Tag Archives: Culture

The Hidden Magic of Guanajuato, Mexico

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Recently, we’ve started exploring some of Mexico’s “Hidden Gems” – places that absolutely fabulous to visit, but in the international picture, are entirely off the radar.

The central Mexican city of Guanajuato is one such place.

The Magical City

With beautiful, classic old homes, and alleyways so narrow that two people leaning out two opposite windows could kiss, this city is not only very beautiful, but also very romantic.  The hill landscape and and the seemingly orderless roads add an element of the unknown and discovery.  There are also the classic old churches and gardens with bright flowers:

The city is also fmous for its mines and mummies:

A Beautiful State

Besides the beautiful city, there are many amazing places to see throughout the state, which has the same name.  These include the town where the Mexican War of Independence started (Dolores Hidalgo,) old monasteries and a huge statue of Jesus on hill (called “Cierro de Cubilete”) just north of the city of Guanajuato:

A Touch of the International

While I’ve said that Guanajuato is largely off the international radar, there are a couple of striking exeptions.  One is the town of San Miguel de Allende, which is a beautiful colonial town that is home to between 8000 and 12,000 expats, mostly Americans.  This is one of the largest community of Americans in Mexico, and they have been largely responsible for restoring and keeping up the authentic colonial beauty of the town.

Another exception is that in 2012, the pope visted the City of Guanajuato and gave a Mass at the bottom of the hill where the huge state of Jesus; since he was old, he couldn’t travel to the top:

Some Americans will be familiar with San Miguel de Allende or the pope’s visit to El Cierro de Cubilete, but even most of these will be unaware that these are located within the State of Guanajuato, or of the riches to be seen and experienced here!

I would certainly recommend Guanajuato as a top option for a place to visit on your travels around Mexico – or even to live in for those interested in a small colonial town like San Miguel.

-by Bea Lozano
Mexico Preconstruction Condo Kit

Mexico’s Hidden Gems: Michoacan and Morelia Are Central Mexico’s Finest

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Mexico has many wonderful places that almost everyone knows about – like Cancun, the Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta. Yet, there are also dozens upon dozens of “hidden gems” and “best kept secrets” that if you were to visit, you would swear that some mistake had been made in the international travel agencies.

 

Morelia, the beautiful colonial city, and the state of Michoacan of which it is the capital in central Mexico, are two examples that we’ve written about before.  But to give you a glimpse of how people react to their first vist, I just found this great blog post called “The Best Place You Have Never Heard Of;” this place is – you guessed it – Michoacan.

 

He starts of:

“I don’t know why the state of Michoacan in Mexico isn’t more popular – well yeah, I guess I do know. American’s get 5 vacation days a year and want to spend them blitzed on a beach, while the Euros are busy dancing to terrible electronic music mixed by some greasy hipster wearing skinny jeans in Ibiza, but regardless – the Michoacan is way underrated. And by underrated, I mean it isn’t rated at all.”

Now, if that rings a bell with you already, you can guess that Morelia and Michoacan are probably your kind of place.  He then continues:

“The Michoacan state really has it all, from untapped colonials cities to ancient P’urhépechan Ruins (kind of like the Aztecas) resting on hilltops revealing panoramic views of lakes. Most of the Monarch Butterflies migrate to the reserves throughout the state because it is obviously the perfect place to make love for days on end. And when the hunger sets in from that marathon, Michocan’s city of Uruapan happens to be the capital of California’s most ubiquitous beloved vegetable – the Avocado. Lastly, and most notably, the Michoacan is missing the tourist attraction I hate the most: other white tourists. I spent over 10 days in the state and didn’t see a single other white person, which for me, is like a warm bubble bath while listening to Kenny G- because traveling these days requires wading through a swath of tourist-villes. But there is plenty of love to go around in the state of Michoacan – not only from the butterfly mating but all of these happenings are spread across mountains, beaches, lakes, and most importantly, areas that harvest Mezcal”

 

So, you can tell that Turner (the writer) isn’t a big fan of finding other tourists! I certainly have nothing against being with other tourists, and I love talking to and learning the stories of my fellow expats, the point is this; Michoacan is off the radar, despite being a very beautiful and interesting part of Mexico.

 

Read the entire honest and entertaining account here.

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Mexico Real Estate e-book

5 Great Tips for Traveling … and Living in Mexico

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Browsing Google today, I found these 5 Things You Should Know When Travelling in Mexico.  Even for people living in Mexico or planning to live in Mexico, they are excellent little bits of info since expats always enjoy traveling around the country.  Here are excerpts of each of the 5 points:

 

1. Not every pyramid is the same

The mind-baffling pyramids, scattered all over Mexico among jungle and ancient settlements, are among Mexico’s top attractions. However, do not assume that once you’ve seen one Mexican pyramid you’ve seen them all! Each pyramid site in Mexico is not only unique in its size, design and structure – but also in its history and origins.  …

 

2. There is more to Mexican music than mariachis

Mariachi music is synonymous with all things Mexican, and rightly so as it is considered the national music of Mexico. However, it is important to realise that there are lots of other forms of important traditional Mexican music that form part of the colourful history and culture of this musical country. One form of Mexican music you are likely to come across when you travel around Mexico is ranchera music. The word “ranchera” is derived from the Spanish word for farm (rancho) as it was among rural farmers where these folk songs originated. …

 


3. The Roman Catholic religion is important

Catholicism is the dominant religion in Mexico. This is more than just an interesting fact – it is a must-know for anyone planning to travel to Mexico. … According to the 2010 census, more than 80% of the population of Mexico are of Catholic denomination. For this reason, it is important to show respect for Catholic tradition both inside and outside of churches while travelling in Mexico.

 

4. Festivals are a year-round occurrence

I don’t think it’s a sweeping statement to say that Mexican’s love a good celebration! At least this is what their impressive calendar of ancient traditional, spiritual and religious festivals would suggest. There are numerous festival celebrations all year round in Mexico both at a local and national level. These include celebrations which worship the patron saint of one’s neighbourhood; regional food, craft, music and folklore festivals; as well as country-wide events such as the Day of the Dead. …

 

5. The natural environment is highly respected

As the fourth country in the world for biodiversity, Mexico is an attractive place for natural scientists, geographers, marine biologists, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With a variety of diverse ecosystems differing from one end of the country to the next, there are all manner of landscapes to explore in Mexico. These highly protected geographical regions range from landscapes comprising volcanoes; rainforests and mountains; to deserts, reefs and sacred limestone wells. [“cenotes”] …

 

Read the rest of this very informative article over there.

 

-Bea Lozano
Kit_Ownership

MexFest in London, England – A Celebration of Mexican Culture

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For any readers in London or nearby, a friend sent me this about Mexfest:

 

London MexFest is an exciting programme of contemporary Mexican cinema, architecture, exhibitions, music and gastronomy.

 

Mexican and British exponents of all these creative disciplines will engage in talks and events to highlight the growing bilateral cultural collaboration between the two countries.

 

And the trailer video:

 

I think it’s going right now, but at least you’ll know for next time – and it’s always good to know that Mexican culture is gaining good exposure!

 

-by Bea Lozano

 

Mexico Condo Hotel Kit

The Experience of a Lifetime – Taking the Bus in Mexico!

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There are many things that we consider thrilling and exciting in this day and age, but did you ever think that taking a bus would be one of them. If you didn’t, then you have never taken a bus in Mexico.

 

The rules need not apply!

 

Buses make their own rules and take you along for the ride.

 

Here in Playa Del Carmen there are many advantages to public transportation. For instance, the bus will pick you up from any location; there is no need to walk to a bus stop. Just wave down a bus and he will happily stop to collect you. The same goes for drop offs. Just remember to shout the secret word ‘bajan!”(remember the “j” sounds like an “h”) and they will stop as soon as possible to let you off.

 

The buses here also don’t worry so much about capacity. A bus is considered full when the door will no longer close. So if you can squeeze yourself on, get on – because if you don’t, someone else will.

 

 Speed is another advantage. A bus is likely to get you where you are going faster than driving. That’s because they can go as fast as they like, which offers another advantage… free window air conditioning! The faster the go the cooler you feel.

 

On a serious note every bus here in Playa del Carmen has fantastic brakes – this is proven every time someone wants to get off. So make sure you hold on.

 

So, all in all taking the bus is a win, win situation. It’s cheap, you stay fresh (most of the time) and you can spend some time relaxing and listening to your favorite tunes. I see many tourists take the bus here, and they are always smiling. It’s an adventure the locals enjoy every day.

 

For the more serious of you out there, I’d stick to the bigger buses. But for those of you that want a bit more adventure, try the little bus… I dare you!!! Where else can you get a fun-filled ride for 5 pesos?

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

Mexico Closing Costs Kit

A Large New Mayan Pyramid Site Discovered in Campeche

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While recently I wrote about the very sad situation of Mayan pyramids being bulldozed in Central America, here on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula we’re seeing  the opposite – discovery and preservation.

 

Just yesterday, Tim Johnson of McClatchy Newspapers wrote about a new discovery deep in the jungle of the state of Campeche, which share’s the Peninsula with Quintana Roo (where Cancun and Playa del Carmen are located) and Yucatan (where Merida is located.)  Here’s an excerpt:

 

Deep in the jungles of southeast Campeche state, archaeologists have discovered a significant new Mayan site, called Chactun, or Red Rock, that was thrived roughly from 600 to 900 A.D. The site, never reported previously, is “one of the largest sites ever registered in the Central Lowlands,” the National Institute of Anthropology and History said.

 

Led by Ivan Šprajc, a team of Mexican and foreign archaeologists and experts financed by National Geographic came across the ruin a few weeks ago after studying aerial photos. The expedition was also financed by the Austrian firm Villas and the Slovenian company Ars longa. That’s Šprajc in the photos, by the way. “It is one of the largest sites in the Central Lowlands, comparable in extent and magnitude of its buildings to Becan, Nadzcaan and El Palmar in Campeche,” said Šprajc, a Slovenian researcher.

 

And, a couple more amazing pictures:

 

Mayan pyramids in Mexico

 

Mayan Pyramids in Yucatan

 

Read the full article here.

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Mexico Real Estate e-book

“Where the Streets Have No Name …”

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Have you ever wondered what Bono was singing about in that song?

Maybe I haven’t discovered any in depth meaning to life from U2’s music, but I sure have found a few places where the streets have no name.

 

Consider this working-class community right next to downtown Playa del Carmen:

 

Just two years ago or so, they put up street signs on the 3 main roads.  The little side streets still have no road signs.  Sure, the streets do have names, but you won’t find them marked in any way – and, for the most part, people don’t use the names or often even know what they are.  Landmarks are the way to go.

 

Now take a look at this place in Chiapas:

Here, you might actually have trouble finding any name – official or otherwise – for this road!

 

So, living in Mexico, you will most certainly find places where the streets have no name.  But, unlike Bono, I’m sure you actually will find what you’re looking for.

by Thomas Lloyd

Mexico Insurance Kit

Have You Ever Seen a Bull Fight? Or Maybe a Cock Fight?

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Today, just for fun, I did a Google image search for “Mexico.”  The first 10 pictures or so are maps, and then the pictures of Mexico’s distinct cultural traits begin to come up – typical food, traditional clothes, festivals, beaches, Mayan pyramids, etc.

 

Two pictures turned up that reminded me of another side of Mexico that tourists seldom see – the bull fights and the cock fights.

 

The Bull Fights

I don’t think this practice is wide spread, but Mexico City actually has the world’s largest bullfighting stadium with spectacles every day.  I believe the practice has been maintained solely because of its uniqueness and its history.

 

I’ve seen a bullfight or two, just to satisfy my curiosity.  I can’t say it’s my cup of tea!

 

The Cock Fights

This a common pastime in Mexico’s countryside; it is considered an especially “macho” or manly activity.  From what I’ve heard, it’s very violent and bloody.

 

The Moral Question

Of course, these spectacles have huge moral questions behind them and are a nightmare for animal rights.

 

On one hand, I can fully understand why a tourist or expat traveling to parts of the country where these are practiced would want to see them – they’re just so unique and, for some people, captivating.

On the other hand, it’s good to be conscientious of not putting money into irresponsible practices.  In the end each person has to decide on their own conscience.

Yet, approve or disapprove, these practices are well-ingrained features of Mexican culture, especially of the tougher, working class “macho” culture.  And, for better or for worse, they’re probably here to stay – at  within our own lifetimes and well beyond.

 

LAST MINUTE UPDATE: I just found out that Quintana Roo, the state where we live, has passed an animal protection act! It probably won’t affect the bullfights or cockfights since those take place mostly in other parts of the country, but it’s progress!  I’ll write more about it next week.

 

-by Bea Lozano

 

Mexico Insurance Kit

Oops – Did Somebody Die Here?

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“Did somebody die on the construction site?”

 

That was the question I got earlier this month on a phone call.  It was a Canadian who we helped buy a home in a new development here in Playa.  I have to admit – I was worried, even though I shouldn’t have been.
“What do you mean?” I asked. “What happened?”

 

“Well there’s a cross up on one the buildings – one that they’re still working on. It looks handmade, just out of wood from the site. They put it up quickly this morning.  We tried asking the workers, but, you know, the whole Spanish-English thing.”

 

“Really?  Are you sure?  I haven’t heard anything.”

 

“Well we say a priest there and everything.  It looked like some special service – we thought it might be some memorial on site for the other workers or something.”

 

After ending the phone call I was about to start making some frantic calls to the developer and construction team. But Bea had overheard.

 

“What’s going on?” she asked.

 

I told her the story.

 

“Oh, they do that every year at the beginning of May. It’s for the day of the workers and the Holy Cross.”

 

Of course!  I knew that.  The concerned Canadians on the phone had got me worried, made me forget the culture.

 

At the beginning of May there are two holidays that workers have combined in a way.  May 1 is the international worker’s day, which is important for construction workers.  May 3 is the day of the Holy Cross, which is why they put the cross up.  They often have a priest come and bless the construction site.

 

I called the Canadians back.  We all shared a good laugh – and a sigh of relief!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Mexico Insurance Kit