A PARROT LOST IN THE CITY

Martha B. Armenta, president of Conrehabit

This particular parrot (Amazona albifrons) arrived to the wildlife association in the most unusual manner.
It showed up on the balcony of the president of the association known as Conrehabit four months ago. My balcony, actually. To everybody´s amazement, nobody could figure out how on earth a parrot would land exactly in a place where it would get protection. Its capture was easy since it was thirsty and starving after having been flying around the neighborhood for a couple of days. The neighbors reported that it came from a nearby store that sells honey on La Marina Avenue, in El Toreo. The owner had bought a parrot and it escaped. Four months have gone by and the parrot is in good health and scheduled for release once the veterinarians give him a bill of good health. The parrot was lucky it didn´t die torn to pieces in the mist nets that are commonly used by poachers. Perhaps they waited for the right moment to transport their precious cargo to Mazatlan.

It may have been luckier, and got transported to Mazatlán in a private vehicle, taking advantage of the moments when there isn´t so much surveillance on the highways checkpoints. The result is that it may have ended up at the Sunday market in Colonia Juarez.

According to local sources, there is a person in Concordia Sinaloa, in the mountains near Mazatlán that sells 50 parrots in every trip. He commonly uses taxi cabs, taking advantage of the fact that they don’t get stopped on a regular basis, or in pick up trucks. Once in Mazatlán, he arrives to a private home in the same area, where he will park his vehicle and walk to the market with a parrot on his shoulder, looking for potential clients. Once he finds someone who is interested enough, he will inform him that the parrots are at a place approximately 6 blocks away, asking the client to go along with him to where he keeps the “merchandise”, to finalize the operation.

This Lilac crowned parrot (Amazona fisnchi) was not so lucky and it died due to the stress from the transportation and poor handling. For every ten parrots that are captured, only two survive. The others suffer a cruel and unnecessary death. Some are beheaded while the poachers pull them out of the net, others lose their sight due to overcrowding conditions. They are confined to small spaces and they get no food or water until they reach their final destination. The parrot above died from starvation caused by the stress and to the fact that it was not fed for over a week. The cost of having a pet parrot extracted from the wild is very high.

Help protect the regional wildlife by not buying any parrots or macaws extracted from the wild. Sinaloa has no breeding facilities and there are no vendors authorized to sell parrots on the streets or in any veterinary store. The possession, transportation and commercialization of protected wildlife is a federal crime that carries hefty fines.

Conrehabit, A.C. www.conrehabit.com is a conservation and wildlife rehabilitation association formed by nationals and foreign residents almost 3 years ago. Recently, the association received a donation of 1 hectare of land located only 2 kms. East of Marina Mazatlan. Environmental Non-government organizations receive very little support from the Mexican government, therefore, the generous donations by tourists and local residents, together with a small grant from Global Greengrant Fund are vital to the association.

Plans are to take tourist and local school children on a guided tour of the property, which is in a pocket of dry forest still intact in the vicinity of Mazatlan.

Please call (669) 9142473, or (669) 9844307 for information or mail: Martha B. Armenta, president: info@conrehabit.com. Donations can be made via PayPal or directly at Farmacia and Cyber Café La Misión, across from the Hotel Pueblo Bonito on Camaron Sabalo Avenue in the tourist area called Zona Dorada.

What you need to know about – students travel

Author: Mansi gupta


When traveling across the globe can be edgy for the adults, what to say of the students! However traveling abroad for learning or picnic can be entertaining for students too.

·The reason of your trip The foremost task is to mull over the raison d'être of your trip for this determines the destination, the monetary issues, accommodation etc. for your tour.

·For Holidays With Pals If the sole motive is enjoyment then your destination should gratify your desires. If cartoons and rides fascinate and beguile you, place like Disneyland is just what you want. If along with merriment you crave to enhance your learning and art and architecture absorb your attention, Germany, Barcelona and the like should be ascend your list.

Subsequent to deciding a perfect destination, collect information about the expenditure that is likely to befall your parents’ pockets. Rummage around for some beneficial packages that can take you round the world in least overheads. Try to go in groups for that might save good bucks. But individual traveling too can be economic if you know how to govern your outlay corresponding to what little you have.

·The Age Factor The age of the student makes lot of difference. If a student is quite young he should be associated with a chaperone. If a young student takes on the flight for the first time without parents, packing and reservations should be considered in detail and significance. All the medicines, warm clothes etc, should be vigilantly packed. It is always better and prudent to pin the I-Card of the student on his shirt. Along with the phone numbers of the hotel where the kids will take a breather, parents should have the complete itinerary.

·Travel For Purpose Most often students travel abroad to participate in some international competitions or to enhance their educational qualifications like going to States for a doctorate program. If studies have hogged your attention, search the university that can live up to your expectations. Surf the Internet; collect every small and big detail. Consult your teachers and other bigwigs in that area that which university will be an ideal one for you.

Once you through with it, look for the costs. The cost includes your lodging, the course fee, food and the means to commute. Hunt for scholarships. These can be your best pals in turning your dreams to reality. Scholarships are offered by the universities and also by different organizations working in this area. A case in point is the AIFS offers a horde of scholarships. Those who are traveling with AIFS are awarded with these scholarships. Online information about the domestic as well as international scholarships is available. For instance CIMO – Centre for International Mobility feeds you the style to fund your travel to Finland.

If your providence does not click to a scholarship, don’t abandon the idea to touch the skies for there are other channels too. Like you can resort to fund raising which apparently might seem appalling and unusual but has tremendous benefits. Last but not the least, knock the door of student’s loans. Loans are offered by government along with private companies and banks. All you have to do is to a little struggle, some running around but remember this sweat so dropped will make your fortune. Once you land up at your destination, you can even carry out a part time job to meet your day to day expenses and minimize the responsibility on your parents.

Lodging should also be deemed. If some of your friend or relative is already nestled in that place or even nearby, the idea to stay with them is not a bad one. Else try for hostels and rooms on rents. But make sure that some planning for this is done beforehand.

Finally, make sure that packing is accurate. Also initially new place, new people and their culture might perturb you but don’t get distressed by these petty things. Keep in mind that if you are good to others, they too will be amicable. All that is required is some time to get accustomed to the place, people and their customs.

So, waiting for what …go ahead and live your dreams!

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about students travel topics.

Getting The Best Price On A Car Rental

Author: Ben Shar


Vacations are expensive; there is no doubt about it. But, when we have the opportunity to save money, we should jump at it. Car rentals are just the right way to save some money this vacation season. Sure, we all want to get off the plane and grab a great looking car, but if you can do this and save some money, who’s going to complain? Here are some hints and tips to keep you saving money on your next trip or whenever you need a car rental.

· Book them ahead of time. This is essential to saving money. If you plan to get off the plane and into a car, you will pay more, much more. Instead, get online and simply look for the best deal available. No more hassle than waiting in line at the car rental shop. You can choose just what you want and get a better price.

· Consider your need. There isn’t one of us that wouldn’t want to drive around all day in a luxury car, but if you plan to go sight seeing in that, how much time will you spend in the car in all reality? Most likely, you’ll be out of the car most of the time. It just makes sense to get an affordable car and pocket the extra money. A luxury car is just prone to be stolen too.

· The best way to get the best price on your car rental is to book online. Not just in advance, but online. Here’s the reason. When you book online, there are less people involved, less mistakes made and less overhead for the company. That helps to keep prices low. This savings can be passed on to you.

Car rentals are just one aspect of vacationing. They can be quite costly, but, they don’t have to be such a burden. You can drive around in a great looking car at a great price. Save that money for the vacation itself!

About the author:
Find more information and tips about car rental by visiting http://www.dailycarrental
news.info

What you need to know about – cancun travel

Author: Mansi gupta

The charismatic Cancun can quench anyone’s thirst for enjoyment caressing the bountiful nature. The island is nestled in the lately recognized state of Mexico. Cancun leaves a thrilling impact on all its visitors because of more than a few reasons. The place is blessed with some exotic beaches and a laudable Mexican history. The natives of this bewitching place have spared not even a single effort in refurbishing a ravishing nightlife on their island.

The out of the ordinary temptations— The island is a host two numerous crystal clear beaches and is virtually divided into two
segments- the Hotel Zone and El Centro or the Cancun City. The Hotel Zone is a meant to hail the tourists with a multitude of hotels, restaurants, markets and the delectable water activities. Your travel agency can service you with the reservations. The charges fluctuate from hotel to hotel. The El Centro is the area of the locals and is often thronged by the outsiders due to the fantastic cultural festivals and activities.

The mystifying white sand and the large transparent water bodies at Cancun encourage numerous relished water sports. You can enjoy snorkeling and swimming next to dolphins at any of the beaches and especially at places like Xcaret nature park, Xel Ha and Isla Mujeres. But this is not all. If you don’t want to get drenched in crystal blue water, try your hand at horse riding, golf, kayaking etc. The Xcaret nature park that is around 35 miles away from Cancun has mind blowing coral formations along with outstanding Mayan temples. The south of Cancun invites you to the rare and diverse species of wildlife at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

The climate of the place is mild throughout the year with above 80 degree Fahrenheit for 330 days. The average summer temperature varies from 80 to 85 degree Fahrenheit. The rain god is merciless during the months of March and April while there are little or more showers during the rest of the months. The climate of the place is such that it shores up the activity of golf all round the year. Coming to the history and culture the Mayan ruins and archaeological sites of Mexico are a treat to the eyes. Tulum, a site near Cancun is regarded as the world’s first lighthouses. The site of Chichen Itza that grounds some of the bizarre Mayan ruins and El Castillo Pyramid is definitely a destination to visit.

The cultural activities like the original Mexican dance at the Ballet Folklorico Nacional de Mexico, the shopping and other outdoor enjoyments at the small island coast of Isla Mujeres and the like are worth watching and visiting on the soil of Mexico. The nightclubs like Senor Frogs, La Boom, Congo Bongo and the Parque De Las Palapas at El Centro facilitate scrumptious cuisines with luscious drinks, laser shows and gentle music. Cancun hosts more than 400 restaurants with miscellaneous food ranging from sea food to Italian, Japanese, Caribbean to the American dishes.

The precautions and arrangements Once you made up your mind to visit Cancun, make sure that you immunize yourself against Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies. This is in order to avert the threat of diarrhea, malaria and contact with any wild animal during your visit. The CDC-Centres for Disease and Control Prevention recommends the people particularly the tourists to focus on total personal hygiene from washing hands and brushing teeth regularly, drinking bottled water and not to buy food from street vendors. The Chloroquine drug should be kept to ward off the malarial infection. Finally keep a pair of sunglasses, sunscreen lotions, summer clothes and a picture ID or your birth certificate before boarding your flight to Cancun.

So move out, get baked in the sun at the breathtaking island of Cancun!

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about cancun travel topics.

How to Obtain a Child's Passport

You won't find the first requirement for obtaining a child's passport on the U.S. Department of State's offical list. That doesn't mean it is no less necessary. What is it? A large dose of patience.

Over the last few years, new requirements have been added to guarantee the security of children. While these measures serve a worthy objective, they do tend to complicate the process.

To help you get through the process as quickly and easily as possible, I've put together a list of things you need to take with you when applying for a child's passport.

1. Your child

That's right. Since February 2004, the State Deparment requires your child to appear in person.

2. Both parents or legal guardians

If a parent or guardian cannot appear, either a notarized letter of permission (Form DS-3035) must be provided or some other documented explanation such as proof of sole custody, an adoption decree or a death certificate of the deceased parent.

3. Proof of citizenship

This can be a certified birth certificate from the registar's office in the state where the child was born. Other acceptable documents are a previous fully valid U.S. passport, a Report of Birth Abroad, a Certification of Birth Abroad or a Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization.

4. Proof of relationship to child

You can established your relationship to the child with a certified birth certificate, Certificate of Birth Abroad, adoption decree or court order of legal guardianship. Previous U.S. passports are not accepted as proof of relationship.

5. Photo ID

Your own passport or drivers license will do.

6. Passport Application Form DS-11

Fill out the form carefully. Don't sign it until requested by the passport acceptance officer. The child's signature is required if he or she is older than 14 years.

7. Two passport photos of your child

The State Department has strict rules about passport photos. Your best bet is to get new photos from a professional passport photo service.

8. Payment

You will have at least three fees - the Passport Application Fee, the Execution Fee and the Security surcharge.

For children age 16 or older, the passport fee is $55, the security surcharge is $12 and the execution fee is $30. The total is $97.

For children under age 16, the passport fee is $40, the security surcharge is $12 and the execution fee is $30. The total is $82.

An expediting fee of $60 must also be paid to the U.S. Department of State if you want to obtain your child's passport within 2 weeks.

Want to avoid problems, start early and follow the requirements thoroughly. What do you do when a problem does arise? Remember the first requirement for obtaining a child's passport.

About the author:
William Manor is owner and webmaster of U.S. Passport Service Guide, a comprehensive site for
travel visa and passport
information with reviews of passport expediting services.