activities that must present an EIS are: “R) Works and Activities in Wetlands, Mangroves, Lagoons, Rivers, Lakes and Swamps connected to the ocean, as well as its littoral and federal zones….”. “One-family dwellings”, among other activities, of coastal communities remain exempt from having to present an EIS for these activities.

Although many of the current construction projects bordering the beach and the mangrove of La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas are under the “one-family dwelling” exemption, Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) is not considering the cumulative impacts of these individual projects that are provoking the destruction and fragmentation of this ecosystem. Nor is it considering the loss of dune vegetation nesting habitat for the American crocodile (Cocodrylus acutus), Leatherback (Demochelys coriacea) and Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles as a result of construction in this coastal zone. These three species are cited in NOM-059-ECOL-2001, that notes endangered species, species in danger of extinction, or species under special protection. Under the current development, the fragile dune habitat crucial to these species’ survival has already been demolished by bulldozers!

No Crowds? No Rush? In Mexico, No Problemo

Washington Post Article

A 3 page article

By M.L. Lyke
Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, December 3, 2006; Page P01

It takes a day or two in La Manzanilla to spot the symptoms. There's the flat tire on the rental car that has gone nowhere in seven days, the book buried in the sand facedown, the gringo who can't remember what day it is, the old local waving hola from his hammock.

Expats call the phenomenon "the great sand suck."

Extreme cases become the stuff of legend, like the Oregon tourist plopped in a beach chair who couldn't decide whether to go barefoot or wear sandals. He started mulling the question in the morning. At 5 p.m. he was still in the same spot. Same chair, one sandal on, one off. "I meant to go someplace," he said with a shrug.

Even the roosters seem afflicted in this dusty little Mexican fishing village, a hushed-up spot that's still off the clock and, for a while yet, off the tourist track. The scrawny birds go off at all hours -- midnight, 2 a.m., breakfast time, lunchtime, margarita time -- their hoarse, halfhearted cock-a-doodle-doos signifying nothing in particular.

"Nothing" may have a bad name north of the border, but down here on Mexico's west coast, some four hours south of Puerto Vallarta along the Costa Alegre (the Happy Coast), finding the dada of nada is a fine pastime. "I'm listening to the space between the waves," a music-teacher friend told me, planted in her chair on Day 4 of vacation, eyes closed, face to the sea, listening to the gentle surf that rises, sighs and foams across a long, low-slope beach.

La Manzanilla isn't fancy, not even close, despite a growing number of handsome architect-designed rentals and a smattering of new galerias. There are no resorts, no sports bars, no souvenir shops, no time-share pitches, no prepackaged special deals. Regulars, who urge others to keep this pretty hideout secret, pack pesos: There are no banks, no bank machines, no plastic, no traveler's checks.

What you get for those pesos -- and you won't need many -- are friendly townsfolk used to mingling with gringos, a dreamy sweep of beach backed up to tropical jungle, and time, the kind of soak-in time that untangles thoughts, unknots muscles and transforms foot-tapping Type A's into Type Z's, full on empty.

Angling for Nothing

Laid-back La Manzanilla is often confused with the busy port of Manzanillo, less than an hour to the south. That "a" at the end makes all the difference. Big Manzanillo has a population of more than 100,000. Little "La Manz" may have 3,500 in peak season, including winter residents, native locals and the Mexicans who come from inland, their trucks packed with inflatable water toys, kids and grandparents riding overstuffed chairs in the pickup bed.

The town lies cupped in the protected southeastern reach of the Bay of Tenacatita, and even water-sissies like me can spend hours boogie-boarding the soft, rolling wavelets, riding right up onto the beach, with a bathing suit full of sand and the kind of silly grin you see on a 6-year-old, sure of her safe delivery to shore.

I've been coming to La Manzanilla three years running, staying in beautiful beachfront suites for less than $100 a night in high season. Get off the beach and you can easily halve that. If you hit the street taquerios for $1.50 tacos or cook up a nice pot of refrieds with serrano chilis to put inside the fresh tortillas made steps down the street, you can enjoy slacker paradise on a comfy budget.

Pencil in at least a couple nights out, though. The town has a good, eclectic mix of restaurants serving traditional Mexican dishes, super-fresh seafood and chef creations such as shrimp and spinach crepes, Thai curries and octopus salad.

The first year, I came to La Manzanilla because I'd heard about the fishing. The waters offshore teem with tuna, marlin, sailfish, snapper and dorado, gorgeous pescado that leap neon yellow and green and blue from the warm Pacific. Fishermen cast small, weighted seine nets, or pole-fish with line and jig to bring in roosterfish right off the beach. Locals also offer guided fishing trips in open boats.

As The Mud Slides - EPISODE 1

Anonymous post on the La Manzanilla message board -

As The Mud Slides ...the continuing saga of the gringo struggle to gentrify "La Mansionia"
EPISODE 1

it's rodeo time, and it's gringo day, the casino is full, everyone is waiting for the festivities to start ... at the end of a table we find Derwood and Wilma (hill people), seated with 3 of the crew who regularly frequent the local tavern called "Pablos", Pete, Gretchen, and Albert.

Pete: what's taking them with the beer? At a cost of 200pesos for all the free beer and food you can consume, you would think they would get their asses in gear and get the beer flowing.

Wilma: I think it's terrible that we should have to pay for free food and beer; the Mexicans get in free.

Gretchen: Jesus H Christo, Wilma! you have a house on the beach for sale for 1/2 million dollars, and you're b###hing about 20 bucks! .. I was one of the first gringos here, and I know everyone in this town, and it's only you new comers who think giving something back to the Mexicans is a sin.

Derwood: I take exception to that! I'm part of a group of volunteers that's been working hard to get a sewer system put in.

Albert: That's bullshit! This is Mexico, and if the Mexicans want a sewer, they will build one..you are just a buttinski, trying to make the place liveable for yourself, and at the same time look good in front of your fellow hill people ... Tell me, how is your sewer going to work when it all ends up in a manhole that's below sea level? .... meanwhile ... several blocks away in the plush oceanview office of Wish Greatfield atop his sprawling real estate office, Wish is in conversation with 2 associates; Tony Amato and Austin Gerland.

Wish: I have 12 beachfront lots and all the restrictions for building have been lifted ... it could be a goldmine if you come on board with us, Austin ... with your influence over your rich friends ... you could have them begging to invest.

Tony: I've already got all the right officials properly greased, there will be no hold ups...and I've already got the preliminary plans ... 46 units.

Austin: 46 units! isn't that going to be a little overwhelming for the beachfront?
Wish: Who cares? I can sell most of them before they are even finished and we will all make a fortune ... Tony and I figure after this project it will be an excellent time "to get out of dodge".

Austin: So Tony..do you expect to construct these the same as the others? Or do you plan to do them right?

Tony: Don't worry about my construction techniques ... just get the money .. everything will end up just looking fine ... Oh, and by the way .. I have it on good authority that that little incident at the cell tower the other night can be traced to one of your sniper rifles .... back at the casino, sitting at another table, the Contessa is holding court to her good friends, Juanita and her husband Ralph. Also sitting with them, among others, are Marilyn, and Bart.

Contessa: So tell me Juanita, what's going on with this new tower? I've been so busy with my new pool man that I haven't been able to make it up to your mansion this week ... Marilyn butts in ...

Marilyn: Oh that ugly thing! It ruins my view! But at least they shut off that awful blinking light.

Juanita: Nobody shut off anything, the light was shot out! My cousin heard the noise and saw the light exploding. We figure those responsible are those evil looking guys that hang out at Pablos.

Ralph: How can you say that? You need to have evidence before you can go accusing someone.

Juanita: Shut up and butt out of this!

Bart: Nice try Ralph. You know, maybe you are an o.k. guy and not just the hill person you appear to be ... let me tell you something .. I've been here a long time, and watched that wife of yours grow up. And from an early age she was a natural gossip maker ... her skills are now so refined, that by the end of the week, she will have 1/2 the town responsible for shooting out that light .... enters Audfred, sweet and bubbly, carrying a tray of beer.

Audfred: Hi guys, need some more beer? I'm just doing my duty being a good volunteer gringo .... Audfred sets down a round of beer and leaves

Ralph: Who the hell was that?

Juanita: that was Audfred, she just moved here ... she doesn't like Mexico much, but thought the people she met while visiting were so wonderful, that she decided to retire here.

Ralph: What a twit! .. after the meal, Marilyn meets up with Wilma while strolling about the casino

Marilyn: hi Wilma ... are those people you were sitting with, the ones who sit around drinking at Pablos all day?

Wilma: I don't think they are there all day, doesn't the place close at night?

Marilyn: I just heard that they are all a bunch of anarchists trying to disrupt things here and ruin our paradise .. they shot out the cell phone tower and were responsible for last nights blackout.

Wilma: Those assholes! That happened right in the middle of my favorite tv show..I'm going to tell them what I think ...

Wilma marches over to where Pete, Gretchen, and Albert are standing.

Wilma: You guys think you are pretty smart, knocking out the hydro and trying to spoil our paradise.

Pete: Hold on a minute lady!I don't know what you are talking about, but your paradise is just an illusion ... even if some natural disaster never happens and brings things tumbling down, the shear number of stupid cows like you that keep coming here will turn this place into anything but a paradise.

Gretchen: Yea ... and besides, no one needs to tamper with the power .. this is Mexico, and it happens on its own often enough.

Marilyn: Well if Mexicans weren't so lazy, they could keep things going like they are supposed to.

Albert: (under his breath) How can so many ding bats end up in the same place?