Topic - Lifestyle

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’ . . .

As time goes on, the number of people who approach me for information about assisted living and long-term care options in Mexico is increasing. Some enquirers are looking for themselves. Others are interested in finding care for a beloved spouse or other relative . . .

As the autumn season arrives in Mexico, areas by the coasts are usually warm, but it’s worth noting that areas inland — many of which are situated at high altitude — get cooler and, during early mornings and after sundown, may also become quite cold . . .

In the late summer months, when temperatures reach their peak in the northern hemisphere, Mexico can be host to hurricanes: powerful storms which are born over the oceans, gather strength, and eventually make landfall – most usually along Mexico’s Pacific coast, and less often along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico or Yucatan peninsula . . .

Every now and again, Mexico’s National Statistics Institute publishes off-beat snippets of information that have no bearing on the country’s current economic situation, like marriage statistics on Valentine’s day, education data on Teachers Day, birth and death rates on Day of the Dead, and a host of other trivia . . .

Property ownership in Mexico carries all of the same responsibilities of property ownership elsewhere, and protecting your valuable physical assets against unforeseen events is an essential consideration as you formulate your annual budget. It’s worth noting that home insurance is distinct from Title Insurance, which covers you in the event that the title deed of the property you purchase turns out to be invalid causing your title to the property to be brought into question, and paying out compensation in the event that you lose title to the asset…

Independence Day on September 16 is the most widely celebrated of Mexico’s four political national holidays. It’s no wonder this is so as it marks the events that led to the creation of the Mexican Republic following three centuries of Spanish colonial rule . . .

You’re planning another visit to Mexico and, after rummaging through the drawers to find your passport, hey presto! …some notes appear with “Banco de Mexico” printed on them. You glance at the value ($1000 pesos, $50,000 pesos, $100,000 pesos) and your mind goes into mathematical over-drive: so what is $100,000 divided by today’s peso exchange rate?

Mexicans have three words for earthquake. The choice of word can depend on where the person was at the time of the quake, and under what conditions . . .

Seasoned readers of these pages may know that we have often extolled the virtues of exchanging your foreign currency in cash when you get to Mexico, and not before. Having just taken note of the exchange rates offered at two airports, our advice remains unchanged . . .