Olmecs of Mexico
The Olmecs, which means “people of rubber” in Nahuatl (the language of the Aztecs) began their civilization in southeastern Mexico between 1600 B.C. and 1400 B.C. It wasn’t until this century that the Olmecs were acknowledged to be part of Mexico’s history. Researchers prior to this time attributed many of the discoveries now associated with...
Aguas Frescas
Mexican Style Soft Drinks
Beat the summer heat with these refreshing and healthy Mexican fruit drinks. Soft drinks are a main culprit in the rise of obesity and a major contributor to the plastic waste in our world, so we should be concerned about our intake of these drinks. Some soft drinks in Mexico contain real cane sugar instead...
Recipes: Horchata
Mexican Rice Milk
Here are two delicious recipes for horchata. The first is a more traditional recipe, the second is a non-dairy version. Enjoy! Agua de horchata 1 cup raw rice 1 ½ cup hot water 1 whole piece of Mexican cinnamon about 4 inches long (or to taste) 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 3 cups skim milk...
Whale watching in Zihuatanejo
While visiting or living in Zihuatanejo, there are many reasons to go fishing, snorkeling or diving in the waters that surround Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa… During the months of November through April, you might just see one of nature’s largest mammals swimming along with you. If you frequent or have an ocean view of your own...
Mexico City’s Historical Center
Centro Historico, the historical center of Mexico City is filled with impressive buildings ranging from Aztec times to the modern, amazing museums, remarkable murals and awe inspiring cathedrals. There is much to see and do in the old town area; here are some of the sites that are not to be missed. The Zócalo Officially...
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan is an enormous archaeological site in the Basin of Mexico, containing some of the largest pyramid structures built in the pre-Colombian Americas. Apart from the pyramids, the archaeological site of Teotihuacan is also known for its large residential complexes, the so-called calle de los muertos (street of the dead), and its colorful well-preserved murals....
La Bandera
The Flag of Mexico
The Mexican flag has changed many times over the course of the country’s history… When Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla declared independence in 1810, he carried the standard flag of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This is considered to be the first Mexican flag. In 1813, the revolutionaries designed a new flag. They used white silk with...
Himno Nacional Mexicano
The Mexican National Anthem
The creation of the Mexican National Anthem: November 12, 1853 During the presidency of General Mariano Arista, a literary contest was held to select the lyrics of the National Anthem. February 3, 1854 The Official Journal of the Federation published the name of the winner titled, Let us fly to combat, to revenge and that...
The Aztec Sunstone Calendar
How the Aztecs counted their days teaches how they lived
The Aztecs were the last of the great cultures of Mesoamerica before the European conquests. They continued the traditions of the first of the Mesoamericans who looked into the heavens for ways to live in the good graces of their gods and the universe around them. The Aztecs were an agricultural people that equated religion...
Letter from the Editor November 2010
Hello all…and welcome to a new season of Another Day in Paradise. If you don’t recognize the face in the photo above, not to worry, the magazine has not changed, just the editor. Throughout the season, I hope to provide you with interesting and informative content that is clear, concise and grammatically correct, along with...
¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva La Revolucion!
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution
Mexico’s history is laden with severe social and economic challenges. In the beginning of the twentieth century under the rule of Porifirio Diaz (1867-1911), political corruption and the ever widening gap between rich and poor caused the country to erupt in a bloody revolution that lasted from 1910 until 1920. Once the Constitution of 1917...
Day of the Dead
Dia de los Muertos
The ritual known today as Diá de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has been celebrated by the indigenous populations of Mexico for at least 3,000 years. Ancient civilizations believed that death was the continuation of life not the end. That living was just a dream and only in death did they become truly...
