Much of a nation’s comes through its ability to generate revenue through industries and the usage and development of advanced methodologies. To that effect, the country’s economic status among the nations is an important parameter and crucial ingredient in its overall image. Hermosillo, situated in Sonora, is one shining example of a Mexican city that has its roots deeply fixed into economic growth and industry. It is, in fact, one of the country’s most important industrial centers. Despite the fact that its an industrial center, the city is a big draw for tourists with its many museums, impressive buildings and typical Mexican extravaganza.

In the vast Sonoran desert, the city lies on a plain surrounded by desert vegetation on all sides. The only city to provide purified drinking water for domestic use, Hermosillo is a popular stop for tourists who happen to be the road aficionado types. Places in the city worth a look include, among others, the Cathedral de la Asunción, the Plaza Zaragoza, the iconic Government Palace of 1881, and, among the natural wonders, the Cerro de la Campana, a small mountain symbolic of the city. Museums are another of the city’s strong points, and you should definitely visit the Regional Museum, the Museo de Sonora and the Museo de Culturas Populares e Indígenas. All of these museums are sure indicators of the rich Mexican heritage.

And since you have come to Hermosillo, dont leave it without paying attention to the Centro Ecológico de Sonora, if you happen to be a nature lover. The ecological center will satisfy you with its comprehensive collection of 300 species of plants and about 200 species of animals. Also worthy of note are the two important festivals in the form of Fiesta de la Vendimia (the grape harvest festival) and the Feria Exposición Ganadera e Industrial (The exposition of livestock and industry). You’d be amazed at how much Hermosillo can offer you. Just visit it.

As much as food is signatory of a country, as much as it is a paradigm of a country’s culture, it is a feast for the senses ofr which it was originally intended. The very aroma that good food provides is sometimes enough to singlehandedly attract a wannabe tourist to a nation, and yet, the method and objective of any food is very rudimentary and quite simple. Food is thus a dichotomy like no other, and speaking of Mexico, which has got its own storehouse of excellent cuisine and delectable menus, there’s no dearth of options for a foodie, and, among the many choice dishes that come out of Mexico, Taco is one of the most eye catching and certainly one of the most satisfying.

At the very outset, Taco is simply a filling(a yummy one) engulfed with a corn or wheat tortilla helping. The filling is a pretty exciting place to be. You can have a filling in the form of meat, beef, pork, chicken, seafood and what not. (in fact, anything that makes a Taco heartily satisfying) . Accompanying the taco is a garnish made up of any permutation of spicy helpings. You are looking at tomatoes, lettuce, cilantro, onions, guacamole, salsa, avocado etc. The bottom line in preparing the Taco is ultra nice taste and at the same time ensure that the belly satisfied to the hilt.

Tacos are traditional to Mexico, and appear in many forms. Popular versions of Tacos include Tacos de Asador, Tacos de pescado, Tacos de Cazo, Tacos sudados and many other notable versions that are each worth a try at least once. Our recommendation is to come to the restaurant with a growling stomach (you can achieve this by sightseeing in Mexico, no big deal) and let the creamy aroma fill your senses with joy. Rest assured, Tacos are irresistible helpings..

Mexican culture is no alien to good quality, sound music that emanates straight from the heart, passes through the dark passages of the soul and comes out to form a melody that is captivating in every sense of the word. In fact, music, be it of any country, is so steeped into the life of humankind that it is hard to imagine performing arts without it. Music and its composition is complex enough, and as such there is no such demarcation as to who brings the real element of soul in the composition. However, it is the singer that expresses that whole composition and churns out a melody befitting the song. Lila Downs, one of Mexico’s premier singers, was just that.

Born to artistically prolific parents (her mother being a singer and father a professor of arts), Downs began her career by singing in clubs of Philadelphia and Oaxaca, in the beginning of the 1990s. With American Saxophonist Paul Cohen, she formed a music group that never looked back. Cohen later turned love interest to Downs and they married. Now Cohen is her director and band member. Lila Downs is adept at both French and English lyrics, and she tours regularly in Latin America to give fresh food for soul to her ever increasing audience of fans. Down’s secret lies in her silvery voice that she inherited from her mother.

Downs has been nominated for an academy award, for her stellar composition “Burn It Blue” for the movie Frida. This song was performed by her at the 75th academy awards ceremony, and is an indication of her popularity in countries outside Latin America. Listen  to her albums and you’ll get a drift of what we are talking about. Downs sends a frenzy of emotion down the spine that touches the soul to reinvigorate the mind and free the intangible intricacies. You gotta listen to her sing.

Mayan architecture again triumphs. In fact, there is little that even comes close to Mayan architecture that has the capability to leave you open mouthed with awe. The various Mayan ruins scattered around the entire of Mexico are testimony of that. Talk about architecture, we are awed simply by the ruins of the magnificent building that used to be. The Pyramid of the magician, situated in Uxmal, holds in every possible way to the truth about the mysticism surrounded by Mayan ruins. Although known as the pyramid of the dwarf, it is the tallest Mayan structure in Uxmal.

Uxmal is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Pyramid of the soothsayer (that’s what the Pyramid of the Magician is also called), and this pyramid is one of it’s shining stars. Starting construction in about 6AD, the expansion process continued for as many as 400 years to complete. Many believe that at one time, the pyramid stood at about 131 ft from the ground. In the Yucatán Peninsula, there is not a better piece of architecture than this concoction of pure stone. It is Puuc architecture at it’s best. There are five temples here, each with a unique architecture style that is better seen than read. (Its pleasantly rhythmic but the point is made).

There is a most mystical legend that goes with the Pyramid of the Magician, the description of which is beyond the scope of this post. What you should know, is that the now conserved pyramid is a hot bed for tourist activity and is a sure attraction if you happen to visit Uxmal (Uxmal literally means “thrice built”). The ancient temples and the rich aura that is so characteristic of Mayan architecture is a fresh indicator of how very important this monumentent was in the thick of Uxmal’s flourish. Don’t miss the Uxmal detail..

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..

Controversy is a big drawer of attention. It shows that the subject in question has reached a certain level of importance to become a talk of the town in general. The general trend for a controversial topic is either it is too good, or it is too bad. In architecture, a mega structure often invites controversy if it is too daunting to the common eye. The José Vasconcelos Library, situated in Mexico City, is just that. It is a large piece of architecture, that, despite the controversy, has remained a thing of awe for natives and tourists alike.

During the Vicente Fox administration (the president of Mexico from 2000-2006), the library was the largest expenditure to see the face of construction, totaling at  a whopping 954 million pesos (equivalent to 98 million dollars). Occupying an area of 38000 square meters (409,000 sq ft), the library was inaugurated on 16 May, 2006 and was dedicated to the famous philosopher and president of the National Library of Mexico Mr. José Vasconcelos. Like any other innovative piece of architecture, the library was declared as a wonder creation of the 21st century but soon, it drew controversy and concerns over its design and flaws in manufacturing. The criticism was so strong that the library had to be closed in 2007 for security reasons.

Nevertheless, a new ray of hope emerged for the building as a further 22 million pesos were granted to renovate the library and bring it back to public access. As a result of the continued efforts of engineers and architects, it was opened for public on November 2008 to critical acclaim. Visitors to the library will love the sculptures flanking the building by some of the most famous Mexican sculptors, famous examples of them being Gabriel Orozco’s “Ballena”. Situated in downtown Delegación Cuauhtémoc in Mexico city, this library is a must visit..

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.

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..

There is nothing as good as a good ol’ walk down a street, you gotta trust it. Its a way of unwinding oneself after a gruesome day or a place to set the body active after a good night’s rest. That is not the end, in fact, a walk down the road is so much soothing for the senses that it can be done at any time of the day for as long as one wishes, and there is actually little or no reason for fatigue. When you come to the colorful city of Monterrey, you don’t just do a walk down a street, you do it on the world famous Santa Lucia Riverwalk.

The riverwalk first saw construction in 1996 but faced dormancy for a full 9 years before anything substantial could be built (economic reasons). But construction resumed in full swing in 2005 and the riverwalk was inaugurated by the President of Mexico along with other dignitaries, including the city mayor in 2007. The inauguration was flanked by the 197th anniversary of the Mexican war of Independence. Today, it is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city of Monterrey, not to mention the most versatile. Its a riverwalk, after all, very usable.

So, what can you do with this riverwalk? Of course, besides the visual appeal that the thing has, and besides the fact that you can always take a refreshing walk down the artificial river for as long as you want (the riverwalk is a full 1.55 miles long), you can sit down on a quiet bench and just enjoy the serene view after a full day of sightseeing around Monterrey. Motorboats are also available for those wanting to use the waters, and for the tech guys who want connectivity all day long, there’s the free public wi-fi network to satiate that need. Rest assured, its not just another walk in the park..

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…