Mexico Vacation Travels Pictures, Reviews, & Deals» Mexican Culture

Things to do in Mexico: Visit Isla de Janitzio

Rachel — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:42:07 +0000

Located in the middle of Lake Pátzcuaro in the state of Michoacán in Mexico, the island of Janitzio or Isla de Janitzio is actually a volcanic island and is home to the Purépechan, a native of the country.

The primary industry here is fishing but lately, tourism has also helped boosts the little town’s economy. Janitzio is filled with small stores in its narrow roads where handicrafts and food are sold.

The island is so small that no cars are allowed in the streets and the main means of transportation is actually walking, which makes exploring it even more convenient. The town is mainly a burial site with many tombs all around.

You can’t miss this from Michoacán as you can instantly site the 156 feet statue of Jose Maria Morelos to the top and center of the island. he was one of Mexico’s independence fighter, and an iconic part of their history.

From the mainland, it will take about thirty minutes to get here and usually visitors do come to enjoy the sites and buy handicrafts.

However, on the Day of the Dead, which is one of Mexico’s most important dates, the island celebrates this rather uniquely. And for visitors who come to this place at that time, it’s quite memorable and momentous as the whole island is decked with decorations. Boats that come to and from this place are also decorated with lanterns as part of their remembrance for the dead.

Things to do in Mexico: Watch the Lucha Libre

Rachel — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:30:34 +0000

The Lucha Libre or “free wrestling” is very popular among Spanish-speaking countried, including Mexico. It’s their own version of the WWF (or World Wrestling Federation) and participants to this event, who are all pro-wrestlers, wear colorful masks and costumes as part of the funfare.

The moves of these wrestlers are quite entertaining to watch, in spite of the violence, as they do high flying manuevers, which have actually been adapted by wrestlers from the United States.

Lucha Libre dates back to the 1930′s and back then, matches sparked a lot of riots forcing the events to shutdown. Despite this, however, the sport remains of cultural signifance to Mexico and as tourists, you can still watch Lucha Libre now and then.

In Mexico City, the Lucha Libre usually takes place in Arena Mexico, which is considered as the luchadores Holy Temple. The place can accommodate a lot of people, over 16,000 in fact. The building is rather old though, and was built at the same time Lucha Libre rose in popularity.

A typical match usually consists of about 5 fights with 3 rounds each. Fighters are matched based on skills and body weight and are usually carried out like a tag-team.

To keep the crowd entertained, organizers of the Lucha Libre has added a special fight involving gay fighters who torment their opponents by butt grabbing or lip smacking.

Watching a fight is more of fun than disturbing really, as these are pro-wrestlers who know how to handle their matches.

Salma Hayek: She needs no introduction

Azzi — Mon, 30 May 2011 17:42:46 +0000

In the glittery and glamorous world of Hollywood, there have come and gone faces that left little or no impression on the world at large. In fact, for every face that has been a world icon, there have been a thousand others who could only try. But, those that made it to the big show, those who proved they had mettle to back them, have been nothing less than iconic. Mexico has one icon up there, and her name is Salma Hayek. Her star has been nonpareil. Her style has been followed like wild fire. She has been the one star who’s Latino heat has never lost the temperature.

Dyslexia never stopped her zest and passion for acting, and in the 1990s Salma made a name for herself in the most formidable motion picture industry of the world, hollywood. The critically acclaimed Desperado was her first shot to stardom, and for those who have seen the movie, will know what is said here. Other successes soon followed, like Fools Rush In, From Dusk Till Dawn, Wild Wild West and so on. Her high commercial apex came in 2002 in the form of Frida, This movie, based on the real life of Frida Kahlo, earned her the Academy award nomination for best Actress. Enough said.

Besides acting, Hayek has also been a producer and director, and her Oscar nominated Frida was produced by herself. And, before you think her repertoire of talent has exhausted, Hayek is also and accomplished singer, with many of her movies featuring numbers that have been sung by herself. Hayek is now a naturalized US citizen, but, deep down, she is still a Mexican at heart, a true Latino beauty indescribable in mere forms of words. Hayek has evoked a sense of sensuality and depth in her acting that is hard to come by. She is one heck of an acting finesse…

Ana Guevara: Seriously fast

Azzi — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:49:09 +0000

Among Mexico’s greatest ever sporting legends comes the name of Ana Guevara, an iron hearted maiden with a knack for anything speed. With her agility, and her willpower alone, Ana has given reason to Mexico to hold up its head high among a competition vying for the fastest pole. A 400 meter race specialist, Ana Guevara wins medals and races as if they were second nature, at the same time proving to the world that nothing in this version of life is deserving of the word impossible, and its just a matter of time before the prized medal becomes a possesion.

Born on the 4th of March, 1977, Ana Gabriela Guevara Espinoza started her career in 1997 and went on a hunting spree of every possible racing medal out there. A gold medal at the 1999 Pan American games kick started her medal collection process and marked a point where there was no turning back for the ace of pace. At the 2001 World champion athletics she again proved her mettle by winning bronze, although a late charge coul have significantly improved her standings. Further gold medals followed suit at the 2003 Pan American Games and the International Association of Athletics Federation’s golden league in Paris, France. The latter medal gave her a personal best time. It also happened to be a Mexican record, and also the world leading time. Thats awe inspiring.

The glories dont end here. Guevara bore the Mexican flag at the 2004 Olympics, was a silver winner in that tournament, again won the gold at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics, and she continued this winning streak in 2007 at the Pan American Games. Besides such outstanding achievements, Guevara has to her credit many other sporting honrs both at the national and international level. She retired in 2008 but left behind a slew of achievements that are a model for any budding athlete to be. Mexico is damn proud to have Guevara at it’s side.

Mario J. Molina: A gifted chemist

Azzi — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:46:33 +0000

Earth’s environment has been the combined responsibility of every citizen of the planet. The issue has come to the fore since man started using and developing machines for his survival and advancement. The sad effect of this blessing came in the form of pollution that destabilized the very ecology of planet earth. The situation could have gone critical had not a warning come from a Mexican citizen who warned earthlings about the danger to the ozone layer over Antarctica. That citizen was no other than the great Mexican chemist José Mario Molina-Pasquel Henríquez, a man whose scientific work left an indelible impact on the chemical world, with influences far reaching.

Born on March 19, 1943, Mr. Molina received his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Mexico’s premier institute of higher learning, the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 1965. Later on, he did his post graduation from the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, West Germany (1967) and finally a doctorate degree from the University of California, Berkeley(1972). Molina was a deep advocate of nature and environmental conservation and along with F. Sherwood Rowland, published a paper entitled Nature that brought to notice the evil effects of Chloroflorocarbons on the ozone layer of the earth. Molina had to struggle a lot to convince the scientific community to encourage the ban on CFCs, with the result that in 1976, CFCs were banned from any public use. Molina was the recipient of the prestigious Nobel Prize in chemistry for his efforts.

An active member of the famous scientific communities like the Pontifical Academy of Science and the National College of Mexico, Mario Molina is an untiring figure in the field of applied chemistry. The importance of Molina to the world is evident in the fact that the asteroid 9680 Molina is named after him. A truly shining star of Mexico, Molina has used his rare talents in every effort to safeguard the world. Currently, he is the member of Barack Obama’s Committee of Advisors in Science and Technology.

Haciendas: Mexico’s wealthiest

Azzi — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:03:15 +0000

Pride has many forms. But in all of those forms, it manifests a common trait, that of a feeling of happiness over a possession that is dear to one’s eye, and being dear to one’s eyes, there arises an ardent need to show it to the world, and let it have a glimpse of the splendor and beauty of that same thing. Wealthy people of Mexico, being a royal lot, choose to show off their possessions in as grand a way as is possible. Allow me to introduce to you, the hacienda, the Spanish version of the rich man’s estate.

Haciendas originated in the 16th century, and came in the form of land grants to the conquistadors. The famous Hernán Cortés, when given the title of Marquess, got a piece of land as a gift. That piece of land blossomed to become one of the first haciendas, and Mexican tradition followed in its foot steps. Now, haciendas occupy a primal position in the rich cultural heritage of Mexico and are a pride of every wealthy man living in the country. What attracts you towards them is their maintenance and splendor that is painstakingly updated and uplifted from time to time. Just take a look at the Jesuit Hacienda Santa Lucia near Mexico City and you’d know what I mean.
Haciendas have been the subject of many forms of popular culture, appearing in telefilms, movies etc. Although earlier Haciendas were limited to only industrial plantations and such like, now their significance has increased manifold, and haciendas today are more of a tourist attraction than a business venture. Gardens of the hacienda Saint Gabriel at Guanajuato are good examples of what haciencdas really can attract. For one thing, they are covered in nature. All you have to do is walk in with a camera with an empty memory card and full battery..

Chapultepec Park: Free Roam

Azzi — Fri, 20 May 2011 05:36:59 +0000

If a park can hold its own among the world’s great constructions, then surely it can have a lot going for it. The Chapultepec Park in Mexico City is one such example. Being the largest city park in the entire Latin America and attending to a surplus of 15 million visitors per annum, the Chapultepec park is truly one of it’s kind. The park serves as a valuable ecological ground for the megalopolis that is Mexico City, and, along with the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, Imperial Gardens of Tokyo and The Central Park in New York City, the Chapultepec park is considered one of the world’s greatest mega parks.

The Bosque de Chapultepec (“The forest of Chapultepec, as the park is known) spread over an eye widening 686 hectares, is a complete entertainment center, featuring shopping Malls, sculptures, lakes, fountains, amusement parks and as many as nine museums, interspersed with long, winding pathways. Besides being a source of entertainment, the park also replenishes in a large part, the oxygen requirements of the burgeoning proportions of Mexico city, providing a balance between clean air and cool weather. Sundays are usually action packed, as the museums are free and strong connectivity via the ubiquitous Metro make sure that the park is never far away. Watch out for Metro lines 1 and 7.

Another huge attraction to the Chapultepec park is the zoo, where you will find some of the most exotic species found on planet earth. The park is ably divide into 3 sections so that you are never lost into the hugeness of the entire concoction. Notable performances for the Aztec dancers and the famous Ballet Folklorico de Mexico keep happening from time to time, and it adds to the overall appeal of the park. After a long day’s tour, this park certainly helps in reinvigorating your senses and preparing you for the next day. Dont miss it.

Palacio de Bellas Artes: For the artistic bend

Azzi — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:53:21 +0000

Art is divine. In its most sublime and outrageous forms, art manages to captivate and stimulate the senses to an extent that is simply nonpareil. The visual aspect of art leads seamlessly to the message it tries to convey, and with this seamless transition, startling discoveries and inspirations are drawn. no wonder every country has its own unique version of the arts scene and Mexico is no different. In fact, as you skim through the capital Mexico City you’d find a unique place where the entire country’s art collection is beautifully displayed to the hilt. Allow yourself to be mesmerized by the Palacio de Bellas Artes, or the Palace of Fine Arts.

Art Noveau( by Adamo Boari) and Art Deco (by Federico Mariscal) , the exterior and interior architecure styles used in the Palace, greet you with a magnificent view. The palace has been in existence for more than a century now and still it has not lost any of the charm it got from it’s gifted designers. Italian Carrera marble adorns the front facade, and as you move inside, the works of Leonardo Bistolfi make their presence felt with a charming display of almost every human emotion. There are more artists to tell you about than just meets the eye, and this post is frankly too short to do justice to them all..

What you should see, and what you shouldnt miss, are the murals present in the palace that give you invaluable insight about the Mexican culture. Also, the palace is the hosting ground for many of the world’s best artistic events, such as photography, music, painting and sculpture. The Ballet Folklórico de México Compania Nacional de Opera de Bellas Artes are prime examples of groups that perform regularly in the palace. Our advice: Just visit the palace. Art lovers will find nirvana here..

Miss María Félix: La Doña

Azzi — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:52:47 +0000

Followed in fashion? check. Remembered and revered in music? check. Admired and captured in art? check. With so many checks, it is quite logical to deduce that the person in question was no ordinary mortal. That person was in fact a gift from God. A gift to the country whose golden era in the field of Cinema saw umpteen stellar performances by that same person in context. Perhaps it was fitting for the fans of this personality to associate a name of honor that would do justice to the very aura so natural to that same person. La Doña, honorary title for Miss María Félix, sums up her position as one of Mexico’s top cinema stars.

Fernando Palacios, a businessman in Mexico City can be credited with spotting this rising star in María Félix . Her attitude and confidence, which she showed in many of her succeeding films, made her s shining star of Mexico’s stylish Cinema in no apparent time. Maria had no trouble in delivering promising roles and suiting herself according to the demand of the role, and the fact is evident in flicks like Doña Bárbara(1943) and La Valentina(1996). Even Hollywood couldn’t resist her. But Maria had her own terms. She was a woman of confidence, after all.

Due to her immense popularity as a movie star, Maria Félix w as the subject of many artistic compositions, fashion trends and popular songs. With her husband Alex Jorge, a French banker by profession, she promoted and managed his company Monclova, that raced horses and achieved many wins in the course of the company’s history. Félix’ death in 2002 came as a big blow to movie buffs of the classic era, and the emotion is justified. Maria’s films are not expressed in words or oration, they are best experienced live with her full glory. Don’t miss her films, traveler.

The Mayan Effect: Pyramid of the Sun

Azzi — Sun, 15 May 2011 01:06:54 +0000

Perception is everything, they say, and in fact, it is true. What appears one thing to someone may not appear the same to the other. But the reason this post has started off with such a vague topic is because of the fact that Mexico, in spite of being a modern country, has still not lost its ancient charm that it’s native ancestors, the famous people from the Mayan civilization created. So, in spite of the modernity, there still exist towns like Teotihuacán where ancient tradition and architecture still hold sway. Ladies and gentlemen of the traveler kind, I give you. the Sun Pyramid. Change your perception from Mexico to Maya, and enter the city.

The famous Aztecs gave the Sun Pyramid its name, as they used to visit Teotihuacán long after it was vacated by the inhabitants. The pyramid first came into existence around 100 AD, and, the construction was two phased. Basically the first one gave the structure and the second one provided the finishing. What is mind boggling is the fact that in such an old time, people actually knew the technology to make buildings this huge, and the sun pyramid is huge. It is in fact the third tallest pyramid in the world at 225 meters, after the Pyramid of Cholula, Mexico and of course, the great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt. Agoraphobics, beware..

Unfortunately, archaeologists have been unable to connect the pyramid of the sun to any deity or important figure within the Teotihuacán society, because of the continuous corruption of the structure’s original integrity, by forces both natural and man made. However, what is unchanged and will forever remain is the grandeur and beauty professed by this massive structure. There is a hidden, mystical meaning behind every piece of work of the great Mayans. Visit the Pyramid. See if you can connect to it…