Family was one of the things that drew me to Mexico; not my own family, but the sense of community that is inherent in this culture. I feel like family is a loosely defined term in this culture. Family in…
Family was one of the things that drew me to Mexico; not my own family, but the sense of community that is inherent in this culture. I feel like family is a loosely defined term in this culture. Family in…
Reading local literature has been a great way for me to understand another country, but it takes valuable time, especially in a society where working a 10 hour day is making a comeback. Most days I come back from work…
Having a country like the United States as a next door neighbor has its upsides and its downsides, and I am sure many Mexicans would rather be far away from our friend in the north. But if there is one…
[ENGLISH + ESPAÑOL] We sometimes think that certain things are associated with certain places or environments. For example, snow is found in Alaska, Canada and the USA, crystal clear waters and beaches in the Mayan Riviera, and the desert in…
“Diez pesos te vale, diez pesos te cuesta.” It’s a common phrase you’ll hear on your commute in Mexico City’s subway system, and it literally means that whatever the vagoneros (or “irregular” vendors) are trying to sell you not only costs…
Mexico City, my home, has so many wonderful things to offer. It has a unique gastronomical and cultural diversity, it offers a wide array of entertainment options for all kinds of people, and it’s home to hundreds of museums, parks,…
[ENGLISH + ESPAÑOL] For many outsiders, Mexico is the exotic land of their dreams, a paradise where one is surrounded by delicious street food, margaritas and hot salsa dancing. Sure, it has its problems – insecurity, corruption and the drug…
[ENGLISH + ESPAÑOL] On the eve of the commemoration of the anniversary of the Constitution of the United Mexican States, it’s worth taking a close look at and analyzing just how obsolete this post revolutionary document has become. This document…
[ENGLISH + ESPAÑOL] On any given afternoon in a city populated by almost 9 million people, all kinds of stories are being generated, and they all form part of the abundant society that these people comprise. The daily grind almost dictates…
For most Americans, Mexico is synonymous with danger. For a lot of Mexicans, Mexico City is synonymous with danger as well. There’s much talk about how dangerous this city is. And I won’t disagree entirely. But I will disagree. A…
Katie Bielamowicz is a Texan at heart, but a Mexican at soul. As soon as she graduated, she packed her bags, headed to Mexico and hasn’t looked back since. She doesn’t become enamored easily, but when she does, she falls hard. Such is the case with this country.
I was born in…..Dallas, Texas and I have spent most of my life in Texas, back and forth between Austin and Dallas and exploring everything in between. Now, the adventure has hopped across the border, to Mexico City. My favourite local film is……Hecho en México—a beautiful documentary celebrating this rich culture. They don’t just state it, they intertwine music and film in a way I have never seen before, narrating the documentary almost more through musical performances and visuals than actual interviews, providing not only an accurate portrayal, but also on-par criticisms. My favourite novel/book from Mexico is….El laberinto de la soledad (The Labyrinth of Solitude) by Octavio Paz. When I need a reminder of home, I listen to….Neil Young. My favourite time of the year is….December in Mexico City. It’s a lovely temperature, with lots of sunshine, and it reminds me of my first visit. My all time local hero is….Jorge, the street vendor at Metro Chapultepec. Maybe Jorge isn’t a hero by normal standards, but I am constantly in awe of this man. I see him everyday, outside of the pesero (bus) I take to work, selling candies, crackers, and cigarettes, with the biggest smile you could imagine, missing teeth brightly gaping, so content with life. I couldn’t imagine that lifestyle for myself, torn clothes, working on the streets, but I want his happiness. It’s a reminder to me that happiness isn’t the job you have, your possessions, or even where you are; it’s what you are. My favourite local phrase is….no pasa nada, literally meaning nothing happens—it’s a panacea for whatever life might throw your way, encouraging you to just let it go and not worry. My favourite words of wisdom are…..así es la vida—such is life. Once again, just let it go. Life works in a funny way and always has a way of figuring itself out. What I love most about my home (country) is…..it values the things you can’t buy: love, family, and good times. Forget the rest.
Last Sunday I was driving home after a long day at work when I noticed my stomach was growling. For some reason I was immediately transported to an alternative reality, back to my life in Mexico, and I said to…