Mexico

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (Mar. 8, 2008) -- With a deadline looming for my contribution to a new anthology called SEX (the sequel anthology to SIN, also by Avendia Publishing), I needed two important things: time to write and a story worth reading. Authors sometimes need tranquil places to think, to spark one's literary synapses, and to get away from all the urban distractions that make it so difficult to write. So, the chance came up to go to Playa del Carmen and Tulum for inspiration. I came back with more than I expected -- I conceived a clever, short satire called Adios Verdad ("Goodbye Truth") and it rocks! Set in a steamy massage parlor on Playa del Carmen's La Quinta Avenida, the story of a married couple experimenting with risky affairs while emotionally torn about their deeds will hopefully leave readers tingling with rage, shock and laughter. SIN is due out in September and includes short stories from fourteen other Chicago-based popular fiction authors. For more information of the book, visit http://www.avendiapublishing.com.

(above) At my waterfront suite at the Playacar resort, a few hours before the massage that will shape my short story Adios Verdad.

(above) At the coastal Mayan ruins of Tulum.

(above) Heading south of Tulum through the Sian Ka'an wildlife reserve.

(above) The virgin beaches near Boca Paila, some 25 km south of Tulum, on the way to the fishing village of Punta Allen.

--- Travel Summary (and Ratings) ---
Hotels: Playacar Palace (8.5)
Restaurants: ___________(__); ___________(__); ___________(__); ___________(__);
Bars/Night Clubs: ___________(__); ___________(__);

All photos and text Copyright © 2008 A.C. Frieden. No reproduction permitted without prior written approval by A.C. Frieden. For reproduction rights and higher resolution images, send email to afrieden[at]avendiapublishing.com.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Jun. 10, 2007) -- After a week in Acapulco, I arrived here in the Mexican capital for my first real chance to visit the city. I'm staying at the new W hotel in Polanco, the hip area on the northern edge of Chapultepec park. The wide boulevards and quaint streets and the sheer size of the city are just some of the things that hit you upon arrival.

(above) View of north-central Mexico City, including Chapultepec park.

(above) View of Metro line crossing Avenida 24 de Abril as plane lines up for final.

(above) Avenida Francisco I Madero in downtown Mexico City.

(above) The Metropolitan Cathedral facing the Zocalo.

(above) Julio Verne street in Polanco has quaint shops and restaurants.

(above) View from my room at the W Hotel in Polanco

The city offers an amazing urban assortment of sites for my sequel, and perhaps for one or more other books in the pipeline. I also visited the archeological museum and went to the artsy market at San Angel.

(above) Artwork for sale in San Angel's market square.

All photos and text Copyright © 2007 A.C. Frieden. No reproduction permitted without prior written approval by A.C. Frieden. For reproduction rights and higher resolution images, send email to afrieden[at]avendiapublishing.com.

ACAPULCO, Mexico (Jun. 14, 2006) -- I'm here again in Acapulco, Mexico, at the Las Brisas resort, which is the spectacular setting for several scenes in my debut novel, Canvas Sunsets Never Fade (Avendia Publishing, 2004), now in its third U.S. printing. Using the resort as his base of operations, the story’s main character, Richard Nash, tracks down the elusive Lina Mundhir, a wealthy woman and sister of the FBI’s lead suspect wanted in connection with the murder of the Saudi Ambassador’s wife. But Nash’s success in finding Lina is short-lived, as both of them suddenly find themselves pursued by killers who will stop at nothing to silence them. They barely escape from Acapulco and head inland in a desperate attempt to stay alive.

(above) I am holding a copy of my first novel on the deck of my casita, in front of one Mexico's most striking panoramas.
(below) Not only are the private casitas and pools at Las Brisas a perfect place to write novels, they are also great spots to include in stories, as was the case for my first novel.

This was my sixth trip to Acapulco (each time at the Las Brisas resort) but my first since Canvas Sunsets Never Fade was published in 2004. I had the pleasure of again meeting several members of the resort’s management and donating copies of his book. I'm also planning to a sequel, which for nostalgic reasons will include scenes from Acapulco.

For details, read the press release.