Visitors to Mexico should be aware that problems may arise when bites, stings or scratches occur. We have reviewed the main causes below, along with suggestions for how to treat them. As always, when possible consult with a physician if first aid is not enough. Unlike other cuts or wounds, a human or animal bite […]
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At 9:15 a.m. on February 3, 2010, I steeled myself to enter the Central Penitentiary in Oaxaca, Mexico. Having heard stories of overcrowding, rampant drug use, filthy conditions, torture, inadequate food, poor health care, disease and corruption, my personal concern about entering such a place was great. Fortunately, I was not here as a prisoner […]
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Note: This article is an edited extract from chapter 29 of Geo-Mexico: the geography and dynamics of modern Mexico, by Richard Rhoda and Tony Burton (Sombrero Books, 2010). Reproduced by permission of the authors; all rights reserved. Females comprise 51.3% of the Mexican population (there are 94.8 men for every 100 women). However, with isolated […]
Continue ReadingAjijic, Mexico: Mexico smiles and accepts many foreigners — because they bring money. Most prove to be some degree of blessing. Some gripe and complain but do no real harm. A few become curses. Thousands choose our mostly sunny country for retirement and live happily ever after. Some come only for emotional re-starts. Some hide […]
Continue ReadingChanukah, one of the celebrations of light during the time of Winter Solstice begins at sunset on December 3 this year. Each evening, families light candles to remember the triumph of the Maccabees who regained control of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the great miracle which happened there, when the remaining supply of consecrated […]
Continue ReadingOctober 7th is considered the birthday of Talpa’s La Chaparrita, The Little Short One, aka Our Lady of the Rosary. History tells us that Santiago de Talpa was founded in 1599 with Virgin Mary and the apostle James as the patron saints. A humble church was established where the parroquia (parrish) chapel now stands and a tiny image of […]
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My fascination with life and accomplishments of Santa Elena came to me accidentally this year, as I struggled to unravel the traditions and customs of one of Mexico’s most popular Feast Days—May 3rd, the celebration of the Construction workers on the Day of the Holy Cross. Surprisingly, none of my Mexican friends, not even the […]
Continue ReadingDoing Business in Mexico A key tool for understanding cultures is examining how people communicate with one another. The kind of topics people bring up in conversations often reflects the themes considered important by their culture. Likewise, the manner in which people speak often reflects cultural values. For example, people from the mainstream United States […]
Continue ReadingI saw My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and I thought, how different could a Mexican-American wedding be? Well, while there are many, many similarities, I overlooked the fact that my wedding is being held in a different country and in a different language. At least in the movie everyone is still in the United States, […]
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If you’re getting married, turning 50, or planning that anniversary bash… consider Oaxaca They say that Mexicans really know how to party. Here in Oaxaca we do it in spades, because it’s part of a longstanding cultural tradition. Also because it’s affordable, certainly relative to what it would cost in the U.S. or Canada. What […]
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