Recent columnist articles
Mexico success story: San Quintin Escuela
It is not distinctive and has been that way for generations.
Until Edd Bissell, by the grace of God or a quirk of fate, discovered the school and adopted it, nobody — nobody — had ever been beyond sixth grade. Today, a young woman is in her senior year of college architecture and several youth are in high school.,,. read more
Ask an old gringo about Frida Kahlo, Mexico contradictions, colorful protests
I do try to answer all questions or redirect them to more knowledgeable sources. I thoroughly enjoy most exchanges with readers. I offer a few from time to time in a basic conversion to pesos (not many).
Question: How bad are things in Cabo? Answer: Cabo San Lucas, at the south end of Baja California Sur, took a hard hit from Hurricane Odile. The storm knocked out electricity which knocked out other services.
Some tourists got wet and inconvenienced. Vacations were spoiled but no lives were lost. Resort owners will likely recover. Little people are hurting. Tourism is the primary industry. No tourists, no jobs, no pesos...
read more
Ask an old gringo about Octavio Paz, Mexico reforms, giant fish tank, price break
He was good enough to get the Nobel Prize for literature in 1990. In his most famous essay, "The Labyrinth of Solitude," Paz addressed the complexity of the Mexican mind. read more
San Patricio by the Sea on Mexico's Pacific coast
It had a humble beginning, born of need in the late 1990s.
There were hundreds, maybe a few thousands, of Americans and Canadians, residents and snowbirds, in the region but no religious services in English for many, many miles along the west bank, nothing from El Tecuan to Manzanillo and beyond... read more
Ask an old gringo about Mexico economy, Guerrero recovery, anchovy gelato and Yescka
Some questions are far out. One asked about anchovy gelato. Another asked about Yescka. That got my undivided attention... read more
A cabin near Puerto Vallarta
Seven US presidents were born in log cabins. The most notable, of course, was Lincoln. During elections, all of them were quick to remind the public of their humble frontier origins with fulsome refere...
read more
Ask an old gringo: Mexico questions about tuna war, holidays, spelling errors and dinosaurs
Question: What holidays are big in Mexico?
Answer: Oh boy, judging by the joy and noise, Mexicans celebrate dozens of giant holidays. Most any excuse is good for a day off from work, a neighborhood fiesta and late-night fireworks.
The Day of the Dead is not a conventional holiday but it is an intriguing cultural event. My Mexican friends describe it as beautiful, magical, mystical, religious and pagan — all at the same time...
Listen up: Sounds of Mexico
Ask an old gringo about Mexican happiness, jobs for foreigners, Mormon mother, books in English
Canada to Mexico: From there to here
Happiness is following memorable footsteps under more favorable conditions.
Most of 50 years ago, outside London, Ontario, brothers Jim and Jack Young acquired an old truck and bulldozer and made a bo...
read more