Fiestas abound in Mexico. The following listing of major Mexican holidays, by no means complete, is intended to help the newcomer to Mexico understand the motive for hearing rockets blasting off at dawn, finding a local bank or post office closed on a weekday, or encountering traffic brought to a halt by a passing parade or religious procession. read more

The brassy blast of a trumpet rips me from the comforting embrace of Morpheus. As the familiar strains of Las Mañanitas register in the fuzzy workings of my brain, I roll over and open one eye to... read more

Dreaming of a white Christmas? If you're spending December in Mexico, forget it! The closest you'll come to frosty is to reminisce on winter wonderlands while sipping an icy margarita. You can expect t... read more

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the beloved patron saint of Mexico and the Americas. Celebrated on December 12, her feast day is a major Mexican holiday. Juan Diego's mantle, carefully preserved in the Basilica, has been subjected to extensive analysis over the years. Experts have authenticated the fabric as dating to the 16th century, but have been unable to determine the type of pigment from which the image was rendered. Most wonderous of all, after 465 years, the image of the Virgen de Guadalupe remains clearly imprinted on the miraculous cloak without visible signs of deterioration. read more

Her face is unforgettable and she goes by many names: La Catrina, la Flaca, la Huesuda, la Pelona — Fancy Lady, Skinny, Bony, Baldy. A fixture in Mexican society, she's not some trendy fashion model, but La Muerte — Death. November 1, All Saints Day, and November 2, All Souls Day are marked throughout Mexico by a plethora of intriguing customs that vary widely according to the ethnic roots of each region. Common to all, however, are colorful adornments and lively reunions at family burial plots, the preparation of special foods, offerings laid out for the departed on commemorative altars and religious rites that are likely to include noisy fireworks. read more

Semana Santa gets underway on Palm Sunday when the faithful may join in a special mass and large procession commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem often precedes the mass. On Wednesday of Holy Week, some churches celebrate a late-afternoon vespers service called "los matines de las tinieblas", in which the disciples’ abandonment of Jesus is recalled. The commemoration of Easter begins in earnest on Thursday, Jueves Santo. read more

Set on the shore of Lake Chapala, the town of Ajijic has become a center of art and culture. The Noches de Ajijic International Festival of Gastronomy and Music highlights some of the region's best.

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Most mothers in Mexico look forward to May 10 as a day to take it easy and be pampered by family. For Esperanza Perez, proprietress of Ajijic's most popular flower shop, the date means not only business as usual, but extra work and longer hours.

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April 21, 1519--the year Ce Acatl (One Reed) by Aztec reckoning-- marked the opening of a short but decisive chapter in Mexico's history. On that day a fleet of 11 Spanish galleons sailing along... read more

Horse lovers (and anyone else looking for a dose of authentic Mexico) will find September is the perfect month to take in the best of the country's national equestrian sport -- la charrería. It's... read more

Estas son las mañanitas que cantaba el rey David; a las muchachas bonitas se las cantamos aquí. Si el sereno de la esquina me quisiera hacer favor de apagar s... read more

Motorists traveling recently along the Guadalajara-Chapala highway may have been puzzled by what looks like the structural foundations of a mighty cathedral rising up near the roadway between the airpo... read more

Mexica/Aztec Calendar Systems The Civil Calendar The solar year was the basis for the civil calendar by which the Mexicas (Aztecs) determined the myriad ceremonies and rituals linked to agricultu... read more

. . . LAS MAÑANITAS. Estas son las mañanitas que cantaba el rey David; a las muchachas bonitas se las cantamos aquí. Si el sereno de la esquina me quisiera hace... read more

2004 turned out to be another fortuitous year for Lake Chapala. According to data issued by the National Water Commission (CNA), accumulated rainfall registered nationwide in 2004 ran nine per cent ab... read more

If Lake Chapala could speak for itself, Mark Twain's famous comment might come to mind: "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." Since torrential rains began battering much of ce... read more

With the rise of a variety of highly developed cultures, Mesoamerica entered its Golden Age. It was an era marked by political, intellectual and urban development, as well as excellence in monumental a... read more

Mexico's most intriguing holiday, is linked to a rich variety of popular customs that offer resident expatriates an excellent opportunity to soak in the culture of their adopted home. Here are some sug... read more

dale hoyt palfrey en Español NEW TO MEXICO? Get off on the right foot! Let an experienced bilingual professional be your guide. I'm well qualified t... read more

dale hoyt palfrey in English servicios en comunicacion SI UD. TIENE CLIENTES DE HABLA INGLESA... SI SU EMPRESA QUIERE DEJAR HUELLA EN EL MERCADO INTERN... read more

Shortly after arriving at Tenochtitlán in the fall of 1519, Hernán Cortés and the Spanish conquistadores were granted an audience with Moctezuma at his breakfast table. They found the Aztec r... read more

Nothing better exemplifies the lively spirit of Mexico than a fiery shot of tequila, dashing charro horsemen and the stirring strains of a mariachi band. Jalisco is the heartland of these emblematic fi... read more

In this day and age, dedicated parents willingly support any type of sporting activity that draws the interest of our off-spring. The average mother of today assumes a host of collateral tasks that go ... read more

The Romans coined the phrase Omne vivum ex ovo, "All life comes from an egg." The egg is a universal symbol of birth and resurrection, employed in burial practices of the ancient Egyptians and Gre... read more

Mexico has its own version of the rodeo is called la charreada. This basic guide is designed to enhance the enjoyment of the competition for those unfamiliar with Mexico's national sport by of... read more