While beating a Pinata like it owes you money and wearing sombreros on days other than Halloween is a lot of fun, there is far more that Mexico has to offer visitors.
Having 103.3 million inhabitants and a size of almost 1,242,742 square miles, Mexico is vast in many ways.
“My culture, my environment, food and tradition ties me strongly to my country,” said Santiago Iniguez.
Iniguez is a 25 years old senior majoring in Criminology who would like to work to combat drug and human trafficking.
With about 22 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, Mexico City is the second biggest city on Earth.
While the city itself is not necessary known for its clean streets, it still offers quite a few opportunities to get out.
Mexico City’s club scene is well known for its diversity; if one wants go out, he or she has an abundance of clubs to choose from ranging from Oldies and 80’s to Rock and Salsa dance clubs.
Most of the bars are open till the morning, closing around 8 a.m to get prepared just in time for the next night.
The Condesa and the Roma district are the most popular districts for parties.
Besides a decent number of restaurants, the two districts offer a lot of culture, especially art such as paintings and sculptures.
Leaving the town and heading back to nature, the Popocatepetl and the Iztaccihuatl are a must see.
These two volcanos, situated in Puebla, are united by a common myth. Legend says that there once was a solider who went to war and returned alive only to find out that his love passed away. He lay next to her and the two became the volcanos.
While the myth varies depending on who tells it, the Popocatepetl does always appear as a mountain with the shape of a reflecting, mourning man, while the Iztaccihuatl appears as the shape of a woman’s body lying down.
Remarkably, the Popocatepetl is still active, erupting most recently in early December 2007.
Mexican nature also has a rather nasty side.
Heavy rains, electrical storms and earthquakes have a severe impact on the country, especially in areas with soft soil, since their infrastructure is affected the most.
Most places have all four seasons, though the areas close to the beach only have two; a hot summer and a little milder summer.
Mexico also has a holiday that follows right after Halloween, called el Dia de los muertes, taking place on the first and second of November.
Mexicans hang up puppets of skeletons and place skulls around. Families also set up a table with the favorite food of their dead relatives.
Rumor has it that their ghost will come back, nurture itself on the food and be grateful.
Other important holidays are Cinco de Mayo, which is a Mexican memorial day, where people remember their ancestors who perished in the French-Mexican war of 1862.
Sept. 16 is Mexico’s Independence Day, El Grito de Independencia, celebrated every year since 1810. The day also celebrates Miguel Hidalgo, a catholic priest who set the country free from Spain.
Symbolically, the President declares the Independence Day, followed by three to four bell rings, just as the priest did it when he set the country free.
After that, people scream out ”Viva Mexico; Viva la Interdependencia!”
Better Know a Classmate's Country: Bienvenido a Mexico!
Published: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Updated: Thursday, October 30, 2008
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