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Showing 1-25 of 28 results
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Scoop Scoops: Our 5 Favorite Ice Cream Treats in Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 1 July 2010
July has been National Ice Cream Month ever since Ronald Reagan made it so during his presidency in 1984. He also decreed that the third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day. Anyway, to celebrate we thought we’d share the scoop on the best scoops we’ve found during our 14 months of road tripping through Mexico. We’re not even dessert people, but here in Mexico they definitely scream for ice cream. In no particular order, here are five of our favorite finds. 1. Every region of Mexico is known for some sort of signature food.
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The Streets Part II: The Noble Tamale
Blog: Say Yes to Tacos - 18 April 2010
OK, maybe calling a tamale ``noble`` is an exaggeration. But they are irresistable, inscrutably hidden away in their corn-husk wrappings like a steamed, juicy Christmas present. It is, I hear, foolish to attempt to make them on your own except under the strict supervision of a tamale expert...
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Horse Sense – Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico (part 5 of 5)
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 2 April 2010
We’ve been raving about the horsemanship culture in Lagos de Moreno and while we were there we got to know some of the local trainers who are crafting amazing horses. One of the most sought-after trainers of horses for use in competitive charreada (Mexican rodeo) is Juan Zermeno. Juan is a competitive, perfectly-attired guy with steely eyes and a better grasp on the English language than he lets on. More importantly, he speaks horse. Fluently.
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Branding Day – Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico (part 4 of 5)
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 30 March 2010
We’ve said it before but the longer we linger in Mexico (12 months and counting for those keeping track at home…) the more it proves to be true: Mexicans can and will turn anything into a fiesta. And they’re willing to work for it. And so we find ourselves invited to branding day at Rancho San Cayetano which is worked and occupied by Juan Alcaza and his lovely family. In addition to raising cattle, Juan’s beautiful wife, Lupita, helps run an equinotherapy program for physically and mentally challenged children at the beautiful ranch too.
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The Charreada Challenge – Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico (part 3 of 5)
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 29 March 2010
Before we take you to a charreada (Mexican rodeo) we need you to forget about rodeos you may have seen in the US or Canada. In Mexico (where rodeo was born), it’s a whole different animal. For starters, it’s a team sport with each charro (Mexican cowboy) on the team competing on behalf of the team in the event or events in which he excels at the most. After the Mexican Revolution Mexicans began to worry that the charro traditions were being lost so official organizations were formed to foster and govern what it means to be a charro and to keep the charreadas alive.
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On Horseback Through History – Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico (part 2 of 5)
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 23 March 2010
The Mexican state of Jalisco claims to be the birthplace of a few pretty important cornerstones of Mexican culture including Mariachi music and tequila. A lesser known contribution, which can be traced back to Jalisco, is the charro or Mexican cowboy. Charros and charreadas (Mexican rodeos, which we’ll take you to in an upcoming Lagos de Moreno post) pre-date cowboys and rodeos in the US. It’s true.
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Hacienda Heaven – Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico (part 1 of 5)
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 21 March 2010
It’s a travel truth that applies even to lifers like us: The more you travel the more likely you are to find the place that makes you want to stop traveling and stay for a while. Or forever. For us, Lagos de Moreno in Jalisco may be that place. Over the next five posts we’ll do our best to convey the appeal of this sleepy, dusty, little-visited spot in central Mexico. Is it the people? Is it the history? Is it the desert? Is it the horses? Is it the horsemen (and women)? Is it the haciendas? Is it the pride? Is it the tequila?
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Mexico’s Million Monarch Migration – Valle de Bravo, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 11 March 2010
As another season of epic annual monarch butterfly migration comes to an end here in Mexico, we started thinking about our accidental encounters with the fluttery masses last year. And we do mean accidental. We were driving along hwy 134 from Mexico City toward Valle de Bravo just minding our own damn business. Our first hint that something was in the air came when Mexican police cars suddenly veered into traffic and slowed all cars to a crawl.
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Mardi Gras Mexico Style – Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 17 February 2010
Mexico’s Fat Tuesday (Martes Gorda?) celebrations may not be as huge or as raucous or as naked as some, however, the annual Mardi Gras parade here in Ajijic did have its moments… …like this paper mache bull going after parading (intentionally bad) drag queens. What’s a parade with banda and some bovine love? Superheroes and Supercharros mingle during Ajijic’s Mardi Gras parade. [geo_mashup_map] Related posts:Celebrating the Virgin – Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico Lakeside Serenity – Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico Mountain Bliss – Tapalp
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Goodbye, Guadalajara
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 15 February 2010
All told we’ve now spent more than three months in and around Guadalajara and, as we prepare to finally move on, we wanted to share a few of heartfelt and (we hope) helpful observations about Mexico’s second largest city. Best fish tacos: Taco Fish on La Paz. Yeah, 16 pesos is a whole lot to pay for a taco in Mexico, but this street spot slings expertly fried fish and shrimp tacos with all the fixin’s. The crowd speaks for itself. Warning: unless you’re an NFL quarterback (Go Saints!) do NOT order more than two. They’re huge as well as delicious.
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We Talk Pretty One Day – Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 11 February 2010
Learning a new language is hard. If you don’t know what we’re talking about then you never learned a second language OR you’re one of those freaks who love to conjugate verbs, gobble up new grammar like it’s gummy bears, can’t wait to wade through new vocabulary and says things like “Next, I think I’ll learn Swahili…”. Yeah, we’re talking about YOU Megan. Anyway, we’ve just completed five weeks of Spanish language immersion classes at a school in Guadalajara called IMAC.
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Celebrating the Virgin – Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 1 February 2010
Ajijic–on Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico–is a typical mid-sized Mexican town in many ways. Every Wednesday a tianguis (farmers’ market) takes over one huge street and everyone comes out to buy avacados and fresh-squeezed orange juice and any of the hundreds of other wonderful and affordable goods for sale. The streets are cobbled. The town square is peaceful. The pace is languid. The sun is out pretty much every day of the year. Nobody obeys the traffic signs.
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Forget Fruitcake – Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 14 January 2010
Christmas, as you might expect, is a major big deal in Mexico and the season stretches all the way to January 6–aka Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes). In some parts of the country this is when the children get their presents not on that tired old December 25. Three Kings Day is also celebrated with its own special baked good, a bready/cakey/tasty thing called a rosca de reyes.
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Beach and Mountain Escapades
Blog: Say Yes to Tacos - 17 November 2009
A few weekends ago, Andy and I whisked the girls away on a four day caper to the coast and through the mountains. We kicked it off with a boat ride to Isla Alacranes on Lago Chapala at sunset (above). The next day we swept down crazy, winding mountain roads in our tiny red rental car, [...]
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Yes, We Have No Tequila – Los Altos Tequila Region, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 15 June 2009
The Los Altos region of Jalisco is the second major tequila producing area after the Tequila region. It’s iron-rich red earth and cooler climate are considered to produce some of the best, and often sweeter tequilas. Some of the most famous premium tequilas sold in the US come from this area including Don Julio (one of our favorites) and Patron, which is made here and shipped up to the US in tanker trucks to be bottled there.
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Eat, Drink and Be Mexican – Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 10 June 2009
It all started near Guadalajara, where so many good things have happened for us. That’s where we met Pascual and Jakeline who generously invited us to hang out with them in their town, Arandas. A few days later we were there eating, drinking, seeing and enjoying the best that this unsung destination has to offer in the hands of two great guides.
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Fiesta de 188 Aniversario – Union de Tula, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 30 May 2009
We’ve been in Mexico for about five months now and we have yet to find a single person who needs more than the vaguest excuse to throw a party. First, second, third or fourth Wednesday of the month? Good enough. Got to the gas station before the morning rush? Let’s celebrate. Cat had kittens? Party at my house! The only thing that seems closer to a Mexican’s heart than a good party is his or her hometown. Between the family ties and fond memories, Home has an almost cosmic pull on most Mexicans. So when your hometown throws a week long fiesta you clear your schedule.
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Mountain Bliss – Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 17 May 2009
Mexico is blessed with slightly fewer than 40 small towns that have met the government’s strict standards and earned the right to be called Pueblo Magicos or magic towns. However, if you were only going to visit one of them we might recommend that you make it Tapalpa.
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Drink it Straight – Cascahuin Tequila Distillery, Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 15 May 2009
A visit to Central Mexico wouldn’t be complete without some tequila time so we happily head to El Arenal on the Ruta de Tequila between Guadalajara and the town of Tequila for a look at the Cascahuin Tequila Factory. We’ve been to tequila factories before but what we immediately like about this one is its size: not so small that there’s nothing going on but not so big that you feel like you’re in the clutches of corporate tequila.
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Lakeside Serenity – Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 10 May 2009
Lake Chapala, about 25 miles south of Guadalajara, is the largest lake in Mexico and it really is impressively sprawling. The lake is ringed by a number of towns including Ajijic, Chapala and Jocotepec. The Ajijic/Chapala area is home to one of the largest North American expat communities found anywhere in Mexico.
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Air Show Over the Lake – Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 3 May 2009
A sunny day, a beautiful lake and an impressive display of aerial acrobatics. Oh, and cheap cold beer and good friends. Sign us up! Sorry you couldn’t be there, but we hope you enjoy these photos of the Red Bull Air Team performing at the Lake Chapala Air Show. There’s even some video at the bottom of this post. And a few videos : [geo_mashup_map] Related posts:Lakeside Serenity – Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico Celebrating the Virgin – Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico We Talk Pretty One Day – Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
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Just Passing Through – Talpa de Allende, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 23 April 2009
The tiny but charming town of Talpa de Allende is in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Jalisco state. It’s normally pretty sunny and sleepy (except for bustling handmade candied fruit factories and a bustling coffee industsry). But the town also draws tens of thousands of visitors during annual pilgrimages to visit the town’s “miracle causing” virgin. We simply passed through Talpa one afternoon, but our brief visit was enough to make us want to return.
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Cold Beers, Leche Caliente and Smoking Volcanos – Colima & Comala, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 26 March 2009
The wonderful village of Comala, 10 miles outside of Colima, lies in the shadow of the active Volcán de Colima. [...] Continue reading →
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Magic Towns – Mazamitla, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 14 March 2009
Sprinkled throughout Mexico are charming old towns that have met official government standards that qualify them as Pueblos Magicos or magical towns. We’ve visited quite a few of them and they’re always a pleasure with quiet streets, traditional architecture, welcoming town squares and a pristine small town feel. We decided to visit the Pueblo Magico of Mazamitla to check out its charms and to check out what our Lonely Planet guide to Mexico assured us were the best tacos in the world.
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The Last of the Tequila – Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico
Blog: Trans-Americas Journey - 27 February 2009
Yes, we did finally leave Tequila, however, here are a few more photos from the area. We stumbled upon this fiesta in Etzatlan, not a hard thing to do in Mexico. [...] Continue reading →
