This year we have decided to try something a little different with our blog and “intentionally” share some interesting news stories and events that happen each month from our local perspective that we get from living in Mexico. Some of these stories you may have heard about, and others might be outside of the mainstream media newsfeed, but we hope you find the selection we share to be interesting. Here are some personal and newsworthy events from January.
January Overview
We spent a very quiet New Year’s Eve at home. We made some snacks and watched a bunch of old movies, which was a lot of fun. At midnight we went out onto our patio to watch all the fireworks around town. They were lighting up the sky everywhere, especially around the marina. It’s really nice we can see them all from the comfort of our own home. Then on New Year’s Day we just took it easy and watched some more movies. It was great to have some nice down time.
Lorne had January 2 off from work, so I decided it would be a great day to do a big round of spring cleaning and to pack up all our Christmas stuff. We also had to pack up the guest room, as we didn’t have time to do it before Christmas. So we spent the whole day thoroughly cleaning and reorganizing stuff. It felt so good to have the house clean to start the new year. Lorne was very happy to go back to work January 3, so he wouldn’t have to do any more stuff around the house!
We both managed to get sick in January (ugh… seems to be an annual thing now), and each week when we thought we were over it, it would come back again, and then again, and yet again. We were negative for COVID, so must just be some annual flu or cold, it’s so hard to tell now what it is. It didn’t make us sick enough to stop working, but it was just annoying enough to drain our energy and make our head foggy in the afternoons.
We considered flying up to the US to get a covid booster (currently not offered in Mexico) and maybe a flu shot, but flights are so expensive and travel is still really complicated with so many delays and lost luggage to deal with.
We had some rain on January 31, which was really odd. Normally the rainy season ends here around the end of October and then we don’t get any rain until June. But that day it was very cloudy and so we brought the patio cushions in just to be safe and glad we did. However, it really wasn’t even much rain, it was more like a sprinkle, not even enough to make a puddle on the patio.
Our temperatures here in Cabo were much cooler in January than they had been during the last part of 2022. Even though our average temperatures were not too bad, we did have a few very chilly days with a high of only 21C (69F) and a low of 8C (46F) where we really needed to dig out our long pants and hoodies to wear around the house, not to mention extra blankets on the bed at night.
And now, on to the news events for January….
Sinaloa Unrest
On January 5, Ovido Guzman, son of jailed drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was arrested in Culiacán (2.5 hours north of Mazatlán), which sparked a wave of violence in the state of Sinaloa. In retaliation for the arrest, cartel members blocked highways with burned vehicles and began attacks on the armed forces. The international airport was closed after two planes (one passenger, the other military) were attacked by bullets.
The Mexican military launched a series of armed raids using planes and helicopters to attack cartel members. On January 13, the Secretary of the Interior declared that order had been re-established in Sinaloa. According to reports, ten soldiers, one police officer and 19 members of the Sinaloa Cartel were killed.
Most of the cartel violence happens within mainland Mexico, and cartels tend to leave the very touristy places alone. For the most part, living in Los Cabos, at the end of the very long Baja Peninsula, is a very safe place to live. However, there is still a cartel presence and it is rumoured that they own at least one of the popular resorts in the area, providing them a way to launder money. To stay safe, one simply needs to be aware, and to use common sense.
“Dia de Reyes”
In Mexico, Christmas celebrations span from December 25 straight through to January 6, which is the day they celebrate Dia de Reyes, Three Kings Day. In other parts of the world, this day is known as Epiphany, and in Mexico, this day is celebrated with gift giving, traditions and delicious treats. The Three Kings Day tradition is a celebration of the three wise men, who brought gifts to the Christ child and is one of the oldest traditions in Mexico, dating back to the time of Spanish colonization (in the 1500’s).
In Mexico, it is tradition for children to leave their shoes, along with a letter for the Three Kings telling them how good they have been and what toys they would like to receive, by their beds on the evening of January 5. In the morning, children awake to find their presents, and later in the day families and friends gather to drink Mexican hot chocolate and eat the Rosca de Reyes, a delicious cake shaped like a ring, topped with dried fruits and sugar glaze to resemble a crown encrusted with jewels. Within the cake, a little plastic baby figurine is hidden. According to Mexican tradition, whoever finds the baby in their piece of cake must invite all those present to a meal of tamales on Candlemas Day (February 2) which celebrates the Virgin Mary.
Boxes and boxes (and boxes) of these cakes are stacked up high at the stores for sale during the first week of January and it’s wonderful to see all the families gather in our community to celebrate during this time.
New Anti-Smoking Law
A revised Mexican law, that now bans smoking in all public places took effect January 15, is one of the most stringent anti-smoking laws in the world. People are now banned from smoking in all outdoor public places, such as parks, streets, beaches as well as hotels/resorts, restaurants, stadiums, shopping centers and entertainment venues. Smoking was already banned in all indoor spaces.
This anti-smoking law also includes the use of e-cigarettes as well as marijuana (which was legalized in Mexico in June 2021) and as well, also prohibits all forms of advertising, and retailers are no longer permitted to stock tobacco products in open view of customers.
Smoking is still permitted within your own private residence, but the new law will certainly pose a problem for those tourists wanting to smoke while vacationing in Mexico.
Egg Smuggling
It’s been well known that drug smuggling across the Mexican border into the US has been happening for years, but recently eggs have become the newest contraband. Due to the high egg prices currently in the US, the border patrols have noticed an increase in the number of eggs intercepted at the various ports of entry.
Uncooked eggs are prohibited from entering the US and failure to declare agricultural items can result in penalties up to $10,000.
Due to the massive outbreak of avian flu among American chicken flocks, egg prices have skyrocketed. Currently in the US, a dozen eggs can cost as much as $7.50 (USD), whereas here in Cabo a dozen eggs are $2.40 (USD). In mainland Mexico, where prices are even cheaper, a flat of eggs (36) will run you $3.40 (USD).
Snow in Baja California
The winter storm season managed to hit northwestern Mexico which caused heavy snow in Northern Baja California on January 31, shut down highways, and forced local schools to close. Normal winter temperatures in this area run on average 20C (68F) but every so often, if the cold fronts and bands of low pressure interact, extreme weather conditions can happen. Keep in mind that most homes in Mexico do not have central heating systems to keep their homes warm.
Most people think of Mexico as being hot and humid, however Mexico is a large country with many different climates. While most of Mexico enjoys tropical weather, 12 out of the 32 states of Mexico can experience snowfall in the winter, especially those with higher elevations. Even though Mexico City is surrounded by mountains, it rarely ever snows in the capital city. In fact, there have been only two instances of snow recorded in Mexico City itself: January 12, 1967, and March 5, 1940.
While Cabo San Lucas (in the southern part of Baja California) does experience seasonal changes, we do not get any snow here. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Cabo was 6C/43F in February 2011, which certainly was out of the ordinary.
ps… Don’t forget to check out the latest Snippets!
lots you guy’s document
Great update
I do not like the cigarette law