By MoKa Hammeken (Reprinted from 2012) March 21st is known around the world as the beginning of Spring. Spring comes to life much as a backdrop to Snow White or Sleeping Beauty; birds joyfully singing, flowers opening and swaying in the wind, fields turn green and leafy trees provide shade to couples who set aside their […]
On January 6th, Día de los Reyes (Kings’ Day/Epiphany), the Christmas season continues in Mexico with the arrival of the Three Kings bearing gifts. Whereas many gifts at Christmas time may include clothing, Kings’ Day is traditionally the time that children receive toys (particularly in central Mexico). A delicious tradition from Día de los Reyes […]
By MoKa Hammeken We open our agendas and the calendar states it is “Constitution Day – February 5th.”* It doesn’t appear to be anything grand, there are no huge parties or colorful parades; it is a day off and therefore there are no schools or work, lending a relaxed air to the weekend. Even so, […]
January 6th is the date when the Three Wise Men (Kings) set about on their peculiar forms of transport (horse, camel, and elephant) and deliver gifts to children around the world, and Mexico is no exception. Kings’ Day is one of the most anticipated days for Mexican children as in various parts of the country […]
By MoKa Hammeken February is a month filled with festivities. From the moment it starts there’s one celebration after another, yet definitely the most anticipated one (despite the lovers and desire for flowers, chocolate and other signs of affection) is Carnaval and its pernicious pleasures. Lights, colors, crowds, parade floats and fiesta, mucha fiesta! In many parts […]
Keep in mind that Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 is the observed bank holiday honoring Mexico’s Constitution Day. Constitution Day, which is actually Feb. 5th, honors the approval of the Constitution by the Mexican Constitutional Congress on February 5, 1917, with Venustiano Carranza serving as the first president.
Beginning on the evening of Nov. 1st, colorful altars commemorating deceased loved ones began to appear across Puerto Peñasco. The local office of Civic Action and Culture even held a contest for schools to display their most creative altars in honor of Day of the Dead. Though I missed the contest on the evening of […]
To the people of New York, Paris, or London, “death” is a word that is never pronounced because it burns the lips. The Mexican, however, frequents it, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it; it is one of its favorite toys and most steadfast love. Of course, in his attitude perhaps there […]