El Azuzul is a swamp at the north end of downtown Catemaco, Veracruz. Supposedly it is inhabited by
fresh water shrimp, one or two of the almost extinct local turtles, maybe a tiny crocodile or two, and of
course some goblins.
In the "old days" the swamp was connected to Laguna Catemaco and served as a reservoir of bait shrimp
for the local fishermen.
Since then, a short causeway separating the swamp from the laguna was developed which has now
become Playa Espagoya, one of the Catemaco beaches that tourists are advised to use for swimming, in
order to avoid getting chopped by boat propellers elsewhere.
Of course, with customary foresight, no culverts were installed. So, El Azuzul depends on sub surface
percolation to keep its waters level with Laguna Catemaco. And of course when it rains a lot, the area
becomes flooded.
A rich Catemaco hotel owner has built a castle at one corner of the swamp. He must have been reading
the Noah section of the bible. His walls are 15 feet tall, topped with electric stunners. Maybe one day his
whole castle will float out to the lake to form a new island.
Another hotel owner is now proposing to convert the swamp to a deification of the Olmec gods.
Meanwhile the local neighbors of the swamp are praying for mosquito relief.
Some of the photo credits go to Jessie from dematac.org.
fresh water shrimp, one or two of the almost extinct local turtles, maybe a tiny crocodile or two, and of
course some goblins.
In the "old days" the swamp was connected to Laguna Catemaco and served as a reservoir of bait shrimp
for the local fishermen.
Since then, a short causeway separating the swamp from the laguna was developed which has now
become Playa Espagoya, one of the Catemaco beaches that tourists are advised to use for swimming, in
order to avoid getting chopped by boat propellers elsewhere.
Of course, with customary foresight, no culverts were installed. So, El Azuzul depends on sub surface
percolation to keep its waters level with Laguna Catemaco. And of course when it rains a lot, the area
becomes flooded.
A rich Catemaco hotel owner has built a castle at one corner of the swamp. He must have been reading
the Noah section of the bible. His walls are 15 feet tall, topped with electric stunners. Maybe one day his
whole castle will float out to the lake to form a new island.
Another hotel owner is now proposing to convert the swamp to a deification of the Olmec gods.
Meanwhile the local neighbors of the swamp are praying for mosquito relief.
Some of the photo credits go to Jessie from dematac.org.
| El Azuzul Catemaco, Veracruz |
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