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Tropical blues: ornamental plants and flowers of tropical Mexico by Linda Abbott Trapp

Blue can be compelling as the neon flash of a bird's wing, or quiet as a cloud, but it is never unnerving, always drawing the viewer to relax and witness its timeless grace. In music, blues are associ... read more

Ask an old gringo: symbolism, police, education, and the Virgin by Marvin West

This old gringo, from time to time, receives a flurry of comments and questions. Many are predictable. Where should I visit? How much does it cost? How's the weather in January? Is it safe to drive? ... read more

Million Americans in Mexico? Just guessing by Marvin West

Last year, the Dallas Morning News reported that more than a million Americans live in Mexico. It didn't say how many more or where the heck are they. read more

Politics and women's changing role in Mexico by Jenny McGill

In Talpa de Allende, there is a neighborhood girl who calls me her quasi-godmother. We have studied English together for the past few summers, but I find her attention span jumping about like a monkey.... read more

Josefina: you got to know when to fold 'em by Maggie Van Ostrand

When Kenny Rogers sang, "Ya got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em … " in his hit, "The Gambler," he was singing about more than playing cards, he was singing about life with Josefina. ... read more

An immigration success story by Marvin West

A funny thing happened the other day to one of my favorite Mexicans. He was invited to speak at a college, which, once upon a time, slammed the front door in his face. Rodolfo Calva Marquez © Marv... read more

Mexico faces an uphill fight against malnutrition by Tony Burton

More than 190 countries, including Mexico, have now signed up to the UN Millennium Development Goals, originally agreed in the year 2000. There are eight key goals (see table) and Mexico is well on... read more

Desert rose, dracaena and pothos: ornamental plants and flowers of tropical Mexico by Linda Abbott Trapp

Three beautiful options for your tropical garden in Mexico are the desert rose, dracaena and pothos. read more

Mexico report, fair and balanced by Marvin West

Having been accused by two cynical readers of putting a smiley face on everything Mexico except lirio (water hyacinths) and topes (speed bumps), here is a feeble attempt to be fair and balanced. read more

Tianguis: itinerant traders in a traveling Mexican market by Jenny McGill

In Talpa, we have tianguis or street markets. Every two weeks, venders come from Guadalajara with their trucks loaded with fresh vegetables and fruit, herbs, ornate plants, cell phones, hair dryers and CD players. We can buy a galvanized milk can or rubber boots to wear in the milking lot. There are clay bean pots, stone metates for grinding the spices for savory salsas and machetes to clear the path through the woods. read more