Cultural Insights Into the Much-Maligned Chilango
When you spend some time in Mexico, or if you move here to live or work, sooner or later you'll come across the word "chilango"
Foreign Native
Foreign Native shares insights, observations, and commentary about Mexican life, its culture and traditions
Foreign Native shares insights, observations, and commentary about Mexican life, its culture and traditions
Manuel Payno: A 19th Century Mexican Novelist
One of the less well-known of Mexico's writers, but well worth reading, is Manuel Payno, whose works bring post-Independence Mexico vividly to life
Experiences Past & Present: Going to the Movies in Mexico
Foreign Native reflects on the changing habits and habitats for film-watching in Mexico, and how the movie-going experience here has changed over the years
The iconic Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City
One of the capital's principal avenues is Paseo de la Reforma, originally built as a route from the Emperor's residence at Chapultepec to the National Palace
Mexico’s Elegant $20-peso Coins Begin to Replace the Notes
Mexico's elegant and distinctive 12-sided $20-peso coins are starting to supersede the old $20-peso banknotes that were printed on polymer
Getting the Scoop on Mexican Ice Cream Choices
Mexican ice cream and popsicle choices are varied, flavorsome, and widely available from local stores, fancy-brand parlors, and street vendors
Cultural Insight: Woe is the Malinchista
The expression 'malinchista' harks back five centuries to the native woman Malinche, who served as interpreter for Hernán Cortés
Coffee as Entertainment; Gourmet, of Course
Coffee-drinking is popular in Mexico with quality home-grown and imported coffees readily available at coffee shops, restaurants, and local supermarkets
A Nice Cup of Tea: Searching for Camellia Sinensis
Finding "a decent cup of tea" in Mexico used to be difficult, but specialist purveyors are now offering more choice, albeit at a premium
Local Bread Shops, Neighbors, and Nostalgia
An important and insightful part of Mexico's past and present are its bread shops, found on many busy corners of its towns and cities
When Night Doesn’t Fall: Reflections on Clock Changes
The annual spring clock-change, that set clocks forward one hour, was never particularly popular in Mexico—a country with plenty of year-round sunlight
On Writers and Writing Inspired by Mexico
Foreign Native comments on some key writers, past and present, whose significant works were inspired by Mexico's alluring tapestry and its rich & varied culture
