Mexico: Abundant in Natural Produce

The wealth of natural resources in Mexico is obviously what prompted the country to be a food enthusiast's haven, much like the inkling the Spaniards had when they took over the land for more than three centuries. The Mexicans's Aztec powers combined with many other habits that were brought about by years of invasions of other states are the foundation of what we know now as the Mexican cuisine.

Mexican cooking is customarily all about mixing and corn, the two basic elements of food according to practice and the main ingredient respectively. When the Spaniards came, they accumulated other elements to these previous ones especially on the ingredients aspect, which include meat, sugar, cheese, fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs. From there, it was a flawless display of kitchen talent that worked to produce valid dishes that could not be found or eaten best anywhere in the world but in Mexico. The reason behind this must be the fact that an wonderful melange of produce does not appear to taste much better than what is found on the local markets, which are key parts of a Mexican's way of life. Whether it is salsa, taco, tortilla, chile, or flauta that you long for, you will not find the best tasting kind if you did not pay a satisfying visit to a Mexican kitchen.

Eschewing Mexican Bribing Law Enforcer

When I came home after a week's spree in Mexico, a cousin welcomed me with several questions. He kept on asking how well my spree was, how amicable the people were, and how the beaches looked like. I replied to all of his questions respectfully with an air of forgiveness to his plain inquisitiveness. But when he inquired about bribe-asking cops, I was sort of bewildered because I never had any engagement with a Mexican police who demanded money from me.

I could grasp my cousin's concern because his brother who was sent to Mexico a few years ago had a fuss with a bribing cop. He committed a traffic violation and a police suggested to resolve the case with "the best means" available. That "best means" turned out to be a bribe but of course, my cousin refused; however, since he was in haste for a business arrangement, he gave in.

I told my cousin that his brother's occurence never came to me. In the first place, I respectfully followed Mexico's traffic rules; I used my seatbelt, drove with the essential speed, and respected their traffic signs. If that would always be the event, a policeman would never command a driver to pull over. But one Mexican fellow actually told me that if ever I were asked to pay a cop, I should ask him to bring me to the police chief and that policeman would instantly retreat.

Generally speaking, Mexican law enforcers are honest beings and that shows in their late night news. But I think the safest way to avoid those few bribing law enforcers is to never call their attention and instead, follow traffic rules.

Devouring On The Long-Established Mayan Food

I was recently in Dzula, Quintana Roo in Mexico to observe the Long-Established Mayan Food Festival and my, it sure was a feast! There were so many food to enjoy and yet so inadequate time. I will try to interpret the most outstanding Mayan food I have eaten so far.

There is the flavorsome Conchinita Pibil, Papadzules, and Panuchos, all impeccable as a beer-match. I highly prescribe you get a taste of their local brew, the Montejo, a beer infused in Merida. Conchinita Pibil is a whole-cooked pig, preferably a suckling, grilled in banana leaves and given with superb Anatto sauce. Papadzules, on the other hand, is a tortilla stuffed with hard-boiled egg and given with a sauce made out of pumpkin seed. And the last beer-match courses, the Panuchos, a tortilla left opened with fried black beans, pickled onions and shredded chicken fillet on top.

For family banquet, you can try: the Tikin Xic which is a grilled fish fillet with Achiote paste, tomato, onion, Epazote, and green pepper; and, Poc Chuc which is also a grilled dish but using pork with Mexican Yellow Rice served at the side and refined with Habanero Chile peppers and Cilantro.

Mexican Fresh Fashion: In Pursuit of International Respect

Mexicans have always been noted for their cuisine and almost unheard of when it comes to clothing, fad, accessories, and the like. Today, the homegrown fad designers of Mexico seek to achieve their elusive international dream by establishing a flavor that is authentically theirs -- indigenous modern designs created through native techniques. If you look through the latest collections that are being sold in the market, you may not be able to see the difference unless you take some time out to examine the obscured details, which the designers tirelessly put to give their wardrobes a distinct character.

Carla Fernandez, for example, used native sewing techniques in the woolen jacket that was featured as part of her collection and combined it with inventive design, which defined its overall appeal. Sticking to the old rules is nevertheless a splendid sign for these Mexican designers such as Fernandez because this means that they are not merely imitating what's in and about the international scene but presenting a brand which they can claim as theirs instead. As their local shoppers take notice of the welcome change in the designs which expresses more of the Mexican way of life to give the gears a striking difference against the imported brands, the young designers expect that the rest of the world will soon follow suit.

Here Comes Spring Rest Madness Once More

Yes, it’s that duration of the year again ladies and gentlemen to get your trunks and bikinis packed because we'll be traveling the Cancun-side. Spring rest is a week-long intermission from studying in K-12 schools and universities which starts in late February and ordinarily ends until April 1st, depending on the country. Spring rest is ordinarily associated with parties including drinking, sexuality and nudity which upsets host venues that they take measures in ceasing the parties. Every year, a viewed 350,000 travelers, mostly students, head for Cancun, Mexico to have their spring rest.

This year is just similar as students will be having their festivities in Cancun beaches were there are about 140 hotels. The said cluster of hotels is tagged as the Hotel Zone by visitors and locals alike. The zone has a large range of lodging and services offered, ranging from affordable motel-style establishments to expensive hotels. During spring rest, majority of the Hotel Zone establishments offer students discounts which often enclose airfare and party packages.

Unfortunately, due to the unrelenting bad notoriety of spring rest parties, governments of countries who participate in the spring break have required students to get their passport. Before, only a birth certificate and a driver's license were appropriate and thus the spring breakers have met their own party blunderer.