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Pets, Payphones, & Mushrooms
The Angel of Independence takes Paris
Buckle up, because this week's newsletter is hotter than a chihuahua in a heatwave. We're celebrating a major win for our furry friends, and dishing the dirt on why San Luis Potosí is the place to be in August. Plus, how the humble payphone shaped a Spanish phrase.
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📣Que Paso
🐾 Playa del Carmen inaugurated Playa 72 as the city's first official dog-friendly beach.
✈️ The Tijuana-Beijing route has been reactivated after being canceled in 2020.
👗 Mexico's Olympic team will step out in style at the opening ceremony with uniforms designed by Mari José Rivera that feature the Angel of Independence, Mexican pink accents, and milagritos.
🇲🇽 Mexico is considering a change to its foreign investment policy that could limit Chinese investment in certain sectors.
🍎Your Health Pulse
Preventive Care Benefits for Expats in Mexico
Understanding preventive care benefits is crucial for expats in Mexico.
While international health insurance often covers basic checkups and lab tests, these benefits apply only to the policyholder and spouse.
Unlike US plans, dependents aren't included – meaning their preventive care costs will come out-of-pocket.
📍Immigration Essentials
CDC Backpedals on Strict Dog Import Rules
This is a win for dogs (and their owners) who travel back and forth from Mexico to the United States.
On July 22, the CDC updated its August 1, 2024, strict dog importation rule.
If you are bringing a dog into the US from a dog rabies-free or low-risk country (like Mexico), you now only need to fill out the simple CDC Dog Import Form.
In addition to having a receipt for a CDC Dog Import Form:
Dogs must appear healthy upon arrival.
Dogs must be at least 6 months old at time of entry or return to the U.S.
Dogs must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them.
According to the CDC press release, “These updates incorporate the feedback received from the public, industry partners, and various countries on the dog importation rule, and clarify and simplify the processes for those bringing dogs from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries.”
🪷Viva Wellness
🧘♀️ Nervous System Reset, February 1-6, 2025: Immerse yourself in a transformative 5-day Nervous System Reset retreat at the stunning Playa Viva Eco Luxury boutique hotel in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Experience the healing powers of movement, meditation, breathwork, cold exposure, and traditional ceremonies right on the water. There are only a few spots left. Check it out here.
🍄 It’s rainy season and you know what that means…it’s mushroom foraging time! Join Simbiosis Boutique's guided tours in the Mexican mountains to forage wild mushrooms, learn about their ecological importance, and savor gourmet dishes prepared by top chefs with your finds. Perfect for friends, family, and kids, this eco-friendly adventure blends nature, education, and culinary delight. Check out their 2024 tour dates.
🎉 Vamos! Can’t Miss Events
🎡 FENAPO 2024, August 9 - September 1 in San Luis Potosí
The National Fair of San Luis Potosí (FENAPO) promises a vibrant mix of culture, music, and entertainment. Highlights include performances by global sensations like Black Eyed Peas, Vanilla Ice, Gloria Trevi, Steve Aoki, Maluma, and Natanael Cano.
The fair also features traditional crafts, delicious local cuisine, thrilling rides, and artisanal markets. Check it out here.
💡 Say It in Spanish
"Me cayó el veinte"
Translation: This phrase means "I finally got it" or "It finally dawned on me." It's used when you suddenly understand something or realize an important point.
If you're explaining something complex and the person finally understands, they might say, "¡Ah, me cayó el veinte!"
☎️ Fun fact: The phrase originates in the 1980s and comes from the use of public telephones that required a 20-cent (centavo) coin to operate. Once the coin dropped, the call could proceed, symbolizing the moment of realization or understanding.