When we first visited Real de Catorce, some fifteen years ago, there was very little information available. There were no websites and only one hotel. We decided to visit Real de Catorce even without a reservation and lucky for us there was room at the hotel. After a 15 hour drive it was a warm welcome. We have been to Real de Catorce many times since then and have seen the limited growth. Real de Catorce will never be a thriving metropolis becuase they don't have the infrastructure to support the growth. In fact, as this is being written the current administration has placed more growth restaints on the village to protect the sensitive archeological environment.

While planning a trip to Real de Catorce, we searched the Internet for a place to stay for a week or two in Real. We wanted to stay with Ed Alexander, a fellow American (and past co-worker) who had migrated to Real de Catorce many years ago, married a Swiss woman and was now renting out apartments in his home to others.

We begin by asking friends in Austin if they had a telephone number for Ed, with no luck. We searched the Internet for a website listing his rentals, but after an exhausting search, gave up and settled on booking our stay at one of the hotels in town. When we arrived in town, we asked directions to Ed's home and within minutes were speaking to him about the problem of being unable to find his rental. He explained the problem - that some of the sites will list a few friends, but will not list all of the hotels, apartments, rooms and B&Bs in Real de Catorce. One restaurant owner had tried to create an online guide but didn't want to advertise the other restaurants. We made a note of these things.

During another trip, we found a silversmith working in a studio one quiet Wednesday afternoon, but then when we went back two weeks later, we couldn't find her and our queries fell on deaf ears as we asked the other artists and silversmiths where we might find her. We again made a note that all artists should be listed on a website to make searches easier.

The majority of artists, shop owners and individuals offering services in the town do not have Internet access, let alone the funds for buying Internet advertising or even business cards. We made another note to create a space for everyone on a site to make it easy for visitors to find everything.

When we moved to Real de Catorce to open an office for Economic Spring Foundation we decided it would be a perfect opportunity to build such as site. It fit into our mission statement for helping to create sustainable villages. As past Rotarians, we practice the Four-Way Test of everything we think, say or do...

1.Is it the TRUTH?
2.Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3.Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4.Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Viva Real de Catorce is a independent publication and is not intended as a money driven endeavor. It is about presenting the exciting and legendary village of Real de Catorce to the rest of the world. As creative souls - writers, artists, photographers - we found the village and the surrounding area a virtual goldmine of creative energy. Apparently we were not alone as the village attracts a very high level of creative and intellectual visitors and residents.

We hope you enjoy our efforts and learn to love Real de Catorce as we have.If you would care to donate to our efforts, please click on the donation button to the left.

Bill Hood and Barbara Wilson, MD