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.! 🙂
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 🙂
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.!!
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 🙂
As I have been super busy recently with my father – I thought we could revisit one of my favorite idioms from my time in Mexico. Especially since it translates to being busy 🙂 Enjoy.!!
camote or sweet potato courtesy of en.wikipedia.org
I love words and idioms and expressions.! And yesterday I realized that I had not yet introduced all of you to one of my favorite expressions from my time in Mexico.! So I think today is the day to make that introduction.! One day I was Facebook chatting with one of my male friends, we were bantering back and forth like a tennis match. But at one point, when he took too long to answer one of my messages, I sent him the following retort – “?????”. To which he replied, “Espérame, estoy camote.” Translation – “Wait for me, I’m a sweet potato.????” What.?!?
Apparently, in the Yucatán, if you are so busy that you are discombobulated or a little crazy, you can say “estoy camote” and it means “I’m busy”. It’s usually used by maseros or waiters when…
“I have a black shirt
for today my love is in mourning.
Today there is a pain in my soul
because of your spell.
Today I already know that you don’t love me
which is the the thing that hurts the most.
I have a black shirt
and a pain that dwells within me.
It’s a shame that I am alone
purely because you lied
and also because of my damned bad luck
on the day that I first met you.
From drinking the malevolent poison of your love
I remain near death and full of sorrow,
still breathing the bitter smoke of your goodbye,
and since you left, all I have is…
I have a black shirt
to match the darkness in my soul
I have completely lost my cool over you,
Lost it right up to my bed.
Come-a, come-a, come on, baby
I say to you that the black shirt
disguises the fact that underneath I’m a corpse.
I have a black shirt
and already your love doesn’t interest me
Yesterday what I thought was pure happiness
Today I realize is pure ****
Wednesday afternoon you never showed up
and never gave me the least hint
so here I am with the black shirt
and your suitcases in the door.
It’s a shame that I am alone
purely because you lied
and also because of my damned bad luck
on the day that I first met you.
From drinking the malevolent poison of your love
I remain near death and full of sorrow,
still breathing the bitter smoke of your goodbye,
and since you left, all I have is…
I have a black shirt
to match the darkness in my soul
I have completely lost my cool over you,
Lost it right up to my bed.
Come-a, come-a, come on, baby
I say to you that the black shirt
disguises the fact that underneath I’m a corpse.
I have a black shirt
to match the darkness in my soul
I have completely lost my cool over you,
Lost it right up to my bed.
Come-a, come-a, come on, baby
I say to you that the black shirt
disguises the fact that underneath I’m a corpse.”
On May 5th, Playa del Carmen experienced a storm or tormenta. The winds came suddenly, furiously and fiercely.
Maja’Che is the Mayan name for sudden winds that can knock over trees. My very brave friend P., the photographer, took these amazing photos. There are also some videos – I’ll see if I can post them soon. Also, there were some lovely calm “after storm” photos I’ll share next time too 🙂
I went to Dublin, Ireland in the summer of 2008. I had such a wonderful time there and met many great friends that I returned to Dublin in the summer of 2009. At this point, I know what you’re thinking – “um, hello Rose, wrong blog! This is the one about Mexico!” But bear with me for a second, my trip to Ireland does tie in with Mexico, this blog and Cinco de Mayo.
courtesy of wallupload.com
While I was in Dublin, I discovered something interesting about St. Patrick’s Day. The Irish in the Republic of Ireland do not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the same manner or with the same intensity we do in the United States. Now granted, St. Patrick’s Day is celebtrated in Ireland on March 17th. It has been an official holiday since 1903. Since it is an official holiday or a…
howdoyousaytacoinspanish 