Posada A most important tradition at Christmas time in Mexico is that of the posada (Inn) – a re-enactment of the journey of Joseph and Mary on their way to Bethlehem and their search for a place to lay their heads. Presented to Mexico by Spanish missionaries as a part of their plan to convert the Aztec population to Christianity, particularly the Catholic doctrine. Mary, seated on a donkey, and...
I suspect one of the most frequently discussed topics by ex-pats is that of the unfamiliar and often loud noises to be experienced here at Lakeside. Of all the noises – barking dogs, crowing roosters, exploding cohetes, mariachi music, roving loudspeakers and church bells, it seems the cohetes (rockets) are the most bothersome- to Mexicans as well as ex-pats. Rockets Away! - Cohetes have been around...
So you’ve decided to take a dive into the world of Mexican cheese or queso (KAY-SO) and not sure where to begin. Stick around and learn of the different types and what they may compare to north of the border cheeses, but first here’s a few interesting facts about Mexican cheese. Dairy products were almost non-existent here until the Spanish invaded the Aztec civilization in the 16th.Century,...
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 the indigenous spiritual beliefs and to establish Catholicism in Mexico. The...
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, a rather macabre name for a delicious treat! Pan de Muertos is a sweet...
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 the same choreography on the same day at the same time across...
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 without the use of a chaperone. The original rejas would have been made of wood or stone, allowing air to...
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 along the parade route. A unique feature of the parade are the Zayacas – men dressed as women...
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 rebels used the rebozos to rustle weapons past the guards at check-points during the 1910...
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. Hitched to the car was a trailer crammed with all that was left of our life in Canada. We had sold our beloved home and...