It’s sunny and warming here in Yucatan, with perfect cool evenings for outdoor dining in our many excellent restaurants. Locals and visitors alike are out enjoying walks under Merida’s huge old trees, especially on weekends when the streets in Merida Centro are closed to traffic and Paseo Montejo becomes a cycling route. Bici Ruta closes off many of the busy streets on Sundays for bicycles, and gives everyone a chance to see the city while biking leisurely with your family and friends.

Easing of travel restrictions has brought visitors to Merida from all over the world. If you are thinking about making Merida your home, don’t wait!  Homes are selling fast and prices, though still reasonable, will be rising as demand exceeds supply.

I took a trip to the beach yesterday and found everyone getting ready for Easter, which is a big beach holiday for locals. Many new restaurants are opening in Chelem, Chuburna and Telchac, and there is much building of new developments all along the coast as you travel east from Progreso.

Some COVID precautions are still in effect – masks required and temperature taken at the door of all businesses – but we expect these measures to be lifted as soon as our infection rates get lower, which could be very soon. Some come on down and enjoy the Yucatan spring!

Corner store in Tepakan with hand sanitizer at the door

I have to give the Mexican government high marks for at least seeming as well prepared as possible for what we are all experiencing during this Coronavirus pandemic. The government began by putting in place a six-phase plan for the stages of the emergency.

Phase 1 was when the virus was spread principally by people bringing it from abroad, and Phase 2, which lasted until yesterday, was slow controlled spread from person to person.  Last night Phase 3 was announced.  This is the phase when we will experience the most spread of the virus in all communities with the greatest pressure on our hospitals and medical teams, with the peak estimated to be around May 8 to 10^th.   Social distancing has been put in place. Only businesses deemed necessary have been open for more than a month.  Schools, restaurants and bars are closed, and, in fact, Yucatan has been a dry state for the past few weeks.

The main centers of infection have been the larger cities, particularly Mexico City.   In Yucatan, Merida has the highest incidence, but we have so far managed to keep the numbers low.  As of yesterday, the government reported the following numbers:

Total confirmed cases in Mexico …………………     8772

Total recovered ………………………………………….        2627

Total number of dead ……………………………….          712

Total confirmed cases in Yucatan…………………………      172

Total recovered ………………………………………………….         5

Total number of dead …………………………………….          10

As you can see from the above numbers, the measures they have taken (social distancing, gel everywhere, disinfecting cars coming in and out of villages) has helped keep people fairly safe.  There have been one or two cases in most larger towns in Yucatan, but nothing so far in my village of Tepakan.  In addition, to prepare for the medical emergency, the Governor of Yucatan obtained 110 additional ventilators for use in hospitals and ambulances.  That said, we have a huge lack of N95 masks and protective equipment of all kinds.

The hardest thing that has affected almost every family in Yucatan and all of Mexico, is that there is less and less work.  Construction projects are shut down and more and more people are out of work.  For people who live on a few dollars a day, this is becoming more and more difficult.

Yesterday, trucks came to every house handing out one “dispensa” to each family (80,000 total were distributed). A “dispensa” is a box containing some food supplies and soap. It is a help, but not enough to keep everyone fed.  Below is a

Spraying down the car as it enters town

translation for yesterday’s newspaper, Diario de Yucatan:

Monday, April 20, 2020

Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal launched the delivery of this aid that comes to support families during this period of economic inactivity in the face of the health emergency. Together with the mayor of Mérida, Renán Barrera Concha, Vila Dosal confirmed the distribution plan that is being carried out in the Yucatan capital.

House by house, a total of 80,000 food packages were delivered to each home in the 47 police station districts of Mérida, as well as to homes in the marginalized areas of the capital. This program was launched today by Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal and the Mayor of Mérida, Renán Barrera Concha, to support Yucatecans during this period of economic inactivity due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

In warehouses where the food packages are kept, the Governor and the municipal president of the Yucatan capital verified the distribution plan that will provide this monthly support, so far planned for April and May, to be delivered to the homes of Merida families who need it most.

It was explained that the State Government is distributing 20,500 packages in Merida, and another 43,000 packages to the houses that are located in surrounding areas.

In addition to these efforts, the Merida City Council has already distributed more than 16,500 food aid packages in shelters and civil associations, support that will continue to reach a total of 20,000 people. In this way, it seeks to benefit a greatest number of people.

The aid from the Government of Vila Dosal is part of the State Plan to Promote the Economy, Jobs and Health of Yucatecans. This plan will distribute 1.8 million food packages to 450,000 Yucatecan households during the months of April and May. They hope this will alleviate the economic effects that inactivity is causing due to the health emergency. Starting last Wednesday, April 15,  distribution was also initiated to each home in the 105 municipalities in the interior of the state.

Accompanied by the head of the State Secretariat of Social Development (Sedesol), Roger Torres Peniche, the Governor and Barrera Concha participated in the preparation and loading of the first trucks that left the warehouse with food aid packages to be taken to the door of the beneficiary homes today.

To do this, Vila Dosal and the Meridano mayor followed proscribed sanitary measures, which are also implemented every day to protect the health of the collaborators and the population.

The Municipal President stated that as a sign of this joint work, since the first day the health contingency began, close communication has been maintained within the State Government regarding pertinent measures and creating emerging programs to safeguard the health of all citizens.

Those in charge of carrying the dispensas house-to-house are following the corresponding sanitary protocols, such as using face masks, gloves and keeping a healthy distance with the beneficiaries, in order to guarantee that they reach Yucatecans in the healthiest and safest way possible. .

It must be emphasized that, with the aim of benefiting the largest possible number of people, four food supply packages are being provided per household, which should allow support for most Yucatecan families.

With strategies such as these, the State Government reiterates the call to the entire Yucatecan population not to leave their homes at this time. This is why these packages will be delivered directly house by house, allowing citizens to avoid crowds and prioritize social isolation as the main prevention measure.”

Statistics as of April 11, 2020 (Yucatan)
Total confirmed positive March and April………… 93
Recovered Confirmed cases……………………….……. 58
In isolation recovering at home:……………………… 18
Hospitalized…………………………………..……………… 11
Deaths……………………………….……………………..….. 6

Merida has excellent hospitals, clinics, and doctors. However, with a large disadvantaged population scattered in small villages and living on a limited diet in close quarters, and most families living on a very small and precarious income, this coronavirus puts the state on the brink of disaster.

Every village in Yucatan has a small clinic and a 24-hour doctor, but they are only able to deal with the simplest and most common emergencies. Facilities equipped to deal with complications of coronavirus can only be found in Merida and would be swiftly overwhelmed if the virus is allowed to spread without any intervention. Throughout Mexico there is very little testing, so statistics are unreliable.  As I write, the national government estimates the coronavirus infection in Mexico is expected to peak in two or three weeks. With that in mind, Mexico is trying to buy 10,000 ventilators and monitors from the United States.

Thanks to quick action both on a national and a local level, we have had very few COVID-19 cases and those have been generally limited to Merida itself. My village of Tepakan has not yet had an infection, and neither has the larger nearby town of Izamal. Early in March, we started closing non-essential businesses everywhere and practicing social distancing. By the third week in March, the police of each village had set up checkpoints that discouraged unnecessary traffic, applied gel to everyone’s hands as they passed, and gave advice on precautions. Early in March, the villages all cancelled plans for Easter gatherings and for the annual fiestas which in our area happen soon after.

Tierra Yucatan closed its doors to the public except by prior appointment.  By March 17th, I allowed one person in the office at a time. This person was required to arrive by personal car (not public transportation), to work three or four hours behind closed doors to answer phones and update the website. That person was also tasked into looking after our little office zoo:  three rescue cats and a turtle. All employees, including the gardener, cleaners etc. are on full salary through the epidemic. My priority is to look after my little “family” and keep us all safe.

As of last week, we changed to just have someone checking the office. The cats, who are after all my responsibility, are living with me out in the little village of Tepakan, my principal home for more than twelve years. I hadn’t planned to have four cats, but they are good company when one is home all the time. I feel very lucky to have a cool and comfortable old rock-built house, a large lot with many fruit trees and a pool large enough for a bit of swimming and aquarobics. Of course, I worry about the safety of my neighbors. But so far, so good.

For me, April and May are the most difficult months to be in Yucatan at the best of times. Our weather is at its very hottest and there is no relief in sight until rain starts in June. The countryside is burned to a crisp, with grass fires that have laid bare the roadsides and many patches of dry, leafless trees. The heat and the dead landscape alone make me feel anxious. I keep bowls of water out for street dogs and stray animals, as there is no relief from the sun for them. This year is statistically much worse than usual, with a forecast of temperatures rising to 107 degrees ( 42C ) in the afternoon for the next ten days. Luckily, evenings are pleasant! We all go out for a breath of air, a short walk and a chat at a distance with the neighbors. Normally this is the time of year when I would plan to travel for a few weeks to see family in cooler places. I would visit friends and family in England, my son and family in Washington State….but not this year! Now I am crossing off the days on the calendar and waiting for the rains to start. Perhaps by June we will see our way forward and soon after can welcome you all back! Life will begin to move back to our old pattern and I can open the office doors! If we have to wait a little longer, at least the rain brings life and hope back to the dry thirsty land.

I was in Merida yesterday to sign cheques and take care of a few necessities. It was strange to see the empty streets with no buses, no tourists, very little traffic and most businesses and all the malls shut. Walmart, Costco, Petco, Office Depot are all open and well-stocked and all enforcing a safe distance between shopping carts. There are places where life and commerce goes on. From last weekend, all alcohol sales are banned and face masks must be worn in public. I think the main goal of the dry law is to make sure any family money is spent on necessities right now, and perhaps to reduce family violence when people have been shut up together too long. I must say everything both in Merida and in the villages seems peaceful and very orderly. We have to hang on, stay safe and look after our neighbors.

We are thinking of all our friends and clients in the United States, Canada and around the world. We hope you and your families are safe and can’t wait to see you all again back in Merida. You can write me for anything you need or to let me know how you are at jen@tierrayucatan.com. Look after one another!

Love,

Jen

A few weeks ago, the investors in this project asked for input and were happy to get over 2000 responses. Below are some of the questions that were posed and the answers from the current investor group.

One very large remaining question is the US port and Yucatan port. United Caribbean is still in negotiations with the ports and is therefore not able to declare the ports at this time. As soon as the ports and confirmed, we will update you with that information.

Here’s Bruce Nierenberg, Chairman and CEO of United Caribeean:

We will have a nice introductory offer for our first time users when we start. We will also have discounts, which will be based on seasonality and time of travel.

We intend to make it possible for those customers who use the ferry regularly to get the best prices, best discounts and the most benefits.

I will make sure that people who responded to our questionnaire or who send me their email addresses now will receive the introductory offers first as an appreciation for their help with the surveys. We hope to be ready to begin bookings in October 2014 for April trips. Those offers will include upgrades, special rates on cars and goodies on board.

We expect the round trip fare for the ferry, including a cabin and all food and entertainment on board, to start at $350 USD per round trip. Cars will probably cost $95 USD one way. Again, frequent users will pay lower rates. We have even discussed the idea of super special rates by buying ticket books in advance that will provide the lowest possible rates, guaranteed space on certain dates, and the lowest car rates.

Most Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can we bring small pets? Yes.

2. Can I bring extra stuff for my residence in Mexico other than luggage and what fits in my car? Yes. We will have special personal cargo bins that can hold up to 1000 lbs, including bulky items like bedding, appliances, even a refrigerator. We will rent the bins one way for $95 USD.

3. Can I bring an RV? Yes.

4. Motorcycles? Yes.

5. Small boats? Yes.

6. When will the web site be up? It is already being prepared. We will have a preliminary site up by the end of August that will have show schedules and prices. We will send out an email to everyone when the site is ready.

7. When will bookings start? Our target is October 2014.

8. When will first voyage be? Our target is April 2015.

9. Will this be a year-round service ? Yes. We are planning 2 round trips per week between the U.S. And the Yucatan, 52 weeks a year.

10. How will we be able to book? Online thru the website, and through major online travel sellers like Expedia, Orbitz, etc.

For more information or to get on the mailing list, you can contact:

Bruce Nierenberg
Chairman CEO
United Caribbean Lines
1369 Lexington Ave.
Davenport (Orlando) Fl. 33837
(321) 427-0332

You may have noticed that Alex did a lot of damage to cities in and around Monterrey, Mexico but you probably didn’t notice that there wasn’t any news, bad or otherwise, about Alex and his affect on the Yucatan. Because the homes of Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula rarely have to weather that kind of storm. The rule of thumb in the Yucatan is that a hurricane hits once every fifteen years. That’s far less than most places that ring the Gulf of Mexico, including the resort communities on the Mayan Riviera. And it may be why Merida was built in this location over 500 years ago by the Mayans. It’s inland location affords it protection from the worst effects of a hurricane, which diminishes as it travels over land, and the building practices here provide even more.

Many of the Yucatan’s homes are built either out of block or stone or both. If you see wood in a home, it is being used as beams, as a sunscreen or as decoration. Anything structural is heavily reinforced and able to withstand both wind and rain. Roof and garden drainage should always be considered when building or renovating a home, because tropical rains can drop a lot of water in a short amount of time. But with proper drainage, reinforced stone or block walls and tile or cement floors, the homes here are built to withstand just about anything Mother Nature can dole out in the hurricane department.

In 2002, Hurricane Isidore swept right over Merida and Progreso on the coast. While there was flooding in Progreso, and some wave action that damaged unreinforced homes, the damage was minute compared to Monterrey’s recent tropical storm, and especially compared to the effects of Hurricanes Rita or Katrina in recent years.  I think those who lived through it would agree that the biggest casualty of Hurricane Isidore were the trees; quite a few older trees were blown over during the twenty four hours that Isidore stayed in Merida. But the minute the storm was done, the local Mexican army came out in droves to clear the roads, chopping and clearing trees. And now, nine years later, the trees are back, bigger and better than ever.

Hurricanes are something to keep in mind when you are building or buying in the Yucatan, but they are not something to be afraid of.  Builders and architects here know how to build for hurricane weather, and the ancient Mayans knew where to put their cities. Even at the beach, modern construction has improved and gotten smarter, and longer setbacks and seawalls are required in many communities.  Hurricanes give plenty of warning and can be prepared for (unlike earthquakes and many other natural disasters). If you are lucky enough to buy an old colonial house here in Merida, you can be reassured that it has already withstood a few hurricanes.

We sleep soundly at night here, even in hurricane season.

For more information, here is the article about the recent hurricane forecast.

Sosa Ortiz mentioned that Sisal and Celestun are not areas well known to local visitors, but a larger proportion of foreign residents and visitors may be more familiar with these pueblos, as many of them live and vacation in the two communities.  Canadians, for example, come for duck hunting to these areas between October 15 and February 28^th.

“ This is an important source of income for the port, for the shopkeepers and for the tourist guides.  In second place is the arrival of Europeans who build winter homes in the area to escape bitter weather at home.”

Sosa Ortiz commented that about 150 extranjeros (foreigners) now reside in the area. In addition, a growing cadre of Canadians who have rented in the past are beginning to buy homes in Sisal.

One of the principal problems that will first be addressed is garbage disposal and to that end, very shortly a new sanitary landfill will be ready.   Incentive programs have been introduced to create a community consciousness of the need for cleanliness. For example, the collection plastic and glass bottles is now being encouraged. Until just recently, there had been nowhere to deposit them.  This problem should be fixed this month in August 2010 when the new sanitary landfill is begun, just off the road between Hunucma and Sisal.

“We have $30 million pesos to spend, but the ejidetarios, the owners of the land, still have not reached agreement.”

Well, this sounds like a step in the right direction. We hope we’ll hear about a recycling program for those plastic and glass bottles, and we look forward to seeing what happens and will keep you updated as we find out more!