IT'S MARDI GRAS!!

I'm sure that many of you have heard about the different Carnival celebrations around the world. The most famous ones take place in Venice, Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans (which I'm sure you know as Mardi Gras). But some people have no idea of the origins or meaning of these colorful parades, in fact, today someone asked me "why do they all take place at the same time?". Well, actually they are supposed to take place only in this time of year.

Like many occidental traditions, the Carnival finds its origins in the Catholic religion (though some carnival traditions may date back to Roman times), but in order to explain it better, I need to talk a little bit about Lent. Lent is a period in the Liturgical calendar that takes place during the 40 days before Easter (usualy starting on the last days of February). During these days, no parties or celebrations can be held, because for the Catholics this is a time of penitence and preparation in order to commemorate the Death and Resurection of Jesus Christ. Nowadays, for many people the penitence or sacrifice consists on giving up luxuries or some tipes of food or drinks.

So, before Lent all the delicious food and great drinks can be consumed, and a little excess is allowed, and that's what Carnival is all about. It is the last chance to have fun, to enjoy the parties and dance like crazy (only if you are Catholic, of course). That is why the last day of Carnival is called Mardi Gras, Martedí Grasso or Shrove Tuesday, meaning that it's a day of excess or a "fat" day.

One of the best examples is the Carnival of Venice (in italian, Carnevale). There are records of this celebration that go back to the year 1094. This particular Carnevale has a very interesting history to which I would like to dedicate another blog entry.

The duration and ways of celebrating the actual Carnivals may vary depending on the place. For example, in Mexico, places like Veracruz and Mazatlán organise colorful and cheerful parades similar to the ones in Brazil. On the other hand, were I live people just get together to dance and sing around the streets with a music band and a "torito" (bull-shaped ornament).

Though the Carnival of Rio is the biggest one in the world, I prefer the Venetian Carnevale, with the masks and romanticism that characterize the Italian city. What do you reckon?

Day of the Dead VS Halloween

For a long time now, the "dilemma" of celebrating or not Halloween has been in the minds of a lot of Mexicans. "It's not part of our culture", some say, others even think that it has to do with a satanic thing (we can thank that to some catholic priests). For me, it has more to do with the fact that a lot of people ignore the origins and meaning of this interesting holiday.

Before I continue, I must tell you that I am a big fan of the Day of the Dead - it is my favorite holiday, as a matter of fact - and I wouldn't trade it, but I also think that the formerly known as "Al Hallows Eve" has its own charm.

So, Halloween has its origins around 2500 years ago in the north of England and Ireland, where the Celts used to celebrate their New Year in the end of October. This was very important to them because it was the ending of the harvest and the beginning of the dark cold winter - which was associated with death, of course, no surprise there -. Superstitious as they were, they believed that this day the barrier between the world of the living and the dead became blurred, and that this could make it easier to do predictions that would help them survive the so feared winter. So the Druids, their priests, used to make big bonfires dressed with animal heads and skins in order to do the predictions. This ritual was called Samhain.

Many years later, when Christianity wanted to erase all pagan acts, Pope Gregory III decided to expand the Day of All Martyrs (that took place on May) and create the Day of All Saints, which he intelligently moved to the same date as Samhain. From then on, November 1^st was declared All Saints Day, or All Hallows Eve, which eventually became Halloween.

There you have it!! Religious syncretism once more!!

Contrary to what many Mexicans believe, this is not truly a tradition from the U.S. (not really). Actually, it wasn’t celebrated in America before 1850, when the big Irish migration occurred. Of course, it became popular in the entire continent after the big Hollywood movies were shown everywhere.

What exactly made Halloween a holiday about candy, costumes and spooky parties, so different from our tradition? I’m really not sure, but if you ask me, the origins are not far from the origins of the Day of the Death. For instance, at least we all celebrate November 1^st as the Day of All Saints, same as all the other Catholic countries like France (La Toussaint) or Italy (Ognissanti). Also, they both originate thanks to religion, and they both have to do with the spiritual world.

I don’t know why some Mexicans have this aversion to Halloween, but I do believe that there is nothing wrong in having both holidays as long as we know where they come from, why do we celebrate them, the importance of each in our cultures and, more important, as long as we don’t confuse and mix them.

That is my opinion, I just think both Day of the Dead and Halloween are really awesome.

img source: http://greenscreensaver.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween.html

16 REASONS TO LOVE MEXICO

I love Mexico because...

1. It's full of big hearted people.
2. It has a very rich (very, very, very rich) culture.
3. The food is amazing and cheap.
4. The beer is amazing and cheap.
5. Tequilaaaa!!
6. It is full of natural resources and the most beautiful landscapes.
7. It has some of the most beautiful cities of the world.
8. It has traditions that come from many centuries ago.
9. Day of the Death.
10. Parties are great!
11. There are creative minds all around the country.
12. It's unique.
13. Even though people always complain, we are not that bad.
14. Salsaaaa!! (the food)
15. Mezcaaaaaaal!!
16. There are still families with values, hope and will to make this country a better place.

Happy celebration of Mexican Independence!!!

img source: http://imagenesifotos.blogspot.com/2011/05/gifs-viva-mexico-para-fiestas-patrias.html

PUTUMAYO WORLD MUSIC

Whenever I'm teaching a language, I always encourage my students to practice and increase their vocabulary by listening and singing along with the songs of foreign artists. This is also useful because music is an important part of the cultures, and in order to learn a new language you should understand a little bit about the cultures of the countries in which that language is spoken.

A great example of that is brought to us by Putumayo, a genious record label that introduces people to the music of the world's cultures since 1993. It grew out of the Putumayo clothing company founded by Dan Storper in 1975, who later on launched Putumayo World Music with the help of the co-founder Michael Kraus.

Always fulfilling its motto “guaranteed to make you feel good!”, this unique company is considered pioneer and lider in developing the non-traditional market. In addition to that, they are also commited to help others by contributing millions of dollars to worthwhile non-profit organizations around the world.

The CDs can be found in most record stores and in thousands of other retailers everywhere in the world (book stores, gift shops, cafes, etc.). Plus, to honor their motto, if you purchase a CD that doesn't meet your expectations, they are happy to give you a full refund.

So I highly recommend Putumayo's wonderful music, either to practice a language (they have a collection of more than 80 CDs from all around the world), or just to relax while you're having a good cup of coffee.

Putumayo has music for every taste, and I'm sure that you will really enjoy listening to these tunes.

Pics from the covers of my favorite Putumayo CD's

If you would like to find out more about Putumayo World Music, listen to some of the music, or purchase a CD, you can visit their web site www.putumayo.com.





Info & img source: www.putumayo.com

MULTICONTINENTAL APARTMENT

Its been a very long time since I update this blog (sorry about that), but I've been wanting to write this piece since the first days I arrived in Orlando. The positive part about taking so long, is that I have more to say more about the topic.


Nobody said it was going to be easy, I was sure it was going to be interesting, but I never imagined it was going to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life that would leave me with great memories and the feeling of having a family outside my country.


The place was The Commons, apt. 1433, third floor, good view and great location. A two bedroom apartment for 4 people (just the right amount if you are living there, if you ask me).


So we were four girls from different parts of the world, truly from the four different corners of the world: Anastasia from Germany, Chantelle from Southafrica, Natsuki from Japan and me from Mexico.

one of the first pics we took together

We are so different and yet it was amazing how we got along right away. I remember my friends telling me everytime that, whenever they were in ous apartment, they could really feel the good vibes around the place.


I miss so much living with them: Natsuki's singing and her effort for learning Spanish (mostly the bad words); the long chats with Chantelle about my sentimental "problems"; Anastasia's potatos, her wine, her energy to party all night long and how she used to play songs over and over again... I miss them so much...

our last pic together

I am convinced that we will meet again someday. I've decided that I will do everything I can to visit them in their own countries. Any donations?

From Q1 to WDW

Almost three months have passed since the day I went to Mexico City to get my Q1 type Visa, but still I would like to tell you about this incredible experience.

It was the end of March when I met my arrivals at the Starbucks close to the American Embassy. I remember it was very early, and I was really cold and tyred, and I was the last one to arrive.

The whole process took around 3 hours, but it was the perfect time to get to know each other better (and I must confess that from that day I knew that we would get along really well, I liked them from the beggining).

Something I remember very well is that after the appointment I got for the first time this strange feeling of being on my own from that day (it also had to do with the fact that I was walking around Mexico City and taking the subway by myself for the first time- meaning no one was waiting for me or picking me up until my bus trip to Morelia-).

After 10 days I finally got my passport back and the rest was easy (plane ticket, insurance, etc.). Time just flew after that.

Now I have been living in Orlando for 2 months and I feel that a lot has happened since that day in the embassy (everything is going so fast). And that sensation of freedom still stays on, and I'm loving it.

I'll update soon, I promise.

Cheers.

5 de mayo baby...NOT

Ok, here goes the awful truth: ... 5 de mayo is NOT our most important celebration, nor our national day. In fact, it is only celebrated in one place of the whole country (and I bet not many know why).

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I really don't know why it became so important for the Mexicans that live in the US, and I have to admit that also I don't know much about the historical background of that day.

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I do know that on may 5th 1862, a battle took place in the city of Puebla, Mexico. The very strong and experienced French army was beaten by the not so preparated Mexicans. That is why it is kind of important.

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Nowadays, in Puebla they have a military parade and everyone has the day off (nice, but just in Puebla).

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Well, that is everything I know about it, if anyone wants to add something else, I will appreciate it.

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By the way, the most important national party in Mexico takes place on September 16th, when we celebrate our independence day.