Mexican Culture Archives - Focus On Mexico

Piñatas and Posadas – Christmas in Mexico

Christmas in Mexico is similar yet different from the U.S. depending on what part of the country you live in. Large cities such as Guadalajara tend to have a similar U.S. like frenzied shopping atmosphere, but Christmas in smaller towns and villages is quite distinct. There is much less emphasis on gifts and more emphasis on the family celebrations and traditions surrounding Christmas. I took an informal poll of my ESL students to see what family gifts they were giving for Christmas and was charmed with the simple answers - a bottle of cologne, a shirt, a pair of shoes, a necklace, etc. - … [Read more...]

A Guide to the Move2Mexico RoadMap – An Interactive Online Program

Focus has developed online programs that cover the essentials of moving to Mexico - via an interactive online format. Dozens of our new friends have enjoyed taking the new online format. If getting to a live program is not within reach for now, consider this program! Using our 20+ year experience at helping people transform their lives in Mexico, we've applied our team's local expertise to our online programs and created a 9-Step RoadMap (see below) that walks you through the essential steps of a move to Mexico. Whether you are thinking of moving Part-Time or Full-TIme, the … [Read more...]

Let’s go to the Feria de los Maestros (artisan fair)

The Feria de los Maestros (artisan fair) has been held Lakeside every year on the second week of November for the past 18 years. This is a unique fair which brings the best artisans from every region of Mexico. All sales proceeds go directly to the artisans and there is no charge for booth or commission fees. Transportation is provided and they are hosted by local expat families. Many friendships are developed through the home stays. Participants Planning for the Feria takes most of the year including choosing the artisans through recommendations from local coordinators in each state … [Read more...]

How Lakeside Celebrates Mexican Independence

September 16 is the official celebration of Mexican independence, a big holiday in Mexico similar to the 4th of July in the U.S. and Canada Day. The Grito de Dolores The "Grito de Dolores" is a historic event that happened on September 16, 1810, when the priest Miguel Hidalgo rang the bell of his church and issued a call to arms to fight Spanish occupation in the small Guanajuato province town of Dolores (now Dolores Hidalgo). Each year the 'grito' is reenacted in villages and towns throughout Mexico, led by the 'grito' issued by the President of Mexico from the balcony of presidential … [Read more...]

What’s on the south side of Lake Chapala – Part II

We are fortunate to live on the shores of Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico whose shores include a variety of interesting towns on both sides of the lake. While the Chapala/Ajijic area is the most well-known, there are many expats living along other areas on the north shore where housing prices are generally more reasonable, and there is the fascinating south shore, where we just returned from our second visit to Sahuayo for the annual Festival de los Tlahualiles , one of the best mask festivals in Mexico. This fiesta is part of the town's annual patron saint festival which happens in … [Read more...]