Victoria beer was one of my favorite beers to drink in Mexico. It went especially well with an icy michelada. And until 2013, it wasn’t available in the states. So I’m excited that I can drink it in Chicago now too. As we wait for the new The Most Interesting Man in the World to get another commercial, I thought this would be a good time to introduce you to Victoria beer.
This commercial is called No manches guey which is a slightly vulgar Mexican expression that roughly translates to “Don’t yank my chain”. In this lovely Victoria beer commercial, three friends don’t believe that their one friend is truly Mexican.
They accuse him of being from Wisconsin and that his last name is Smith. The accused friend counters that he loves eating everything picante (hot and spicy). He also says he loves to dance the Ranchera, a traditional Mexican dance, and is a good fútbol (soccer) goalie.
His friends nod their head in agreement, but it’s not until they see him sit back holding his Victoria beer that they proclaim him a true Mexican.!! Love it.!! Have a great weekend everyone.!! Enjoy.! Y salud.! 🙂
A beautiful sunset taken on Sunday evening at one of my favorite beach clubs – Lido Beach Club.! So warm and beautiful I can feel it all the way in chilly Chicago 🙂
The following video beautifully exemplifies the meaning and celebration of Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead. It is a 2013 CGI Student Academy Award Gold Medal Winner Short Film HD: “Dia De Los Muertos” from Whoo Kazoo.!!
When I moved to Mexico, I became enamoured with the Mexican celebration of Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. Despite, its rather gloomy sounding name, Dia de los Muertos is a joyful celebration.! Family members and friends gather with food and drink to remember, honor, and pray for their deceased loved ones. Basically, they invite the deceased back into their lives for an annual visit.
The holiday is celebrated October 31, November 1st, and November 2nd and is tied to the Christian traditions of All Hallow’s Eve, All Saint’s Day, and All Soul’s Day. However, it also has origins dating back to the Aztecs and their worship of the goddess Mictacacihuatl or the Lady of the Dead. Modern Catrina dolls symbolize the Lady of the Dead. Special foods beloved by the deceased, sugar skulls, and marigolds are placed on makeshift altars in homes and cemetaries to entice the spirits of the dead to return.! Hanal Pixán, or Food for the Souls, is also celebrated by the Yucatec Mayans at the same time.!!
Typically, October 31st, honors infants and children, and is called Dia de los Inocentes or the Day of Innocents. While, November 1st, honors adults and is referred to as Dia de los Muertos. I believe the reason this holiday struck a chord with me is because I have lost my mother and my brother. When my brother passed away 18 years ago, it was such a traumatic experience for my family.
In the beginning, we used to buy him presents for Christmas and his birthday and leave them at the cemetary. We would also bring him a slice of birthday cake. It’s not like we baked a whole cake for him. My brothers were/are twins, so we were making one anyway. It was easy just to bring a piece to his gravesite too.
But I remember, upon seeing this grief and mourning activity from my family, my brother-in-law told us, “You and your family are very tangible mourners.” That comment always struck a chord with me because in my mind I could not understand another way to mourn. My brother had always been in my life, how could I now just stop celebrating who he was and what he meant to me.? I could not. Nor could I when my mother passed away six years later.
So, when I discovered that in Mexico there is actually a holiday that tangibly mourns, remembers, and honors their deceased – I felt like I had come home. I was actually living in a country that understood my grief and was not afraid of it. And not only that they understood, but they too called out to their loved ones. Even though I am no longer in Mexico, I will remember my family tomorrow. Tomorrow also happens to be my father’s 76th birthday. So I will also be celebrating my dad tomorrow.! But I will remember to leave an extra piece of cake for my brother and my mom at the table 🙂
As promised, here is the Dos Equis commercial introducing the new The Most Interesting Man in the World. I’m still not sold on him 100%. I know, I know, sometimes it’s hard to let go of the past. And sometimes, the new just sucks.
Dear bloggers, I would like to know your thoughts on the rebound guy. I look forward to hearing from you 🙂 In the meantime, enjoy your weekend.!! Cheers.! Y salud.!
Saying goodbye is never easy and especially to The Most Interesting Man in the World.!!! And while the world said goodbye to him back in September, I’ve been avoiding the whole goodbye scene. I somehow felt that if I didn’t post it here it wasn’t real. But alas, it is all too real. Dos Equis already replaced The Most Interesting Man in the World with another.!?!? Is nothing sacred.?!?! I guess not. hmph…
So the time has come for me (and you fellow bloggers and dear readers) to say “adios amigo” to the man who entertained us with such charm and derring do. Next week, I’ll introduce us to the rebound guy for The Most Interesting Man in the World. I’m not sold on him yet. Excuse me while I go find a kleenex, I have something in my eye 😦 In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy.! Y salud.!!
I mean seriously I can’t make this stuff up.!! This picture taken yesterday in Playa is sheer perfection.!! An ocean view complete with a spectacular rainbow (arco iris) from one of the tables at Zenzi Beach Bar (a personal favorite I might add).!
Due to all the storm activity in the Caribbean, the sky is always a beautiful mix of azure blue, clouds, and rainbows. That’s the upside. The downside is Hurricane Matthew was in the neighborhood and is heading north. Wishing everyone in the hurricane’s path Godspeed.
Playa del Carmen ferry pier past courtesy of Jeff Seratta/facebook.com
The photo above showcases Playa del Carmen when it was old school. Before 2005, Playa was just a small sleepy little fishing town. It’s biggest claim to fame was the port where you could catch the ferry to Cozumel.
Now it’s a bustling destination city on to itself. And the ferry pier has been modernized. Oh my, how times have changed.!
Playa del Carmen ferry pier present courtesy of periodistasquintanaroo.com
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a new Tecate commercial. So in the spirit of surviving this political season and celebrating the weekend – here’s a new Tecate ad.!! Enjoy.!! Y salud 🙂
howdoyousaytacoinspanish 