Back in 2016, The Rolling Stones performed in Bogota. During their stay Mick had a hankering for something sweet. He was escorted to a small stand near Plaza de Bolivar that sold a tasty Colombian treat called Obleas. A wafer sandwich with a creamy filling. Photos of a smiling Jagger eating a Obleas were taken …
Before the Mexican state of Michoacán existed, the mighty Purépecha people ruled the region. The Purépecha empire also referred to as the Tarascan kingdom by scholars, is lesser known than the Aztecs, yet in many ways was more powerful, having never been defeated by the Aztec Empire. The Aztecs are much more widely known because of …
Read more “The Purépecha and Lake Pátzcuaro – Living History”
I am not sure why, but one of the most overlooked destinations in Mexico is the city of Morelia in the state of Michoacán. I don’t believe I have been to a more picturesque Centro Historico in my travels. There is a reason the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking the cobblestone streets, discovering …
My top destination for 2022 was the magical pueblo of Jardin, Colombia, in coffee country. High in the Andes mountains, this is must visit, especially if you are a fan of the 2021 Disney movie Encanto. In July, with some Colombian friends, I took a three hour bus ride from Medellin to Jardin. The road …
Hey witch doctor, give us the magic wordsAll right, you go ooh ee ooh ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bangAll right When I was in Colombia in March 2021, I purchased a crystal necklace for my daughter. The design reflected the indigenous heritage of the craftsman Ipushima Mauricio, who was originally from Leticia, …
I purchased new shoes for my latest trip to Colombia but I decided to take my comfortable old shoes instead. There’s an analogy there somewhere. Unfortunately after trekking through the Amazonian jungle the old shoes couldn’t take it. By the end of the journey multiple holes appeared in the soles, plus after soaking in the …
I’m turning Japanese, I think I’m turning JapaneseI really think so I am addicted to Japanese Peanuts. If you never had them before, it is a peanut in a wheat dough coating and then dry roasted or baked. The crunchy covering is salty (soy) and slightly sweet, sometimes spicy. I first found them here in …
Pueblo Mágicos are towns recognized by the Mexican government for their “magical” qualities, whether that be their astonishing beauty, rich history, or extraordinary legends.” There are 132 Pueblos. On my list so far: BAJA CALIFORNIA Tecate JALISCO Ajijic Tequila Tlaquepaque QUINTANA ROO Isla Mujeres MICHOACAN Pátzcuero Tzintzuntzan STATE OF MEXICO Teotihuacán PUEBLA Cholula Atlixc
This was my third year experiencing Dia de Muertos in Mexico. In 2019 I visited Tlaquepaque and Tequila in the state of Jalisco and last year in Mexico City. This year, on the days approaching Dia de Muertos, I was once again exhausted by the enormity of all things Mexico City. The city has invested …
Every year the Dia de Muertos grows in popularity internationally. Yet this growth is fairly recent. In the late 1930’s, the Càrdenas presidency embraced the holiday to celebrate the indigenous culture and create an inclusive national identity. Yet for decades the holiday was mainly observed in Mexico as a private family ceremony, with the ofrenda being the …