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Dia de Muertos – Day of the Dead, has its origins with the Aztec civilization, more than 3,000 years ago. The Aztecs believed the passing of a loved one should not be cause for grief, rather should be a time to celebrate that person’s life. When the Spanish missionaries arrived in the 16th century, they attempted to quash…

Food plays an important part of the activities especially those that were a favourite of the deceased. There are some traditional foods associated with Day of the Dead, found in Mexico only between late September and early November, the most common being Pan de Muertos. Pan de Muertos Literally translated as Bread of the Dead,…

The Ajijic annual event of Zombie Thriller Dancer is part of the Thrill the World global event where people in many cities, in many countries come together to celebrate the dance, their community and raise money for their local charities. Thousands of zombies dance to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ with exactly the same music with exactly…

[abcf-grid-gallery-custom-links id=”17895″] The wrought iron window grilles or Rejas seen around the villages of Lake Chapala and throughout Mexico are both decorative and protective and likely introduced into Mexico by the Spanish. It has been said they were a means of a bachelor being able to see and court the young women in the house…

The Mardi Gras Parade, also known as the Fat Tuesday parade, is held on the last day of Carnaval and the beginning of Lent. It is the most fun of all the parades, with all the essential features necessary for a rollicking good time. Elaborate floats and costumes, marching bands, dancing horses, are all seen…

Rebozo Fashion Show The Rebozo show takes place during the Independence Festival. The rebozo (shawl) has a long history dating back many centuries. In Spanish, ‘rebozo’ means to wrap, cover or protect oneself. Used by men as a work garment, it was once seen as a symbol of the Mexican fight for Independence as the…

A 1970s home in Mexico gets a mod update when writer Barbara Sgroi and her husband leave Canada for year-round sun and sand “Be careful what you wish for,” I thought to myself as my husband, Alex, and I pulled out of the driveway of our Fergus, ON house in 2012 headed for Ajijic, Mexico….

Much of the promotion of Mexico focuses on its many coastal tourist resorts, such as Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, and Cancun. But Mexico has many other interesting areas not often promoted. Towns such as San Miguel d’Allende, Cuernavaca and Ajijic attract thousands of people who want to visit or live full time or part-time in a…

Mexican National Chili Cook-Off The Mexican National Chili Cook Off has become a community tradition – 40 years strong and continuing to grow year after year. The event kicks off when a parade of floats and bands leaves from the Ajijic malecon and makes its way along the carretera, ending their journey at the entrance…

Feria Maestros de Artes – Masters of Arts Fair The Feria is an annual 3-day event produced by the Feria Exposición Maestros del Arte, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting indigenous handcrafts and folk art.  Artists are invited from all over Mexico and must meet strict criteria to attend. The organization invites artists based on…