The men and women in the Chapala-Ajijic area whom I admire the most are those who can give so generously of their time to help others (without expecting anything in return), and Lakeside seems to be ov... read more

One of the most comforting and traditional dishes in this country is chiles rellenos, literally translated as "stuffed chiles" — a dish that originated in the colonial city of Puebla and that evolved into an uncountable amount of varieties and versions. The original and most simple one is the chile relleno stuffed with cheese. read more

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

The most recent census count in Mexico reveals that a multitude of languages are used by Mexican nationals throughout the country.
It is true that the percentage of Mexicans who are speaking indigenous languages is steadily declining, but a great many people have held on to their mother tongues, sometimes taking it with them to other parts of Mexico.
The Mayan language is the second most commonly spoken language in Mexico... read more

Have you ever found a place in Mexico that mirrors your own life? For me, it's Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosí. "Every bend of the road reveals a more stunning mountain panorama," gushed Nicki, a first... read more

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

This is meant to be tossed with pasta, but the pesto can be served over grilled or roasted fish, or rolled inside chicken cutlets. Macadamia and cilantro have an affinity for one another, although this... read more

Right now we are getting the Tlaxcala peaches, sweet and golden, that pair well with macadamias to make a fruit and nut salsa to serve with grilled fish or chicken, or with cream cheese and crackers. T... read more

When I spoke with Erika Maza, Patricia Garibay and Magaly Dominguez, founders of El Vivero Macadamia, this was one of the first sweets they planned for production at the cooperative. It helps to keep a... read more

My survey says half the households in Mexico have a dog or cat.

Our neighbors have two small, yappy dogs and one cat the color of a pale pumpkin. Another cat, mostly white, comes and goes but is not regarded as a permanent resident with full privileges. If it arrives when the food dish is full, it eats and stays a while. If its timing is bad, it apparently moves on.

Small children sometimes throw the pets around as if they were stuffed toys. I shudder. Somehow, all survive.

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By an amazing historical coincidence, calendar year 2010 is both a centennial and bicentennial for Mexico. And as you might well imagine, it leads to 2010 being a great national celebration for Mexico. Independence Day (September 15th-16th) and Revolution Day (November 20th) are both important patriotic celebrations. This year is special because it marks both the bicentennial of what became the Mexican independence movement (in 1810) and the centennial of the start of the Mexican Revolution (in 1910). read more

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

Every Sunday Gloria awakens at 3:00 a.m., and begins preparing tejate, a frothy, tasty corn and cacao based drink, which she will offer for sale in the Tlacolula market. A couple of hours later, her si... read more

From the outside, this bullring resembles nothing so much as a red erector-set construction but inside, it is a concrete-stepped cone funneling down to the sand, on which are painted two white rings, o... read more

One of the prizes of the revolution, a hundred years ago, was free public primary education, as mandated in article 3 of the constitution. Early education is said to be "compulsory" but that means states are compelled to offer it. In most places, youngsters are not required to attend and certainly aren't forced to learn. read more

The Huichol Peyote Fiesta takes place around the end of May or the beginning of June, the start of the traditional rainy season in Mexico. The main purpose is to assure that the rain gods return to refresh the earth and nourish the newly-sown crops of beans and maize. The Huichols are located in large community centers, such as San Andres and Santa Catarina, or in scattered ranchos throughout the sierras. The Peyote Fiesta I attended at the invitation of my friend Nacho was held at Las Guayabas, deep in the valley below the plateau of San Andres in the Huichol Sierra. read more

Driving to Yucatan, I made a wrong turn and wound up in the town of Catemaco. A shady beach drive along a huge lake provided a tranquil setting reminiscent of Hollywood's 1930s America. I pulled to the... read more

When you think of Mexico and its hot summer days, think of a cool, and flavorful cocktail with the national drink, tequila. This drink has basic three basic ingredients: tequila, triple sec, and lemon or key lime juice. read more