Mexicana Introduces Medical/Airfare Packages

An airline teams up with a hospital to create a travel package? That's right, folks! I know a few families in Mexico that go to Texas or where ever in the US a few times a year just to go to the doctor. Someone finally decided to capitalize on that!

The whole article, since it's a short one, via El Universal:

Mexicana airlines and a hospital in San Antonio, Texas, announced Thursday new medical vacation packages for Mexicans that include airfare, hotels and an exam by U.S. doctors. The packages, sponsored by San Antonio's Methodist Healthcare System, will go on sale Monday. Three physician groups in San Antonio are participating. The packages also include options like referrals for a specialist or help purchasing tickets to a show or amusement park.

Introducing: VivirLatino!

As I have previously mentioned here at Trendy T's, I've been working on a new blog with a fantastic group of people. Created with Latinos in mind, our new blog discusses everything from culture and entertainment, to society and politics.

VivirLatino (VL) is written by three totally different ladies, myself being one of them. VL's other editors, Jennifer Woodard Maderazo, and Maegan "La Mala" Ortiz, each have their own style of writing and topics that interest them. One of the coolest parts is that we are located all across the country: San Fran, NYC, and Miami...all very large Latino communities.

VivirLatino is the debut blog for Blogs Media, a new company specializing in nanopublications, blogs and blog consulting.

It is a project that I am proud to be associated with. We offer lots of new content DAILY. So please come check us out...we are officially "LIVE" at http://vivirlatino.com/ ...and leave us comments to let us know what you think!

Real Estate Boom on Both Sides of the Rio

A recent article via Yahoo News points out that the real estate isn't just booming in the US. What some call a housing bubble, has caused real estate markets across the US to explode. Here in Miami there is no end to huge residential towers being built all over the city. And so far, the bubble hasn't burst! Houses doubling in value in less than 5 years.

So lately, Americans have taken their investing over the border. The Cabo market in the Baja Peninsula has really grown similarly to a lot of the hot markets in the US. Investments in property have doubled in value in the last couple of years. Most of the deals are occurring with 100% cash purchases, so it is unlikely that if the US bubble pops, these residences will lose value.

Queretaro state families leave for US, Causing decrease in students

According to today's article in El Universal, "Migration Depletes Queretaro Schools", the Sierra Gorda region has seen a significant decrease of school-aged children enrolled this year. Migration is being blamed, stating that many of the families have gone to the US to work.

Jalpan's Mayor says that this trend has been occurring for several years now. Schools have been closed, others have had to lay off teachers. It is estimated that at least 900 students overall have left. Of the six schools that existed just a few years ago, only three remain open.

The article ends with the following information:

According to the state population commission, more than 5,000 residents of
Queretaro migrate each year to the United States. The majority, says the
commission, come from the Sierra Gorda region where poverty and marginalization are widespread.

In the community of Arroyo Seco, for example, one in four
homes is supported by dollars sent home from family members working in the
United States, according to a study by the commission.