Valle de Guadalupe: Baja California’s Enchanting Wine Country

By: Kristin Diaz di Sandi

Source: Life and Food Blog

Being in El Valle de Guadalupe there is always this feeling of serenity that I can not get enough of. On our most recent trip we were celebrating Father’s day. We rarely ever have a plan or set agenda, it’s more like we make the drive down there and see where we end up. With our stomachs doing the talking, you never know what we will be in the mood for. This time around our first stop was at a little road side stand bearing a sign that said “Barbacoa”. So you may have guessed it, we stopped for of course barbacoa, as well as tacos de lengua. The smell of the lamb meat was just intoxicating. It is honestly the random food stops that have such simplicity and quality, that make me love food just that much more. You might now think that it is possible, but it is all about the world of exploration.

 

We spent part of our afternoon under the shady trees at Viña de Liceaga. We need to keep cool in the 94 degree heat, while drinking our vino tinto right? I absolutely love walking hand in hand with my son Giovanni, and taking in all of the beautiful scenery. Before we knew it we had reached the last drop of wine, and we were back on the road again.

 

In between there and the Emevé vineyards we managed to make a stop for some fresh apple pies, pan ruso, and cheese. I am never one to refuse cheese! One of my favorite finds was actually the rose petal jam. Just putting your nose into the jar for a whiff, is a special experience. We left with our mini pies, bread, and cheese, but of course that doesn’t mean that we didn’t have room left for more wine and food.

 

Silvestre was the last and final stop for this trip. This was actually their first weekend of being open for the season. Let me tell you, the view alone is just breath taking. I think I went into some sort of vineyard tunnel vision, and had my own escape for a couple of minutes. There isn’t a menu. They come up to you with a board that has the specials written for the day, and everything is prepared on a mesquite grill. To get the taste buds tingling, you are presented with a snack of jicama covered in lime juice and dried chile powder. We only ordered a couple of items from the menu, considering that we had already been eating for the entire day. I would definitely love to make a trip back, and order all of the specials offered on that day. The grilled chicken was bursting with flavor, and oh so juicy. Chicken is honestly not something that I order that often, but this made me start to wonder why. The fluffy herb flecked bun that housed the pork was absolutely delicious. The ingredients that filled the bun were smokey and salty, with an added crunch from the garnish. As you may know already, I am a lover of all foods with texture.

Breathing in the fresh air and enjoying a delicious meal was the perfect ending to this Father’s day. Until next time my dear Valle de Guadalupe!

Viña de Liceaga

Km. 93 carretera Tecate Ensenada

San Antonio de las Minas, BC

Fam. Samarin

Principal 277

Valle de Guadalupe, BC

Vinícola Emevé

Parcela #67 Ejido El Porvenir,

El Porvenir, Baja California.

México. C.P. 22755

En Tijuana: (664) 634 1080

California Health Insurance Works in Mexico

Since 2000, some of California's private health insurers, and at least one employer group, have offered binational health insurance. These plans cover services on both sides of the Mexican-U.S. border.

Both immigrants from Mexico and U.S. citizens take advantage of the lower prices of medical services across the border. Nearly one million Hispanic and non-Hispanic white Californians seek medical care in Mexico every year, according to UCLA researchers and colleagues. Their study is published in the journal Medical Care, and it is the first large-scale population-based research on U.S. residents obtaining healthcare in Mexico to be published.

Who Seeks Healthcare outside the U.S. and Why Medical Tourism Is Growing

To study this issue, researcher used the nation's largest state health survey. That's an analysis of 2001 data from the California Health Interview Survey. The investigators estimated that 952,000 California adults seek dental, medical, or prescription services in Mexico each year. Only about 488,000 of these 952,000 were Mexican immigrants.

Prescription drugs were the most common medical service that non-Latino whites from California went to Mexico to obtain. As expected, cost was the primary factor.

Not surprisingly, studies show that the heaviest users of Mexican-based healthcare services are people who live closest to the border. Another factor that may weigh-in is the growing shortage of primary care physicians in the U.S.

As healthcare reform allows more people the freedom to seek medical care, the primary care physician shortage is expected to become more of a problem. This shortage affects both California and the nation. The shortage is especially evident among U.S.-based Hispanic care providers. That's another contributing factor to the growth of cross-border California health insurance plans.

Cross-border California Health Insurance Coverage

An estimated 150,000 Californians are covered by one of several private insurance companies that provide cross-border health coverage. These plans typically offer access to emergency care in California, along with routine and hospitalization services in Mexican border towns, such as Tijuana, Mexicali, Tecate and Rosarito.

Such cross-border healthcare plans are growing in popularity because healthcare costs in Mexico are estimated to be from 70 percent to 90 percent less than the same services in the U.S.

Healthcare reform may grow this cross-border market as citizens feel pressure to have California health insurance, and employers feel pressure to provide it.

How Binational Health Insurance Works

The Mexican-based Sistemas Medicos Nacionales plan was the first HMO licensed by the California Department of Managed Health Care to contract with California employers, and cover medical services in Mexico. This is the only Mexican-based HMO that covers health services provided in the U.S.

SIMNSA Medicos Nacionales contracts its network of more than 200 physicians and two clinics along the U.S.-Mexico border to Aetna and Health Net. Both insurers offer a cross-border insurance product.

In addition, Blue Shield of California's Access Baja plan was licensed in 2000 to cover emergency services in California, and routine services in Mexico. Blue Shield of California uses its own Mexican-based provider network with members primarily located in Tijuana.

CIGNA is also reported to have filed for approval of a cross-border health insurance plan.

At present, coverage is mainly restricted to Mexican towns that are located within 50 miles of the U.S. border. People in Los Angeles or San Francisco, however, might prefer to fly to Guadalajara and Mexico City where many more health care options are available.

Growth Predicted for California Health Insurance Cross-border Plans

Dramatic expansion is expected, and a study in 2008 that was published in Health Affairs found that 62 percent of those surveyed expressed interest in a reasonably-priced cross-border health insurance policy.

Health Net's cross-border health insurance plan, Salud HMO y Mas, has been performing well because it is more affordable than traditional plans. That gives it a particular advantage in the economic downturn.

Small employers may find that cross-border health insurance plans can be 30 percent to 40 percent less expensive than U.S. plans. For members of Health Net's Salud HMO y Mas, co-payments for a doctor's office visit in Mexico may be as much as 75 percent lower than co-payments in the U.S.

Medical Tourism Extends Beyond Mexico

Mexico is not the only destination of Americans traveling out of the country to receive medical treatment. High-quality treatment from U.S. board-certified surgeons can often be had for a fraction of what it would cost in the U.S. Substantial savings are available on cosmetic surgery, dental work, and even bypass surgery, and knee replacement surgery.

Americans have begun to explore, customize, and take advantage of healthcare options around the world. The need for these services is great enough that someone has stepped up to assist with medical tourism. The national leader is PlanetHospital, which has staff doctors to consult with Americans who are interested in traveling to other countries for healthcare. PlanetHospital doctors recommend appropriate surgeons and facilities, and arrange for all medical treatment.

How to Buy Mexico Real Estate on a Lower Budget

Mexico real estate can be an excellent investment both in terms of lifestyle and in terms of financial gain. One of the most attractive features of investing in Mexico’s market is that there many options for low-budget investment, making it possible for those on a lower budget to “get their foot in the door” of good real estate investment, to diversify investments or for those trying investment in Mexico to start off small to “test the water” before moving on to larger projects. The following are some of the approaches those investing on a lower budget can consider as viable options in Mexico.

Price Reductions – Speaking very generally, most of Mexico’s real estate market tends to be more stable than much of the U.S. Part of the reason is that Mexicans are more likely to just wait things out rather than reduce their price to sell quickly. They have a different seller’s mentality. However, there are a number of regions where many Americans and Canadians own homes or condos and bring our sales mentality with them. Maybe sales are temporarily slow, maybe they’ve already bought a new property, or maybe they have personal pressures (financial, family, etc.); in these cases they are likely to lower the price to sell quickly. Especially in high demand areas, these kinds of price reductions go fast, so it is important for buyers to be on the ball, do their homework and be ready to move quickly and safely backed by adequate knowledge.

Low Market Areas – In handful of areas, there were enough Americans buying just before the U.S. housing crisis that when the crisis hit, prices dropped significantly in these expat markets as well. The high demand before the crisis brought a large supply of high-quality, new properties to the market, meaning buyers have their pick of very fine real estate options designed for an upscale market at prices significantly lower than usual. Owners reselling also had to adjust their prices accordingly. At the same time, it looks very likely that the best of these areas will get back on their feet; strong tourism appeal, Mexico’s ongoing efforts to boost tourism and foreign investment and extremely good infrastructure and lifestyle already existing all suggest that within the next few years, prices will be back up to normal. Now is a great time to invest. Two examples include Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) and Puerto Vallarta.

Up-and-Coming Areas – Mexico has begun an effort to position itself within the top 5 international tourist destination countries. There is also an ongoing (and successful) effort to draw tourism from emerging economies and BRIC countries;  Russia and Brazil have seen especially large increases, creating enough demand to open more direct flights. This growth means that new tourist areas are being discovered. Undiscovered tourist areas tend to have really low prices even for beautiful beachfront real estate; once they are discovered this can change very quickly, as happened in the recent past in places like Playa del Carmen. Buyers should look for somewhat unknown areas with “buds” of future tourism – reasonable access, existing attractions like nice beaches and well kept up towns and cities with good atmosphere, new golf and marina developments, etc. Two examples are Costa Maya, 4 hours south of Cancun, and Campeche, 2 hours west of Merida.

Pre-construction Discounts – In areas where the market is currently growing at a healthy pace (like Playa del Carmen) this is a viable approach. Buyers will need to work closely with a knowledgeable and professional agent to evaluate the reputation of developers. These two factors in place, a buyer can enjoy virtually instant appreciation as the complex is completed and condos are sold at their listed price.

Mortgage – Mortgages in Mexico – for Mexicans and non-Mexicans alike – are a fairly new phenomenon. As with any mortgage, the option gaining a mortgage with a Mexican bank allows a buyer to start with a minimal investment – usually 30% of the sale price as a down payment plus closing costs, which can range from 4-7% of the sale price. The advantage over gaining a mortgage in the buyer’s home country is that they can leverage the mortgage against the same property they are buying to avoid tying up valuable home equity on a previously owned property.

Remember: Work with a Reliable Team

Finally, in each of the approaches mentioned above, it is of high importance for investors new to buying in Mexico or new to buying by means of one of these approaches to work with a reliable, professional team to guide them through the process. Whether it is to help the buyer know the reputation of a developer or to identify, evaluate and move on price reductions quickly and safely, an agent with qualifications (degrees, certificates), membership in Mexico’s professional real estate association (AMPI) and significant experience will be their best guide to buying on a low budget with minimal risks.

Investing in Mexico real estate can offer great potential in low cost properties; these tips will help buyers know how to find even greater savings and potentially increased return on their low investment.

Late Night: Mexican economy needs war on drugs, Oliver Stone says

On Monday night, the always-opinionated director Oliver Stone paid a visit to “Piers Morgan Tonight” to promote his latest film, “Savages,” which tells the story of two pot-growing Southern California friends who clash with a Mexican drug cartel.

Not surprisingly, the conversation turned to the subject of the war on drugs, which Stone opposes. “Fifty percent of our prison system is victimless crimes,” he claimed. “People who’ve never hurt anybody, they’re in for marijuana and it has nothing to do with punishment. It’s a medical issue, and I think we have to move to decriminalization and legalization.”

But Stone also argued that, because of the vast scale of the war on drugs, decriminalization would present a massive systemic threat, especially south of the border: “The Mexican economy would die without it because they need the money. It goes into their legitimate economy. It’s bigger than tourism. It’s bigger than oil. It’s bigger than remissions from their Mexican emigrants back to their country.”

Admitting that it could not happen "overnight," Stone reiterated the need for decriminalization, arguing that "in America we’re suffering greatly" because the war on drugs diverts funds that could be used more productively elsewhere. 

"We need to make a war for our country’s infrastructure," he said. 

Mexico Elections: A Country's Reaction to a Likely Winner

The election of Enrique Peña Nieto, Mexico’s young, debonair politician and leader of the country’s much-maligned Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), was met with mixed reaction Monday, with local legacy media organizations and ordinary citizens weighing in on his victory.

Headlines across many Mexican newspapers employed the word “return” to typify Nieto’s victory, a clever nod to the crony politicking mastered by PRI that plagued Mexico for decades. It was that same politicking that lead to the ouster of PRI 12 years ago, ending more than 70 years of rule under a succession of names.

 

Nieto was quick to dismiss these concerns in his acceptance speech, asserting his party’s newfound commitment to the democratic process and a clean break from the past.

“We are a new generation,” Nieto said in his speech, according to a transcript published by El Universal, a major Mexican newspaper headquartered in Mexico City. “There is no return to the past.”

El Universal’s editorial board opted to look at the silver lining of Nieto’s victory in an op-ed published Monday.

 

“In sum, almost nothing escapes public scrutiny,” the paper’s editorial board wrote, adding that the election was successful in its transparency, and “good news in the fight against impunity.”

 

While Nieto’s optimism has carried him through much of his historic campaign, his critics have voiced their opinions across social media.

 

Following Nieto’s victory, thousands of people took to Twitter, making Mexico’s elections a worldwide trending topic.

 

Miguel Murillo alluded to PRI corruption-laden past when interpreting the results of Sunday's election:

 

@MiguelAMurillo

 

Money can't buy you happiness, but it can sure buy you a presidential election. #Mexico Elecciones 2012 #fraude2012#MiVoto2012

Others recalled the irony in democratically electing PRI:

@jolumed

 

So there you go. It takes 12 years to forget 71#Elecciones2012

ThinkMexican, along with other users, echoed accusations of voter fraud in Sunday’s election, despite positive reports by Mexico’s Federal Electoral Institude, which oversaw the election.

@ThinkMexican

 

#IFE director says no major incidents in today's election. That's absurd. 1,000's unable to vote, violence, vote-buying.#Elecciones2012

@12M15M

 

Mexico: Since yesterday, the #YoSoy132 movement is reporting the most documented election fraud in history Check #Fraude2012 via @culebrae

American violinist, Mexican guitarist an inspired musical team

Alex DePue &

Miguel de Hoyos

Expect to be dazzled when American violin master Alex DePue and Mexican classical and flamenco guitar dynamo Miguel De Hoyos perform their first San Diego concert of the year on Thursday at the all-ages Lestat's in Normal Heights. A musical team since 2007, they create a cross-border fusion that bridges the gap between various styles with equal fire and finesse.

Classically trained, DePue made his Carnegie Hall debut when he was 14 and also distinguished himself as a young bluegrass phenom who, from 1994 to 1998, was the Michigan State Fiddling Champion. In addition to various orchestras, he counts rock guitar icon Steve Vai and country-music star Chris Cagle among his past employers.

Also classically trained, De Hoyos is a native of Monterrey, Mexico. He moved to Rosarito in 2006, the same year DePue arrived in San Diego. The two teamed up a year later and have been performing together ever since. De Hoyos has five solo albums to his credit, and also recorded two albums as the leader of the five-piece group La Guitarra Por El Mundo. DePue, meanwhile, has a new solo recording of his own ready to release.

DePue and De Hoyos have released two albums, 2007's "Underground Whispers" and 2009's "Twisted Strings." Both showcase their virtuosic playing and their ability to shine whether playing jazz, blues, rock, classical, swing, flamenco or nearly anything in between. Accordingly, their repertoire can range from such jazz chestnuts as "Autumn Leaves" and "Lady Be Good" to rock classics like "Black Magic Woman," "Eleanor Rigby" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart," with "Classical Gas" and Pachabel's Canon in D thrown in for good measure.

The duo's Thursday concert at the intimate Lestat's will also feature their protégé, guitarist Jake Allen. For those traveling in Baja, DePue and De Hoyos keep their musical chops honed by playing at La Mision, a restaurant located between Rosarito and Ensenada.

Whale Sinks Sailboat Off Coast of Mexico Sailor Rescued After Whale Hits Boat

 A California man was rescued after his 50-foot sailboat was struck by a whale while he was sailing alone about 40 miles off the coast of Mexico.

The impact from the collision disabled the sailboat's steering and the vessel began taking on water late Tuesday.

Max Young, 67, a retired Sacramento high school teacher, quickly stuffed a mattress into the hole in the ship's hull and activated several pumps. Young was "trying to bail out water as fast as he could, because he wasn't sure how long it was going to take to be rescued," his wife, Debra, told The Associated Press.

Young also activated his EPIRB, an emergency radio beacon, around midnight which alerted the Coast Guard.

"The safety equipment he had on board allowed us to find him very quickly. It was a big reason why we were able to rescue him," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Pamela J. Boehland.

The Coast Guard requested assistance from the Ocean Virgo, a Panamanian-flagged merchant ship. The Ocean Virgo was approximately 60 miles away and immediately headed to the scene.

"The fact the freighter was less than 60 miles away and was able to respond to our rescue request was great, but he was very lucky that he was able to be rescued so quickly," Boehland said.

The command center watch also diverted an HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Sacramento to investigate the sinking vessel.

When the crew of the Hercules located and established radio communications with Young at about 2 a.m., he was bailing water from his boat. He had also deployed his life raft in case he had to abandon his boat.

The Hercules remained on scene until the Ocean Virgo arrived around 4 a.m., and Young climbed out of his boat via a rope ladder that was thrown by the ship's crew.

Young had been on the final leg of a trip from the East Coast to a marina in Emeryville, Calif., when the collision took place. Young has been sailing for at least 30 years, and having worked on boats with his father, who was a commercial fisherman, he's been on the ocean most of his life, his wife said.

Debra Young said she has been in contact with her husband while he's on board the Ocean Virgo, which is headed for Panama. He's not expected to be back to Sacramento for another few days.