Recent columnist articles
Heating options for chilly nights in Mexico
What can we say? It is now November and it has already been cold; cold like late December when the chill in the air sends us under the covers at night. Without the heating systems we knew north o...
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Shopping in Mexico: the gentle art of bargaining
I bought another watch the other day. I didn't need it, but there is great joy in negotiating with the watch salesman. A chunky, little man works the villages along the north side of Lake Chapala in the exciting state of Jalisco. His specialty is watches with fancy faces, famous names and very ordinary insides. He always has make-believe Rolexes and sometimes Cartiers and Movados.
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Seat belt, cell phone and speed limit laws are enforced in Oaxaca
Driving in Oaxaca, Mexico, became a little more difficult in September / October, 2009. That's when federal, state and municipal governments actually began enforcing the law, at least in the City of O...
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Ask an old gringo: symbolism, police, education, and the Virgin
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?
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Million Americans in Mexico? Just guessing
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.
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Politics and women's changing role in Mexico
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....
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Josefina: you got to know when to fold 'em
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.
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An immigration success story
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...
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Mexico faces an uphill fight against malnutrition
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...
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Desert rose, dracaena and pothos: ornamental plants and flowers of tropical Mexico
Three beautiful options for your tropical garden in Mexico are the desert rose, dracaena and pothos.
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