Donnerstag, 27. Juni 2013

Mamajuana es su sello


 MamaJuana



La originalidad de su producto aunado a su perseverancia y confianza en Dios es lo que ha permitido el progreso y estabilidad de su negocio: “Mamajuana el barón”, al cual ha dedicado más de diez años de su vida.
Si bien allí, en su pequeño local rodeado de su mercancía, Rodolfo Jáquez no goza de un espacio confortable con aire acondicionado o un cómodo sillón como podría tener en una oficina, su rostro, bañado en sudor, irradia satisfacción.
Tampoco tiene que preocuparse por vestir sus mejores ropas cada día, pues lo más importante para él es sentirse de buen humor para motivar a sus posibles compradores.





Rondan las 9:00 de la mañana y su semblante indica que Jáquez se levantó muy temprano para abrir su establecimiento ubicado próximo al kilómetro nueve de la carretera Mella, Santo Domingo Este.
Sin embargo, por la energía y entusiasmo que exterioriza, parece que para él madrugar es lo de menos.
Y es precisamente ese ánimo con que describe y exalta su producto, la típica mamajuana, lo que parece ser su mejor arma para atraer a sus clientes.
Este hombre entusiasta relata que desde pequeño comenzó a vender chinas y más tarde otras frutas; luego por influencia de un amigo se interesó por elaborar y vender mamajuanas, porque “a mí me gustan las cosas raras”.
Y este negocio, aún con altas y bajas, es lo que le ha garantizado el sustento suyo y el de su familia durante los últimos años.





Es por ello que Jáquez considera que hizo una buena elección, no sólo por lo tradicional del producto sino que la forma en que él lo promueve capta la atención no sólo de los transeúntes dominicanos sino también de extranjeros, quienes son los que a menudo le permiten “hacer su día”.
Este emprendedor dice sentirse orgulloso, pues según él a través de su famosa y original mamajuana es conocido a nivel nacional e internacional.
“Este es un producto internacional porque le gusta a muchos turistas”, dijo.
Jáquez es el vivo ejemplo de que no es necesario vivir rodeado de lujos para sentirse feliz. Comenta que se siente un triunfador con lo que ha logrado trabajando por cuenta propia y por eso su lema de vida es que “el que persevera triunfa”.
Por lo tanto, se siente capaz de aconsejar a todo aquel que desee tener éxito en la vida que mantenga la perseverancia, los buenos hábitos y que ponga todos sus proyectos en manos de Dios.









Propiedades del producto

Jáquez alega que su mamajuana es diferente a las demás porque es elaborada con diversas plantas frescas y limpias, que a su entender son efectivas para algunas enfermedades, por consiguiente, atribuye cualidades medicinales y además afrodisiacas (esto lo dice en medio de carcajadas) a su producto. “Estas botellas son muy medicinales”, afirma.
Entre los árboles que utiliza, que provienen de los campos, se encuentran el palo de Brasil, la uña de gato, pega palo, maravelí y muchos otros. A la vez destaca que él es bastante cauteloso, puesto que posee pleno conocimiento de todas estas plantas.






El negocio

Jáquez prefiere no suministrar muchos detalles respecto a su vida personal ni sobre los beneficios del negocio. Por lo tanto, sólo se limita a decir que aunque en ocasiones su situación económica puede tornarse difícil, no se queja porque “hay días buenos y malos; las ganancias varían mucho”, declara con humildad.
Al no revelar una cifra exacta con relación a las ganancias, supone que estas pueden alcanzar los RD$20,000 mensuales y expresa conformidad porque le alcanza para suplir sus necesidades básicas, además de que su esposa e hijos le ayudan con los gastos del hogar porque ellos tienen sus propios ingresos.
Jáquez refiere que a diario abre su establecimiento, entre siete y ocho de la mañana, con nuevas esperanzas y ruega a Dios para que le ayude a mantener la fortaleza y no desmayar ante las eventuales dificultades con las que podría encontrarse. Su deseo es impulsar cada día más su pequeño negocio ya que nunca ha sido empleado de nadie y no le gustaría serlo.










Sobre la mamajuna

La “mamajuana” es una bebida popular en República Dominicana a la que se le atribuyen cualidades medicinales y estimulantes del apetito sexual.
Su elaboración consiste en introducir raíces, hojas y cortezas de árboles endémicos picados en pequeños trocitos en una botella de cristal que al agregarle vino tinto, ron y/o miel se convierte en un sabroso licor que deleita el paladar de dominicanos y extranjeros.






La higiene es fundamental

Existen diferentes versiones respecto a los orígenes de la mamajuana, algunos dicen que se remonta a la época de los taínos quienes hervían raíces y hojas a las que luego agregaban miel para endulzar y supuestamente la utilizaban con fines medicinales. Se dice que estos la consumían para revitalizar el ánimo, curar la artritis, dolores de estómago, de muela, cabeza y también como afrodisíaco.
Otros señalan que fue introducida en la isla por los esclavos africanos.
Rodolfo Jáquez asegura que para hacer mamajuanas no hay una receta específica y por eso cada quien siempre le pone su toque personal. Para él la higiene es fundamental. Explica que  todas las plantas que utiliza son desinfectadas cuidadosamente con agua y cloro y además de que se ponen al Sol. Es por ello que garantiza la calidad e higiene de su producto.




Samstag, 22. Juni 2013

Experto pronostica de 4 a 7 “súperhuracanes”


Experto pronostica de 4 a 7 “súperhuracanes” entre 2013 y 2018 por Atlántico 

 

 

 
La cuenca americana del Atlántico registrará "entre cuatro y siete" "superhuracanes" entre 2013 y 2018, reveló ayer un experto del Instituto de Geofísica de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IGF-UNAM).
Un comunicado del centro académico revela que estos fenómenos de alto potencial destructivo que suceden cuando los vientos de un ciclón tropical superan los 250 kilómetros por hora "afectarán al nordeste y sudeste de México, el sudeste de EE.UU., así como al Caribe y América Central".






El experto Manuel Velasco Herrera explicó que esas zonas geográficas bañadas por el océano Atlántico son "'cunas' de los súperhuracanes", fenómenos meteorológicos que este doctor en investigación aeroespacial considera posible pronosticar.
El investigador del IGF-UNAM señaló que no hay un "método mejor que otro" para predecirlos, ni una teoría superior a otra, ni modelos absolutos en esta materia, sino que se trabaja con pronósticos efímeros.
Velasco Herrera ha estudiado los fenómenos y ha descubierto "que ocurren en ciclos de diez años y no de manera aleatoria".






El último de los registrados por la cuenca del Atlántico fue "Félix" en 2007, después de que otro, "Katrina", dejara daños devastadores en el sur de Estados Unidos en 2005.
El experto urgió a los centros de investigación a aumentar sus esfuerzos para estudiar y analizar estos meteoros.
"Es necesario un sistema nacional de alerta temprana que pueda visualizar la información en tercera dimensión, en sistemas de información geográfica, en navegadores, que sea compatible con la red NexRAD de Estados Unidos", añadió.
Exhortó también a las autoridades mexicanas a aprovechar los huracanes en general por su potencial como "grandes abastecedores de agua" para reactivar la economía y revitalizar el campo.






Velasco pidió incrementar los esfuerzos en ingeniería para conocer mejor antiguos modelos de captación y almacenamiento de agua, como los acueductos, y de explotación agrícola, como las chinampas (áreas de cultivo sobre zonas lacustres), para aprovechar mejor su potencial.
"Con un cambio de mentalidad y planificación, el exceso del recurso que hoy se va a los drenajes se puede almacenar y utilizar para zonas como las del norte del país, con severas sequías", agrega el comunicado de la UNAM.
En la temporada 2013 se prevé la formación de dieciocho ciclones por la cuenca del Atlántico, entre los que habrá nueve tormentas tropicales, cuatro huracanes intensos y cinco moderados.

Mittwoch, 19. Juni 2013

Tropical Storm Barry



Tropical Storm Barry is currently located in the southern Bay of Campeche. It is moving to the west at 10 mph and it has sustained winds of 40 mph.





Latest satellite imagery indicates that Barry has become better organized, with convection becoming more distinct around the center of circulation. Though the storm continues to encounter some southwesterly wind shear, the shear has relaxed enough to allow the system to slowly strengthen. Some slight strengthening is possible before Barry makes landfall across southern Mexico.



Regardless of further intensification, the main impact with this system will continue to be heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding. Rainfall totals will average more 2-4 inches with many places picking up over 8 inches. The heaviest rain will fall over southern and southeastern Mexico including parts of the Yucatan Peninsula. Additionally, a large inflow of deep moisture flowing from Guatemala into Barry will help bring parts of that country heavy flooding rainfall.

Interaction with higher terrain will lead to life threatening flooding and mudslides over parts of southern Mexico through Friday.







Barry is expected to continue on a predominantly western track, making landfall just south-southeast of Veracruz, Mexico, late tonight or early Thursday. The cyclone will unravel and fall apart upon interacting with the higher terrain of southern Mexico and is expected to dissipate on Thursday night.
Elsewhere, there are no other areas of concern for tropical development across the Atlantic basin thanks to unfavorable upper-level shear and Saharan dust.

Montag, 17. Juni 2013

New Depression Approaching Belize




A tropical wave that we have been tracking across the Caribbean for the last few days has gained a circulation and is now classified as Tropical Depression 2. The center of the depression will move into Belize this afternoon. While no significant strengthening will occur before the center moves ashore, if it becomes any stronger it would be a tropical storm and be named Barry. The main impact of the depression will be heavy rainfall over Belize as well as portions of Mexico and Guatemala that will lead to flash flooding and mudslides.

 

 

 

 

Once ashore, the depression will remain weak and could even dissipate, but it more likely will just continue to generate heavy rainfall. By tomorrow afternoon, the center will likely move over the Bay of Campeche. This would give the depression an opportunity to strengthen again. It will have its best chance to become a named system once in this area. From there, this system will move into eastern Mexico and bring locally strong wind and very heavy rainfall that can again cause flooding and mudslides.

This system will remain too far south to have any direct impact on the United States, but it will help to steer rich tropical moisture into Deep South Texas starting at midweek.

There are no other areas of concern across the Tropical Atlantic. The Inter Tropical Convergence has been pushed very far to the south, south of 10 degrees north. Also, there is a widespread area of Saharan dust extending from the Africa coast to the Lesser Antilles. This Saharan dust will help to limit thunderstorm activity north of 10 degrees north for at least the next few days. There are a couple of weak tropical waves to track, one near 58 west, south of 13 north, the other near 45 west south of 13 north. These two waves will bring brisk winds and showers to the Lesser Antilles over the next day or two. There are no other areas of concern across the tropical Atlantic at this time.

Wave Bringing Heavy Rain to Central America

Invest 93 L








A tropical wave we have been tracking for days has became much better organized over the past 24 hours. Thunderstorms increased in coverage and intensity across the western Caribbean. Upper-level winds relaxed, lessening the shear. As a result, good outflow was present over the thunderstorms from late Sunday into this morning.


An apparent center of this feature can be seen in the infrared satellite loop this morning just north of Honduras. The system is expected to move westward and over Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula by tonight. There is a short window of time during the day today that the system could develop into a tropical depression before it moves over land. The interaction with land will certainly hinder chances for significant development.

Even though significant tropical development is not expected, it will bring widespread heavy rainfall to parts of Central America and southern Mexico today through Tuesday. So, deadly flooding is a big concern. This feature could reorganize over the southern Bay of Campeche towards the middle of the week, but it will likely remain too far south to have any impact on the U.S.





There are no other areas of concern across the Tropical Atlantic. The Inter Tropical Convergence has been pushed very far to the south, south of 10 degrees north. Also, there is a widespread area of Saharan dust extending from the Africa coast to the Lesser Antilles. This Saharan dust will help to limit thunderstorm activity north of 10 degrees north for at least the next few days. There is a weak tropical wave near 55 west, south of 10 north. There are no other areas of concern across the tropical Atlantic at this time.

Freitag, 7. Juni 2013

Invest 92 L

Tropical Storm Andrea, the first named storm of the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season, made landfall around 5 p.m. EDT Thursday near Horseshoe Beach along the Big Bend of Florida.






Andrea continues to move northeastward this morning through eastern South Carolina. The strongest winds, which weakened considerably since landfall, are located on its southeast side. It looks like tropical storm-force sustained winds and gusts will be mainly over the water and at the immediate coast in South Carolina and will spread to the coast of southern North Carolina this morning.

There remains a possibility for isolated severe weather today, including tornadoes, northeast of the storm track near the coast of North Carolina into southeastern Virginia. There were several reports of (mainly short-lived) tornadoes that have taken down trees and power lines, including one report only 3 miles west-southwest of St. Petersburg, Fla.


The rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches today through tonight will be across the eastern Carolinas and eastern Virginia, then northeastward into southern New England with 1- to 2-inch rainfall amounts as far north as Maine.






Elsewhere, a tropical wave along 70 west has become less defined and is expected to continue to weaken. Another tropical wave between 45 and 50 west has some organization with a weak surface low and some signs of rotation. However, as this wave advances farther to the west and northwest, it will encounter stronger shear, causing the system to become less organized over the next day or two. The wave is expected to bring an increase in showers and gusty winds to the Leeward Islands and across the northern Caribbean Sunday into Monday.

Donnerstag, 6. Juni 2013

Andrea

The Atlantic has its first named storm of the 2013 hurricane season: Tropical Storm Andrea.








 An Air Force hurricane hunter plane was able to locate a closed center of circulation, and found surface winds of 40 mph in the large area of thunderstorms on the east side of the center. Satellite loops show that Andrea is a lopsided storm. It's center of circulation is exposed to view, due to a large region of dry air that covers the entire Central and Western Gulf of Mexico. This dry air is from a trough of low pressure whose upper level winds are also creating moderate wind shear of 15 - 20 knots over Andrea. 

Wind shear is forecast to rise to the high range, 20 - 40 knots, by Thursday. Andrea is forecast to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast of Florida by Thursday evening, so the system has a short window of time to intensify. Given the large amount of dry air to Andrea's west, and the forecast for increasing shear up until landfall, I expect that the strongest sustained winds Andrea could have before landfall are 50 mph. Heavy rains will be the storm's main threat, though a few isolated EF-0 tornadoes will also be possible in some of the heavier thunderstorms in Andrea's spiral bands. 







A storm surge of 2 - 4 feet is predicted for Tampa Bay northward to Apalachicola, and rip currents will be a risk for swimmers who brave the high surf. Fort Pickens, located in Gulf Islands National Seashore on a barrier island offshore from Pensacola, Florida, has been closed to visitors due to the approaching storm. A single 2-lane road vulnerable to storm surges runs to Fort Pickens. Officials want to prevent a repeat of the situation that occurred in September 2011, when Tropical Storm Lee pushed a storm surge over the road that blocked it with sand and debris, trapping numerous campers and visitors in Fort Pickens. As of 7 pm EDT, our wundermap with the storm surge layer turned on was showing storm surge levels were less than 1 foot along the Florida coast.

Montag, 3. Juni 2013

Number one - Invest 91L


AccuWeather.com meteorologists are monitoring possible tropical development for the middle of this week. Recent satellite imagery shows an area of showers and thunderstorms extending from the Yucatan Peninsula to just east of the Florida Straits. High wind shear is present in the region and will continue to inhibit development of this area over the next 24 hours, so any organization during this time should be slow to occur.





Wind shear is expected to weaken during the middle of the week and global forecasting models continue to indicate an area of broad tropical development over the central Gulf of Mexico. If this system manages to organize into a tropical storm, it would take on the name "Andrea" and be the first named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.





Most computer models show that this disturbance will drift northeastward into parts of the eastern Gulf of Mexico during midweek, then move over Florida late in the week, likely bringing heavy rainfall and perhaps gusty winds to the west coat of Florida. Wind shear looks to increase across the northern Gulf of Mexico late in the week which would again work to weaken this system and prevent it from intensifying into a strong tropical system. Regardless of whether this system develops or not, with abundant tropical moisture across the region, heavy rainfall is likely across Florida this week with flooding possible, especially from Wednesday through Friday.