The event brought approximately 350 people together to take a nap on a sidewalk. (@alcanzandohoy/X)
Approximately 350 people laid down to take a nap on Friday in the middle of one of the noisiest and busiest cities in the world.
How many actually drifted off wasn’t known, but the World Sleep Day event next to the Monument to the Revolution in Mexico City was the first of its kind in the world according to Mexican media reports.
🥱En el Monumento a la Revolución se lleva a cabo una siesta masiva por el derecho al descanso.
📹Bernardo Uribe pic.twitter.com/nDaN2owXrX
World Sleep Day, which began in 2008, is commemorated every year on the Friday before the spring equinox of the Northern Hemisphere. Its slogan this year was “’Sleep Equity for Global Health.”
Held from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the event was “a peaceful demonstration for our right to rest,” said Javier Velázquez Moctezuma, the director of the Sleep and Neuroscience Center (CSN). “The cheapest medicine that exists is to sleep well,” he added.
“A person who sleeps well makes better decisions, is healthier and has less risk of physical and mental illnesses,” pointed out Dr. Guadalupe Terán Pérez, a sleep expert and CSN researcher. “On many occasions, the work schedules we have, the commutes we make [and] living in a globalized society do not allow us to guarantee this right.”
The independently-organized event also included a guided meditation and talks about the value of sleep, with tips on how to sleep better.
In the end, people were given only about 20 minutes for their nap, according to the newspaper La Jornada. Pre-registration was required to participate, and blue yoga mats, sleeping masks and travel pillows were provided.
According to the World Health Organization, around 40% of the world’s population experiences sleep disorders, the most common being insomnia.
The experts at the event said babies should sleep around 18 hours a day, children 10-12 hours, adolescents 8-9 hours and adults 7-8 hours.
In addition, the footrace “Corre por tus Sueños” (Run for your Dreams) was held on Sunday in the Bosque de Tlalpan National Park south of CDMX. Its aim was to support patients with sleep disorders who need specialized treatment.
If you happened to, uh, sleep through this year’s World Sleep Day, mark down your calendars for 2025, when it is scheduled for March 14.
The fire immediately consumed the venue where members of Mexico's elite were celebrating the wedding of a supermarket heir. (@noticiasgto1/X)
A fire at a lavish wedding in San Miguel de Allende on Saturday night injured 27 people, five of whom required treatment in hospital.
A short circuit reportedly caused the late-night blaze, which quickly engulfed a section of Hacienda Los Arcángeles where hundreds of guests were celebrating the wedding of a couple from northern Mexico.
Four guests and a DJ providing music for the event sustained burns that warranted treatment in a hospital, while 22 attendees suffered from smoke inhalation and/or minor burns and were treated at the scene. Other attendees rushed out of the venue to escape the danger.
According to a report by News San Miguel, an “excess of artificial foliage” used to adorn the venue and the proximity of that decoration to lighting and cables “contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.”
“Everything happened in seconds,” said one guest quoted by the news site Reporte Indigo.
“We thought it was lighting and when we realized that a column was in fact on fire we started running. The fire spread and the roof started falling onto us,” the person said.
A large marquee set up in a garden area of the hacienda was “completely consumed” by flames, News San Miguel reported.
Hacienda Los Arcángeles said in a statement that emergency services and its own personnel responded quickly to the fire and that “there were only some people with injuries” and they all received the medical care they needed.
“Despite this terrible event, the premises didn’t sustain major damage and we’re working diligently to ensure that … [the hacienda] is completely operational as soon as possible,” said Hacienda Los Arcángeles, a venue located around three kilometers east of the center of San Miguel de Allende, a popular tourism destination in the state of Guanajuato.
Municipal authorities said that firefighters extinguished the blaze in less than two hours, but the news magazine Proceso reported that “some clouds of smoke” were still being attended to on Sunday morning.
The bride and groom have been identified in media reports as Roberta and Alberto. Alberto is reportedly a member of the family of Martín Bringas, owner of the Soriana supermarket chain and one of Mexico’s richest people.
San Miguel de Allende is a popular wedding location for Mexicans from different parts of the country and for foreigners. According to the newspaper Reforma, an average of 20 weddings are held at the city’s haciendas and other exclusive venues every weekend.
Teotihuacán's La Gruta cave restaurant should be an essential part of any trip to the pyramids. (La Gruta MX)
Years ago, I booked a trip to Panama. I told a friend about my plans and he said “You absolutely have to go to Bocas del Toro.”
“Ugh,” I responded with dramatic flair, “No way. That place looks so touristy.”
La Gruta offers a range of delicious traditional Mexican dishes. (La Gruta MX)
He responded, “Yeah. For a reason.”
I thought for a moment. My friend had a point. Curious people all over the world are drawn to that which is beautiful, alluring, mysterious or uncommon.
His words have always stuck with me, thus making me more open-minded to what I once abhorred as a quintessential tourist trap – because there are some that are worth the crowds. Would you go to China without seeing the Great Wall? To Egypt without seeing the Pyramids? Would you skip the Tequila train in Guadalajara just because it was too touristy?
Probably not, and you probably shouldn’t.
The restaurant also offers a chance to cool off from the heat with a refreshing cocktail. (La Gruta MX)
Neither should you forgo a meal in La Gruta, the famous cave restaurant just a few steps from the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacán. It’s so visually captivating, one might argue that it should have made it onto our recent list of Top 10 Instagrammed locations in CDMX.
Since 1906, La Gruta has been serving up traditional and pre-Hispanic dishes in an underground cave behind the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the planet’s 10 largest pyramids.
Because the restaurant is located in the Teotihuacán Archaeological zone, about 40 miles outside of Mexico City, it’s full of tourists. Don’t let that stop you. Here are 10 reasons to make a reservation at La Gruta after your visit to Mexico’s most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s farm-to-table La Gruta has their own farm where they cultivate greens, mushrooms, flowers and herbs used for flavor and garnish. The restaurant works with Gerónimo Nieto of San Francisco Mazapa in México state to harvest the corn used in their homemade tortillas and pan de elote.
They support local artisans Staff uniforms are hand-embroidered by a community of women in Mazahua, México state, whose designs are inspired by the Mexica (Aztec) Corn God Centéotl.
They’re environmentally conscious La Gruta developed a program known as KM 0. Its goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by consuming local ingredients, thus eliminating the transportation of products like organic eggs, nopal and tomatoes that are not cultivated on site.
The space is healing Speaking of the environment, at La Gruta you’ll sit at a brightly-colored table surrounded by volcanic rock. Also known as lava rock, it’s a powerful element said to clear negative emotions and bring a sense of peace and calm.
You’ll have a chance at rebirth When you’re presented with the bill (which I can guarantee will be pricier than almost anywhere else in México state, but again, it’s the unique experience you’re paying for), you will be given a candle. According to legend, lighting a candle and placing it in the cave’s walls is a symbol of rebirth.
The restaurant allows diners to feast inside a cave hewn from volcanic rock. (La Gruta)
There’s a kids menu Hallelujah! A kids menu! While not extensive, La Gruta offers soup, pasta, chicken and dessert for children.
They can accommodate vegetarians There are soups, salads and a vegetarian entree that can easily be made vegan by withholding the cheese and opting for avocado in its place.
The barbacoa The meat of free-grazing local sheep is cooked in underground ovens for 12 hours, a pre-Hispanic barbeque technique that enhances the lamb’s flavor and softens the texture. It’s the most traditional dish in the region and one of the most popular choices on the menu.
The adult beverages are fun Taste the rainbow with La Gruta’s array of colorful margaritas, including Mexican flavors like Xoconostle (pink tuna fruit), tamarind and mango.
They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner – every day of the year! La Gruta is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s advisable to make a reservation, especially if you’re dining during peak hours or with a large group. Don’t be late, though, as reservations are held for only 10 minutes.
Not to mention, how many caves have you dined in? My guess is not many. Here’s your chance to tick a memorable experience off your bucket list while chowing down on fresh cactus salad and a zesty margarita. Buen provecho!
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga, and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters in your inbox, peruse her blog, or follow her on Instagram.
Benito Juárez has become a mythical figure among Mexicans. Find out why March 18 is a public holiday in his honor. (Wikimedia Commons)
March 21st commemorates more than just the start of spring; it’s the day that Mexico celebrates the birthday of Benito Juárez — with a public holiday falling on the first day of that week to mark the occasion.
You might recognize the name Benito Juárez from street names around the country, school history books, trendy colonia Juárez in Mexico City, Ciudad Juárez in the state of Chihuahua or the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City, one of the biggest in the world. But, why is Benito Juárez so important?
Juárez is perhaps Mexico’s most celebrated president, with monuments commemorating his leadership across the country. (Gabriela Pérez Montiel/Cuartoscuro)
Benito Juárez was Mexico’s first Indigenous president and 17th overall. He governed for 14 years, from 1857 to 1872, and was responsible for the two main reforms that shaped Mexico: Support for the Constitution of 1857, and a series of laws called the Laws of Reform. These laws secularized education, broke up large landholdings and limited the influence of the clergy in government affairs. With these moves, Juárez sought to transform Mexico into a more equitable and progressive society.
Many historians believe Benito Juárez’s presidency was responsible for consolidating Mexico as a Republic and setting it on the path to becoming the country it is today.
Early life and education
Benito Juárez was born on March 21, 1806, in San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca (now called Guelatao de Juárez). Juárez was orphaned very early in his life, and the rest of his upbringing was highly influenced by religious education. Eventually, he moved to the town of Oaxaca, where he pursued an education in law at the Institute of Arts and Sciences of Oaxaca. He became the first ever person from the school to graduate as a lawyer.
The Benito Juárez monument in his hometown of Guelatao, Oaxaca. (Andres García/Wikimedia)
Fifteen years later, Juárez became governor of Oaxaca. In that role, he created roads, founded schools, reorganized the National Guard and left the Treasury in surplus.
After governing Oaxaca for five years, Juárez was named Justice Minister under the government of President Juan Álvarez. As minister, he created the Juárez law, which eliminated “special courts” that judged members of the clergy and the army in civil trials, which gave more lenient punishments or in many cases, no punishments at all.
This was the first law of many to come.
Benito Juárez’s presidency
Benito Juárez became president only 36 years after Mexico gained independence from Spain, and nine years after the country lost half of its territory to the United States. It was a politically turbulent time in Mexico when the country faced foreign intervention and civil strife. The measures Juárez took to pacify and reform Mexico during his government became the basis for the prosperity that the country experienced over the following decades.
“If we’re able to, as I hope, ensure permanent order and tranquility, I will have satisfied the biggest of all my wishes and will be buried with the conviction that our country will be grand and happy in the future,” he wrote.
Juárez was a great reformist, who transformed Mexico from a shattered nation into an independent and constitutionally-bound republic. (Wikimedia Commons)
Here are some of the things Benito Juárez did after becoming president
He triumphed in the face of France’s intervention between 1862 and 1867 and preserved Mexican independence and sovereignty;
His constitutional reform included strengthening and achieving balance between all three powers of the Republic and re-establishing the Senate;
He made primary school obligatory;
He established civil marriage, which took power away from religion and made marriage a civil contract with the State;
The establishment of a Civil Registry, which was previously controlled by the church;
Passed the “Cult Freedom Law”, which permitted anyone to choose and practice their own religious beliefs.
Other facts about Juárez
He was one of two presidents whose term ended due to their death. The other was Venustiano Carranza (1917-1920).
He was 1 meter and 37 centimeters tall (4’6’’).
He was of Zapotec descent.
In addition to Zapotec and Spanish, he could read and write in Latin, French and English.
The city of Ciudad Juárez in Chihuahua is named after him because in 1863 he moved his government there to protect himself from conservative and monarchist supporters who sought to overthrow his rule.
He is responsible for one of the most celebrated phrases in Mexican history, and widely known by most Mexicans: ”Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.” (Entre los individuos como entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz.)
Benito Juárez’s impact on Mexico cannot be overstated. His dedication to reform and democracy transformed Mexico into a modern republic and away from the imperialist and monarchical state that it had been before. Thanks to his unwavering commitment to democracy, social justice, Indigenous rights and national sovereignty, he remains an example and inspiration to the country as a whole.
As we continue to navigate the challenges of globalization and the modern era, let’s hope Juarez’s reforms continue to resonate with leaders striving for a better future.
Montserrat Castro Gómez is a freelance writer and translator from Querétaro, México.
Be in the now. Live in the moment. Accept things how they are. The Indian morals of yoga are a wise approach to life in Mexico. (Kaya Kudos)
Yosef Zur grew up on a kibbutz. For him, the day to day of such a lifestyle was rather mundane. Everyone wore, did, and seemed to believe the same thing. Everyone, that is, but him. Yosef felt disconnected from the community and its goals, leading him to think there was something wrong with himself. This nagging doubt resulted in years of eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and general self-hate.
“I was always looking for something to bring magic,” Yosef remembers. And then one day, he was given a book about India. He realized that there were other cultures with different ideas about life, more philosophies out there that might help him understand his distorted feelings.
Yosef Zur was looking for more out of life when he discovered yoga, and the rich spirituality of India. (tulum_portraits/Instagram)
At age 32, he decided to move to New York.
Ironically, it was in the United States that his interest in India resurfaced through the yoga practice of Ashtanga. According to website Yogapedia, Ashtanga is:
“…named after the term given in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras for the eightfold path of yoga, or ashtanga, meaning “eight-limbed” in Sanskrit. [The eight-limbed path is a holistic guide towards liberation and self-realization.]
It was Sri K. Pattabhi’s belief that the asana [postural] “limb” of yoga must be practiced before the others could be mastered. The practice was developed in Mysore, India where Sri K. Pattabhi Jois taught and set up the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute.”
Yosef’s life quickly became all about the path of Ashtanga. He committed to the standard six days a week physical practice of postures [asana] and immersed himself in ancient Indian philosophy. The readings and scripts are where he experienced an instant, powerful connection. “It wasn’t until that moment that I actually understood what I was feeling in words. There was a homecoming element to it,” Yosef explains. “Here was a philosophy that came from outside of me, from a different country, yet it connected me to a truth of life and human experience that I had always felt.”
This interest in Indian philosophy led him on a journey of movement, veganism, meditation, and travel to India. He started practicing with an Ashtanga master in New York, with whom he eventually began his career as an instructor. Through practice, Yosef learned a valuable concept that he hadn’t grasped as an insecure, self-deprecating youth — self-love.
After 11 years of teaching in New York, it became apparent to Yosef that it was time to move on. “I quit and didn’t know what to do. I thought about moving to India or Thailand, but then I remembered a yoga student had mentioned his friend’s yoga retreat center in Tulum.”
Because Yosef spent five years as a child living in Nicaragua with his family, he spoke Spanish fluently and felt comfortable with Latin culture. After reaching out to the owner of the retreat center and receiving an invitation to visit, he went to Mexico.
While India was magical, it was Tulum where Yosef really found inner peace. (tulum_portraits/Instagram)
“It’s funny,” says Yosef, “the first time I went to Bangalore to take the train to Mysore, I thought to myself ‘This looks so much like Central America’. And then I get to Mexico and I think ‘this feels so much like India!’” The smell of burning copal in the morning, the traditional languages and costumes of small villages, the artisanship and intricate textiles — these cultural similarities made him feel right at home and ready to start teaching.
Yoself picked up classes fast once arriving in Mexico and just as quickly learned how to adapt. Most notably, he had to let go of the structure of time. “Mexico is showing me to be in the now. It’s teaching me how to live in the moment and accept things as they are.”
Which, by all accounts, is the overarching lesson of yoga.
In other words, Mexico has taught Yosef the true meaning of yoga.
Assimilating into Mexican culture is exactly this. A slowing down, an appreciation for what is, a sense of human connection and above all, humility. It’s interacting with people of all classes and ages, cultivating respect for the wisdom of ancient practices and developing an innate understanding that we’re all here together on this planet, so we might as well laugh and sing while we’ve got the chance.
The essence of Ashtanga yoga is not a religious one. It’s a spiritual one, which is why, according to Yosef, Mexicans connect with it so well. As a relatively conservative Catholic society, “Mexicans are not looking for a religious connection [because they likely already have it]…they’re looking at [yoga] from a spiritual lens, they want the essence.” And it’s easier to connect to the essence of yoga’s teaching when it’s not intellectualized, like it tends to be in countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. It’s a profound acceptance that has to be felt internally.
Be in the now. Live in the moment. Accept things how they are. The morals of yoga are a wise approach to life in Mexico.
Just like the practice of Ashtanga, moving to Mexico requires you to be humble. As Yosef puts it, it means “leaving what you think you know outside. You came here, they didn’t come to you. You came here as a student.” Life in Mexico is a golden opportunity to learn and adapt to a new way of doing things.
The beaches of Quintana Roo have become an increasingly popular spot for yoga in recent years. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)
Yosef is dedicated to leading his students through the reality of Ashtanga, the “friction between wanting something, not achieving, but showing up anyway.” Doesn’t that sound a bit like…learning Spanish?
This begs the question — will yoga deepen your connection to Mexico, or will life in Mexico deepen your connection to yoga?
That’s for you to decide.
If you’re in the Tulum area, practice with Yosef between Monday — Friday at Holistika Tulum.
This article is part of Mexico News Daily’s “India in Focus” series. Read the other articles from the series here.
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog, or follow her on Instagram.
New research suggests that learning a second language could be the key to unlocking your brain. (Brooke Cagle/Unsplash)
Ever wanted another reason to dust off your Spanish textbooks, unfold creased vocabulary lists from last summer or restart your daily streak on the language learning app you habitually swipe past? This might just be it.
In 2023, after years of planning, research and independent trials, University of Chicago professor Boaz Keysar sat down to examine the results of his latest psychological experiment. He sought to find out whether thinking in a foreign language affects the quality of our decision-making.
Professor Keysar described his findings as “unbelievable.” (Lisa Yount/Unsplash)
The results were “unbelievable,” according to Keysar.
Making decisions in a foreign language can help our choices become more rational, flexible, open-minded and logical. The data from Keysar’s trials showed that the process of moving from our native tongue to a second language can change the way we think.
The reason is that brain functions related to thinking in a foreign language and the cognitive processes used create a level of emotional distance in what we say and the decisions we make.
Changing our morals for the better?
A high-speed train is barrelling down the tracks below the bridge you’re standing on. You see five people walking on the tracks ahead, who in short order will be hit by the train and killed instantly. The only way to save them is to push the person next to you off the bridge and onto the tracks, thereby bringing the train to a stop and saving the lives of the five further ahead.
Would you sacrifice the life of one person to save five?
Keysar, himself bilingual, wanted to find out whether the way a person would react to this ethical dilemma would vary if they thought about the problem in one’s mother tongue and in a second language.
The utilitarian response — meaning the best outcome for the most people — is to actively push the man in front of the train because you would save four lives. But many decide against it because the idea of actively taking a life fills them with dread and terror and would instead opt to take no action.
Keysar used this problem for his first experiment. Fluent second-language Spanish speakers were asked to consider the decision in Spanish and in their native English. The results showed unequivocally that, those asked in their adopted Spanish, would choose to push the man in front of the train to save the five otherwise certain for death.
According to journalist David Robson, the “effect was so big that Keysar delayed publishing the results” because Keysar simply “couldn’t believe the data.”
Keysar then increased the sample of participants dramatically and later expanded his experiment to include people from the United States, Europe and Asia. The results were equally one-sided. One sample found that participants “were twice as likely to choose the utilitarian option when speaking and thinking in a second language.”
In July 2023, Keysar teamed up with a fellow professor, David Gallo to further examine the benefits of learning another language. Gallo described how “speaking in your native language can lull your brain into being less able to process information objectively.”
“Your emotions start to impede your rationality,” he said. “This speeds up your decision-making, meaning you more prone to mistakes.”
Other benefits of learning a second language include increased memory and reduced likelihood of illness. (Unsplash)
Testing the theory in Oaxaca
After reading Keysar’s research, I wanted to put the theory to the test, but I had reservations about whether thinking in another language would change the decisions I make. I called my Spanish teacher, Barbara, who rather paradoxically, is also one of the most in-demand English teachers in Oaxaca city.
I first heard about her — and her reputation — from Mexican friends. Barbara is originally from Poland, with word-perfect English and fluency in Spanish.
My partner and I became her first and only Spanish students in the spring of 2023, and the way she thoughtfully spoke about teaching English was so impressive.
Speaking about the barriers to language learning, Barbara described how “We all have different needs, fears, and difficulties when it comes to learning. We also have different experiences to relate to.”
Gordon put the theory to the test in Oaxaca city. (Roman López/Unsplash)
The fear and difficulty of language learning is something every learner has felt. It hinders us from taking the next steps to getting better in a new language, which once achieved could be the very thing that enables us to think more rationally.
“We, as adults, learn best by doing, trying, practicing and, also, failing,” Barbara added. “But on top of that, we need to know why we are trying. What is this learning for?”
Barbara’s opinion points to the rationality in learning. Thinking logically is something we aim to do with learning as soon as we formulate patterns in verb endings and sentence structures, and then try to commit them to memory.
And by doing this, we take one step closer to being able to achieve fluency, which would allow us to think in a foreign language if we put our minds to it.
Keysar and Gallo’s research might not seem relevant to everyone. But it’s a fresh perspective on the benefits of language learning traditions which are as old as time. At the very least, it’s another hidden benefit of spending an extra five minutes rewriting your most recent lesson notes, pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone to go to a Spanish-speaking hairdresser or restarting this time, life-long streak on Duolingo.
Gordon Cole-Schmidt is a public relations specialist and freelance journalist, advising and writing on companies and issues across multi-national communication programs.
Created during the early days of the Spanish conquest, pescado a la veracruzana is old-world sophistication and new-world flavor. (Shutterstock)
Pescado a la veracruzana holds a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favorite dishes. The fresh ingredients in this recipe create a Mediterranean-Mexican fusion that is as satisfying as it is delicious. Its versatility shines through as it can be prepared with various types of fish and is suitable for anything from everyday meals to special occasions.
In English, we would probably translate “a la veracruzana” as “Veracruz-style.” The dish itself is the story of two worlds coming together. It is a marriage of the bountiful seafood of the Gulf of Mexico and tomatoes, which are native to the Americas, with Spanish ingredients such as olives, garlic and capers. In this sense, pescado a la veracruzana also reflects the historical legacy of the time when the port of Veracruz was Spain’s gateway into Mexico.
On April 22, 1519, an expedition under the command of Hernán Cortés disembarked in what is today the state of Veracruz, establishing the first Spanish colony in Mexico. (Wikimedia Commons)
In 1521, Hernán Cortés founded the town of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz (Rich Village of the True Cross) in what is today Veracruz. This settlement not only served as a starting point for the Spanish colonization of Mexico but also served as a key logistical center for Cortés’ ambitious campaigns. The port of Veracruz became a crucial point of entry for Spanish ships and supplies, facilitating further exploration and the eventual conquest of Mexico. The strategic significance of Veracruz extended beyond military operations, as it became a hub for trade and cultural exchange between Europe and the Americas.
Legend has it that the origins of pescado a la veracruzana trace back to the Lenten traditions when locals sought satisfying alternatives to red meat during this period of abstinence. Inspired by Biscayne sauce from Spain, this savory medley of sautéed onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, olives, capers, herbs and spices, simmered until thickened, creates a hearty topping for fish filets. Garnished with vibrant cilantro or parsley, the flavorful dish is traditionally served alongside white rice or baby potatoes.
While red snapper is commonly preferred for pescado a la veracruzana, tilapia or sea bass are also excellent choices for this recipe. Veracruzana sauce is renowned for its unique balance of flavors and its mildness — unlike many other Mexican sauces, it doesn’t use any hot peppers. However, those seeking an extra kick usually add a few pickled chiles güeros. When I make this at home, I prefer to forego the chilis and instead opt for a generous dash of spicy paprika.
Pescado a la Veracruzana is cooked in the oven for 20 minutes, making it a quick and simple dish to prepare. (Unsplash)
Now, let’s dive into how you can recreate this culinary masterpiece in your kitchen:
Ingredients:
– 4 filets of white fish (such as red snapper, sea bass or tilapia)
– Olive oil
– 1 onion, sliced
– 4 large cloves of garlic, sliced
– 4 tomatoes, diced
– 1 cup tomato puree
– ½ cup pitted green olives
– ½ cup capers in brine, drained
– ½ tsp dried oregano
– ¼ tsp dried thyme
– 1 bay leaf
– 3 tbsp fresh cilantro, minced
– 3 pickled güero chilis (optional)
Fry the onions in a couple of tablespoons of olive oil until soft and translucent. Then add the sliced garlic and fry until slightly brown.
Add the diced tomatoes and sauté until softened.
Add the tomato puree, chiles, olives, capers, oregano, thyme and bay leaf. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes to reduce the amount of liquid and concentrate the flavors. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Stir the fresh minced cilantro into the sauce for just a couple of minutes before serving.
To achieve a fish that’s crispy on the outside, you need to get the surface very dry before frying by using paper towels to remove as much moisture from the surface as possible. Then lightly season with salt and pepper and cover with a thin layer of all-purpose flour.
Add oil to a frying pan over medium-high heat and fry both sides of the fish in the pan until cooked through.
Plate each filet, add a heaping scoop of the sauce on top and serve.
The delightful blend of savory and aromatic flavors in this sauce can be creatively incorporated into a variety of dishes beyond fish. Its rich tomato base with herbs and spices lends itself beautifully to enhancing other seafood delicacies like shrimp or scallops. I also love it smeared on a slice of bread or for topping hearty grains like quinoa or couscous.
Veracruzana sauce is a healthy and versatile partner for your culinary creations. Each savory bite not only delights your taste buds but also serves as a delicious connection to centuries of cultural fusion. Whether you’re getting creative in the kitchen or venturing into new flavors, make sure veracruzana sauce is on your menu.
Sandra Gancz is a Mexican writer and translator based in San Miguel de Allende who specializes in mental health and humanitarian aid. She believes in the power of language to foster compassion and understanding across cultures. She can be reached at: [email protected]
What's the best way to greet a stranger? How do I say hello to a friend? How much personal space is enough? Find answers to all these questions and more inside.(Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
It’s been 21 years, but a part of me still feels a little flustered giving and getting pecks on the cheek.
It’s not that I agonize over it. It’s just that this perfectly normal way in Mexico of meeting and greeting non-family members and then bidding them adieu will never feel to me, on a cellular level, 100% non-sexual.
To this gal from a country where Puritans were the cultural founders of the current regime, it feels ever-so-slightly mischievous.
If you’ve spent any amount of time in Mexico, you’ve probably noticed it: this population’s sense of personal space is a bit different than ours, “ours” meaning those of us from the countries that currently send the most visitors and immigrants Mexico’s way.
In more formal situations or to greet people you have just met, a good handshake is sufficient. (Andres Manuel López Obrador/X)
So in the spirit of cultural knowledge-sharing, let’s dive right into the spaces between what’s considered familiar and normal in Mexico.
First, a general statement: Mexico is a much more “touchy-feely” country than its north-er North American counterparts, the United States and Canada. While there will always be variety among individuals within a culture, we know for our own on an instinctual level what’s normal and what’s not. For unfamiliar cultures, there’s some learning to be done!
Normal: Standing, walking, and talking very close to you. The short explanation: this is a matter of the physical space available and how many people live and reside within a certain area.
You’ve probably noticed that this is not a country of wide, open spaces… or at least people don’t tend to live in its wide, open spaces, anyway. Lots of things seem smaller, too, because they are: the aisles in the grocery store, the parking spaces, the cars, the bathrooms, the tables and chairs, the streets, the sidewalks, the buses, the metro (oh God, the metro).
When this is the case, you just get used to being a little cozier all around, as eventually people simply stop noticing when they’re closer than they need to be (to the point, sometimes, that you can easily smell people’s breath when they talk). Ick, and you’re allowed to back up or turn to the side if they don’t catch the hint and mindlessly follow you; “This is my good ear,” I might say to be polite. The smaller spaces also mean that most people are oblivious to the fact that you think they have any polite responsibility at all to move over to let you rush past them on the sidewalk. Move where?
Not normal: Standing or sitting right next to you when it’s not necessary to do so.If you’re packed into a metro, chances are you’re going to be standing pretty darn close to others. If you’re on a nearly-empty bus and someone plops down in the seat right next to you, though, you might want to get up and move toward the driver.
In Mexico, it is common to greet acquaintances and friends with a kiss on the cheek in casual situations. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
Especially if you’re a woman, you’ll want to be cautious with distance. If your spidey senses are telling you that some dude is standing way closer behind you in line than he needs to, a full-bodied turn to the side (pro tip: get your butt to a point where it’s not facing him) and a quick “What do you want?” look is totally called for.
Normal: Quick pecks on the cheek to meet, greet, and bid farewell to friends and acquaintances, mostly in casual social situations. Ah, the kiss. If you’re from a place where kisses are mostly reserved for romantic partners and one’s own young children, kissing people who don’t fall into those categories might always feel just a little bit devious to you. It still does to me, and I’ve been here for over two decades. But oh, how I love having a set physical protocol and the bookends that they naturally put on either end of social interactions!
So how’s it done, exactly? First, it’s most typical to go in for it by moving your head slightly to the left. You’ll likely touch cheeks with the other person, but the kiss will mostly be in the air next to them and will not necessarily land on their skin. If you’re just meeting the other person, this might be accompanied by a simultaneous handshake that begins a second or so before, and if you already know them, you might lightly grab their left shoulder as well before pulling apart. If you’re good friends, a full-on hug could happen, too – oh, boy! Women and women kiss, women and men kiss, and men and men usually shake hands and maybe do the shoulder squeeze thing or a hug.
If you really don’t want to kiss-greet someone, just offer your hand for a shake, and use it to keep the distance between your bodies, which should get the message across.
Not Normal: Kisses from random strangers or in professional settings, and slobbery kisses planted firmly on your cheek (or on your mouth – yikes!). Remember, kisses are not required or expected in all social situations: you don’t kiss the clerk at the grocery store or the immigration officer or the person who’s interviewing you for a job.
Hugs are reserved for those closest to you, such as family and friends. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
When I taught high school, I did not greet or say goodbye to my students with kisses – not even the ones I was on a friendly basis with (plus, we’d have never had time for the actual class!). Mexicans tend to be unshy about respecting social hierarchies, and it would be rare to lean in for a kiss toward someone in a position of either authority or subordination in relation to you, or you to them.
When in doubt, a handshake is always polite!
Normal: Hugs from good friends and family members; a light touch on the shoulder or arm from a stranger who needs your attention. It’s interesting to note that in a culture generally more comfortable with physical closeness and touching, hugs seem to be considered more intimate here than those air kisses next to the cheek. But if you think about it, it makes quite a bit of sense: a short moment of facial closeness is a lot less contact than pressing your entire bodies against each other for a few seconds! That’s why hugs are usually reserved for really good friends, family, and romantic partners.
Not normal: Hugs from strangers, or even acquaintances that you’re not close to; a stranger grabbing you or touching you anywhere below your shoulder.If you don’t want to press your body up against someone else’s, by all means, don’t – you’re not obliged! And if a stranger grabs you around your waist, whip around and give a well-deserved “back off” dirty look.
So there you have it! This is an article and not a book, of course, and is therefore not an exhaustive list. But I hope it’s given you at least a somewhat broad idea of what to expect in your personal interactions in Mexico. Go forward and kiss the air next to people’s faces!
India's economy has grown to be the fifth largest in the world, while Mexico is the 12th largest. What will the deglobalization trend bring for them both? (Wikimedia Commons)
People in business media are always on the lookout for the next big geography in globalization trends. Going back to the 1990s, it was NAFTA, then it was all China, China, and more China. Next came the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China), evolving to BRICS (adding South Africa), and then BRICS+ (adding Mexico and Indonesia to the list).
In the past three years, three significant global events have left many wondering where we go from here. The first of course was the COVID-19 pandemic, which ravaged supply chains and challenged the thinking of centralization of production in any one location.
Next came an increased concern globally on the degree of dependence on China, considering its government policies and lax intellectual property protection.
The third was the war in Ukraine, which changed the world’s perception of Russia (including as a destination for businesses), highlighted vulnerabilities in oil and natural gas supplies, and once again reminded us all of the fragility of peace.
Two significant and still developing business strategies have come out of these global events that I think are defining the next phase of globalization (or deglobalization): “China +1” and “nearshoring.”
China +1
The idea that China alone cannot be a single or primary source of supply for any company. It makes sense for many companies to retain China as a key source of supply, but also add a +1 in another low-cost country
Nearshoring
The idea that both long product supply chains reliant on Asia and also long energy supply chains are increasingly risky is resulting in shifting production closer to customers, and/or to less vulnerable regions.
I think India and Mexico will be the key beneficiaries of both of these shifts, for reasons outlined below.
India has the population and low-cost base to be the most logical “China +1” winner. Of course, other countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand will benefit, but India has by far the most potential to be the biggest beneficiary.
Mexico has the geography, labor force, and cost base to be the most logical nearshoring winner. All of North America will benefit significantly from the nearshoring trend, but Mexico has the most potential.
Both countries have their share of challenges. They currently have polarizing political leaders with outsized influence. They have infrastructure challenges, social issues that must be overcome, and important water scarcity issues. But both also have huge potential if they make sound policy decisions.
This past year, Mexico and India reached an agreement to collaborate on projects across a range of areas, including water management and the production of low-cost vaccines. Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard traveled to New Delhi to join Indian Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh to sign an agreement with India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry (SRE), Ebrard announced that Mexico and India will collaborate on and jointly finance “binational development and innovation projects in several fields,” including ones related to water, lithium, the aerospace industry, biotechnology and vaccines.
Under the new agreement, the SRE statement added, “both countries will identify priority projects for development, among which are water management, development of electro-mobility and production of vaccines at low cost.”
An interesting trend to note is Indian companies accelerating investing in Mexico. Last year, India’s Tata Consulting announced an investment in 2,500 IT consulting jobs in Monterrey, Mexico. Nuevo León’s governor Samuel García also announced a US $200M investment from India’s Vimercati, a leading company in the auto parts sector. And we recently reported on Hinduja Tech’s ambitious expansion plans nationwide.
More investment from other Indian companies is on the way, with Samuel García finishing up a trip to India late last year in which he announced investments from three of India’s largest companies including Tata Group, Infosys and HCL Tech. According to García, these companies will generate at least 7,000 jobs in Mexico.
The world is an increasingly complicated place for multinational companies to navigate. I think both India and Mexico will be clear winners in the next phase of globalization, and it’s fascinating to see how these two countries could collaborate, cooperate, and even complement each other given their unique strengths. I’ll be rooting for both countries in the next round of globalization!
Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for over 27 years.
This article is part of Mexico News Daily’s “India in Focus” series. Read the other articles from the series here.
The baby entered the world on an Aeroméxico flight, mid-way between Mexico City and Ciudad Juárez. (File photo)
A woman had an eventful flight from Mexico City to Ciudad Juárez on Friday: she gave birth to a healthy baby boy approximately one hour into the journey.
Aeroméxico reported that a passenger went into labor on flight 113 from the capital to the Chihuahua border city.
A doctor happened to be on board and delivered the baby with the assistance of the cabin crew. The mother and baby were taken to hospital upon arrival in Ciudad Juárez.
Another passenger on the flight, Paola Contreras, appeared to be the first person to break the news of the unexpected mid-flight birth.
“A baby was just born on the flight I was on,” she wrote in a post to Instagram.
“We landed with a new passenger. A round of applause for all the flight attendants. Wow, wow, wow @aeromexico.”
A flight attendant holds the baby, whose face is blurred for privacy. (Xime Garmendia/X)
A video posted to social media showed one flight attendant handing over the bundled-up newborn to a passenger, presumably the mother. The doctor who delivered the baby was identified as Leticia Olivares.
There was apparently some speculation that the newborn boy would be able to fly for free for life on Aeroméxico flights as a result of being born on one of the Mexican flag carrier’s aircraft.
But the news outlet ADN 40 reported that there is nothing on the Aeroméxico website to indicate that is the case.
According to a study published in 2020, 74 babies were born on 73 commercial flights between 1929 and 2018. “Seventy-one of the infants survived delivery, two died shortly after delivery and the status of one is unknown,” the study said.
While the birth of babies on planes is very rare, the boy born on the flight between Mexico City and Ciudad Juárez on Friday morning is not this month’s first “skyborn.”
Another baby was born on an Air Canada flight from the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia to Toronto last week. “The flight was diverted to Bermuda, but the baby was delivered before landing,” Global News reported.
