ColumnsColumns
Antiquities from Saudi Arabia displayed at Carnegie Museum just the tip of the archaeological iceberg?
- Details
- Published on Friday, 26 July 2013 12:32
- Written by John Pint
His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and Governor Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania launched an astonishing exhibit of artifacts entitled Roads of Arabia at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on June 21, 2013. The 240 pieces on display tell the story of life and art in the Arabian Peninsula from 7,000 years ago to the early 20th century. Surprising though it may seem, The Guadalajara Reporter was on hand for this event, thanks to a kind invitation extended by the Prince himself, but before describing what can only be called a landmark exhibition, I must say a word about an aspect of the evening that will probably not be recorded by other reporters.
The most popular museum in Aguascalientes
- Details
- Published on Friday, 19 July 2013 14:01
- Written by John Pint
La Catrina, the grinning skeleton with the elegant, floppy chapeau, is, without a doubt, the most famous creation of Mexican cartoonist, illustrator, artist and satirist José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913), whose work was so prolific that even today no one knows exactly how many obras he produced. But if you’d like an overview of his work – and at the same time an insight into life in Mexico during the tumultuous days of the Revolution – the place to visit is the Posada Museum in Aguascalientes.
Top Jalisco archaeologist dies too soon, leaves important legacy
- Details
- Published on Friday, 21 June 2013 15:09
- Written by John Pint
Archaeologist Carlos Lopez Cruz, 47, died in El Amarillo, a tiny community in the municipality of Amatitan, Jalisco, around 2 a.m. on May 4, during a local religious festival.
Melanin battery runs for years, Aguascalientes researcher claims
- Details
- Published on Friday, 12 July 2013 12:26
- Written by John Pint
For some time I’ve heard rumors about the amazing Bat-Gen of Dr. Arturo Solís of Aguascalientes – a new and different source of electricity that he says may someday power our homes and vehicles. Finally, I found myself heading for Aguascalientes on business and I decided it was time to stop in at the Human Photosynthesis Study Center, hoping I might have a chance to examine the Bat-Gen and interview Dr. Solís.
Primavera Eco-Fair kicks off week of environmental studies
- Details
- Published on Friday, 07 June 2013 15:08
- Written by John Pint
The celebration of June 5, World Environment Day, began in 1972 and is one of the main ways the United Nations fosters worldwide awareness of the environment.
It was celebrated in Jalisco by a full week of eco-activities starting with an Eco-Fair held in the little town of La Primavera on Sunday, June 2. La Primavera is located 17 kilometers west of Guadalajara and marks the principal entrance to Bosque La Primavera, the celebrated pine-and-oak forest often referred to as “the lung of Guadalajara.”
Exploring the Jalisco Public Library: Guadalajara’s best-kept secret
- Details
- Published on Friday, 05 July 2013 16:07
- Written by Michael Forbes
Jalisco’s Juan José Arreola Public Library is located on the northern Periférico (Ring Road) very near the Telmex Auditorium. This library literally has “something for everyone” and most of it is free of charge.
The Secrets of Chuyville, a learning lab in the woods: Using Jalisco’s great natural resources for education
- Details
- Published on Friday, 31 May 2013 13:23
- Written by Michael Forbes
Chuyville is the name I gave to an area in the Primavera Forest where naturalist Jesús “Chuy” Moreno has been teaching kids about science, nature and survival for many years.
The hiking life: Australian walker clocks up the miles & refuses to hang up his boots
- Details
- Published on Friday, 28 June 2013 15:58
- Written by John Pint
While soaking in a pool of hot mineralized water at the Primavera Forest’s famous Caliente River, I was introduced to a remarkable man. “I’d like you to meet Cam Honan,” said my friend Diarmuid Milligan. “Like you, he enjoys hiking.”
Killer bees responsible for 300 attacks each month
- Details
- Published on Friday, 24 May 2013 15:12
- Written by John Pint
During a walk in the woods last week, the subject of Africanized bees came up. I asked my fellow hikers what was the worst bee attack they had ever heard about.
Veteran excursionista Mario Guerrero responded, “Without a doubt, it was the death of Enedino Luna.” Luna, he explained, had been a guide and trainer for Grupo Colli, Guadalajara’s most active organization for hiking and camping. Approximately 12 years ago, Luna took a group of young climbers into the hills near Magdalena to practice rappelling. “He stood on the edge of a cliff supervising the descent of the others. Somehow the rappellers disturbed a hive of bees on the way down and were immediately attacked. They responded by sliding down the rope even faster, and managed to reach the bottom and escape. Unfortunately, the bees also swarmed upwards, discovered Enedino Luna at the top of the drop and totally engulfed him.