Culture…other than yogurt..

The last couple of weekends has been very entertaining …we went to see the nutcracker suite in Puebla and got to see it again in Tlaxcala by the same ballet company as our granddaughter is in the play. It was presented by the Danilova Ballet School and very professionally done,great costumes and scenery.

The Nutcracker Suite

bon bon's

 also musical accompaniment was provided by the Puebla Music Conservatory’s Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

The nutcracker suite

ballet dancer

Go to this link to see all of “The Nutcracker Suite Photos”….

http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/576045441NRlaqT?vhost=entertainment

Urban Legends of Mexico El Chupacabra

 Mexicans are very superstitious, they have firm and deepseated beliefs in flying saucers, ghosts and the Chupacabra (Goatsucking monster who drains the blood from animals).

They believe it so much that even a “B” Movie was made about it.

The Chupacabra

 Supposedly from “eye witness” accounts this is what it looks like…

Goat sucker

 Also here and in many parts of the world there are cow mutilations…. mostly T bone and Sirloin steaks are missing which give rise to the rumor that its a crime commited by a deranged butcher, Jack the Rippers reincarnation or the Chupacabra.

WHEN mount Popocatepetl erupted a few years ago, the government sent the Army up to the village closest to the crater (Xalizintla, Puebla)to conduct rehearsed evacuations as a safety matter. after the first trial evacuation many of the villagers refused to leave. I asked a few of them Why? and they said after they had been taken away in trucks to a town a hundred miles away and they went back…their goats disappeared. Was it goat rustlers, the army personell left behind or the Chupacabra?? No one seems to know.

 Anyway if you should see a Chupacabra …don’t say baaaa ! You’re courting disaster.

On the other hand, if you see a ghost…(an elderly wizened lady of 90 told me this… You should ask the ghost…”Where is the gold hidden?”

spooks

Working in Mexico

 I keep seeing other blogs where people say things like, “I’m a Registered Nurse or Lawyer or what have you and I want to do my profession in Mexico, What does it pay? etc.,”

 I mean are you crazy? It doesnt work like that. Either you’re with an established company that can’t find a Mexican National to do it correctly or you’re an entrepreneur that has figured out a way to make a living. And even then it will be less than if you did the same thing in the States.

Anyway, they ask, “How can I supplement my pension, I want to retire in Mexico but I want to work…What can I do???”

Here’s a few suggestions:

 

 

Fire eater

Fire eating on the corner, working a lineup of cars. Remember to blow the flames upward and not at potential clients, it’s best if you don’t have a moustache.

street juggler

 Work the lineup of cars at the red light….ask for tips before it turns green.

Pick pocket

Take a cue from Fagan and David Copperfield and become a “dip”. This is more lucrative on the subway. check and see what the bribe is if you get caught.

the metro dip

windshield cleaner

Cleaning windshields on the corner during  rush hour traffic can be a fun and exhilirating experience, be quick and don’t use dirty rags…be professional.

car park director,,,franelero

help people in & out of parking spaces….must be able to whistle, red flannel cloth for signaling approaching vehicles. A pair of brass knuckles will come in handy when other franeleros decide to beat you up for invading there territory.  All jobs are fraught with danger, so take care.

pan handler

crack dealer

palm reader

adult diaper changer

 You can charge by the hour or the piece. See how many opportunities are available?

Chapultepec Castle

If you’re in or close to Mexico City be sure to check out Chapultepec Castle. The oldest part of the Castle was built in 1758 and used as a fort. In 1841 it was converted into a military academy. It was the site of a final battle against invading American troops. twenty years later it was remodeled into the residence of President Porfirio Diaz & was the official residence of the presidents of Mexico until 1944. It now houses the National Museum of History, a great place to visit to see remnants from Mexicos past. Amongst the many things there you can see the elegant coaches of King Maximilian, and get a look at some of the castles room to see how Royalty lived.

When Napoleon 3rd withdrew his supporting troops, Max & his wife were given the choice to leave with them but Carlotta liked being a Queen & didnt like the idea of having her status lowered to Duchess so she convinved Maximillian to stay, this eventually cost him his life in front of a firing squad in Queretero.

Chapultepec is the only castle on this side of the world to have had a monarch living in it.

Maximillian's wheels

the dining room

MEXICAN TRIVIA

Did you know …… Robert Louis Stevenson while in the port of Ensenada, waiting for his ship to go to Hawaii, wrote part of his book, “Treasure Island”.

Lucia Zarate, billed as the worlds smallest lady, at the age of 18 weighed 2 kilos, born in Sonora, Mexico, she worked on the Barnum & Bailey Circus. She died at the age of 26 from hypothermia, when the circus train got stranded in the Rocky Mountains during a blizzard (1890).

The Scwartz & Meurer Construction Company along with architect Gustav Eiffel of tower fame, designed and built the kiosko (bandstand) in Cuernavaca, the Church in Santa Rosalia, Baja California and the American Consulate building in Puebla, Puebla (now VIPS Restaurant.).

Malcolm Lowry, Author of “Under the Volcano” was deported twice from Mexico, both times for barroom brawls…(What an honor).

Dictator Porfirio Diaz gave William Randolph Hearst(Pattys grandad), 2 and a half million acres of land in Mexico so that he would only write positive stories about his Presidency in his newspapers. (talk about the ministry of propaganda, makes you wonder if the sinking of the Maine was real or not).

Revolution Monument

Pancho Villa

REVOLUTION MONUMENT

On our recent “invasion” of Mexico City, (as Stephen calls it), we decided to take a look at the Revolution Museum.
The Building iyself is amazing, it was started by Dictator Porfirio Diaz but got short stopped when the Revolution started. He wanted to build a building that was modeled after the Capital Building in Washington D.C. but only got as far as the dome part, so after the Revolution (1910-1918) it became a monument to the Revolution.
Inside we found mucho memorabilia to Revolutionaries, Emilio Zapata. Pancho Villa, Etc.,

CINEMATOGRAPHY

My grandson Josh is taking a course in CINEMATOGRAPHY in Tlaxcala, so a couple of weeks ago he directed, edited and scripted a short film. The course cost is about $25 dollars a month, classes on Saturdays from 9AM till 1 pm.  I was impressed by the professianalism . A friend loaned them a house to shoot in.There were 14 people in his class, everyone did something…makeup, lighting, cameraman, acting, props, etc.,.  The drama Teacher had the honor of commiting suicide in the film. My wife and I did the catering.  Give us a million bucks and we can come up with a top notch film.

A new Spielberg

 

 

 

preparing to shoot

 

lights-action-camera

 This film ran 4 minutes & took 6 hours to shoot. To see the end result see it on Youtube at this link….

 http://mx.youtube.com/watch?v=5YnFi-V7LFE

Frida & Diego

FRIDAS HOUSE

While in Mexico City last week we visited Frida Kahlos “Blue House”and took a tour of it and Also Diego Rivera’s Studio. Frida died in the blue house after many years of suffering from her tragic accident. Diego lived a few kilometers away after their divorce. He was a devoted fan of prehispanic artifacts and his home was converted into a museum.

 

Entrance fees to both places are modest: $55 pesos for Fridas & $20 pesos to see Diegos pad. There was a wedding going on at Diegos studio, that had to be an expensive rental…the bride & groom looked really chic.. may they have a long & prosperous life.

bride and groom

 

DIEGO RIVERAS STUDIO

Tours around Tlaxcala

If you’re considering visiting Tlaxcala, Give me a call or drop me an Email. I give customized tours at reasonable rates.

My email adress is:  dixiefried12@yahoo.com.

Home Phone:  01 241 80 553 .

Cell Phone: 045 241 407 5592

Accredited by the State Tourist Department.

Pulque Hacienda Tour

 

We have :

Astronomical tours.

Hacienda Tours

 Historical Tours.

Arts & Crafts Tours.

We also give tours of Puebla, Oaxaca & Mexico City

And many others…. give us a call.

Ask for Bob or Raquel.

 

 

 

 

TRIP TO GUERRERO

We were invited to a wedding in the State of Guerrero last week, after dropping 3000 feet out of the mountains the weather turned warm and the flora and fauna changed. Started seeing different types of cactus and plants, Palm trees, banana trees, coconuts, mangoes and papayas. Everything became more tropical. Also started seeing sugar cane fields and trucks loaded with cane.

Shortly there after we saw where they were going, there was a bacardi Rum plant beside the road with vats of molasses fermenting away to make that pirates brew of ol’ demon rum.
I wanted to get out and pay my respects but the busdriver didn’t want to stop. Har de HAR HAR as Jolly Roger would say. Have a nice day lass’s and laddies.

MEXICAN GAS STATION

GREASE MONKIES

FILL IT UP

TYPICAL MEXICAN GAS STATION

TODAY WE RAN AROUND WITH THE BUREAUCRATS TO GET SOME PAPERS FIXED AT SOCIAL SECURITY, THEN ON THE WAY HOME MY COMPADRE STOPPED FOR SOME GAS…. CHECK THE PHOTOS…WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU GOT SERVICE LIKE THIS? mAYBE 1957? WE COULD RETURN TO THIS IN THE U.S. IF PEOPLE WEREN’T SO LAZY.

The Hideout

Yesterday we did a tour of Soltepec Hacienda, better known as\” La Escondida\” because a movie by that name was filmed there starring Mexican Actress, Maria Felix.

Entrance to The Hacienda

At its peak Soltepec was a livestock ranch and produced Pulque. Now it has been converted into a First Class Hotel with a lot of atmosphere.

Located about 3 miles from the town of Huamantla, Tlaxcala, it has everything you need for a pleasant weekend and plenty of tourist sites nearby that you can visit .

Hacienda dining room

It has a restaurant, swimming pool (heated), a gymnasium, squash court,tennis court, billiard room,bar, snack bar, and rooms with jacuzzis, internet and large screen TV\’s. A terrific Panoramic view of the mountains.

They also have a website that you can check at:    http://www.HaciendaSoltepec.com

Also they are getting ready to open a 9 hole golf course.

And of course my services as a touristguide if you want to see historic places around the state.

Little known facts about Mexico

crater site

meteor impact

silver

Mexico is the Worlds largest producer of silver.

Mexico is the largest consumer per capita of cocacola, they drink on the average 527 (eight ounce size) bottles per person each year( The U.S. consumes 411 bottles a year)

COCACOLA

Chicluxulub (which means” the devils tail” in Nahuat language) is the ste where a 20 kilometer size meteor impacted the earth causing a 200 kilometer wide crater and killed off the dinosaurs..aren’t you glad? T Rex’s don’t make good pets.

More about Mexico City

MASS TRANSPORT SYSTEM

MAIN FOOD MARKET

LATIN America Tower

Mexico City is only 3 hours away by bus so every once in awhile I go there. It’s either the worlds most populated city are soon will be, I think Tokyo may still have an edge.

Because of it’s place in History, it was the Capital of the Aztec Empire, it still retains it’s Historical, Economical and Political Influence.

Mexico City has a population of 21 million and a “floating population” of about 3 million, that is people coming in and out of the city daily.

At the Central of Abastos Market (Supply Center), 30,000 tons of food arrives each day to feed this monster. There are 40,000 people working there and it covers 36 city blocks. There’s parking for 50,000 vehicles. It even has its own newspaper that posts present & future food prices. Even this isnt enough to feed the city and they have a huge “market on wheels” that goes to different locations around the city every day.

Amongst the many problems of the city is pollution. Someone once remarked that managing Mexico City was like trying to repair an airplane in flight.

Every day 43,000 cubic meters of fuel are burned, half of that is used by vehicles. For every public transport vehicle there are 40 private vehicles, as a result Mexico City has a “day without your car” law. depending on the number of a cars license tag its not allowed on the street one day of the week.

The subway known as the “metro”, was built by the French to accomodate people during the Olympics in 1968, More than 4 million people board the subway train at “Pantitlan” Station than all people who board Amtrack daily in all the U.S. . 3 and a half million people ride the subway each day at a cost of about 30cents a ticket, Sr. Citizens ride free.

Minibuses in Mexico City serve 8 million passengers every day.

One thousand planes a day land at Benito Juarez Airport in Mexico City. Private planes have to land at the Toluca Airport 40 miles away.

More than 2 million interstate buses a year arrive and leave Mexico City, there are 4 terminals of which T.A.P.O is the worlds largest & busiest bus station, the 2nd largest is C.A.P.U. bus staion in Puebla, Mexico , 150 miles South of Mexico City.

Random Thoughts

This is a rhetoricle question. Why do so many Americans think the only place to go in Mexico is San Miguel Allende, Lake Chapala or some resort? I mean those places can only hold so many people, then prices skyrocket and everybody bitches about the cost of living. I know, 1.- misinformation & disinformation. they get touted to these places because they can\’t bear the thought of learning a new language, culture or system, eventually they are living in little America at a high cost, The real Estate agents are in their glory, Unable to assimilate. 2.- they are like rabbits, every little thing scares them and they have to live in a gated community with a guard… OK Sucker! just remember there\’s a price tag on that so don\’t complain afterwards.

Yes I know…CRIME…it\’s everywhere pal, I had my hotel room ransacked in Indianapolis so I know everyone there\’s not a Saint. It can happen anywhere and I\’ve seen some nasty things in the States, Drugs everywhere and it\’s going to get worse. When the North stops buying the Cartels will fade into non existence.

OK. Have you ever had your pocket picked?? What?? Your a virgen?? It happened to me twice in Mexico, The cops tell me the slickest \”dips\” come up from Central America, so the Mexicans get hit also. the two times I got snagged, they were so smooth I never felt a thing, luckily they only got an expired drivers license and about ten bucks, but it made me more cautious, usually they work in pairs, one guy dips and transferrs it to an accomplice, even if you know who the dip was and get a cop, he won\’t have any evidence on him. To avoid this use a pouch around your neck, Samsonite makes them. Fanny packs can be snatched, be careful.
Here\’s a design for a \”hidden pocket\” that is excellent for your passport & money. Click mouse on photo to enlarge it. If you lose your passport you will have to go through U.S. Bureaucracy at the embassy to get a new one…you\’ll lose at least a day and it\’ll cost a hundred or more. If you have a hotel with a safe leave it there, dont carry it around, nobodys going to ask you for it unless your changing travelers checks. A hot passport is worth a hundred dollars on the black market. keep copies of it in a seperate place, you\’ll need them to get a new one or at least it will speed things up. Get an accredited guide if you don\’t know the language..Yes I\’m one…look me up. It\’s worthwhile to know which section of town you shouldn\’t wander into while gawking at skyscrapers like a rube from Punkin Crick, Iowa. \”My Garsh, we don\’t have nothing like this in our home town\”.

Advice from the sages, Don\’t wear rings, or jewelry.. get a cheap watch, (do you want to know the time or do you want to impress someone) neither here nor in Big U.S. cities, I heard some gang punks in New York remark about a tourist passing by who had a flashy ring on..\”that\’s worth 10 or 12 rocks (crack). Stay off the subway during peak hours. Last week I noticed that the subway in Mexico City now has cameras & police at each of the stations or at least the major ones downtown. That\’s an improvement.
Act sensible, be alert, don\’t flash…… don\’t embarass me… I may start telling people I\’m Canadian.
Get a phrase book and learn some elemental Spanish.
Some things I\’ve learned over the years..this is the Guru speaking…. \”nothing, absolutely nothing lasts forever.\”…. Also You never know when you\’ve reached your peak (in anything) until you\’re well past it. And when you\’re young you think you\’ll always keep advancing.
Things might be foolproof but they\’re not \”damn fool proof\”.
Have a nice day….

Japanese Scotch

Went to Mexico City a couple of weeks ago… some U.S. movie company was filming downtown. Don’t know who was starring in it but the name of the flic will be, “Persons Unknown”.

 

On the way out of town I noticed a factory on the right hand side of the highway, about ten miles south on the Road to Puebla, its sign said, “Suntory Scotch. de Mexico, S.A..

 

Suntory is a Japanese Company thats been here since 1923, I don’t know what their scotch tastes like but I’ve heard it was pretty good. I’m a Glen Livett man myself and I think the scotch have a better knowledge of brewing… What’s next? Mitsubishi Tequila??

Suntory Whiskey

Unsung Heros of the Road

green angels logo

GREEN ANGELS TRUCK

So you’re zipping along through the Mexican mountains and suddenly your car conks out. What do you do??

Well, I suggest that you sit there, open your hood & wait. if it’s during the daytime help should arrive in a few hours at the most, in the shape of a green and white utility truck marked “Green Angels”.

Staffed by bilingual mechanics, they patrol the major highways from 8AM till 9PM. They can help you fix a flat, give you gas or a tow to a filling station, if its not a major problem they will fix it for free , just pay for the parts. I had a tire blowout near Saltillo and they came by and changed my spare & escorted me to a filling station at no charge. Very Courteous and efficient. I can think of a few times in the U.S. that I could’ve used help like that.

Easter Dinner in Puebla

Easter Sunday we were invited to Dinner at the “Sombrero Restaurant”A nice place located on 21 Poniente and corner of Atlixco Boulevard.

 A lot of typical Pueblan food and a few items that I call Aztec Food , as they were things I’m sure were around during Old King Moctezuma’s days. For instance: Escamoles (Ant Eggs), Gusanos de Magueyes, (Agave Worms), Not exactly what you will see being served at Macdonalds. So I tried them, Not bad really… I can’t describe the ant eggs, strange taste. The Agave worms were fried & seasoned with lime juice and chili sauce. Check the photos: I look like I’ve been on a 3 day drunk but I swear I wasn’t drinking…at least not much.

Finally I ordered a Tampico Steak to get the taste of ant eggs out of my mouth.  And a dish of Vanilla ice cream with a little chocolate sauce. Hope everyone else had a nice Easter. Before we left an estudiantina Trio came in & sang for us, very nice touch to finish the day. Cheers!!!

Ant EggsFried Agave WormsAgave worm canapesant eggs with guacamoleCoronaTampico SteakLive Music

Easter Dinner Photos

Singing Trio

Tampico Steak

Corona Beer

ant eggs & guacamole

Gusanos de Maguey

Agave Grub wormsAnt EggsCorona MicheladaTampico Steak

U.S. Dental Caravan

Makeshift dental chair

Just got back from a trip to Tochimizolco , Puebla, (that means “Place of the reeds and rabbits” in Nahuatl language). Wher we assisted a Caravan of American Dentists and Doctors doing free medical & dental work to the local villagers. This is probably one of the best good will ambassador moves that Americans can do. Many kids left with Colgate Smiles. Steve Sardeson & myself helped give out more than 350 pairs of Reading glasses and helped translate and do many chores for more than 30 dentists and Doctors.

 

Smiles a plenty

reading glassesDental checkupMakeshift dental chair

Crashing Gates,etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Palafox Library

Chicken with Pipian Verde

 

 

 If you keep your eyes & ears open, read the news & listen to the radio you just might stumble across new adventures. This is what happened to us the other day. The paper said there was a conference on Baroque Architecture & a Citizens Counsel on tourism & saving historic zones. Well that\’s right up my alley pal…So my wife & I went to Puebla & talked our way into the Conference, Very interesting, We got cut in on a tour of the Palafox Library, the oldest library on this side of the world. They have manuscripts that date back to 1473. A Nuremburg Bible from the 16th Century, original first copy books on Astronomy by Kepler, Copernicus & Newton. Besides that the Architecture is fabulous, makes you feel like your at \”Hogwarts\” (By the way I\’m a drop out from Hogwarts). I kept expecting Harry Potter to walk in.Then we were treated to a nice dinner at \”La Mexicana\” Restaurant…I had Chicken With Pipian Green Sauce made from pumpkin seeds. Back at the conference with many intellectual people, the Director of the National Train Museu

Cathedral in Puebla

m gave a lecture, the Tourist Director from Cholula showed up and the Mayor of Puebla came for the finish.

 

The Mayor of Puebla

 

 

 

 

 

THE FIRE DOWN BELOW #1

There are many volcanoes in Mexico, some active, some extinct.But the main ones are in a belt that runs throughCentral Mexico from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

I’ll just mention a few of the more interesting ones:

Mount Popocatepetl (“the Smoking Mountain” in Nahautl language) as it has been known for centuries, had a moderate eruption in 1994. every once in awhile it spews out ash & steam. 20% of the Mexican population lives around this volcano. Popocatepetl (also called Don Gregorio by local natives) was born about 700,000 years ago.

If you visit nearby villages like Xalizintla or Amecameca you can find pumice stones everywhere. Great for scouring pots or sanding down callouses.

 

Mount Popocatepetl

El Chichon in Chiapas erupted in 1982 causing one of Mexicos worse disasters, killing more than 2,000 people

el chichon

 Here in Tlaxcala “La Malinche” erupted 7500 years ago & continued till about 3000 years ago and has been extinct ever since.

On the positive side, volcanic ash makes the soil very fertile.

 

La Malinche (Tlaxcala)

 

The Pico of Orizaba, also known as Citlatlapetl or Star Hill, is Mexicos highest Mountain (5,610 meters), it has been quiet since the 1800’s. right next to it on Cerro Negro is the Worlds largest Radio telescope.

Pico de Orizaba

The Fire Down Below #2

In the Michoacan Area in 1943 a farmer by the name of Dionisio Pulida was plowing his field when it suddenly opened up and started spewing ash and fire. Within a week a mountain had engulfed his farm.a few months later the town of San Juan Parangaricutin disappeared beneath a layer of lava.The towers of the church in the main square can still be seen emerging from now hardened lava.

 

Paricutin Volcano

 

Although no one was killed by lava or the eplosion, 3 people died from lightning strikes, a common occurence during volcanic eruptions.

The Church at Paricutin

 Another highly active Volcano is Nevada de Colimawith more than 29 eruptions since 1560 to the present.

 

 

Colima volcano

 

 

Thermal Waters

Steve & Bob

 This is our last excursion (Mexico Mystic & the Genuine Tourist), we took a trip into the Oriental Sierra Madre Mountains to a Thermal Water Spa tucked away in a canyon in the north part of the State of Puebla.

Thermal SpaBob & Steve

 

 A great hideaway place to go and lose all your built up modern stress.

Hot Pools (outside)

Inner Pools

Bridge

 

 

Afterwards we discovered an open air pulque bar

Pulque bar

 A quenching mug of Cactus juice to slake our thirst and we were off to check out the wines made in the nearby town of Zacatlan, also known for their grandfather clocks.

A mug of pulque

Wines of Zacatlan

check their website:  www.termaleschignahuapan.com.mx

Thermal Scans

 Lots of new things happening, Since the swine flu panic started, the Gov’t. put up a thermal scanner at the Bus Station here in Tlaxcala to see if anybodies trying to sneak in with the boogie-woogie fever.

thermal scan

 

check out my scan with the camera…a cool 37 degrees, neither myself or the camera had a fever.

Bobs scan

If my image had been red or yellow I would have been detained and dowsed with ice water or forced to drink a pitcher of frozen margaritas (I would hope).

 So the hot item these days are face masks, I use a Generic Blue myself as does my daughter & granddaughter, but I see they are starting to sell them in all shades & colors. I want one with a pirate skull & crossbones on it.

Generic Blue

 Despite all this flu nonsense, ( I don’t know a single person with the flu), the municipal Government has started a new tourist trolley excursion of the City, a more expanded version than the tourist departments.

New Tourist Trolley

 Also there’s free internet service in the park for anyone with wireless internet. I see people with laptops quite often at the Zocalo now, mostly students doing homework or chatting.

Free Internet

 The ATAH Bus Companies Direct to the Airport Bus seems to be doing well. They have an Office at the Chalet Hotel on Revolution Boulevard.

Tlaxcala-Mexico City Airport Bus Office

Airport Bus

 Well, hope I get to see you soon, although I doubt it…it takes a brave person to come to Mexico. Adios Amigos!!

The Great Pyramid

About ten miles outside of the city of Puebla is the city of Cholula,the oldest continually inhabited city in this hemisphere. It has the Worlds largest pyramid. Construction on it began about 200 B.C. and continued until about 800 A.D., a thousand years of building.It was originally dedicated to the God of Nine Rains, Sometimes around the 9th Century the Toltecs took command and stopped the building, order the pyramid to be covered with adobe mud giving it the appearance of a hill and creating a new name for the town, “the place of the manmade hill”.

the pyramid

By the time the Spaniards showed up (1521) it was just another hill to them. They destroyed a small temple on top of it and built a church, a result of which archeologists are unable to uncover it without destroying a 450 year old church.  There are more than seven miles of probe tunnels running through it giving the archeologists a good idea of what it originally looked like.

pyramid model

Probe tunnels

amongst the many discoveries were murals depicting women drinking pulque and astronomical symbols of Venus.

prehispanic murals

prehispanic art

In the Patio of altars is an obelisk of Mayan design, it’s said this is where Arthur C. Clark got his idea for “the Dawn of Man ” Scene in the movie “A Space Odessey”.

Mayan art

 The Patio of Altars is also noted for the fact that it is designed to have an sound illusion, If you stand in front of the obelisk and clap your hands it sounds like a quetzal bird, (greatly revered by the Aztecs).

Termal Springs in Northern Puebla

Good Morning Mexico Mystic and “those listening from sea,” Word Press claims we can now post to our blogs using an email. So I though I would try it. I have attached a few photos of Mexico Mystic, AKA, Robert Cox, and Genuine Tourist, AKA, Stephen Sardeson, aka, Silversard, to test the photo gallery feature. Robert and his spouse Raquel are both registered and formally trained guides who can really get you to some nice places in Puebla and Tlaxcala. They also can meet you in other parts of Mexico and help you out too.Update — the photos I attached were removed from the email when it posted to the blog, so I will have to check on that feature.   I decided to insert three of them directly into the blog which you can see below. Mexico Mystic and Genuine Tourist Spouses With Us Mexico Mystic and Genuine Tourist and catus juice   Currently posting at — http://www.Genuine-Tourist.com A Blog For Those Interested In Photos of Mexico Yahoo Group — http://tinyurl.com/ywzvea Videos of Mexico at — http://tinyurl.com/6hwcqo

Cacaxtla Archeological Murals

One of the Archeological Gems of Tlaxcala are the murals discovered on its pyramid that was discovered in 1975. They are amongst the clearest and realistc pre hispanic paintings ever found. Only about 10 percent of the area has been uncovered so hopefully more paintings will come to light.

Cacaxtla Archeological Zone

The Red Room

corn stalk

stairway

Venus Room

Eagle Man

Jaguar Man

Back to School

my new diploma

Graduation

Recently I wanted to take a special course on

archeological ruins. The School said OK but we need your School Diplomas. So I wrote, and wrote and called and got someone with a Pakistani accent who´s english was almost impossible to understand. After going through this song and dance routine for a couple of months my wife said… even if you finally get it the school will want a translation, why dont you go to school and get a diploma here in Spanish.  OK, she talked me into it.

I had forgotten how painful algebra was…that gave me more trouble than anything..I got a private tutor to reshuffle my burnt neurons enough that I could remember what I had purposely forgotten 51 years ago..yes I´ve been playing hooky that long.  So after about 3 months I took a test and  ZOUNDS!!

I passed. Sometimes I even amaze myself.

Congratulations from the Secretary of Public Education

Life after 911

big bro

Its a rainy day and I´m sitting around meditating as to how things have changed since 911, Why is the world such a mess.

Well for one thing we live in a  plutocracy, the rich make the rules and bad rules at that. 911 forced me to reevaluate things and make changes .

before 911 I was living in Mexico sometimes as an illegal, nobody really cared, I´d run out of money and my visa expired…so what?? Nobody checked except at the border and there were ways to get around that or as an American you could lie your way out of situations, Nobody believed an American was crazy enough to live here at such low wages.

The passenger trains were running and nobody checked papers, you could hop off at Laredo and walk across the bridge, if you were stopped you could say you just came over to buy some tequila.

Those days are gone, After 911 the Immigration Dept started stopping buses and asking for documents, I talked my way out of that a couple of times but I knew it was just a matter of time before the law of averages caught up with me, so I became legal, it cost me a little more but I dont have to look over my shoulder.

 Ah yes, those Saudi Arabians are laughing like hell, they point at the U.S. and say look at what we did.. Americans almost have to strip naked to catch an airplane, their so called freedoms are taken away…ha ha ha…a bunch of Sheep…ha ha ha.   Friends we´re living on borrowed time…either a revolution will brew or slavery will ensue.  And it will be worse in the states than here in Mexico. I´m just hoping when the shootings are over and the smoke clears the Correct side will emerge.

Why is it when a new law comes into effect the law abiding folks are the ones who get hurt by it. example: I use to travel all over the U.S., in order to phone my wife I´d find a phone booth and dump a roll of quarters in it…if I didnt have change I´d tell her to call me back at the phone booth (this was before cell phones became popular), then one day the Telephone company wouldnt allow this..WHY? Because, they said… Drug pushers use the public phone booths as offices so you can only call out not receive. Of course the pushers had the money to afford expensive cell phones so they didnt give a crap.  If they pass enough LAWS finally everyone will be a criminal and you can be arrested at any time.

OK OK , I´m getting off this soapbox and going low profile again… good luck hope you all survive.

Medical Visit

Thanks to the fact that my wife worked as an English teacher for a Federal High School I was able to sneak into the Medical system. (if your spouse is over 55 he or she qualifies). So I get everything free, something I can´t get in the U.S. . Medication, Doctors consultations, analysis, hospitalization, etc. I don´t need much anyway, I have high blood pressure and get meds for that, my wife has high blood sugar.

So the other day we were running low and paid a visit to the Social Security Clinic, we always see the same Dr., They seem amazed that a Gringo shows up. Great service, the only problem is sometimes there´s a long wait to see the Doc, but what the heck, its free.

Registration

Checking for Sugar

Dr. Lezuma and Assistant

If you want to know the truth….

modern trash pickup

There´s an old blues song  that says.¨If you want to know the truth, ask your garbage man¨… your neighbors might be claiming they drink champagne but there´s  Old Milwaukee beer cans in the garbage.

 Today is garbage day … a culture shock for the newcomers, you don´t just put the garbage in front of your house and they pick it up… you wait till you hear a loud clanging noise that is reminiscent of a Chinese battalion charging across the 38th  parrallel while clashing cymbals. Then you take the garbage out and lift it up to the guy on the truck.  I had an American lady who lived next door to me in Puebla and one afternoon as we were loading our garbage I told her..¨we´ve got to stop meeting like this!!

 There´s a tin soup can hanging off the side of the truck for tips, I always put a peso or 2 in it, these guys have a miserable life and if they decide to go on strike ..you´ll have a miserable life

garbage truck

  Some of the larger cities now allow the garbage to be set out on the curb, some villages have no collection service and they have to burn or bury trash. You never see card board boxes behind grocery stores or at least its rare, There are trash scavengers called ¨pepinadors¨who go around looking for recyclable materials. At the major Garbage dumps there are pepinadors who pay a fee to scavenge. I met a preacher once who told me he was invited to go on a ¨3rd World Tour¨a part of which was a visit to the city dump in Mexico City…he said there were 300 to 400 people scavenging there and the smell almost caused him to faint, several families had made caves in the dump in which they were living.  NO Thats not one of my tours.

 At least many things get recycled.. in America Society throws away everything.

Self Defense

 The City recently opened a new Soccer field in front of my house along with a community center. Already they´ve had a few soccer games.

With Astroturf…wow!! And a  12 foot fence to keep the balls from being kicked in the street. Also a covered grandstand with about a 200 person occupancy, although I havent seen more than about 50 people at any game so far but maybe it will  grow.

new soccer field

 I´ve got a ringside seat from my bedroom window.

soccer teams

 Today they had something different the Police Department was giving classes in Self Defense.

what to do when bullied

 So they´re going to have these classes every tuesday morning, free of charge.

protect yourself

  There were quite a few girls taking the class also, some store owners and kids. The Police were very courteous and even asked if I could email them photos for their album.

Self Defense Class

 Even the police dogs got to watch, they belonged to some of the Police Instructors.

Police Dogs

MAX the police dog

Grandma`s Delights

So today was a special Day, our Goddaughter had a birthday and we got invited out to eat breakfast at Las Delicias de Abuelita…roughly translated thats Grandma`s Delights. A place we`ve ate  at several times and I strongly reccomend it if your in the area. A fantastic breakfast buffet for 80 pesos.

And today the owner was there , my compadre tells me he was a well known player on the Necaxca Soccer team at one time. We had a great time and the food was great . A trio came to sing  las mañanitas…(Happy Birthday) to our goddaughter…nice atmosphere.

Bob & Milo the owner

mariachis

grandmas delights

Speaking of food its Chile en Nogada time, this is a special stuffed chile that you can only find at this time of year as all the fruits come into season.

Chile en Nogada

Gas & Water

Can you drink the water in Mexico?? Well, yes and No. Depends on where you`re at…out in the sticks…be careful, big cities…maybe… 5 star hotels …probably safe.   I traveled all over the U.S. and someplaces have nasty water… Sulfur water in some parts of Florida. New York City, I was at a Hotel in N.Y. near Madison Square Gardens  and the water looked like skimmed milk. many towns have flouride in the water which has a metallic tang to it. I tested the water for chlorine in it at my house & it seems to have enough, but I`ve never fully trusted the water here I always buy 5 gallon jugs of purified water. Is it safe…check it out …it runs through a chlorine tank, then a filter then activated charcoal, the health dept. checks them out every two or 3 months. And they´ll deliver it right to your door.

Purified water

5 gallon bottles for 10 pesos

 Need gas? theres trucks going by all the time, a 30 kilo tank costs about 25 dollars , that usually lasts me about 6 weeks.  You can call them on  the phone or catch them in the street.ºº In Tlaxcala they play the X files theme, Another company plays the Good, the Bad and the ugly theme song.

GAS TRUCK

 

George the water man

Illegal Immigration–2 stories

While I don’t usually get into “political” issues as a “Genuine Tourist,” I was “moved” to write this article because of a “internet forward” I received about “illegal immigrants” from a dear friend. It seemed to me that a different perspective was in order in view of what appeared to me to be inaccurate reporting. Here is the link to my news column which contains the article –http://sardeson.newsvine.com/_news/2009/07/14/3026236-illegal-or-not-the-story-of-two Please feel free to offer another perspective but try to do so from your own personal experience. Stephen, http://www.Genuine-Tourist.com reporting

Interesting Trivia

In August there will be a running of the Bulls in Huamantla , just like in Pamplona, Spain. The Bulls will have a chance at goring drunken tourists before some matador sticks a sword in them. Interesting to watch from a distance, Dangerous to watch if you’re running in front of the bulls.

Huamantla is famous for other things also…know as the “Heroic Town of Huamantla” for repulsing the American Invasion in 1847. A young lady living in the town wheeled a cannon out of her house and fired it at the Invaders killing the leader of the Group, Captain Samuel Walker. Why she had the cannon in her house I don’t know. Maybe the Mexican troops went over for tacos and forgot it.  Anyway, Captain Walkers pistol and several other guns or on view in the local museum. Walker invented a revolver, guess he didnt get to enjoy any profits from it .

Also in August along with the fair is the Night when no one sleeps, local arts and crafts workers make over ten miles of carpets from flowers and colored sawdust through the city streets of which they are destryed the next day by the running of the bulls, theres a museum of bull fighters and a puppet museum in town also.

Another feature of the museum is parts of a telescope that was used to make one of the first photos of the moon in 1885.

Moon photo 1885

House from where canon was fired

Capt. Walkers pistol

Another revolver

National Puppet Museum

Telescope parts from 1885

Mexican Street Fair

San Diego Church

Whenever a Church has a celebration for the Saint it’s named after, they have a street Fair with dancing, Music , a Mass & a carnival.

Here’s one we caught at San Diego Xocoyucan, Tlaxcala.

Fiesta Breads

 

Pirate DVD's

Cotton Candy

Tomorrow the Sarape Fair will start in Santa Ana Chiautempan, Tlaxcala. This is where all those colorful Mexican Blankets originally started… Many bargains during the Fair which runs from July 23rd till August 6th.

Santa Ana Blankets

Mexican McDonalds

More Blankets

Open Air Markets

Mexican Markets fascinate me. They always have new and different things. The Spanish tried to stop them but the custom was too deeply ingrained. Even the threat (during the colonial period) of 6 years of penal servitude in the Phillipines couldnt stop them.

Fried pork skins

Tropical fruit

Theres many fruits here you never see in the States, I guess some are hard to transport.

Noni fruit

Then we have cactus or prickly pears.

cactus fruit

Beets, Huazontles and fish

heres an interesting combination….stove parts and fruit.

all kinds of things

Magic Mushrooms

The Drug (and Sex) Revolution is over and we”re left in the trenches staring out at the No Man’s Land of Crack & Aids. So this is in memory of my companions who just couldn’t say NO. Ronald Reagan warned them but they just wouldn’t listen. Which makes me wonder…Did Chesterfields bring on Reagans Alzheimer??

Reagan

 

 

 

Pipe used in Aztec ceremonies

 

Some people rationalize and say they aren’t addicts because a Doctor prescribe the meds to them…yeh, …Dr. Feelgood. Thats what Michael J. said…he learned it from his father in law…El said the same thing. Well that might make it Legal but they’re still dead!!

During the 60’s halucinogenics were the fad, now it’s just chemicals, (say goodbye to your brain).

I was in downtown Puebla one day and I spot this kid, staring at the Cathedral, he was about 20, had long hair, a handwoven Mexican vest, and a back pack…stood out like a sore gringo thumb. So i edged over beside him and said, as I pointed Southward…”Oaxaca is that way.” He just about jumped out of his skin… He stared at me and said, “How did you know I was going to Oaxaca?”

 

psylocibe mushrooms

 

I told him, “Well, you look like Head, and all heads go to Oaxaca to look for Magic Mushrooms”

He laughed and told me he had been to Oaxaca the year before to do just that. He had went out to the pyramids of Monte Alban and found ’shrooms growing on cow patties early in the morning before the sun came up. After eating a few he got all spaced out, he said a group of elementary school kids came by with their teacher and they all started pointing at him and laughing. He must have been totally wasted.

When I was in Oaxaca a few years ago I noticed a sign in one of the restaurants at the Zocalo that said: NO HIPPIS ALLOWED!!. I asked the waiter what did they have against the hippys? He said, “They eat those mushrooms, then they come and sit at a table with one cup of coffee for twelve hours. Oh Yeh, Space Cadets!!

Psilocybin is the active ingredient in these mushrooms, known to Prehispanic natives as “Teonanacatl” or The Flesh of the Gods. Its use was strictly regulated by the High Priests and it was used in ritualistic ceremonies in which people “communicated” with the Gods, in order to see the future.

 

'Shroom visions

 

In the 60’s the Hippie Movement with the idea of expanded consciousness used these halucinogens in a recreational psychedelic form .

Legend has it that John Lennon came to Oaxaca and tried ’shrooms with the mushroom priestess Maria Sabina and during a trance like state she predicted his assasination (unconfirmed).

 

Maria Sabina

 

Unfortunately drugs have fell into the hands of organized crime and created Mafias and problems worldwide. Probably the best thing to do would be to legalize them to at least take the profits away from the underworld gangs.

HALUCINOGENS OF MEXICO

magic mushrooms

The five major halucinogenic plants that were used in Aztec times were mushrooms, peyote, morning glory seeds, Toloache (Datura) and tobacco.

Yes tobacco was used as a hallucinogenic, the Aztecs had tobacco, Christopher Columbus took it back to Europe with him, but the Indians didn’t go around smoking Marlboros. It was used aas a ritualistic drug. Will it produce a hallucination? If you’ve never smoked before and light up tobacco in its pure form, (not this chemically enhanced stuff you get at the smoke shop, then probably it will. I recall my first cigarrette, I was 8 or 9 and my cousin & I sneaked some Bull Durham and some cigarrette papers into his tree house. I was so dizzy I damn near fell out of the tree. I havent smoked in 40 years now so it would probably have the same effect on me.

Using psychotropic meds will help you overcome depression , over 10% of the U.S. use them. Unfortunately many people feel that if a little bit helps then a whole lot will help more. No wonder the States are so screwed up. Pharmaceutical companies have synthesized tmany products from these plants which just puts the psyche in limbo.But the Aztecs were using them in a search for the “soul”. They believed that a person had two forces in them known as “Tonalli” & “Yalyotl”An idea that came from the Toltec Indians who also brought the worship of “Quetzalcoatl” the plumed serpent. They believed these forces entered a person at birth and had to be cared for to keep from losing them. Loss of tonalli was associated with sickness and death. They believed that these inner elements could be seen and manipulated . To regulate these forces they used these sacred plants, administered by shamans or magic medicine men. Chewing or smoking tobacco would induce a trance, drinking a tea of datura seeds or morning glory seeds would give them a clearer vision of this force, peyote and mushrooms would open the force.

Spaniards translated the word tonalli as meaning “soul”, so were the Aztecs looking for their souls? Maybe.

peyote cactus

Peyote, causes auditory halucinations amongst other things. I knew this guy, his name was Gypsy Red, he got busted for walking down mainstreet in Fargo at midnight, naked with nothing on but a book bag full of peyote. He did a year for possession , I saw him a year later when he got out , I told him, “Red, the Lakota Indians have a religion in wwhich they use peyote as a part of the religious ceremony, you should’ve told the cops you were in that religion”. He said, “Well that might explain the peyote but do they also walk naked down main street at midnight?? I guess not Red.

Like Ronald Reagan said or as Red called him “Ronald Raygun”., …Just say NO.

toloache or datura

heavenly blue will do

tobacco

Use moderation in all things my friends….have a good day !

A Gringo’s Guide to Taco Stands

tony's taco stand

pork taco with chipotle sauce

taco stand

This is an article I wrote for my chat group a couple of years ago, but I figure a good story is worth telling again.

If you´re going to blend in and assimilate with the natives you need to know the proper proceedure for selecting a street taco stand.

First of all in general, the more people at the taco stand the better the salsa is. There should be at least one or two dogs prowling around waiting for a hand out.

And there should be a few famous “Mexican Biological H2O Fly Repellers” hanging from the roof, (these are clear plastic bags filled with water, I don´t understand the scientific principle involved here but Mexicans assure me that it will exorcise flies).

The Salsa, chopped onion and cilantro bowls should be well stocked and there should be plenty of sliced limes to douse your tacos with.Also there should be plenty of cold “chescos”, (soft drinks or soda pops, depending on where you´re from), and cold beer.

THE TAQUERO OR TACO MAKER

The taquero should be an adult preferably with a moustache to show that he´s a macho mexicano, skillful with a butcher knife at least enough so to chop the meat on the chopping block while with his left hand he turns the tortillas warming on the griddle.

He should have a good memory as to who ordered what while hurling out tacos to his forever hungry clientel. And sufficient administrative capabilities to give orders to his trainees, (at least one).

When making tacos al pastor (sheperds tacos), he should be skillful enough to slice a piece of pineapple from the top of the barbecue spit (this is similar to gyros in the U.S.),

and have it land on the meat taco in his hand as f it fell from heaven. Theres a taco stand on Avenida Juarez in Puebla where this act takes place every night.a real work of artistic merit. And the Taquero has to have a white apron (absolutely mandatory)

HELPERS OR TRAINEES

Trainees also have to wear a white apron but a moustache is optional, after all they´re only helpers.

Their only natural talent is to identify and scan pretty “mamacitas”. they should have nicknames like, “skinny”, or “chubby” or “brother in law”. Their basic reading in literature is comic books like “Archie”.

The main function of a trainee is to chop onions and cilantro and quarter limes. Also to open cokes or beer after being asked two or three times.

They know the menu by heart and their classic answer around closing time is “we´re out of beef tacos”.

Taco patrons

Any gringo can be a serious consumer of tacos. Remember the taco is a vice that has no respect for sex, age or social status.

Before anything you should ask,” Whatcha got boss?” , Review the food and make your choice.

Make strategic moves by getting as close to the salsa bowls as possible at least arms length but not so far as to spill it on other patrons. A taco patron does not ask for forgiveness…he asks for more tacos…and only two at a time so they won´t grow cold

bon apetit…….

MEXICAN WEDDING

In my eternal quest to survive in MEXICO I sometimes do photo jobs WHEN i’m not guiding tourists. LAST WEEK i shot a wedding in PUEBLA and it was doubly enjoyable as the groom was Italian and the bride was Mexican , two of the most fun loving ethnic groups on earth, in my opinion.

The Antoinelli/Palma Wedding

The church of the CHURCH of El Cielo or the Heavens on san Juan Hill.with a backdrop of angels.

A bevy of beautiful bridesmaids

the reception

The party lasted till about 2 pm..around 200 people showed up.

TEQUILA

There was plenty of tequila and beer…the party got happier as the night progressed.

salsa verde

Green sauce and garnish along with carnitas and rice.

turkey dance

Heres a custom that was added that you usually only see performed in the provinces, dancing  with a turkey. This lady seems worried as to what the turkey might do.

Walter dances with the turkey

But the grooms father didnt seem to mind.

taking off the garter

Another classic tradition is taking off the garter and throwing it into the crowd of guests.

throwing the garter

And the happy couple cut the cake…. may their marriage be a successful one.

cutting the cake

Josh films a new flic

Last month we spent a whole day scouting out locations that looked desolate for Josh’s new film, a sci fi epic of 12 minutes anout nano bots destroying mankind. Sort of reminds me of ” the Blob”…instead of Steve McQueen we had Josh’s brother Paul playing the lead. Rain caused delays, price overruns, prima donnas, etc., just like in real life, good experience to know what directors have to put up with in the big leagues. Of course there are perks also, you get to be well known and you get to date the leading ladies.

 Afterwards my wife and I had the crew over (15 people) to eat dinner at our house, (a kind of hollywood catering service).

The Director & friend

The leading man and friend

Director and script writer

Steve is told of his impending death

running overtime

 If there are any Hollywood film companies that would like to help the career of an aspiring film producer..director…actor in his quest for a brilliant career please write or send a donation.

Mike shoots Steve

 

AT LAST....FOOD!

THE CREW

Don’t get too serious

 getting serious will cause stress, run your blood pressure up and kill you. ease up and read this.

here is an excerpt from a children’s book written by Dave Pilkey….titled…”Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants”.  The Professor forces everyone to assume a new name

Let’s see what your name will be. 

(1)…. use the third letter of your first name to determine your new first name:

a)= poopsie                   n)= zippy

b)= lumpy                     o)= goober

c)= buttercup                p)= doofus

d)= gidget                      q)= slimy

e)= crusty                      r)= loopy

f)= greasy                      s)= snotty

g)= fluffy                       t)= tulefel

h)= cheeseball                  u)= dorkey

i)= chim-chim                    v)= squeezit

j)= stinky                         w)= oprah

k)= flunky                        x)= skipper

l)= boobie                         y)= dinky

m)= pinky                          z)= zsa-zsa

……………………………………………………………………..

Now, use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:

a)= apple                       n)= rhino

b)= toilet                      o)= bubble

c)= giggle                      p)= hamster

d)= burger                     q)= toad

e)= girdle                       r)= gizzard

f)= barf                         s)= pizza

g)= lizard                       t)= gerbil

h)= waffle                      u)= chicken

i)= cootie                        v)= pickle

j)= monkey                       w)= radish

k)= potty                         x)= tofu

l)=liver                            y)= gorilla

m)= banana                       z)= stinker

………………………………………………………………………

Use the fourth letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:

a)= head                     n)= chunks

b)= mouth                   o)= hiney

C)= face                     p)= biscuits

d)= nose                     q)= toes

e)= tush                      r)= buns

f)= breath                   s)= fanny

g)= pants                      t)= sniffer

h)= shorts                     u)= sprinkles

i)= lips                          v)= pickle

j)= honker                      w)=squirt

k)= butt                         x)= humperdink

l)= brain                         y)= brains

m)= tushie                       z)= juice

——————————————–

George Bush’s new name is:

Goober Chickenshorts….. what’s yours??

have a good day… Sincerely your moderater…

Lumpy Bubblehumperdink

the captain

CRASH !!!!

Sorry readers…my computer crashed and I´m offline till I get it fixed or replaced.  maybe in a few days.

Back in the old days kind benefactors would help out upcoming Artists…like…the Pope gave Casanova permission to read porn. Baron Frankenstein had a tutor who helped him figure out how to make a monster… Ernest Hemingway gave Robert Capa a new camera when he found out Capas had been stolen. Is there a kind person out there with a laptop?????

cactus juice tour

It looks like I’m back on line so I’ll briefly mention a tour we gave last week to a Pulque Plantation where we saw how cactus juice was extracted from Agave Plants

my new mode of transport

 

after cutting into the plant and extracting the “honey water” we took it to the brewing vats.

tour group

the tlachicuero or extracter

 

the brewing vats

Everyone got to sample the brew

a large nopal cactus plant

 

 

Afterwards we went on a hayride around the bullfight ranch.

hayride

 Then back to the hotel in Tlaxcala…..

Jerocs Hotel

5 star hotel

Jerocs..nice decor

Jerocs garden

The Weeping Woman Legend

Since Halloween is almost upon us ,this ghost legend should be apropo. The Legend of the weeping woman goes back as far as prehispanic times. Mexican mothers use it to scare their children by telling them if they stay out at night the weeping woman will kidnap them.

 According to Prehispanic Codices (Aztec pictographic books), ten years before the arrival of the Conquistadors, many strange occurences took place around Tenochitlan  (now Mexico City), A sudden fire burned the temple of Huixtlipochtli the god of war, siamese twins were born, a comet passed over in great brilliance (Haley’s to be exact), a crane was caught on Lake Texcoco that had a mirror like rock imbedded in its head and when King Moctezuma looked at it he saw strange white men with red beards riding on deer (horses were unkown in Mexico before 1519), with strange weapons.

All very ominous signs and another worrisome thing was every night the King could hear a woman crying on the lake outside his palace saying, “My children, my children, where are my children?” He sent servants to investigate but they couldn’t find anyone.

After the Conquest and many deaths from the war and plagues, ther were many mothers mourning the fate of their children and the country.

The Conquest

The second legend, about the time of the early years of Spanish Colonialism says that an Indian girl fell madly in love with a Spanish soldier who fathered her children and then abandoned her. The bereft girl drowned her children and commited suicide and now her ghost, veiled and in a white dress wanders the streets of the city looking for wayward children to kidnap.

the weeping woman in the right hand corner

the weeping woman legend

If you happen to be in Mexico City between now and November  22nd, Go to the Xochimilco Floating Gardens and catch a flatboat to see the Theatrical production of “La LLorona”, it takes place on an island in the lake after dark. Go on Halloween for an extra spooky time.

"La LLorona" theatrical play

Talavera Tiles of Puebla

After the Conquest the Spanish started teaching natives how to make Talavera ceramic plates, tiles and ceramicware. These arts have been passed down from generation to generation and Puebla is without a doubt amongst the greatest craftsmen in this field.

 One of the most reknown  Talavera Ceramic factories is the Uriarte Shop located at 4 Poniente. Tiles ablaze with color. Here are a few examples of their work.

 

Uriarte ceramic factory

 

Ceramic shop in Puebla

 

The Patio

 

Peacocks

THE LAST SUPPERtalavera lamp

talavera tiles

 TO SEE ALL THE PHOtOS GO TO THIS LINK……

Share this album with anyone by sending them this public link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042207&id=1162394476&l=f6402450ed

check the factories website at:

http://www.uriartetalavera.com.mx/tiendaweb/index.php?language=en 

Gastronomical Event

Americas contribution to Mexican Culture

Last Friday, October 23rd, was the culmination of Immigrants Week and the Immigration Department had a gastronomical event in which immigrants living in Tlaxcala all brought a representative dish of their countries.

 I brought Barbecued ribs with potato salad. There were many countries represented and everyone had a great time with a lot of camaraderie.  Mara Magadi, an American lady who lived many years in Kenya gave an exposition of her photographic work, the municipal band played musical accompaniment and many people came to sample the food.

The consumer protection agency of Mexico also attended and gave out free magazines of Consumers Guide.

To see all my photos go to this link:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30875826&l=b4081a5165&id=1162394476

Hope y’all can come down sometimes and pull up a chair and sit a spell…and have a healthy heapin’ of hospitality.  WAY DOWN SOUTH.

Architectural Gems of Puebla, Mexico

 A walk around the center of Puebla is a sight sensation of fantastic buildings, some dating back to the early Colonial period and others from the French Intervention and then the golden age of Porfirian architecture.

 Some houses with hidden legends and others just a joy to look at and admire.

THIS ONE DATES BACK TO THE MID 1500′S.

THE HOUSE OF DOLLS

tHE "ALMOND ICING" HOUSE

tHE HOUSE OF THE qUEEN

 NUMBER #11 REFORMA STREET… now used as Administrative offices of the University of Puebla.

The Thomas Alva Edison University

 Click on this link to see all the photos of Architectural buildings in Puebla.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042468&id=1162394476&l=01cae2b759

Halloween and the Day of the Dead

the great great grandson of Boris Karloff?

 One of the most colorful times of the year has just occurred…a blend of two cultures and 2 holidays. The Day of the Dead and Halloween. Halloween is more of an American custom but it has slowly integrated with the Day of the Dead and I know…they’re both paganistic in origin but the kids love a costume party.

 The more Mexican Holiday features offerings for the Dead..I{ve yet to see the dead come and partake of any offerings but it sure is colorful.

incense burner

pleeeeeeaze !!!

 There’s a saying… it’s better to say,” I’m sorry, forgive me”…than to say, “May I”.

 To see all my photos go to this link….

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2043468&id=1162394476&l=7a70d4be3a

The Dolores Olmedo Museum

 Went to Mexico City last Saturday to the Dolores Olmedo Museum. Mrs. Olmedo was a friend of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. She had the largest collection of Frida Kahlo paintings in the world. Unfortunately I wasnt allowed to photograph them but there was many other things to see and photograph. The estate itself is magnificent, there are 11 salons and many temporary exhibits and events going on. Mrs. Olmedo was also fond of Xoloitzcuintla dogs, a prehispanic breed of dog that is almost extinct. I had only seen 4 in 40 years in Mexico but Saturday I saw at least a dozen.

The museum is located near Xochimilco and if you visit Mexico City I reccomend that you see this museum. Entrance fee was $55 pesos. You should go catch a flatboat ride around Xochimilco while your there also.

entrance to museum

peacocks

the xoilotzcuintle dog

for more photos go to this link…………………….

http://travel.webshots.com/album/575393781vAcHCU?vhost=travel

Tlaxcala State Fair

 The State Fair is in full swing and its always a good idea to check Fairs out to see what’s new and innovative. My wife and I went to check it out and it really got crowded. But it was worth going to see the new things, colorful sites, the smells of food cooking on the midway, the animal and art exhibits.

 Something different was ostrich meat hamburgers and tacos… it wasn’t exactly my favorite cuisine but it wasnt bad,,presumably its healthier than pork or beef. After eating them I had a strange urge to go hide my head in the sand.

We stopped to see the art exhibit in the Convention Center located on the Fairgrounds, very colorful and interesting.

Artist Carlos Adrian Fernandez

Ostrich meat tacos

Brahma Bull Ride

To see all the photos related to this article go to the following link…..

http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/575456158hxjtYT?vhost=entertainment

The Floating Gardens of Mexico (Xochimilco)

 While in Mexico City you don’t want to miss the Floating Gardens, over a hundred kilometers of interlaced canals dating back to pre hispanic times. Started by Aztec agriculturists who would lay out wood covered with woven mats then covered with dirt on which they would plant gardens. Over the centuries the roots of trees and plants embedded themselves in the lake bottom and formed islands, Today there are still families who have handed down this tradition from one family member to another.

Now you can take a trip down the canals on a flower covered flat bottom boat and see the flower gardens while being serenaded by mariachis in canoes, and being offered everything imaginable from vendors such as trinkets, snacks, complete meals and alcoholic drinks…prices vary depending on size of the boat, length of trip, etc. Prices are posted and are negociable, we got a small boat last time with a capacity for 4 to 6 people, voyage took 2 hours and cost $200 pesos (about $16 Dollars).

flatbottom boats--Trajineras.

purchasing flowers

Where's the floating cantina??

go to this link to see more photos,,,,

http://travel.webshots.com/album/575386043cxUUcq?vhost=travel