8/30/2008

It's the First Latin American Blogger Awards!


I have decided that it is high time for THE LATIN AMERICAN BLOGGER AWARDS! The winners below are only the first set of awards...no telling when the second Latin American Blogger Awards will be announced.

So, without further ado, here we go - in no particular order:

MOST BEAUTIFUL - I have read Heather in Paradise's post on beauty at least a dozen times, and every time I read it I want to thank her for it. Absolutely beautiful.

MOST AWFUL AND HEARTWARMING - Jennifer and Chuck in Mazatlán were robbed a while back, and her first post about what happened is wonderful. But the saga continued, and I marveled at their ability to stay sane throughout and how the whole thing ended up. There are five follow up posts that I recommend you read in this order - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. I think you'll agree about the awful and heartwarming award once you read them.

MOST FRIENDLY - Wayne in Isla Mujeres comments frequently and is a good friend to so many bloggers! He knocked himself out putting together the Blogger Meetup last April. I count him as a friend even though we haven't met - yet.

BEST DISCONTINUED BLOG - The Road to Merida is a wonderful blog (written by mom Andrea) of two months with her family living in Merida. She is funny, irreverent, and shares so much in a very intimate and disarming way.

MOST PERSONAL & VARIED - Jonna at Blah Blah Blah Ginger! writes about a multitude of interesting topics. From dogs & cats, to remodeling a house in Merida, to their condo on the beach in Akumal, to traveling, and RVs, painful dentistry, and much more. I couldn't figure out how to link to individual posts on her blog so you'll just have to go there and browse around!

MOST HILARIOUS - You need to read Elliott in Ajijic's post on her old life vs. her new life, especially if you used to work in an office. She is always hilarious!

MOST GUTSY - Cynthia and Mike moved from the Pacific Northwest to Mexico City to teach English. Along the way they had a multitude of challenges and setbacks - medical issues when they visited Mexico City, to disillusionment with the teaching arrangements once they got there. Not people to cave in when the going got tough, they regrouped, and with help of blogger Brenda and others, ended up in Guyamas, in a great living situation and with a teaching gig. You guys are gutsy and strong!

MOST INTERESTING - John lives in San Miguel de Allende. He gets around, though. Wherever he travels he posts wonderful in-depth accounting of the most interesting bits. His travels in Europe, Argentina, and around México are always - and I mean always - wonderful. I tried to pick out one post as a favorite, but I couldn't as they are always interesting, and accompanied by exquisite pictures as well.

MOST INTELLECTUAL, HIP & EDGY - Malcolm and Jillian of Dropped In have dropped out from blogging a little bit lately, but I am hoping they'll be back soon. They live at the beach in the Yucatan and look at the world from a fresh perspective. Unafraid and witty, they always make me think. And laugh. And wish I was in my 30's again. Read this post for sure, and check out the rest.

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY - Award goes to Billie in San Miguel de Allende. Her photographs are thought provoking and challenging without being sentimental or trite. I've loved being introduced to the Holga and have learned quite a lot about photography from her. Oh, as well as about Mexico, cooking, friendship, growing older, and much much more.

MOST RELIABLE - The Working Gringos at Yucatan Living have been one of my favorites for a long time. They have basically created a portal for information on Merida and the Yucatan - which sounds dry and businesslike - but oh, no, it isn't. From interviews with people living and working in the area, to excursions into the countryside, to restaurant reviews, and the details of building a house or getting your car licensed - there is something for everyone. Even if you don't live in the Yucatan.

So there you have it! The winners of the FIRST LATIN AMERICAN BLOGGERS AWARDS!

14 comments:

Steve Cotton said...

Nancy -- Your modesty left off Best Mentor and Central Clearing House. That award clearly goes to you. I find myself going back through some of your lists as I start the process of getting the house ready for the market. Thank you for all of your help and advice. Now, if I can just follow your advice on learning some basic Spanish, I will be content.

Jonna said...

Why thank you! I love it! Now I'm thinking I should change my blog title to 'theme-less in Mexico'... heh! Actually, I kind of like that.

I agree with Steve, your blog is packed with information and anecdotes and wonderful stories. You definitely deserve a prize as well.

Theresa in Mèrida said...

All excellent choices! Now I have to check out those blogs on the list that are new to me.
regards,
Theresa

Cynthia said...

Nancy, you must give yourself an award, but to be honest, it would be hard to pick just one category.

You could get one for Mystery and Suspense for the posts during the time you searched for your special place in Mexico. (I loved that time period here on your blog!)

Or maybe an award for Detailed Informative Information for the posts leading up to the big move.

Or maybe one for Quickest Adjustment to Life on Foreign Soil, because you certainly seemed to settle right in.

1st Mate said...

Bravo! I concur with all your choices. You really have your finger on the pulse of the Latin blogworld (there I go again mixing my metaphors).

Islagringo said...

Wow! I didn't even know there was a contest! I am flattered and honored beyond description that you have included my little blog in your awards. Thank you so much.

(I agree that you should have given yourself an award too!)

Nancy said...

OK, SO I made up the whole thing, the panel of judges was Paul and me... and the trophy is a fake, I'm sorry. But I truly love this crazy bunch of bloggers I've fallen in with and felt that commenting on your blogs didn't say enough.

And it's very nice for you to say I deserve an award, but right now I think it would be MOST SAPPY.

Deb Hall ~ Zocalo de Mexican Folk Art said...

Can't thank you enough for pointing me towards Heather's Most Beautiful entry. And well, Billie's images (and her grounded point of view) sets the bar pretty darn high in blogdom. And, I have also wanted to link to entries by the always enlightening Blah-blah-blah Ginger, but I also couldn't figure that one out. Although I know most of the blogs listed, I can't wait to discover the ones I don't. Thanks for pointing the way to and recognizing the Masters of Blog.

jillian said...

thank you very much. Trying to get un-blocked. It's an obstinate one though...

Anonymous said...

I love the way the internet works. I found your blog when I was leaving a comment on Wayne's blog> I read a comment by Theresa in Merida who was pointing this blog entry out to Wayne. I read quite a few of the awarded blogs and look forward to checking out some new ones!! Cool!!

Mike Nickell and Cynthia Johnson said...

Ahhhh...now I understand your recent comment on our blog. Thank you! No guts, no glory...

Anonymous said...

Thank you!! We are very proud of our award, although frankly "most reliable" sounds a bit dry and businesslike even to us!! We know some of the blogs you've mentioned and look forward to exploring the ones we don't know. How did expats get along without the internet and blogs? For that matter, how did anyone??

Abrazos fuertes to everyone!!!

Ken said...

Nancy.... I must say that I have to agree with all of the awards that you and Paul have given out. I read all of the winners on a regular basis. But a award blog that does not include John of Viva Veracruz or Michael Dickson of Tales of Zapata Street is lacking.... They are still the first blogs I look for each day. Different strokes I guess.
Ken

Nancy said...

Deb & Michelle, Thanks, I had fun doing the post, hope you found some new blogs to read.

Jillian, You seem to have gotten unblocked, I'm glad.

Cynthia & Mike, You deserve the award, I love your stories!

Working Gringa, I think the hardest part was how to describe your site. There is so much there! And you're so dang NICE! We just have to come over to Merida one of these days.

Ken, I'm glad you liked the awards, and if you want to email me off line I'll explain why those two weren't included.
ndardarian at gmail dot com