The Cozumel Drift
                               Your E-Newsletter from
                                  DIVE ECO-cozumel,
                        Scuba Shack & Village Tan Kah
                                    Cozumel, Mexico 
                                  March 2004
 
 
Welcome to the 7th edition of The Cozumel Drift,  brought to you
by your friends and family here at Dive ECO-cozumel, Scuba Shack & Village
Tan Kah on the island of Cozumel.  Well, it sure has been an awful long time
since you received a newsletter.  The holidays were very busy!  First, Roberta's
40th bash, then Christmas, then New Year's......  we made it, how about you ? 
After the holidays, then the New Year with more diving, Carnival and Spring
Break !  And there have been a couple of new restaurants opening here and
there that we are sure you would like to hear about. 
 
Thanks to our many friends for your support and for making this newsletter
such a fun project!  Please keep sending us your ideas and articles....we'd be
honored to feature you in our next edition.  Muchas gracias, amigos!!!
 
 
IN THIS EDITION:
 
Travel Deals to Cozumel... Look what's available now that Spring Break is over!!
The Scuba Shack Skinny... What's new.... and old !!!!!!
E-mail & Webpage Updates...  Just in case you need to get a hold of us !!!
The Piņata...  No party can be without Mexico's favorite party favor !!!!
Kids & Christmas...  A big THANK YOU from them !!
Restaurant Review... A couple of new MUST's to try while you are here !!!
A Special Message for you... from us to you !
 
***  Travel Deals to Cozumel   
 
Well, Spring Break is almost over and the cruise ships are getting ready to
leave for their summer routes, and out beautiful island is being returned to us !! 
Now is your chance to find some really great deals.  But don't delay, because
there are only so many seats still available.
 
Funjet Vacations is offering an extra $50 US off of their Cozumel vacation
packages.  Check them out at www.funjet.com  
 
MLT Vacations - Take a look at these specials:
Dallas to Cancun - Apr 3, 5, 7, 10, 11 - $ 79 US Round Trip
MSP to Cancun - Apr   - $ 159 US Round Trip
Denver to Cancun -  Apr 3,   -  $ 179 US Round Trip
These prices do not include taxes but still, very reasonable.  You can find
more information, go to www.worryfreevacations.com. 
 
VILLAGE TAN KAH
 
 If you are able to get a great airfare, we are offering a special from
Apr 3 - Apr 20 (these night only), we are offering $ 75 US off of the
weekly hotel/dive special.
Deluxe - regularly $ 499 - Now only  $ 424 US
Standard - regularly $ 469 - Now only $ 395 US
 
Prices are per person  based on double occupancy !
 
 
Finding cheap airfare is almost full-time job.  If YOU find a new
site for cheap airfare...please share it with us...THANKS!
 

***  Scuba Shack Skinny...

 
Well, the Norte season was pretty long this year, as everyone who was here
in Nov and Dec knows.  We used big boats most of the time, with only 2 days 
completely lost !  If you are not familiar with a Norte, that is the weather
fronts that come down from the states.  It is a high pressure system with the
winds blowing out of the north - hence the name in Spanish - Norte.   Normally,
the winds here come from the east or north east.  The island then acts as a
barrier for us so that we have nice flat water.  When the winds turn to the
north then,  we bear the brunt of them and it makes the water conditions very
rough and choppy !!!  And it even gets cold here ( although I guess that is all
a matter of perspective now, right?? )  Diving during the nortes then becomes
an event for those with strong stomachs and an insatiable urge to dive !!!
In December, we had a huge bash for Roberta's 40th  birthday
party.  Thanks to everyone who showed up... and to Bob Amsterdam who was
THE only person who brought an 'Over the Hill' gift.  We were thinking that
there would be alot more !
 
The new and improved - Brianna Jean.  She has gotten a beautiful face lift. 
The boat was repaired and painted right before Christmas.  Now both boats
are on the same color scheme !!!  Light blue blending to dark blue with the dive
shop names on the side.   Now, the only thing left to paint is the Land Rover !!
 
Well, February is well known here for CARNIVAL !!!!  And
what a fun time we had this year ! The Land Rover was requested for a float 
for the Chrysalis Group.  This group puts about 450 kids through school by
feeding them breakfast  & lunch  everyday, providing them
with school  supplies, and clothing.  The Land Rover was dressed up for
'It's a Small World' and the kids had a blast in the Sunday night parade.  So,
the plans are on for next year.  Any ideas are greatly appreciated !
 
March is known here for Spring Break. We have had a very busy March,
and some of the best diving yet.  There have been tons of spotted eagle rays,
and it seems that there is a resident sea horse right in front of our pier,
according to Robyn, one of Smith Diving Group leaders/instructors.  They
saw him on a regular basis.  But, as spring rolls around, we all know, it is time
for the thimble jelly fish.  They are just starting now, so if you are planning
on heading this way, you may want to make sure that you have some kind of
dive skin or wetsuit for diving.  But the thimbles are also a sign of... turtle
season.  There has already been a few sightings of turtles mating(according to
Mike Bailey).... and reports are coming in daily of sightings. 
Pet Update........
Euro and Peso would like to thank everyone who brought them some Christmas
chews and the such.  They are both thoroughly enjoying them all !! 
 
   The Pool ...
 As planned, we are now beginning the pool face lift.  The wall is being propped
up, the cement redone, and all of the plants moved.  We anticipate that this
should take about 1 month or so.  But please remember, we are on
Mexican time !  
 
 
***   -mail & ebpage  hanges :
Just another reminder to everyone that our E-mail
scubas@cozunet.com.mx   HAS BEEN DELETED.
 
And we have a new Webpage for the hotel -
www.VillageTanKah.com   Come and check it out and see our new logo !!!
As well as www.ScubaShackCozumel.com
 
Also, please add this E-mail address to your list now:
 
 
***                The Piņata 
                Mexico's Favorite Party Favor!   
 
When Mexican kids have their parties, everyone heads outside to the patio
to find a beautifully colored piņata hanging outside, usually made into their
favorite character.  Nemo seems to be the character of choice this year! 
Although for Christmas, the 5 pointed start in still the most popular design. 
But did the piņata originate here??  Actually, it is widely believed that
the Chinese were the first people to use piņatas for their New Year
celebrations, which also marked the beginning of spring.  They were usually
shaped as cows, bulls and buffalos and made out of brightly colored paper
and filled with different kinds of seeds.  Once the piņata was broken and
the seeds collected, the paper piņata was burned and the ashes kept for
good luck in the coming year. 
 
But how did the piņata get from China to the new world??  It is thought
that Marco Polo first brought it from China to Italy in the 8th century. 
There, they called it 'pignatta', which means fragile pot, and they filled
it with candies and trinkets instead of seeds.  With time, this tradition
then passed from Italy to Spain, where the Spanish tradition was to have
a piņata on the first Sunday during Lent.  It was then the Spanish
missionaries, traveling to the new world, that introduced the piņata to
New Spain ( or Mexico as we know it ) during the early 16th century. 
But what a surprise they had once they arrived to 'New Spain'.  They
found that this tradition was already celebrated here with the Aztecan
as well as the Mayan cultures !!!  The Aztecs celebrated the birthday of
their God of Sun and War, Huitzilopochtli, at the end of our calendar year. 
And they would do so by hanging a pottery  jar adorned with colorful
feathers from different birds and filled with precious objects from the
trees.   When they broke the jar, then the fillings were then used as
offerings to their Gods.  The Mayans as well utilized a pottery jar filled
with goodies.  Only they blindfolded the person who was trying to break it. 
The missionaries then incorporated piņatas into their strategy for converting
these indigenous people to Catholicism.  They changed the meaning behind the
breaking of the piņata to represent Gods will of overcoming the devil and sins. 
The piņatas were made into the shape of a star with 7 points - each point
representing one of the 7 sins.  Hitting the piņata then with their eyes
covered symbolized blind faith and will power to overcome temptation and
evil.  If they were able to do so, their reward would be the piņata breaking
and the receiving of all of the gifts hidden inside. 
 
Over time, piņatas were then used only for Christmas where it represented
the start of Bethlehem.  Now though, it is an integral part of any Mexican
party, which has really lost all of it's religious significance and is considered
just a childs toy.   But ask anyone who has participated in the breaking of a
piņata.  It is fun for both the kids and the adults. 
 
***      
A very special than you goes to the Taulman family.....  they made 13 boys and
girls really happy  on the 3 Kings Day this year with the presents  that
they brought for them.  Pictures will be coming in the next Newsletter !
And a special thanks to Sandy McCullag who brought down paper and
  pencil supplies which were donated to the orphanage !
 
***  Restaurant Reviews:
 There have been a number of addition, subtractions, etc. on the restaurant
scene, so here goes....
 
La Cocay  - An old favorite located in front of the Corpus Christi Church. 
This will be the last month that they are there.  The lease is up and not being
renewed.  Instead, they will be moving to 8 St. North between Ave 10 and 15. 
The place still needs remodeling but we will keep you posted as to when they
will be open.
 
Lobsteria  - Located on the corner of 7 St. South and 5th Ave. behind Punta
Langosta.  The setting is a traditional Mayan house and the food is absolutely
wonderful.  Their shrimp and papaya appetizer rolls are to die for, as well as their
Chile Poblano soup, Shrimp salad and Coconut Shrimp.  And yes, they even serve
lobster.  And the prices are real Mexican prices - not over inflated. 
This one gets -5     
 
Oaxaca  -  Located on 65 Bis between A.R. Salas and 1st St.  This place is
for those of you who like the traditional Mexican dinner - tacos and the such. 
The style of food is from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.  And the meat is great. 
More beef than traditional Yucatecan port, they have a Tlapedia that is a
combination of beef, chorizo and pork served on a toasted tortilla - wonderful. 
The prices are of course very inexpensive and they serve beer as well. 
We give this one -  4   
 
***  Our Special Message for you !
We know that we missed getting out Christmas Newsletter out to everyone, but
you all know that you are always in our thoughts.  So, from all of us here at
Dive ECO-cozumel, Scuba Shack and the Village Tan Kah.....
We wish you all a HAPPY,
HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS  
    NEW YEAR !!
 
 
Ramblings........
Suggestions anyone???  If anyone has any special requests for articles, or articles
that you would like to contribute - we are all ears, or eyes actually !!!!!!!!!!! 
 
If any of you were wondering how I was able to type in the 'ņ', it does not
come from a Spanish keyboard.  You have it on your computer as well.   All
you need to do is hold down the ALT button  while you type in the numbers
164 on the number pad.  And voila - you have the Ņ  !!!
 
 
More ramblings next month.  Until then.....
 
================================================================================
 
CUBA HACK  (011-52-987) 872-4240
 
On the beach between Casa del Mar & Park Royal Hotels
ROBERTA'S IVE CO-COZUMEL  (011-52-987)872-4187
LUE UBBLE IVERS (011-52-987) 872-1865 and 872-4526
ILLAGE AN AH  (011-52-987) 872-6142
info@VillageTanKah.com
In the south hotel zone, directly across the street from Scuba Shack 
 
TECHNICAL STUFF:
This newsletter is produced by Roberta Cwiertnia, sponsored by Blue Bubble Divers, Roberta's Dive Eco-Cozumel, Scuba Shack & Village Tan Kah. We welcome all contributors, although we reserve the right to cut and paste.  To be removed from this mailing list, simply reply to this an e-mail and write "Remove From Mailing List" in the body portion of the E-mail.  Thank you !