The Whale Sharks Return to Baja

Migrants Reshape Villages in Mexico

By Pepe Murrieta

Known as “Pejesapo” by local people in Baja California, the Whale Shark is the biggest fish in the ocean. It looks like a compare the whale shark to a human shark and is as big as a whale. The species is believed to have originated about 60 million years ago. The largest specimen accurately recorded is 18 meters (60 feet) long and probably weighted more than 21.5 tons.

The Whale Shark is found in tropical and warm oceans. They cruise along from the surface down to the depth of about 700 meters (2100 ft.) They are often seen by divers in Thailand, the Maldives, the Red Sea, the Ningaloo Reef in Austrailia, the Gladden Spit Marine reserve in Belize, the Galapagos Islands, and the Sea of Cortez.. The migration of the Whale Shark into the Sea of Cortez starts from May to July. They swim in shallow water during the day, diving to depths of 700 meters at night. During the Baja “season’ they will travel as far north as Bahia de los Angeles. On the return trip south they will pass by East Cape from late September through October.

The Whale Shark moves gently, feeding on phytoplankton, macro-algae, plankton, krill or small squid and vertebrates. The Whale Shark is not dangerous to human beings. Divers and snorkelers can swim around this giant fish without problems apart from the risk of unintentionally being hit by its large muscular tail fin. Recently, a Whale Shark became marooned on top of the Cabo Pulmo Reef. Divers came to the rescue, gently rocking the big fish from side to side until it was able to break loose and swim out into the sea of Cortez again.

Four Whale Sharks, two males and two females, are the featured attraction at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia. The males are, Ralph and Norton and the females are, Alice and Trixie. Marine biologists are hoping that Whale Shark reproduction can be studied in captivity at this facility.
 

Workers in the United States helped pay for the grand boulevard leading into Nochistlan, work crews pour concrete on Calle Manzano, carpenters and masons put the finishing touches on a new sanctuary at St. Sebastian Church, clean water and electricity reach further into the outlying neighborhoods of this small town in Zacatecas state. A large sign declares in Spanish: “Migrants, this is your home.”

Today, nearly every public works project in dozens of towns and villages throughout MJxico is subsidized and overseen by Mexicans working in the United States. Unlike past generations who melted into the American mainstream, a new breed of migrant is determined to straddle the border. They are on a mission to reshape their old country with ideas from their new one. Along with cash, they are bringing notions of open government and accountability.

Efrain Jimenez, the owner of an auto repair ship in San Fernando, is the project director for the Federation of Zacatecan Clubs of Southern California, one of the many U.S.-based migrant groups investing in MJxico. Efrain grew up , in the tiny pueblo of La Villita near Nochistlan. He believes that U.S.-style democracy can reshape his homeland. “American ideas have gotten in the heads of Mexicans.” said Jimenez . He has turned over management of his auto shop to an employee, allowing Efrain to coordinate public works projects full time for the Zacatecan clubs. His two cell phones (one with a Mexican number and one with a U.S. number) ring every few minutes, regardless of which side of the border he’s on, with questions regarding the 300 projects the clubs have in the works.

The Mexican government, for years content to ignore those who went north, is now eager to assist. In 2001, outgoing Presidente Vicente Fox agreed to allocate three pesos for every one raised by Mexicans abroad for public works. Federal, state and local governments provided about $60 million dollars in 2005 to match $20 million dollars from expatriates.

Accountability measures have been taken to assure that the projects are being handled in a business-like way. Because of pressure from émigrés, public works projects in Zacatecas state now must be approved by neighborhood committees along with the mayor, federal and state representatives and the immigrants’ hometown clubs in the United States. Two signatures are required on checks. Books are opened, costs scrutinized. The demand for transparency was evident at a recent meeting to distribute public works funds in the city of Zacatecas. During the all day meeting, questions were raised and arguments hashed out. The issue? Zacatecan clubs had pledged more money than the government had in matching funds. The question before the participants was, “Which projects could be funded now and which should be put off until next year?” “It used to be the decisions were all made from the top down.” said Guillermo BriceZo de la Mora, a delegate to Zacatecas state from the Federal Department of Social Development. “To reach consensus on issues is new for us and new for the migrants too.”
From an article written by reporter, Sam Enriquez for the LA Times, 4/16/2006
    

Mexico’s Ancient and Native Remedies

by J. Hyslop

When “modern medicine” came into being decades ago, drug companies were convinced that they were discovering “miracle cures” that would forever change the practice of medicine. What scientists did not realize was that Indian women were using the mold off tortillas, which contains penicillin, to combat infection and that cures using indigenous plants had been around for centuries. Take the common plant, Lomboy, for instance. The “Field Guide to the Common and Interesting Plants of Baja California” by Coyle and Roberts reports that medicinal qualities of the sap from Lomboy prevents chapped lips and stops bleeding. The “Medicina Traditional y Popular de Baja California Sur” published by Universidad Aut\noma de Baja California Sur reports that Lomboy can be used to cure coughs, warts, sore throats, and ulcers. The sap is also used to shrink hemorrhoids.

It is true that some of the ancient and native remedies seem a little far fetched and strange. For instance, when my husband complained about his “weeping eyes” I looked in my trusty “Mexico’s Ancient and Native Remedies” by Evelyne Winter (1968) and found the following entry: “Conjunctivitie or weeping eyes: Take the urine of the ’zorillo’ (skunk) and use as an eye wash.” (Somehow Russ didn’t respond to this suggestion, even though we have a plethora of skunks around Rancho Verde!) Reading a little further under the category of Hair I came across the following remedies for baldness: (1) “Mash organ cactus and rub it on the head. (do not forget to cut off the spines )” and (2) “Cut hair off completely, put fresh cow’s excrement over the whole head.” Here’s a great remedy for bites and skin rash : “Apply some tequila with salt.” ???? (I guess we could take that to mean, “apply it to your throat”????)

But, all kidding aside, there is much to be said for ancient and native remedies for many of life’s ailments. Since diarrhea can be a problem at times there are several plants that can be used to stem the effects. Two are: (1) Epazote: (Found in most grocery stores). Make a tea from the herb and drink a glass before breakfast until problem subsides. (2) Guayaba: Make a tea from the tender leaves of the Guava Tree and drink three times a day. For Burns and scalds try (1) Onion: Slice the onion in spirals and wrap them around the new burn. It prevents blistering and stops pain. (2) Frijoles and Egg: Beat an egg and add to smashed frijoles to make a paste and put on the burn.
Ask your Mexican neighbors. They can tell you about cures that have been passed down through the generations. They must work! We have heard that many folks in the mountains of BCS live to be over 100 years old! Martin at Verdugo’s palapa told us it’s the natural diet. Of course, we believe that the “stress free” life style may also have something to do with it, too! JAH