ECUADOR: Hat Making Business Is A Tradition, Discover The Home Of The World-renowned Panama Hat

The hat making business is a tradition in a country like Ecuador, home of the world-renowned "Panama Hat", don’t get confused by its name, it’s 100% Ecuadorian.

And where the sun is extremely strong especially in Quito, the use of a hat is essential.

On the outside, that subtle and humble entrance may go unnoticed, but once you cross it, you enter a ‘looking glass’ world of colors and artifacts.

Hats, of course, dominate. You can find them in all sizes, colors and shapes stacked on top of the other on shelves and some even nailed on the walls.

There are berets, top hats, cowboy hats, Panama Hats, and the traditional ones worn in local festivities. Like the "Aruchico" hat – worn by a character of the San Juan and San Pedro fiesta – made of cloth and adorned with small mirrors and multicolored ribbons that cascade from the sides.

Masks are also the protagonists of the store. There are rows of masks hung on wires on the wall to the left. The peculiar masks depict politicians, devils, animals, clowns.

Your sight sharpens inside Sombrerería Benalcázar: every corner, every shelf, every wall is decorated with hats and masks made by César Anchala, the current owner of the family business passed down from his father.

His wife smiles behind the counter, greets and invites you to try the hats on. With patience, she takes each one out and is excited to see you wearing them.

Next to her, a small lady with black hair, a prominent nose and a shy look is also the one makes these hats and with a gesture of her hand, she beckons you to follow her into the back. You enter a room that shows the passage of time.

The wall is cracked and the shelves hold even more hats and wooden tools. To one side, there’s an ancient radio.

Two framed portraits are hung on the wall and seem to look directly at you. It is the Anchala family: César’s mother and father, the original owners.

Above the portraits an old sign reads SOMBRERERÍA BENALCÁZAR, below it: WE FIX HATS AND BERETS, in red and blue letters (the entrance of the shop already has a more "modern" sign indicating César’s email).

In this peculiar room everything from the shop is created: hats, berets, masks here the César Anchala father made and filled that hat shop with unique artefacts that 60 years later continue to bring in loyal customers, despite their almost secret passageway in Calle Benalcázar.

ECUADOR: Gang Targeting Expats,Tourists In Vilcabamba

After several days of basic operations of intelligence, the staff of the anti-Criminal Brigade (BAC) of the judicial police identified and captured the members of an alleged criminal organization dedicated to the assault of foreign persons residing in the parishes vilcabamba and San Pedro.

According to the complaints lodged by those affected, three or four subjects with firearms amedrentaban to tourists and foreign people living or visiting these populous sectors of the city, and using the force is substituting their belongings, in some cases using violence Excessive.

After the respective research and, with the collaboration of the office of the prosecutor, the agents of the bac raided three homes in the parish vilcabamba, and obtained the arrest of three suspects, about whom there is the respective ballot of detention with investigative purposes, for the crime of association Unlawful.

According to data from the police, the alleged organization is LED by the suspect identified as ulfer bladimir c. P., Who together with two other adults and a minor were engaged to commit assaults and robberies to foreign nationals who lived and are engaged in tourism

Among the evidence that was found in the raids consist three carbines of manufacture national, a national manufacturing holster, a gun Mark Smith Wesson, CALIBER 9 mm; a 38-caliber revolver without brand, 45-caliber ammunition without percutir 9 MM Green Dot, three boxes of ammunition Mark Winchester and J-G, three containers with gunpowder and buckshot, a bow and arrows spear mark professional toxonics, 10 arrows of Carbon Steel Tip Mark Easton.

It was also found two blending, seven cell phones, two sleeping, a green camouflage jacket belongs to the army, a plasma tv samsung of 42 inches, two laptops brand hp and Toshiba, a camera, a tablet, a chainsaw , a printer, backpacks harness and more objects and possessions in involving the theft of foreign citizens.

The police is still investigating the case since the detainees, who do not register background, would have an accomplice, according to the versions of the citizens affected. (Ministry of the interior.)

AMBERGRIS CAYE: Is Traffic Driving Away Tourists?

The natural beauty of Belize attracts thousands of tourists to Ambergris Caye annually. Their experiences led to choosing Ambergris Caye as a top vacation destination. For San Pedro, tourism is the largest, fastest growing industry, and contributes significantly to Belize’s economy. In 2013 and 2014, Ambergris Caye was consecutively selected as the number one island destination by TripAdvisor. However, in 2015, ratings dropped drastically, leading many to believe that the complaints about traffic and an increase in local crime has led to the island’s drop from the celebrated list.

Over the past several months, The San Pedro Sun has accumulated numerous ‘letters to the editor’ regarding the traffic situation on the island. With so many unsatisfied tourists expressing their feelings and concerns, the tourism industry in San Pedro might be at risk if improvements are not made.

Many of the letters reflect the same issue: visitors spend a lot of money to travel to Ambergris Caye, but their experience has been dampened by many factors, including terrible traffic conditions. The San Pedro Sun met with San Pedro Town Council Mayor Daniel Guerrero to address these concerns, and hear the status of town council’s plans to improve the situation.
“We are very concerned when it comes to tourism,” said Guerrero. “Tourism is truly our bread and butter. It is increasing, but as it increases, the complaints increase. The more people, the more complaints. It is a living process. We just have to polish here and there until we finally get it fine-tuned,” he said.

Many of the complaints revolve around the seemingly overwhelming amount of traffic. Simple tasks as driving golf-carts, parking and walking across the streets becomes a hassle. Reckless drivers, speedy taxis and exhaust take away from what was once a charming town, and visitors are expressing their concern.

“We want to alleviate some of the congestion. Parking is an issue but it is due to the lack of planning of the town. I’m working on opening the street behind the field by SP Jet Express. At the end of the day, that is what the people are asking for, because the current traffic flow is hectic and bumper to bumper. It takes 20 minutes to go the bank,” said Guerrero, acknowledging that traffic is indeed at an all-time high. “The streets are being painted at the moment and we are putting new signs before Easter…We are working on it.”

As to the larger vehicles and their impact on daily commutes, the Mayor along with the SPTC will be enforcing a new system on Monday, April 4th. “We will be instilling a plan for delivery trucks. Companies like: Bowen & Bowen, Butane gas, the lumberyard, Caribbean Depot and Krystal Shipping have to start delivering at 2am until 7am. Children need to get to school safely. We want people to get used to it and after a two-week trail, we will work with our attorneys to make it into legislation,” explained Mayor Guerrero.

As a part of their development plan, the town council has been putting in infrastructure north of the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge and are now working in the south areas as well. The Mayor acknowledged that many projects within their master plan will begin soon, including the opening of a new concrete bridge, and computerizing a toll-bridge.

The town council does take people’s suggestions into account and has developed ideas to help improve the conditions in San Pedro. However, due to lack of sufficient funding, the town council can only do one project at a time. “Everything costs money. This town generates money, but we try to help as much as we can. We have to work with what we have. I think San Pedro as a destination island has done really good and with all the infrastructure going in place, it can only get better,” ended Guerrero.

The SPTC also reminds residents and visitors that the new parking lot across from the Honorable Louis Sylvester Sports Complex is available for long-term parking.

BELIZE: San Pedro Police Officer Dean Perez Charged For Theft

Police Constable (PC) Dean Perez

A police officer attached to the San Pedro Police Formation has been criminally charged and is expected to face a police tribunal for the crime of “theft.” 26-year-old Police Constable (PC) Dean Perez, originally from Belize City, has been accused of stealing cash and a cell phone from a San Pedro Town resident while carrying out an investigation.

According to the Deputy Officer in Charge of the San Pedro Police Formation Inspector Henry Jemott, the charge on Perez stems from an incident that occurred on October 5th. According to San Pedro Police, Perez visited the residence of San Pedro Town resident Jose Hernandez, who was investigating and inquiring about his identity.

Inspector Jemott said that when Hernandez was in the process of providing his documents, Perez allegedly took his identification cards which had $600 between them. In addition, Hernandez also claims that PC Perez also took away his cell phone valued at $400.

According to San Pedro Police, following an intensive investigation, an Identification Parade was conducted where PC Perez was positively identified. On Tuesday October 28th, Perez was formally arrested and charged for the crime of “theft”

Perez has since been arranged before the San Pedro Magistrate Court where he was offered and met bail in the sum of $2000. He has been ordered to keep away from the complainant and is scheduled to reappear in court on December 5th.

Inspector Jemott said beside the criminal investigation, PC Perez will also face an internal investigation and will be taken before a police tribunal on similar charges.

PC Perez, who has recently been transferred to San Pedro Town, has been placed on interdiction on half salary.

PHILIPPINES: Easter Celebrations With Crucifixions

Christian devotees were nailed to crosses in the Philippines on Friday as Asia's Catholic heartland marked Easter with an extreme display of faith.

The gory crucifixions played out in dusty fields throughout the day with thousands of spectators looking on, and as other penitents flogged themselves bloody with whips.

Men dressed as soldiers of the Roman Empire hammered large metal spikes through the hands and feet of Willy Salvador, who grimaced in silence as he lay with his arms spread atop a wooden cross.

"This is my personal way of thanking Him (God) for healing me," the 59-year-old fisherman said, moments before being dragged barefoot through the streets of San Juan village.

"I know you would not believe me, but God helped me recover from a nervous breakdown," said Salvador, who added he had been doing it every year since 2006.

Ritual crucifixions are among the Catholic world's most extreme forms of worship and are done as part of Good Friday celebrations in some small villages in the Philippines, home to 80 million-plus Catholics.

They are held to re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe was put to death so humanity could be cleansed of its sins.

The nails go through both hands and both feet, but do not bear the weight of the penitents, who spend only a few minutes on the cross before being taken down and having their bloody wounds treated.

- Souvenir shirts -After Salvador, it was the turn of street vendor Alex Daranang, whose 20th crucifixion fell on the eve of his 60th birthday.

"The wounds heal fast," the gap-toothed grandfather said. "In two days they are practically healed."

The act is frowned upon by the church, but has become a major tourist attraction.

Several thousand sightseers, including more than a dozen Western tourists, descended on the nearby village of San Pedro to witness the mock crucifixions and other extreme forms of piety.

Motivational speaker Benjie Pazcoguin said "there is a symbolic meaning to these crucifixions. Definitely, it reinforces my faith."

"I will come to see it again next year," he said, despite the gore.

Around a knoll where three tall wooden crosses awaited the San Pedro devotees, vendors did brisk business selling souvenir shirts, hats, soft drinks and food.

A giant television screen displayed the macabre events to the rest of the crowd, who shielded themselves from the heat with bright-coloured umbrellas.

On the sun-scalded pavements of the village streets, hundreds of shoeless men, their faces shrouded in black cloths, shuffled in slow processions as they lashed their own backs with whips tipped with bamboo strips.

The men stopped in unison occasionally to lie face down on the pavement, handing over the whips to assistants who administered more punishment.

Blood splattered on the spectators, while one of the penitents sank to his knees and began to throw up.

"You actually feel good, because you know some of your sins are being forgiven," construction worker said.

The extreme practices serve as an alternative to acts of Good Friday penance prescribed by the church, such as abstaining from work or from eating meat, and visiting a series of churches on foot to pray.

"The church discourages these acts because Jesus Christ had already undergone that for all of us. There is no need to repeat it," Father Douglas Badong, rector of the Quiapo Catholic church in central Manila said.

But San Juan village chief Claro Tolentino said crucifixions and self-flagellations were part of the culture of the country, which was converted to Catholicism during the 16th century Spanish colonial conquest.

"This is the culture that we were born into. Everyone should respect the culture and beliefs of our people," he added.

BELIZE: About Belize

Butterfly Falls

Capital: Belmopan

Size: 23,300 km²

Population: 280,000

Currency: Belizean dollar

Language: English (official), Spanish

Visas: Not required by UK nationals.

Food: Seafood is abundant.

Drink: Cashew wine – very sweet and made from the cashew fruit rather than the nut.

Festivals: February: Carnival (Belize City and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye). May (though variable!): Cashew Festival (Crooked Tree).

When to go: Officially the wet season is June to August and the dry season is February to May. Realistically,
you could get rained on at any time, especially in the south. Hurricane season is August
to October.

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, nestles on the coast between Mexico and Guatemala. Within this small country the landscape varies incredibly, from mountainous, tropical rainforests with abundant wildlife, to fertile subtropical foothills where sugar, rice, cattle and fruit trees are cultivated, to bird-filled coastal wetlands and cayes with beautiful beaches. The coral and cayes form a 184-mile barrier reef with crystal-clear water, perfect for world-class sport fishing, diving and snorkelling. Warm tropical breezes encourage the laid-back attitude of the small but ethnically diverse population, who are as warm and friendly as the climate.

Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker in the north are the most popular destinations. From here you can take excursions to the smaller cayes and marine parks, and sample spectacular diving at the world famous Blue Hole.

Back on the mainland in the west you can visit Guanacaste National Park and a number of eco-resorts, lodges and working farms offering accommodation in idyllic forest and riverside settings. A side trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge area offers great hiking, amid spectacular forests, rivers, rapids, waterfalls and caves. San Ignacio and its twin town Santa Elena have a pleasant climate, and lie in a beautiful setting of wooded hills. The whole of Belize – and especially the west – is littered with ancient Maya sites.

In the south, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife (Jaguar) Sanctuary is the main attraction. The coastal area around Placencia offers some spectacular sport fishing and diving, while offshore cayes reached by boat from Dangriga or Mango Creek offer seclusion, relaxation, lovely beaches and fabulous water