Dr. Vinton Cerf gave an overview of what the future holds for the internet and Google.
I have listed some comments below:
Look at the future of O3B Satellites.
Google had the idea to use balloons to over wifi service globally.
Telecomm industry uses the scarcity business model and makes inflated claims about negative effects of net neutrality. Hidden behind the Telecomm industry's words is an "anti-competitive behavior."
Google wants the internet to remain a place where innovation can occur. If the Telecomm industry charges for adequate bandwidth for users to function, it will stifle creativity.
Is the internet a public utility or a common carrier?
Cerf suggests that we need specific internet legislation introduced by Congress to clarify this question. The FCC can interpret existing legislation but can not legislate.
After the NASA revelations, Google now encrypts its traffic.
While Google does accumulate search words and gmail text, they do not share this data with others.
Google has not had a major data breach like many other companies.
Google continues to innovate.
Not being a technical person, I can not adequately restate many of the comments made..
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Balticon 2014: Promoting Your Book(s)
Was late for this panel, so I missed the introductions.
Came in at "post-it notes" are great promotional items.
The talk was focused on buying supplies of novelty items printed with your name, logo, book title and website. Some authors like magnets, buttons,souvenir cups. Others liked ink pens that also functioned as stylus but they were pricey.
All the panel members agreed. If you are self-published author or even a traditionally published author, "You Are A Business." So, you have to think like a business person and learn to make good business decisions. For example, it is important to get out and met your fans or potential fans, so many go to conventions but which one will work for you? Given that time is finite, you have to be selective about how you balance your marketing time with your writing time. Because first and foremost you are a writer.
Some of the panel members liked podcasting. They all recommend a well-designed website and a blog. But, you do not necessarily have to blog everyday; once a month works fine.
Other panel members have created TV commercials, movie-production quality book trailers and video blogs. Again, time and money spent needs to be considered in regards to potential return on investment.
Much of the discussion focused on book trailers. The emphasis was on the complexity of creating a book trailer. While it may take a day to shoot, it could take weeks in post production to perfect the final product.
Others suggested sending your work to professionals to get a book trailer made. Some suggested just making a video blog post and sending it along with your book to reviewers because reviewers like videos.
One panelist held a Facebook Party and it exceeded all his expectations and included lots of surprises like other authors who wanted to be guests at the party. Another panelist suggested a Twitter Party where you use hashtags and track them. But, above all else, interact with your audience or potential audiences.
Some cautions about using social media: If you tweet, don't just tweet about your book, interact with others; and watch what you tweet because you can't take it back once you hit the send button.
A final suggestion was try to get your work included in anthologies either in print, or ebooks or in audiobooks.
What did not work for some panelists were: print ads, google ad words, or printed t-shirts.
Conclusion: "You can not be an introvert", if you have chosen to be an author.
Came in at "post-it notes" are great promotional items.
The talk was focused on buying supplies of novelty items printed with your name, logo, book title and website. Some authors like magnets, buttons,souvenir cups. Others liked ink pens that also functioned as stylus but they were pricey.
All the panel members agreed. If you are self-published author or even a traditionally published author, "You Are A Business." So, you have to think like a business person and learn to make good business decisions. For example, it is important to get out and met your fans or potential fans, so many go to conventions but which one will work for you? Given that time is finite, you have to be selective about how you balance your marketing time with your writing time. Because first and foremost you are a writer.
Some of the panel members liked podcasting. They all recommend a well-designed website and a blog. But, you do not necessarily have to blog everyday; once a month works fine.
Other panel members have created TV commercials, movie-production quality book trailers and video blogs. Again, time and money spent needs to be considered in regards to potential return on investment.
Much of the discussion focused on book trailers. The emphasis was on the complexity of creating a book trailer. While it may take a day to shoot, it could take weeks in post production to perfect the final product.
Others suggested sending your work to professionals to get a book trailer made. Some suggested just making a video blog post and sending it along with your book to reviewers because reviewers like videos.
One panelist held a Facebook Party and it exceeded all his expectations and included lots of surprises like other authors who wanted to be guests at the party. Another panelist suggested a Twitter Party where you use hashtags and track them. But, above all else, interact with your audience or potential audiences.
Some cautions about using social media: If you tweet, don't just tweet about your book, interact with others; and watch what you tweet because you can't take it back once you hit the send button.
A final suggestion was try to get your work included in anthologies either in print, or ebooks or in audiobooks.
What did not work for some panelists were: print ads, google ad words, or printed t-shirts.
Conclusion: "You can not be an introvert", if you have chosen to be an author.
Balticon 2014: Using Social Science in Speculative Fiction
Got up early for a panel discussion on the use of Social Science in Speculative Fiction.
T. Jackson King, an anthropologist (tjacksonking.weebly.com) and Barry Nove (barrynove.us), a social worker led the discussion.
I loved their ideas like:
By reading the works from these fields you can get ideas that add depth and dimension to your characters.
Barry Nove said as a social worker you interact with a wide diversity of people from different religions and ethnic groups and they vary in their social behavior. For example, strict Jews do not allow women to be in a room alone with a man, so the door must be kept open. So, when conducting an interview with a woman from a strict Jewish faith, she may get up and open the door without explanation or apparent reason.
Some religions would be offended if you offered to shake a woman's hand. Some ethnic groups have food taboos.
But, Nove also said that in life and in writing, "Conflict is essential." He said it may not always be wise to "rescue" someone because the outcome could produce worse results than intended. Each person has a good side and a bad side. Conflict and destruction may produce new, evolutionary outcomes.
What we perceive as normal today may not have been "normal" in the past nor in the future.
Nove, also a genealogist, suggested researching family histories, not just yours but those of others for ideas.
As an idea for other characters, Nove suggested that you include hidden minorities.
Nove and King agree that diversity among characters will attract a wider readership. Include people with disabilities, various ethnic characters, etc. Or to turn this idea around, write your novel for specific audiences like the LBGT community, for example.
King suggested get out of your comfort zone, travel and talk to people from other cultures.
T. Jackson King, an anthropologist (tjacksonking.weebly.com) and Barry Nove (barrynove.us), a social worker led the discussion.
I loved their ideas like:
- Read the articles and research from the field of anthropology to get ideas for building "new" worlds based on existing but little known cultures like various sects of Tamil's Hindu communities and learn how they perceive the world and some of their rituals.
- Social work uses the scientific findings from all fields of research and in that research you can find alternative perspectives on everyday life.
By reading the works from these fields you can get ideas that add depth and dimension to your characters.
Barry Nove said as a social worker you interact with a wide diversity of people from different religions and ethnic groups and they vary in their social behavior. For example, strict Jews do not allow women to be in a room alone with a man, so the door must be kept open. So, when conducting an interview with a woman from a strict Jewish faith, she may get up and open the door without explanation or apparent reason.
Some religions would be offended if you offered to shake a woman's hand. Some ethnic groups have food taboos.
But, Nove also said that in life and in writing, "Conflict is essential." He said it may not always be wise to "rescue" someone because the outcome could produce worse results than intended. Each person has a good side and a bad side. Conflict and destruction may produce new, evolutionary outcomes.
What we perceive as normal today may not have been "normal" in the past nor in the future.
Nove, also a genealogist, suggested researching family histories, not just yours but those of others for ideas.
As an idea for other characters, Nove suggested that you include hidden minorities.
Nove and King agree that diversity among characters will attract a wider readership. Include people with disabilities, various ethnic characters, etc. Or to turn this idea around, write your novel for specific audiences like the LBGT community, for example.
King suggested get out of your comfort zone, travel and talk to people from other cultures.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Balticon 2014: A Conversation with Author Michael D. Ambrosio
At Balticon 2014, in the Dealers Room, I met author, Michael D. Ambrosio and he had stories to tell (glowball9961@yahoo.com) and (www.fracturedtime.com).
After we had talked for awhile, I asked him what made him write his first novel, Fractured Time. He said that while he was stationed in Iraq, he lamented the lack of Science Fiction reading materials. A friend suggested, he write a novel to fill the void. So, he did.
Once Ambrosio started writing, he continued adding novels to his various series, Fractured Time Triology and Space Frontiers as well as other novels. Along the way, he got an education in publishing and much more.
What is impressive about Ambrosio's career is all the opportunities he has seized or created for himself by just following an idea.
Because he attends several Science Fiction conventions a year, he contacts local radio stations and has been a guest on various shows and podcasts to talk about his novels and science fiction. He is also a screenwriter and has created screenplays for movies and TV shows based on his novels. Agents have expressed interest in several of his novels but one thing or another stymied those efforts illustrating the haphazard nature of the movie industry.
Also, Ambrosio likes to use small publishers. He publishes with several small publishers hoping that each publisher will market his novels to different niche markets and more.
He has made his own commercials and wrote a screenplay at the request of an actress he met at a convention.
He learned public speaking on the fly while serving as a member on several panels.
As our conversation ended, I told him, "You have another book to write...your adventures in publishing."
After we had talked for awhile, I asked him what made him write his first novel, Fractured Time. He said that while he was stationed in Iraq, he lamented the lack of Science Fiction reading materials. A friend suggested, he write a novel to fill the void. So, he did.
Once Ambrosio started writing, he continued adding novels to his various series, Fractured Time Triology and Space Frontiers as well as other novels. Along the way, he got an education in publishing and much more.
What is impressive about Ambrosio's career is all the opportunities he has seized or created for himself by just following an idea.
Because he attends several Science Fiction conventions a year, he contacts local radio stations and has been a guest on various shows and podcasts to talk about his novels and science fiction. He is also a screenwriter and has created screenplays for movies and TV shows based on his novels. Agents have expressed interest in several of his novels but one thing or another stymied those efforts illustrating the haphazard nature of the movie industry.
Also, Ambrosio likes to use small publishers. He publishes with several small publishers hoping that each publisher will market his novels to different niche markets and more.
He has made his own commercials and wrote a screenplay at the request of an actress he met at a convention.
He learned public speaking on the fly while serving as a member on several panels.
As our conversation ended, I told him, "You have another book to write...your adventures in publishing."
Balticon 2014: Pricing eBooks and Why Free is not Always Better
Saturday, 5/24/14
Having a complimentary breakfast at Embassy Suites, the overflow hotel, before I catch a shuttle to Hunt Valley for "Pricing eBooks..." program.
Hope to catch:
The Heinlein Awards for Geoffrey Landis.
Author Branding Across Platforms and Media
The Art Show and the Dealers Room
The Dealers Room is where vendors are setup at tables to sell their wares, featuring anything from games, to comics, to used and new books, costumes, jewelry and much more.
Pricing eBooks....
A four member panel with moderator began the discussion. Sue Bayman is a poet and first time novelist. Kelly Harmon has written several books. Michael R. Underwood works for AngryRobots.com and is a published author and Collin Earl and Chris ? are both authors and run Silverstone Books.
The basic answer to the question "Is offering your ebook for free, a good idea?", is no with exceptions. As the ebook market matures, offering free books to gain an audience is not always the best route for an author.
A series of books seems to be the best route for authors to make money and earn a reputation in the publishing business. So, if you write a series, maybe offering the first in the series for free is a good idea to attract a readership.
Or, if you are a novelist who is offering a standalone ebook, offering it for free for a short period of time as a promotion may be a good idea.
One drawback to offering your novel for free is that people who may not like your genre may download it for free and then provide a poor review.
With ebooks, publishers and self-publishers can offer a novel at different prices over time.
But, if you are self-published you are the marketeer as well. Consider pricing your novel based on size, production time, entertainment value and market comparables.
The most important thing to remember is you are in this for the long haul. Your novel may not sell well immediately but keep writing and producing novels. Keep networking and looking for marketing opportunities. For example:
Send your novel to netgalley for review.
Build a mailing list for those who may want review copies.
Build up awareness prior to the release of your novel.
====
Tech issues have plagued this trip. Can not recharge my minipad, so can not blog on-site; have limited use of hotel computer and more.
======
On to the Art Show--
I appreciate talent. While I am not creative, I recognize artists who have the "creative eye", the ability make something "new", in a new format, a new perspective and more. The piece evokes a mood.
In the art show, there are jewelry displays featuring necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pins, and rings. Some were along the costume jewelry line, others were very artistic using beaded materials, metals like copper, stone, and found pieces in elaborate or simple designs.
There were Barbie dolls in fairy costumes, wire sculptures, and painted gourds as holiday ornaments as well as paintings in oil, watercolor, and more.
The paintings features images from nature and lots of fantasy figures and scenes. There were portraits and nudes, dragons and cats, and scenes from an artist's favorite story.
On the the Dealers Room --
Here you find lots of jewelry, leather and clothes designers as well as authors with their inventory of books and used book sellers. The best thing was the books for me. Being able to hold a book and flip through the pages is an irreplaceable feeling. Ebooks just don't do it for me.
But, in the used book stalls you will find the older authors like Frank Herbert, Frederick Pohl, Douglas Adams, William Gibson, Roger Zelazny, Jack L. Chalker, Jerry Pournelle, Harlan Ellison and more.
Having a complimentary breakfast at Embassy Suites, the overflow hotel, before I catch a shuttle to Hunt Valley for "Pricing eBooks..." program.
Hope to catch:
The Heinlein Awards for Geoffrey Landis.
Author Branding Across Platforms and Media
The Art Show and the Dealers Room
The Dealers Room is where vendors are setup at tables to sell their wares, featuring anything from games, to comics, to used and new books, costumes, jewelry and much more.
Pricing eBooks....
A four member panel with moderator began the discussion. Sue Bayman is a poet and first time novelist. Kelly Harmon has written several books. Michael R. Underwood works for AngryRobots.com and is a published author and Collin Earl and Chris ? are both authors and run Silverstone Books.
The basic answer to the question "Is offering your ebook for free, a good idea?", is no with exceptions. As the ebook market matures, offering free books to gain an audience is not always the best route for an author.
A series of books seems to be the best route for authors to make money and earn a reputation in the publishing business. So, if you write a series, maybe offering the first in the series for free is a good idea to attract a readership.
Or, if you are a novelist who is offering a standalone ebook, offering it for free for a short period of time as a promotion may be a good idea.
One drawback to offering your novel for free is that people who may not like your genre may download it for free and then provide a poor review.
With ebooks, publishers and self-publishers can offer a novel at different prices over time.
But, if you are self-published you are the marketeer as well. Consider pricing your novel based on size, production time, entertainment value and market comparables.
The most important thing to remember is you are in this for the long haul. Your novel may not sell well immediately but keep writing and producing novels. Keep networking and looking for marketing opportunities. For example:
Send your novel to netgalley for review.
Build a mailing list for those who may want review copies.
Build up awareness prior to the release of your novel.
====
Tech issues have plagued this trip. Can not recharge my minipad, so can not blog on-site; have limited use of hotel computer and more.
======
On to the Art Show--
I appreciate talent. While I am not creative, I recognize artists who have the "creative eye", the ability make something "new", in a new format, a new perspective and more. The piece evokes a mood.
In the art show, there are jewelry displays featuring necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pins, and rings. Some were along the costume jewelry line, others were very artistic using beaded materials, metals like copper, stone, and found pieces in elaborate or simple designs.
There were Barbie dolls in fairy costumes, wire sculptures, and painted gourds as holiday ornaments as well as paintings in oil, watercolor, and more.
The paintings features images from nature and lots of fantasy figures and scenes. There were portraits and nudes, dragons and cats, and scenes from an artist's favorite story.
On the the Dealers Room --
Here you find lots of jewelry, leather and clothes designers as well as authors with their inventory of books and used book sellers. The best thing was the books for me. Being able to hold a book and flip through the pages is an irreplaceable feeling. Ebooks just don't do it for me.
But, in the used book stalls you will find the older authors like Frank Herbert, Frederick Pohl, Douglas Adams, William Gibson, Roger Zelazny, Jack L. Chalker, Jerry Pournelle, Harlan Ellison and more.
A Balticon Blog 2014
Friday 23, 2014
Late lunch in the Hunt Valley Grill with a Maryland Crab Cake sandwich and Malibu "something", a drink with rum and pink grapefruit drink. All very good.
I was hungry that is why the food came first.
At my first glance at the program, there is Guest of Honor, Brandon Sanderson, along with many Goh's like Ghost of Honor, Robert Jordan, a well-known Sci-fi writer who passed away in 2007. I was surprised by the Artist Guest of Honor, Halo Jankowski, he specializes in Tattoo art.
Ok, what is Balticon, it is the Baltimore Science Fiction Society's annual convention where science fiction fans and others come to appreciate all aspects of science fiction from writing and publishing, to artwork and costume construction, to movies and movie making, to songs and so much more.
Oh, just the highlights that caught my eye and my tastes. They are playing the Wizard of Oz and old Bewitched TV shows as well as Iron Man, Frozen, Gravity, Soylent Green, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and much more.
A lot of new writers are displaying their published books like Grig Larson's Trolley and Space B!tch, and Jhada R. Addams's Devil's Gambit.
Part of the registration package included a huge paperback by GOH Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings.
I like science fiction but I come from the days of Issac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Ursula Le Guin, Spider Robinson, Orson Scott Card, Ray Bradbury, and so many more. I do not recognize a single name here but I hope to get introduced to some new great writers.
Tech issue, the minute I landed at BWI, I have had innumerable tech issues, now in the hotel grill, on the hotel internet, I am getting warning messages "can not save." But, after each message, if I try at least three time, it finally saves. Later, the connection kept dropping. So frustrating.
Just now reviewing the program events and there are many programs I am interested in and many I probably won't make because you just can't do it all.
Sampling of programs....
A Virtual Tour of the Universe
Space Weapons
42 Reasons Why You Should Write for Young Adults
More to come.
Late lunch in the Hunt Valley Grill with a Maryland Crab Cake sandwich and Malibu "something", a drink with rum and pink grapefruit drink. All very good.
I was hungry that is why the food came first.
At my first glance at the program, there is Guest of Honor, Brandon Sanderson, along with many Goh's like Ghost of Honor, Robert Jordan, a well-known Sci-fi writer who passed away in 2007. I was surprised by the Artist Guest of Honor, Halo Jankowski, he specializes in Tattoo art.
Ok, what is Balticon, it is the Baltimore Science Fiction Society's annual convention where science fiction fans and others come to appreciate all aspects of science fiction from writing and publishing, to artwork and costume construction, to movies and movie making, to songs and so much more.
Oh, just the highlights that caught my eye and my tastes. They are playing the Wizard of Oz and old Bewitched TV shows as well as Iron Man, Frozen, Gravity, Soylent Green, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and much more.
A lot of new writers are displaying their published books like Grig Larson's Trolley and Space B!tch, and Jhada R. Addams's Devil's Gambit.
Part of the registration package included a huge paperback by GOH Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings.
I like science fiction but I come from the days of Issac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Ursula Le Guin, Spider Robinson, Orson Scott Card, Ray Bradbury, and so many more. I do not recognize a single name here but I hope to get introduced to some new great writers.
Tech issue, the minute I landed at BWI, I have had innumerable tech issues, now in the hotel grill, on the hotel internet, I am getting warning messages "can not save." But, after each message, if I try at least three time, it finally saves. Later, the connection kept dropping. So frustrating.
Just now reviewing the program events and there are many programs I am interested in and many I probably won't make because you just can't do it all.
Sampling of programs....
A Virtual Tour of the Universe
Space Weapons
42 Reasons Why You Should Write for Young Adults
More to come.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Ongoing Rundown of Cafes in Mérida, México
I am a cafe person. So, I am always thrilled to find a new cafe. While I have updated this list with new cafes, I have not visited them all.
Look for updates, since things change frequently
Updated: 10/26/2018
Cafe Chokoh
Calle 39 x 64 y 62A, Centro
Open: L-V 8:30-4;00
Good sandwiches, coffee, frappes, and more.
See post on Cafe Chokoh for more information
El Apapacho Cafe
Calle 62 x 41 y 43
Open: Miercoles -Domingo 11:00 - 11:30
Lots of vegetarian choices.
See blog post for more information.
Update: Need to check their hours, they have changed.
Espresso de Arte
Calle 62 #445 53 y 51
Colonia Centro
Open: Lunes a Sábado 10:0 am - 10:00pm
El Origen Cafe
Calle 62A #472 x 39 y 37
Reforma, Centro
Open: Lunes a Viernes de 12pm a 3pm
offers servicio a domicilio
999-287-4228
What is great about this cafe is the vegetarian influence on the menu choices. The chef uses light seasonings. The main dish is served with rice, salad & soup.
Update: El Origen Cafe closed their Avenue Reforma location.
OMG! Cafe
Av Colon #505 x 8 y 9
Garcia Gineres
Not sure of hours, they close mid-day and open again for a few evening hours.
I came for the scones! Great pastries and coffee.
Internet available
El Gran Cafe
Calle 47 y Paseo de Montejo
They have cut back on the hours they are open.
Internet available.
DI.LAN
Call47 #513 x56 y54
This is a new location (10/18)
Cafeteria Pop or Cafe Pop
Calle 57 #501 62 y 60
Open: 8:00am to 11:00pm
Listed in Lonely Planet.
A fixture in downtown historic centro.
Typical cafe menu.
Nice refugee after a busy day.
Starbucks
On Paseo de Montejo, on the left as you head up Paseo towards the Monument
Calle 56 A, Numero 465 x 33 A y 35
Friendly staff, can always met other expats or tourists.
Internet available but flaky.
Vendito Azul
Calle 62 x 49 y 51
Wed–Sat 1pm to 10
Bistro Cultural
Calle 66 x 43
Centro
M–S, 9–4:30
Chef prepares a daily dish.
Always something going on there.
Love the omelets.
Internet available.
Update: Bistro Cultural has expanded, now it has an outdoor garden area and a food market across the street, see Post on Bistro Cultural for more information.
Pistache (formerly La Boheme)
Paseo de Montejo x Calle 39, Centro
open daily from 7:30am until 11pm
Quiches, french pastries and breads
Internet available.
One of my favorite stops.
It gets really busy on Sunday mornings due to Merida's Biciruta event.
I call this the "Unofficial Cat Cafe" because the owner has adopted a cat and she had kittens, so there's usually a cat about. They are not socialized.
Cafe Creme
Calle 41 x 60
M-F 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 9-1
I like scrambled eggs, so I am always grateful when a cafe lets me order scrambled eggs, an item not on the menu.
Great coffee, great service.
Internet available.
Update: They have wine on the menu.
a Musa now Cafe Sukra
Avenue Paseo de Montejo #496 x 45 y 43
Centro
Update: This cafe has closed but another one has opened in the same location. Similar menu.
Cafe Chocolate now Alma Calma
Calle 60 x 49, Centro
Internet available.
Update: new tenant
Jardin de Santa Ana
Calle 47 x 60
indoor and outdoor seating
Not sure of hours, they seem to vary.
Internet available.
Update: Closed. Now a Cantina
Casa Maryposa
Calle 62 x 41 y 43 #360
Colonia Centro
Martes - Jueves 11:30am - 7:30pm
Viernes - Sabado 11:30am - 6:00pm
From Nachos to Fajitas, $50 - $75 with a wide selection of hot & cold drinks and desserts.
Try the cookies!
Internet available.
Update: Closed
Jaquar Cafe
Calle 60 x 45 y 47
Cafes, sandwiches, frappes, and my favorite, Soda Italiana, mineral water flavored with syrup. This café continues to improve. internet available. For the moment, my favorite is the Chai Tea Frappe!!! So good on a hot day.
Update: Closed.
Look for updates, since things change frequently
Updated: 10/26/2018
Cafe Chokoh
Calle 39 x 64 y 62A, Centro
Open: L-V 8:30-4;00
Good sandwiches, coffee, frappes, and more.
See post on Cafe Chokoh for more information
El Apapacho Cafe
Calle 62 x 41 y 43
Open: Miercoles -Domingo 11:00 - 11:30
Lots of vegetarian choices.
See blog post for more information.
Update: Need to check their hours, they have changed.
Espresso de Arte
Calle 62 #445 53 y 51
Colonia Centro
Open: Lunes a Sábado 10:0 am - 10:00pm
El Origen Cafe
Calle 62A #472 x 39 y 37
Reforma, Centro
Open: Lunes a Viernes de 12pm a 3pm
offers servicio a domicilio
999-287-4228
What is great about this cafe is the vegetarian influence on the menu choices. The chef uses light seasonings. The main dish is served with rice, salad & soup.
Update: El Origen Cafe closed their Avenue Reforma location.
OMG! Cafe
Av Colon #505 x 8 y 9
Garcia Gineres
Not sure of hours, they close mid-day and open again for a few evening hours.
I came for the scones! Great pastries and coffee.
Internet available
El Gran Cafe
Calle 47 y Paseo de Montejo
They have cut back on the hours they are open.
Internet available.
DI.LAN
Call47 #513 x56 y54
This is a new location (10/18)
Cafeteria Pop or Cafe Pop
Calle 57 #501 62 y 60
Open: 8:00am to 11:00pm
Listed in Lonely Planet.
A fixture in downtown historic centro.
Typical cafe menu.
Nice refugee after a busy day.
Starbucks
On Paseo de Montejo, on the left as you head up Paseo towards the Monument
Calle 56 A, Numero 465 x 33 A y 35
Friendly staff, can always met other expats or tourists.
Internet available but flaky.
Vendito Azul
Calle 62 x 49 y 51
Wed–Sat 1pm to 10
Bistro Cultural
Calle 66 x 43
Centro
M–S, 9–4:30
Chef prepares a daily dish.
Always something going on there.
Love the omelets.
Internet available.
Update: Bistro Cultural has expanded, now it has an outdoor garden area and a food market across the street, see Post on Bistro Cultural for more information.
Pistache (formerly La Boheme)
Paseo de Montejo x Calle 39, Centro
open daily from 7:30am until 11pm
Quiches, french pastries and breads
Internet available.
One of my favorite stops.
It gets really busy on Sunday mornings due to Merida's Biciruta event.
I call this the "Unofficial Cat Cafe" because the owner has adopted a cat and she had kittens, so there's usually a cat about. They are not socialized.
Cafe Creme
Calle 41 x 60
M-F 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 9-1
I like scrambled eggs, so I am always grateful when a cafe lets me order scrambled eggs, an item not on the menu.
Great coffee, great service.
Internet available.
Update: They have wine on the menu.
a Musa now Cafe Sukra
Avenue Paseo de Montejo #496 x 45 y 43
Centro
Update: This cafe has closed but another one has opened in the same location. Similar menu.
Cafe Chocolate now Alma Calma
Calle 60 x 49, Centro
Internet available.
Update: new tenant
Jardin de Santa Ana
Calle 47 x 60
indoor and outdoor seating
Not sure of hours, they seem to vary.
Internet available.
Update: Closed. Now a Cantina
Casa Maryposa
Calle 62 x 41 y 43 #360
Colonia Centro
Martes - Jueves 11:30am - 7:30pm
Viernes - Sabado 11:30am - 6:00pm
From Nachos to Fajitas, $50 - $75 with a wide selection of hot & cold drinks and desserts.
Try the cookies!
Internet available.
Update: Closed
Jaquar Cafe
Calle 60 x 45 y 47
Cafes, sandwiches, frappes, and my favorite, Soda Italiana, mineral water flavored with syrup. This café continues to improve. internet available. For the moment, my favorite is the Chai Tea Frappe!!! So good on a hot day.
Update: Closed.
Bengala Cafe de Barrio
C47 x58 y60
Santa Ana
Centro
Tlahuasco Cafeteria
C62 #429b
Centro
Benegala Kaffeehaus
C60 x 55 y 53
Centro
Cafe Punta del Cielo
C63 x 60 y62
Plaza Grande
Centro
Cafe Montejo
Calle 59 x 72 y 74
Centro
Cafe Organico
Calle 53 #502-D x 60 y 62
Centro
A Taza de Frida
Calle 54 #373-a cera Clinica de Las Americas
Centro
Since I began this list 2 years ago, some cafes have opened, some have closed, some have changed owners, some have changed hours, that is how it is here in Mérida.
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