Aristoteles Sandoval, Jalisco’s youthful new governor, looks to have much going for him as he embarks on a six-year term of office.   With the National Action Party (PAN) in total disarray and the nascent Citizens’ Movement trying to develop state-wide base support, the lack of a demanding opposition should make his early months smooth sailing.  The backing of the powerful and authoritarian overlords of the University of Guadalajara (UdG) will be a huge plus. Rector-elect Tonatuih Padilla has predicted the relationship will be a profitable one and that he does not foresee any student demonstrations or protests against state government policy.  Whether the usually “brain-washed” students are so completely enamored with the 39-year-old Sandoval – an ex UdG alumni – is another matter: they had the courage to boo him during one of his first public appearances at the Guadalajara International Film Festival last weekend.  However, he has promised to give them free transportation within his first 100 days in office – an enticing carrot. 

In the midst of the glut of Guadalajara’s coffee chains, it is pleasant to find one that is full of character and that you probably never knew existed.

An exhibit of ancient, ceramic statuettes, the likes of which have not been seen here before, is showing at the Museo Regional in downtown Guadalajara until April 14.

In Guadalajara they tell you to be extra careful when visiting Mexico City. Chilangos, they say, are an untrustworthy lot – they’d steal your last penny if they could.  But my brief experience in the capital tells a different story: a remarkable weekend during which, rather than becoming hungry and homeless after my initial plans were somewhat ruptured, I would experience the remarkable kindness of strangers and have my faith in humanity restored in the most unlikely of cities.

A call I receive on a regular basis comes from someone pleading for help in recovering a lost email password.  The big three free email providers (Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo) all have established practices governing how a lost password may be recovered, and I am quite familiar with all these procedures.  After years of experience I am usually able to make a quick determination as to whether or not a person will be able to recover their email account.  Unfortunately, it is often the case that the caller does not know enough information and I can see right away that they will never be able to recover their lost email account.  With the right information it is usually possible to recover an account though.

The news of the arrest of teacher’s union boss Elba Esther Gordillo on Tuesday evening stunned the nation.