La Paz

While La Paz was first inhabited by Neolithic hunter-gatherers at least 10,000 years ago who left traces of their existence in the form of rock paintings near the city and throughout the Baja peninsula is the “official” founding recorded on May 3, 1535. Hernán Cortés arrived in the bay by La Paz and named it Santa Cruz. He attempted to start a colony but abandoned his efforts after several years due to logistical problems. Almost 60 years later, in 1596 Sebastian Vizcaino arrived, giving the area its modern name, La Paz. From April 27 through May 5 take different festivities place to commemorate the foundation of the city featuring diverse artistic and cultural events. continue

Tomorrow, 11. February 2010 is opening night for the 2010 La Paz Carnaval. At the first night of Carnaval, the “embodiment of a bad mood” gets burned in effigy in the Quema del Mal Humor. There will be live entertainment on the Malecón at the foot of 16 de Septiembre starting at 17:00 The show really gets going after 20:00, with a dance performance, the Quema de Mal Humor and coronations of the King of Happiness and the Queen of Young People. At 22:00, opening night’s featured entertainer is Mara Escalante (more details on her below). At 23:00, dance the night away to Banda Sinaloense music. Hopeful this will all all happens at reasonable weather, continue

It’s the second time in a very short period time we hear and see a black AH 60 helicopter fly low circles here at the Fidepaz neighborhood in La Paz, BCS. The next day we get the following out of the news sources. We’ll keep the camera handy for the next time we hear the chopper fly near by. Mexican federal police arrested two suspected gang leaders Monday, delivering another big blow to a brutal drug cartel that terrorized the border city of Tijuana for several years. The capture of Raydel Lopez Uriarte and Manuel Garcia Simental apparently wipes out the existing leadership of the cartel headed by Teodoro Garcia Simental, who was captured last month. Teodoro and Manuel Garcia are brothers. Lopez, known as “El Muletas,” and Garcia, known as “El Chiquilin,” were arrested Monday in La Paz. continue

La Paz Carnaval 11 February to 16 February 2010. – One of the great elements of the Carnaval is that it not only provides entertainment for many people but it also gives a chance to learn about the true culture if the people. It is a euphoric event where people dance, sing, party and have tons of fun. There are many parties that take place before, during and after Carnival all night and all day. It allows someone’s true heart to come out and have as much fun as possible. Throughout the Catholic world Carnival is a big celebration with the purpose of getting all the craziness out of people’s systems so they’ll be ready for the solemnity of Lent. Mexico is no exception and Carnival celebrations in Mexico are some of the most exuberant you’ll find anywhere. continue

A few days old but hey, figured it’s a good read. La Paz IS good!! Underground Wood-Oven Pizza-Delivery Service in La Ventana, Mexico. “… we were forced to sell and deliver our pizza as if it were drugs or another illegal commodity.” “Pizza in La Ventana,” which I’m guessing is La Ventana by the phone number. The post is from the Blog “slice.seriouseats.com” and states:
“Hello! I am the designer of the poster. It’s true, we were making pizza in La Ventana. I am currently in San Francisco any my friend is carrying the torch down there. continue

Mexican federal police captured Teodoro García Simental, a drug trafficker famed for his gang’s alleged brutality, in an early-morning raid on Tuesday in the resort town of La Paz, Baja California, police said. The arrest of Mr. García, known as “El Teo,” is the second big blow to Mexican drug gangs in less than a month. In December, drug lord Arturo Beltrán Leyva was killed in a raid by Mexican Navy special forces. Mr. Beltran was the highest-ranking drug lord taken down by Mexico since 2003. Shortly before 6 a.m., dozens of federal police clad in bulletproof vests and wearing black ski masks raided a home in a posh neighborhood of La Paz, a seaside city that is popular with American retirees. No shots were fired in the raid, police said. continue