The Through Line: A Journey from Darkness into Life Reviewed by James Tipton

Popular Ajijic photographer Jay Koppelman has two things to celebrate this winter: one, the recent opening of Studio 18, on Colón 18 in Ajijic, which features exclusively his photographs; and two, the recent publication of the first collection of his Mexico photographs, in a handsome coffee-table format, The Through Line. read more

book-reviews Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Candied walnuts: Nueces garapiñadas Karen Hursh Graber

Candied nuts are a favorite treat in Mexico, and may be made with walnuts, pecans, almonds or peanuts. Walnuts are most prevalent during the winter holiday season. This sweet is one of the things we ca... read more

desserts candies Puebla

Puebla style eggnog: Rompope Karen Hursh Graber

This beverage was first made by the colonial-era nuns at the Convent of Santa Clara in Puebla, and the Santa Clara brand is still one of the most popular. It is fun and very easy to make at home. Unlik... read more

eggs beverages Puebla

When I took Fernando to Guanajuato Maggie Van Ostrand

With his parents' permission, I took Fernando, my 12-year-old English student, to Guanajuato, the seat of the Mexican War of Independence, for two days. We ate at a sidewalk cafe that offered nutritious hot fudge sundaes and banana splits. On to Alhondiga de Granaditas, formerly the massive town granary.... read more

exploring-tourism history Guanajuato, Guanajuato

Mexican macadamia nuts: culinary gold Karen Hursh Graber

A trip to the cloud covered village of Cuetzalan, high in the Sierra of Puebla, elicited questions. How does the regional dress of pure white cotton stay so clean when it rains nearly every day? How do vehicles get to the center of town when most of the cobblestone streets are stairways rather than roads? And how is it that some of Mexico's most remote farms are growing one of the world's most expensive luxury foods? read more

food-drink Puebla Michoacán

Colonial charm, Talavera and shrimp ice cream in Dolores Hidalgo Jane Ammeson

Someone has mistakenly put shrimp into the ice cream or else I'm reading the sign incorrectly — always a possibility as my Spanish certainly needs some work. But then again, when I order camarones a... read more

exploring-tourism Guanajuato

Refreshing Mexican lime leaf drink: Agua con hojas de limon Karen Hursh Graber

Since lime trees are so abundant in central and southern México, it's no surprise that good use is made of the leaves as well as the fruit. The following agua, or fruit drink, is probably one of ... read more

fruit beverages Morelos

Cumin flavored Mexican huazontle with onions: Huazontle con cebollas y comino Karen Hursh Graber

This is a quick and easy side dish, a flavorful accompaniment to simple grilled or roasted meat or poultry. The recipe is adapted from 1,000 Mexican Recipes by Marge Poore. read more

vegetables vegetarian side-dishes Central Highlands

Mexican huazontle croquettes: Tortitas de huazontle Karen Hursh Graber

Flour, eggs and huazontle become delicious tortitas © Daniel Wheeler, 2010 I had these for the first time at Las Cazuelas de Tlaxcala, a restaurant in Tlaxcala with really authentic Central Mexica... read more

vegetables main-dishes vegetarian Tlaxcala

Mexico's Aztec spinach is healthy, fresh and local: Can you say huazontle? Karen Hursh Graber

Huazontle is a Mexican native plant, sometimes called "Aztec spinach," that resembles elongated broccoli. It is inexpensive, grows easily from seed, and is a low maintenance-high yield plant. It is easy to see why it has been an important vegetable in Mexico for so long, and the highlight of many meatless meals. Huazontle is high in fiber and protein, as well as some vitamins and minerals. read more

food-drink Central Highlands

Personal reminiscences of Mexico's Huichol people IV: ritual dance Ronald A. Barnett

Panoramic view of Teotihuacan looking south from the top of the Pyramid of the Moon. You can see the Pyramid of the Sun.
© Rick Meyer, 2001

In 1996, I attended the Fiesta de las Plantas Medicinales held that year in San Martin de los Piramides not far from the famous archaeological site of Teotihuacan with its pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. There was a feeling of great spiritual power in the air that day. read more

anthropology indigenous-groups religion Teotihuacan, México, Estado de

Graffiti: Mexico City's wall art emerges from the shadows Anthony Wright

In Mexico City, graffiti is a bit like prostitution. Nominally, it's illegal — carrying a $1,000 peso fine or a day in jail. But the rule of law doesn't seem to stand in the way of anyone with a can of spray paint inclined to deface a wall. read more

art Mexico City , México D.F.

Plaza hopping in Queretaro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Anthony Maulucci

We sat at a shady table at an outside patio listening to Pavarotti sing an aria while watching the silvery jets from a plaza fountain in 70-degree weather. This is my idea of the best way to spend a we... read more

exploring-tourism Querétaro, Querétaro

Afternoon in Yuriria: a 16th century convent in Guanajuato Darian Day and Michael Fitzpatrick

It was a chance thing, really. We were heading for Patzcuaro, almost due south of Guanajuato where we had spent the past several days on a photography and business junket. While we were checking out of... read more

architecture historical-sites Guanajuato

Pilgrimage from San Miguel de Allende to San Juan de los Lagos in 1967 Don Fyfe-Wilson

Founded in 1542, San Juan de los Lagos is set in the Los Altos region of Jalisco, an area distinguished by its devotion to the Roman Catholic faith. The Cathedral there is home to the diminutive image of the Virgin of the Immaculate Concepcion. Late in January, pilgrims on foot can be seen thronging toward the town for the celebration of Candlemas on February 2. read more

culture-customs exploring-tourism religion San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Child heroes and Mexico myths Marvin West

Mexico has many myths but this was a wonderful truth, six military academy cadets, in defiance of Gen. Nicholas Bravo's order to retreat, choosing to fight to the finish. They were lieutenant Juan de la Barrera, 20, Agustin Melgar, Vicente Suarez, Francisco Marquez, Fernando Montes de Oca and Juan Escutia. One by one they were struck down. read more

famous-people perspectives Mexico City , México D.F.

Culinary travel in the Mixteca Poblana: The avocado route Karen Hursh Graber

For generations, the people of the Mixteca Poblana have been creating a regional cuisine out of what seems to be nothing. read more

food-drink Puebla

Grilled marinated chicken breasts: Pollo atlixquense Karen Hursh Graber

"Melting pot" cooking has given rise to innumerable ethnic grocery stores in the United States, and for people who enjoy cooking authentic Mexican food, this means that ingredients are easily available. Dried avocado leaves, essential to several Mixteca recipes, are sold in just about any Mexican grocery store. read more

poultry Puebla

Graffiti: the wry humor of Mexico City street stencil art Anthony Wright

Most modern art aficionados know that if mysterious British artist Banksy didn't create the urban world's love affair with quirky riddles in stencil art on public walls, then he certainly spearheaded i... read more

art Mexico City , México D.F.

September in the Mexican sierra: an abundance of apples Karen Hursh Graber

During the late summer and early fall here in Central Mexico, apples are prominent in markets, fairs, and even religious rituals. Starting in late August with the Feria de Manzanas (Apple Fair) in Zacatlan de las Manzanas in the Sierra of Puebla, apples are eaten fresh, preserved as jellies, jams and fruit liqueurs, and used in a number of desserts, chicken and pork dishes. read more

food-drink Puebla

Sauteed apples and eggs: Huevos zacatlantecos Karen Hursh Graber

After the Virgen de la Asuncion has been raised up from her bed of apples, a little bit every hour throughout the night, the faithful make their way home in the wee hours with bags of apples from her bed. This apple and egg dish is a traditional breakfast at this time of year. read more

eggs fruit breakfast main-dishes Puebla

Tequisquiapan: provincial Mexican charm in Queretaro Daniel Wheeler

Only a two-hour drive from Mexico City, Tequisquiapan is the second most important tourist destination in Querétaro. Although it comes to life on weekends, it retains the charm of a Mexico's provincia... read more

exploring-tourism Tequisquiapan, Querétaro

Graffiti: the Estadio Azteca and Mexico City's new wave muralists Anthony Wright

Increasingly here in Mexico's capital, the graffiti mural is coming to represent what some local experts feel is a new movement in mural art in the great tradition of early 20th century Mexican muralists such as Diego Rivera and David Siqueiros. Mexico City's largest sports stadium has allowed graffiti murals to adorn its many outer walls, entrance gates and car park enclosures. read more

art Mexico City , México D.F.

Tourism in Mexico City, Cancun and Ajijic Maggie Van Ostrand

Mexico's economic downturn may be worse than those of other nations, because so much of Mexico's economy depends on tourism. Entrance to Mexico City © Anthony Wright, 2009 Mexico City is desper... read more

exploring-tourism Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco Cancún, Quintana Roo Mexico City , México D.F. Maya Riviera

Vintage cars in a Mexico City museum Anthony Wright

El Museo del Automóvil in the south of Mexico City houses more than a hundred painstakingly restored cars. In existence since 1991, the Museo del Automóvil is unique to Latin America and was the fruit of the labors of a group of vintage car lovers, who exhibit their treasures for the joy of it. While it is basically a permanent exhibition, around 30 cars are rotated every three months to allow other collectors to also display their wheels. All the cars are registered and in fine working order, and the engines are turned over once a month to keep them that way. read more

exploring-tourism museums Mexico City , México D.F.