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...]

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...]

Focus Guadalajara Highlights

We're excited to welcome our next group of FOCUS Fast Track Learning Seminar attendees on August 4. One of the highlights of the week is the Sunday trip to Guadalajara where we visit important historic locations and the fabulous artisan district of Tlaquepaque. We also visit the famous "Hospicio de las Cabañas" known as the Sistine Chapel of Mexico due to its famous murals painted by José Clemente Orozco, a contemporary of the well known Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. Click on the link to read the fascinating biography of José Clemente Orozco Biography.com that should be of interest to … [Read more...]