Topic - Lifestyle

March 21st each year marks anniversary of the birth of Benito Juarez, the most famous of Mexican presidents, one of the best known of Mexico’s historical characters, and something of a benchmark for the country’s political life. His most famous saying is that ‘among individuals as among nations, the respect for the rights of others is peace’ . . .

It’s hard to spend some time in a large or medium sized city in Mexico and not come across one of the Sanborns chain of stores. The Sanborns restaurants—there’s one in every store—are quite popular for breakfasts and casual dining, or even just for coffee. The stores, however, are rather unique. They sell books, magazines, cakes, toys, tobacco, gifts of all kinds (watches, pens, backgammon sets, even telescopes…), some clothing, confectionery, music, electronic goods, jewelry and pharmaceuticals. The shops are all of those things and yet none of them . . .

By Monica Rix Paxson

I noticed recently that a hospital in Montreal, Canada is claiming to be the first hospital built in North America. I beg to differ. I suspect that they—like so many people—forget that Mexico is also in North America. The Canadian contender is a latecomer, claiming to have been built in 1645 . . .

Ask visitors and foreign residents what they enjoy most about Mexico and they will usually mention the food. Mexico’s gastronomy is an experience in its own right and one brought-about in good part because of the fertile land and climates which make it possible to grow and harvest a wide variety of delicious fruits, vegetables, and pulses . . .

By Ronald Buchannan

Back in the 19th century, London was known as “the great wen”, a huge pus-laden boil on the face of the fair English nation. Nowadays some people—including many foreigners and Mexicans who live in the provinces—see Mexico City the same way. Through the prism of their jaundiced eyes, they see 20 million souls in torment amid a gigantic, filthy, crime-ridden urban sprawl. Maybe so. But Mexico City is also arguably the funkiest city in the Americas, one with a buzz that puts the others in the shade. In the words of the slogan of one of Britain’s most popular tabloids, “All human life is here.” . . .

There was an era when traveler’s checks were an item on every packing list, alongside passports and travel insurance. Before ATMs became widespread, they were the only way of easily carrying currency on foreign trips, bar carrying cash. Technology has transformed many habits and routines, not least of which are related to travel . . .

November 20th marks the anniversary of the start of the 1910-1917 Revolution – specifically the call to arms by Francisco I. Madero to unseat the dictator Porfirio Díaz, who had remained in power for more than three decades. The national holiday weekend which marks the event has also become a de-facto annual shopping event across Mexico . . .

Postal services in this country date back to Aztec times and today, November 12 is Dia del Cartero—Postman’s Day—in Mexico. It’s the day of the year when everyone remembers their local postman and give a small gift in appreciation of the work they carry out . . .

When you fancy something to eat that’s traditionally Mexican, seek out a local comedor, where you can sit down in an informal atmosphere and order from a set menu that features delicious home-cooked meals prepared using fresh, local, produce . . .

An important feature of Day of the Dead festivities is the creation of an ofrenda – an offering – that usually manifests as an alter in Catholic homes; placing upon this photographs of the remembered dead, accompanied by a number of traditional foods and decorations, including caramelized pumpkin, small sugar skulls, and orange marigold flowers called cempaxochitl, or Flor de Muerto. Another traditional food oftentimes found on ofrendas is Pan de Muerto: literally translated, Bread of the Dead; colloquially, ‘Dead Bread’ . . .