Canine members of Mexico's Rescue Mission team took their praises modestly on the Senate floor. They recently became beloved in Mexico and in Turkey, where they rescued survivors of that country's earthquake on Feb. 6. (Andrea Murcia Monsivais/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico’s famous “Rescue Mission” dog team was officially recognized for their work in Turkey and Syria in a ceremony at the Senate yesterday.
Balam, Orly, Eco, Nico, Tardío territorio, Teología Barata and Biosfera were among the dogs that became celebrities in Mexico after their valiant work in saving the lives of those trapped in the rubble in the aftermath of the 2019 Mexico City earthquake.
Balam, one of the dogs sent to help in the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey last February, meets senators. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro).
After the Feb. 6 earthquake of this year that left thousands dead in Turkey and Syria, the dogs were deployed to assist in rescue operations, also manned by 120 members of the military and Mexico’s Cruz Roja (Red Cross). The 16 dogs searched an area of 70 collapsed buildings.
Senator Sasil de León led the tributes in the Senate given to the team.
“Rescue Mission meant a deep pride for all of you,” she said of the entire team — dogs and humans. “You represented hope for a people who were suffering, and despite any cultural or language barrier, [you] came together to help as if they were our own.”
During the ceremony, de León remembered the loss of two members of the team in the last year: Proteo and Frida.
Proteo died due to extreme weather conditions while in Turkey. He had already identified two survivors who were later pulled from the rubble during the course of his mission.
Proteo became a hero in Mexico and Turkey after he was killed attempting to rescue earthquake survivors in February. (Sedena)
Frida passed away peacefully in retirement in November after a 10-year career that saw the rescue of 12 people in the 2019 Mexico City earthquake, an achievement that inspired statues of her in various cities in Mexico.
The loss of these valued team members “left great pain in the country. But their achievements are an inspiration for the next members of the search and rescue units,” said de León.
Proteo was a star in the search and rescue team, saving lives in Chiapas, Guatemala and Mexico City over the course of his career.
The Usumacinta River is a river that's forgiving even if you don't have a lot of rafting experience. (Cindy Hall)
Rocky Contos is the Director of SierraRios, a nonprofit organization that offers rafting trips down big, Grand-Canyon type rivers around the world; these include rivers in Canada, South America, China, Africa and Mexico.
“My goal,” says Contos, “is to bring people to these rivers so they will appreciate their beauty and to raise their awareness so they will work to protect them.”
One way to get visitors to appreciate the Usumacinta River is a refreshing swim in one of the many lagoons nearby. (Maruca González)
“Of all these river trips you’re offering,” I asked Contos recently, “which one would you recommend for complete beginners?”
“In my opinion,” he replied, “the best first river for anyone to do is the Usumacinta, which is the biggest, most voluminous river in all Mexico and Central America and forms part of the border with Guatemala.
“You’re on the water six days. You get the experience of camping; you get to run some rapids, but nothing too difficult or scary; and you get a marvelous experience because you’re floating through the rainforest, and the jungle is just incredible.
“It’s a corridor with the highest concentration of howler monkeys in the world — those were the sacred monkeys of the Mayan people — and you get to camp at two outstanding Mayan sites: Yaxchilán in Mexico and Piedras Negras on the Guatemalan side; so the trip has a lot of cool things about it.”
Chiapas’ Bonampak Maya ruins is just the first archeological site you’ll see on SierraRios’ tour of the Usumacinata River. (Maruca González)
In early February of 2023, nine would-be rafters from Mexico, France, Canada and the United States participated in a SierraRios trip down the Usumacinta River in the care of an international crew of six guides.
Members of the expedition met at the Hotel Chablis near the celebrated Maya ruins of Palenque, where Contos gave them the instructions for their adventure. The following morning, they visited Bonampak, famous for its colorful floor-to-ceiling murals painted around A.D. 700.
From there, they went to the border town of Frontera Corozal, where they packed all their gear into watertight bags and set off down the river on February 5 on five rafts, two kayaks and an inflatable paddleboard.
“After three hours,” says Canadian Chris Lloyd, “we arrived at Yaxchilán, which has the best preserved carvings in the Mayan world, and found we had the whole place all to ourselves. There’s an old air strip there, and we camped right on the edge of it, which is also the edge of the ruins.
A stroll in the jungle leads to a beautiful waterfall. (Cindy Hall)
“Here, we got a big welcome from the howler monkeys, who appeared just as soon as we set up camp and made it very clear to us that this was their neck of the jungle and that they were in charge, not us. In case you have never heard a howler monkey… , they are really loud and they sound pretty much like a lion roaring 10 meters above your tent.”
“Yaxchilán is truly a jewel,” recalls Mexican participant Maruca González. “You feel at peace, and it has beautiful energy. There are three different routes for visiting the ruins and we did all of them, returning to the camp in the evening, where our guides had prepared dinner.”
“For an appetizer,” says Lloyd, “we had a plate of cheese and crackers plus dips and nice pesto sauce. This was followed by a main course, some of the best tamales I’ve ever had in this country. Big ones they were, wrapped in banana leaves, and they were filled with delicious chicken and vegetables.
A howler monkey enjoys a snack. Photo Jim Frazer Nisbet.
“On another occasion… they actually made two lasagnas: one with meat and one without. Then you might get brownies made in a Dutch oven for dessert. There was always lots of wine and cold beer, and we also had drinks like vampiros and piñas coladas.”
Early the following morning, Lloyd received special permission to climb up to a high point where he was able to watch the sun rise over Yaxchilán. “This was in an effort to spot owls at this place, but of course it gave me an opportunity to really appreciate these extraordinary ruins.”
The following day the group covered some 50 kilometers on the river to reach the ruins of Piedras Negras.
The Acropolis of Las Piedras Negras, drawn by archaeologist Tatiana Proskouriakoff in 1946.
“The Usumacinta is a very impressive and very wide river,” Lloyd told me. “The waves weren’t very big, but the currents were really strong, with whirlpools all over the place. They would grab your raft, spin you in a circle and spit you out, but there was never any danger of the rafts flipping over. It was never more than a Class 2 river, which is pretty moderate.”
Piedras Negras is part of Guatemala’s Sierra del Lacandón National Park and is known for its abundance of sculptures. It can only be reached via the Usumacinta or by air.
What put Piedras Negras on the map was a Russian-American archaeologist named Tatiana Proskouriakoff who figured out how to decipher the Mayan hieroglyphs there.
A view of the Yaxchilán archeological site in Chiapas. (Locogringo)
In 1978, she died and, after waiting more than a decade for political tensions to ease along the Usumacinta, her colleague David Stuart carried Tatiana’s ashes to Piedras Negras, where they were interred at the summit of the Acropolis, where her career had been launched.
In spite of all this, little restoration work has been done at the site, and those who arrive there by raft have the place to themselves.
“We are the only tourists here,” wrote Maruca González in her journal. “The Guatemalan government has no funds for restoration, but I think that makes me like the place all the more. The rocks are covered with plants and mushrooms, with spider monkeys scrambling in the trees. Most of all, I liked the ancient Temazcal (sweat lodge). There was room for all of us inside.”
Unlike most rafting tours, where the “food” provided is items like crackers and hard tack, SierraRios’ tours offer gourmet meals and wine (poured into plastic water bottles for safety). (Maruca González)
Further downstream, the group enjoyed swimming in crystal-clear waterfalls and lagoons alongside the river, running four rapids and speeding through a narrow canyon with sheer walls a kilometer high.
The expedition ended at Boca del Cerro, Tabasco, on February 10. “Did you like the experience?” I asked González.
“Did I like it? I guess so,” she replied with a big smile, “because I’ve already made plans to go back there next month to spend more time at those two incredible ruins on the Usumacinta. I think I’ve fallen in love with the place!”
The writer has lived near Guadalajara, Jalisco, since 1985. His most recent book is Outdoors in Western Mexico, Volume Three. More of his writing can be found on hisblog.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made his remarks on the Vulcan Materials case during testimony before the House of Representatives' Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs on Thursday. (Antony Blinken/Twitter)
Mexican authorities’ takeover of a United States-owned marine terminal in Quintana Roo could have a “chilling effect” on future U.S. investment in Mexico, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.
Vulcan Materials Company, an Alabama-based construction aggregates firm that has had a presence in Mexico since the 1980s, says that Mexican navy personnel, state police officers and employees of the building materials company Cemex illegally entered its port facility near Playa del Carmen on March 14.
A group of soldiers, Cemex employees, police and “special investigation” officials arrived at Vulcan’s marine terminal, owned by its subsidiary, Sac Tun, in the middle of the night on March 14 and have yet to leave, according to Vulcan officials. (Internet)
During an appearance before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Blinken said he was “very concerned about the fair treatment of our companies in Mexico” and “also very concerned” about what happened to Vulcan.
“We’ve had our team on the ground, as well as from back here in D.C., very actively engaged on this. We’ve been requesting information from local authorities as well as from the federal government about the military and police presence,” he said.
The secretary of state also said that “the potential for a case like this to have a chilling effect on further investment or engagement by our companies as they see what’s happening should be a real concern to the federal government in Mexico.”
The takeover and occupation of the facility operated by Vulcan’s Mexican subsidiary Sac-Tun occurred as Mexico seeks to take advantage of the growing nearshoring phenomenon — the relocation of companies to Mexico due to its proximity to the United States and other favorable factors.
—NEW! re: Irruption of Mexican forces in Vulcan Materials facilities
BLINKEN: “The potential for a case like this to have a chilling effect on further investment or engagement by our companies as they see what’s happening, should be a real concern to the federal Govt in Mexico” pic.twitter.com/KmMbiJpPsJ
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while testifying Thursday before the House of Representatives, commented on the Vulcan case.
President López Obrador indicated Thursday that he believed that the security forces and Cemex employees had done nothing wrong by entering Vulcan’s facility because judges had “authorized” its use by the building materials company.
However, in a March 16 letter sent to Mexico’s Ambassador to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma, Vulcan CEO J. Thomas Hill said his company had “not been presented a single legal document, court order, or warrant justifying” the takeover of the marine terminal.
Cemex used to have an agreement that allowed it to use Vulcan’s Quintana Roo terminal, but it expired at the end of last year and negotiations for a new contract reportedly broke down.
Vulcan said in a statement Tuesday that “prior to the expiration, Cemex was formally made aware that negotiation of a new contract would be necessary” to continue using its port facility.
“Vulcan has been and remains open to renegotiating the lease agreement. Rather than looking for a mutually agreeable solution, Cemex officers threatened to seek the aid of the Mexican government, including its armed forces, to use Vulcan’s port facilities,” the company said.
Vulcan reiterated that “on March 14 and to this day, Cemex, the military and the police have not presented any court order, warrant or other legal justification for their forceful entry and occupation of Vulcan’s property.”
President López Obrador largely dismissed Blinken’s remarks, saying that the U.S. Secretary of State’s job is to fight for his country’s interests and that Blinken was likely also misinformed. (Presidencia)
“Contrary to Cemex’s position, a Mexican federal court ordered Cemex to vacate the property, and another Mexican federal court order requires military and police forces to leave the property immediately,” it added.
López Obrador has maintained a dispute with Vulcan for years, and his government last year shut down a limestone gravel quarry the company operated in Quintana Roo for having allegedly “extracted or exported stone without approval,” according to an Associated Press report.
On Thursday, he again asserted claims made during the quarry dispute that the company has committed “ecocide” on the Quintana Roo coast. On Thursday, he said Sac Tun had destroyed mangroves across a “large area” and even damaged archaeological sites.
“… It took gravel from Playa del Carmen … and the coast of the Caribbean, from the most beautiful tourism area of Mexico and one of the most beautiful in the world,” López Obrador said.
“They used land … to extract gravel and took that material to the United States to use in the construction of highways. All this because of the complicity there was with [past] pseudo-environmentalist authorities … who gave them the permits,” he said.
AMLO’s government and Vulcan Materials have a long history together. Last summer, federal authorities shut down this quarry Vulcan owns near Playa del Carmen, saying it was destroying the natural environment, claims the president repeated at a press conference this week. (Cuartoscuro)
On Friday, López Obrador said that Blinken’s comments about the Vulcan case were not surprising because representing the interests of United States companies “is his job.”
“Mine is to represent the interests of the Mexican people and look after our territory,” he added.
“… Maybe [Blinken] doesn’t have all the information and … it would be good for him to know about this company, Vulcan, which, in cahoots with former Mexican authorities, destroyed our territory.”
Federal Environment Minister María Luisa Albores last year presented a complaint to the United Nations about the “environmental disaster” caused by Vulcan. In 2018, Vulcan filed a case against the Mexican government with the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), alleging unfair treatment.
López Obrador on Thursday called on members of the ICSID panel considering the case to visit Mexico to see the environmental damage Vulcan has caused.
“Of course we’ll comply with what they determine … but I would very much like them to get to know the territory, [to see] the destruction — the ecocide — this United States company caused,” he said.
As you step into the peaceful Artesana Residences at the award-winning Rosewood hotel in San Miguel de Allende, you can feel the weight of the world slipping away from your shoulders. The gentle breeze, the stunning architecture, and the expansive landscaped gardens create an atmosphere of unparalleled serenity and luxury.
“Nobody in the center of San Miguel de Allende gets this amount of land space anymore. This side of town is the place to be – it’s seen as the Rodeo Drive area of San Miguel,” says Jim Dolan, broker for |CDR San Miguel| Forbes Global Properties.
Rooftop jacuzzi with a view at one of the Artesana Residences at the Rosewood. (CDR San Miguel)
This sought-after area of San Miguel really has it all.
This neighborhood is home to the most exclusive hotels, including the Waldorf Astoria, Numu Hyatt Unbound Boutique Hotel and Hotel Matilda, the iconic Parque Juárez is on your doorstep and the vibrant main square is just a short stroll away.
Located just 315 km from Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city offers a perfect blend of old-world charm and first-world amenities, which makes it a perfect destination for remote workers and explorers seeking year-round, resort-style living.
In fact, in recent years second homes have become increasingly popular, with buyers investing in properties they can rent out when they are away.
The enchanting Artesana Residences at the Rosewood, with a view of San Miguel’s iconic La Parroquia. (CDR San Miguel)
“Not only will you be investing in a property that’s sure to appreciate in value, but you’ll also have the option to rent it out to other guests, providing you with a steady stream of passive income,” says Jim. “And with the Rosewood brand behind you, as well as the city’s reputation as one of the most desirable destinations, your property will always be in high demand.”
Jim sees this as a smart move, an investment in your future that promises both financial stability and a chance to indulge in the luxurious resort lifestyle.
Picture yourself living in a stunning four-story gated residence meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards of quality and design.
You’ll have your own private elevator to whisk you from your underground car park to a sprawling rooftop terrace, complete with a cozy firepit and inviting jacuzzi.
These residences are exquisitely designed, down to every detail. (CDR San Miguel)
Imagine sipping a refreshing cocktail as you take in the stunning sunset views of San Miguel de Allende. This is perhaps the best part of living in a hotel residence-it’s like being on a forever vacation in your own home.
One of the most significant advantages of resort living is the array of world-class amenities that come with it.
The adjacent Rosewood Hotel offers a range of facilities and services, including 3 incredible heated pools, a private fitness center, 24-hour concierge service, a state-of-the-art spa, and even a babysitting service for parents who fancy escaping for a romantic evening out on the town.
Inviting patio of an Artesana Residence at the Rosewood. (CDR San Miguel)
Plus the service is second to none, where the Rosewood staff treat their residence owners like family. You can enjoy all the perks of a five-star hotel, just steps away without any of the hassle of maintenance or upkeep, providing the privileges of a resort with the comforts of a private home.
However, owning a Rosewood property offers more than just luxurious amenities; it’s an opportunity to become part of a global community that values and cherishes the finer things in life.
As a Rosewood resident, you’ll have access to a network of properties worldwide, from stunning Caribbean retreats to exclusive Tuscany resorts. This lifestyle is unmatched in the industry, providing you with enhanced living that you won’t find anywhere else.
Beautiful kitchen at an Artesana Residence at the Rosewood. (CDR San Miguel)
Ultimately, investing in a Rosewood property is much more than just a smart financial move; it’s an intelligent lifestyle choice, allowing you to indulge in the perfect combination of convenience and exclusivity.
And with only 4 exclusive villas on the market, this is your chance to own a piece of paradise designed to provide residents with a sense of privacy, comfort, and indulgence.
For more information and to schedule a viewing, contact Jim Dolan at |CDR San Miguel |Forbes Global Properties. Artesana Residences at the Rosewood hotel start at US $1,790,000. To find out more about the Artesana Residences at The Rosewood click here.
Dining room in one of the residences. (CDR San Miguel)
The Papalote kite festival in Tequisquiapan takes place Mar. 25 and 26 and April 1 and 2. (Fiesta de los Papalotes Tequisquiapan/Facebook)
Alicia Keys extends tour to Mexico and Latam
The 14-time Grammy winner is coming to Latin America for the first time, with three nights in Mexico. (@aliciakeys/Twitter)
Fourteen-time Grammy award winner Alicia Keys announced that she will perform in Mexico and Latin America for the first time ever.
“Latin America Fam! This is finally happening! I’ve been dreaming about this, and you’ve been asking me about this! We had to make it happen!” the artist said via social media.
The Latin American leg of the Alicia + Keys World Tour will kick off on May 3 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, before moving on to Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. In Mexico, she’ll appear in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
Monterrey will see Keys performing at the CitiBanamex Arena on May 14, followed by the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City (May 17) and the Auditorio Telmex in Guadalajara (May 19).
Tickets will be available via the HSBC Big Sale on Mar. 27 at 11 a.m. CST and for general sale on Mar. 28. at 11 a.m., through the official Ticketmaster website.
Kite festival in Tequisquiapan, Querétaro
The kite festival is a perfect activity for the whole family. (Fiesta de los Papalotes Tequisquiapan/Facebook)
On the weekends of March 25–26 and April 1–2, the Fiesta de los Papalotes kite festival (papalote, the Spanish word for “kite,” comes from a Náhuatl word meaning “butterfly”)invites you to bring your own kite — or build one onsite — to display in the air next to other kites of all shapes and sizes.
Running each day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the event boasts live music, arts and crafts stations, food trucks, puppet shows, inflatable bounce houses and other entertainment options for the whole family.
Tequisquiapan is only two and a half hours away from Mexico City and is a popular destination due to its wine and cheese culture.
The festival will take place at the Cava de Quesos Bocanegra winery, located at km 50.2 on the Tequisquiapan–Querétaro Highway (7 km from the city of Querétaro.) Tickets are available from the winery’s box office. The entrance fee is 100 pesos and children under 1.2 meters get in free. Find out more information at the festival’s Facebook page.
Mexico Open at Vidanta 2023
Jon Rahm of Spain was the winner in 2022. (@Rolex/Twitter)
Featuring 144 professional players competing for a total purse valued at US $7.7 million and 500 FedEx Cup points, the Mexico Open at Vidanta, Nuevo Vallarta, will run from April 27–30.
World No. 2 Spaniard Jon Rahm, who is also the tournament’s defending champion, heads the list of confirmed players. In 2022, Rahm led the board from start to finish.
Rahm’s confirmation indicates the tournament’s relevance for the PGA Tour’s top stars.
“This international tournament demonstrates the riches of the Nayarit Riviera and Puerto Vallarta to the world and confirms that we have it all in Mexico: the best service, hospitality, beautiful landscapes, and the ability to operate at an incomparable quality,” said José Alonso, Director of Operations for Grupo Vidanta.
Álvaro Ortiz from Guadalajara, winner of the 2021 edition of the Mexican Golf Open and the Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) in 2019, will also compete at the event.
The 'cloud seeder' that SEDENA intends to use to break the drought in Mexico City. (Cuartoscuro)
Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval has announced a plan to “seed” clouds in an attempt to break the drought in Mexico City.
The Ministry of National Defence (Sedena) will work with the National Water Commission (Conagua) to carry out the chemical process, which involves discharging an acetone solution containing supercooled silver iodide into clouds to produce rain.
The Cutzamala dam system that supplies Mexico City has dropped to below 50% capacity. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)
“Considering that we have a plane with all the equipment to seed clouds … we checked with Conagua to see whether we could support [them] with the plane in the area where they needed to be able to make it rain,” Sandoval said.
He explained the plane normally works in northern Mexico and is now in Baja California but could be brought to Mexico City to tackle the capital’s current water crisis.
“The conditions in the Cutzamala area are very good because there is humidity, there is cloudiness,” Sandoval said.
Sedena’s announcement came after Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said that water pressure in the Valley of Mexico would be reduced in March, April and May due to low water levels in the reservoirs that supply the capital.
According to Conagua, the Cutzamala reservoir system is currently at only 47.6% of storage capacity — thelowest level recorded in its history. Rain is desperately needed in order to refill the dams that keep the water flowing to Mexico City.
The cloud seeding process works by discharging supercooled silver iodide into certain types of rain clouds. This causes water particles in the cloud to bunch together until they are heavy enough to fall. It can only work on existing clouds and cannot create more water in the sky.
Mexico first used this process to control a forest fire in Coahuila and Nuevo León in April 2021.
It has since been employed to induce rains in the drought-stricken states of Baja California, Sinaloa, Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango and Zacatecas, but has never yet been used near the capital.
Mexico has facedincreasingly serious droughts over the last decade. Annual rainfall has fallen from 10,000 cubic meters in 1960 to 4,000 since 2012, and the World Resources Institute now ranks the country 24th for water stress. Theproblem is worsened by poor water management systems and misuse of water extraction rights.
Twelve million Mexicans currently do not have access to clean drinking water, and the Water Advisory Council (CCA) nonprofit has warned the issue is likely to cause social and economic conflicts over the coming years.
AMPI is confident that their new app will provide security to buyers, and reinvigorate the Mexican real estate market after Covid-19.
(@ampinacional/Twitter)
The Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI) has launched its new nationwide “VALORes AMPI” marketing platform to support and reactivate the real estate market in Mexico.
The platform seeks to prevent fraud, provide transparency and optimize real estate operations.
AMPI’s 2023 conference in Mazatlán is expecting more than 1,500 in attendance. (@ampinacional/Twitter)
“The market has been updating rapidly, particularly in the technological area. For this reason, we started strengthening platforms last year to provide our members with better services that [will] help streamline sales operations,” AMPI president Ignacio Lacunza told the real estate industry publication Inmobiliare.
Lacunza explained that every property must pass legal and tax checks before it can be uploaded.
On launch day, the platform listed 700 properties, and aims to reach 120,000 units in the short to medium term, he added.
The platform currently has 6,000 members, which Lacunza is sure will increase as the platform becomes more successful.
Lacunza also said AMPI is committed to the revival of Mexico’s post-Covid-19 economy through a new program called the AMPI Ambassadors of Real Estate Investment. The program aims to provide publicity and support for the real estate sectors of individual states and cities, in part by making the public aware of financial incentives to property ownership offered by municipal and state governments.
The association now operates in Morelos, Sinaloa, Guanajuato, Baja California, Baja California Sur and Tamaulipas and is aiming to operate internationally as well.
“We will start with the United States and Brazil, mainly because they are the associations with which we have collaboration agreements with,” Lacunza explained.
In October, AMPI will hold its 52nd national congress in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. More than 1,500 real estate agents, developers, and investors are expected to attend to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the real estate market.
Putting yourselves in the restaurant employees' shoes can mean the difference between being a customer they go out of their way to please and one they dread coming through the door. (Depositphotos)
Some of you aren’t going to like what you’re about to read, and I’m sorry about that.
We’re going to discuss restaurant etiquette: yours, not the owner’s, waiter’s or anybody else’s.
After 35 years of writing about food and restaurants, cooking and eating, I’ve observed countless hours of restaurant behavior from both sides.
Besides basically eating for a living, I’ve worked in kitchens and waited tables, run “front of house” and managed, harvested and sold produce at farmers’ markets. I’ve had quite a bit of time “behind the scenes” with owners and chefs, waitstaff, cooks and prep staff.
So here’s the thing: If you really want to be a member of your adopted community in Mexico (or anywhere else for that matter) trust me when I say the tips below are an important part of that integration.
Those restaurant servers are somebody’s sons and daughters; tip like they were your own. (Depositphotos)
Should/Shouldn’t. This is a biggie, and that’s why it’s No. 1: Don’t tell the owner what they “should” or “shouldn’t” do. Just don’t. Whether it’s what they “should” serve on the side, how the menu or hours or décor “should” be changed or umpteen other things that you know better than they do, hold your tongue unless asked.
Show Them the Money. Tip as though the server is your son or daughter working their way through school. Especially in Mexico — where the minimum wage per day for an 8–10 hour-shift is $207 pesos (that’s about US $10.82, $14.49 CAD) – tips are their livelihood. And those propinas are split with everyone working that shift; not only the waiters, bartenders and hostesses, but all the backstage folks you don’t see: cooks, dishwashers, maybe a night watchman or cleaning lady too. Be generous. You can afford it. What’s normal here? 10% is basic, 15% for good service and 20% because you can.
The Language Thing. We understand that you want to practice your Spanish, and that’s admirable. However, chances are your accent, pronunciation and/or vocabulary aren’t perfect. So if your server doesn’t quite understand what you’re saying the first time, please, please just say it in English.
This is a restaurant, not a language school, and the majority of waiters in towns with expat populations or lots of tourists have been hired partly because they can speak and understand English – much better than most of us speak Spanish. Case in point: When we say sin azucar incorrectly, it’s often unintelligible – a mumbled sound – to a native Spanish speaker. Then, when we’re furious our limonada is too sweet, we blame it on “bad service” instead of “bad Spanish” – which is the real problem.
My Way. On a special diet? Suffer from food allergies? Want your meal made special – different than what’s on the menu? Expect to wait a little longer and, quite possibly, for there to be a mistake. Why? Because in a busy kitchen, it’s easy for a cook to forget and make a standard whatever-it-is. Whether you send it back or eat it anyway, try to be gracious; it won’t kill you. And if it will, what are you doing going out to eat? See #1 again.
Loose Fingers. It used to be that publishing an opinion or critique of a theater production, movie or restaurant was reserved for, well, professionals. With social media, though, anyone can post anything, anywhere. Having a bad day? Think your meal wasn’t as perfect as it coulda/shoulda been? Don’t head for your computer; instead, ask for the owner or manager and politely explain your issue. Nine times out of 10 they’ll be happy to remedy the situation on the spot without you having to trumpet your dissatisfaction to the world at large. Your casual critique of your less-than-perfect soup posted on TripAdvisor or a local Facebook page can cause a restaurant to suffer hugely — and needlessly.
Patience is a Virtue. Don’t like to wait for your meal? Simple solution — don’t go at busy times. One more thing: just because you have a reservation for, say, 7 p.m. on a Saturday night, does not guarantee you quick service. Look around you: is every table full? Maybe that big group of 15 showed up without a reservation and the kitchen is in a tizzy. Order a drink and relax. Still can’t accept this? Wondering why the owner doesn’t plan better, have more staff, etc.? Go back and read No. 1 again.
Groups and Parties. Going out with a group of four or more? Special occasion? Call ahead. Make a reservation. Show up on time. Please. Have a few more or less people than you said you would? Alert your server and be appreciative of them accommodating your needs. (See No. 2.) Going to the theater afterward or have a tight schedule? Order simple entrées, no appetizers and don’t ask for separate checks.
Dogs. Why, why, why do you think it’s OK to bring your pet to a restaurant here, something you would never do in Canada or the U.S. or wherever else you’re from? It’s not cute when they sit on the chairs, not charming when they lick your plate clean, not OK when they bark and whine and tangle themselves up with the table/other customers/ your waiter’s legs. Back home, dogs in restaurants are very much the exception. Here too, so don’t try to tell the restaurant owner it should be the rule. (Benevolente82/Shutterstock)
Hard as it is to believe, not everyone likes dogs — and they don’t belong in restaurants. If your dog can’t stay home for an hour while you go out to eat, that’s what you should be addressing – instead of trying to explain to the restaurant owner why he “should” allow dogs (especially yours) in his establishment. (See No. 1.) Have an actual professionally trained service animal? None of this applies to you.
Water. In Mexico, everyone pays for purified drinking water. Everyone, everywhere. Restaurants too. And for a small business trying to make ends meet in a challenging economy, the extra five or 10 garrafones of water every few days can really add up. Why do they bring you a bottle instead of just a glass? Because it’s easier, because they want to, because some picky gringos in the past complained about non-purified water-in-the-glass. The real question is, why do you have a problem with this?
Last Call. It’s 11 p.m., you finished eating an hour ago and are hanging out with your friends, swishing the last sip of a now-warm cerveza in your glass. By now, you’re on a first-name basis with your waiter, and he’s laughing at all your jokes. Out of the corner of your eye you see them starting to stack chairs. Please leave now. Say good night and go home. Crawl down to the next open bar. The people who have just been serving you have been working for eight or more hours and have a long bus ride ahead and a family waiting at home. The restaurant is closed. End of story.
Mango season stretches from February to August in Mexico and the fruit is enjoyed with spicy chile sold by fruit vendors across the country. (Shutterstock)
Did you know that Mexico ranks fifth in the global production of mangos? That means that one out of twenty mangos in the world is Mexican!
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader), there are 14 different breeds of mango – called “cultivars” – grown by Mexican farmers. Mango season runs from February to August.
Everything you wanted to know about Mexican mangos. (Mexico News Daily)
Can you guess why the Ataúlfo is the most popular cultivar of mango in Mexico?
Because it’s Mexican, of course!
A brief history of the Ataúlfo
Grown in the southern state of Chiapas, the Ataúlfo mango was created on the property of mango grower Ataúlfo Morales Gordillo by agricultural engineer Héctor Cano Flores, during the 1950s. Since then, the Ataúlfo mango has ranked as one of the world’s favorite mangos, along with the Alphonso, which is regarded as “the king of mangos.”
The Ataúlfo mango cultivar was granted a denomination of origin in 2002. (Depositphotos)
In 2002, Morales Gordillo obtained the denomination of origin which designates the geographic area in which a fruit or other agricultural product is grown. This means that no other mango can be regarded as Ataúlfo except for those grown in the designated region of Chiapas.
And what is so special about the Ataúlfo mango? It stands out from other mangos because of its yellow color and its hook shape at the end. It has a less fibrous texture than other types of mangos and its skin is soft with a velvety touch.
Thanks to its honey-sweet flavor, the Ataúlfo mango is also known as “Honey Mango” in the United States.
To try the Ataúlfo a la Mexicana, just cut it into slices and add chile powder, salt and lime! For more mango recipes, try this mango cheesecake or these fresh and tropical dishes.
Nuevo León governor Samuel García believes that Mexico could see 10% annual growth in response to nearshoring trend. (@Samuel_GarciaS/Twitter)
The nearshoring phenomenon could spur annual economic growth of up to 10% in Mexico, Nuevo León Governor Samuel García said Wednesday.
Speaking at the Forbes Economy and Business Forum in Monterrey, García predicted an economic boom due to the relocation to Mexico of foreign companies seeking to take advantage of proximity to the United States, the North American free trade pact and affordable labor costs.
Nuevo Leon is receiving record foreign direct investment, driven by manufacturers relocating operations from Asia to be closer to the United States. (@samuelgarcias/Twitter)
While there are “circumstances of crisis and risk” around the world, “the planets are aligning for our country,” the Citizens Movement (MC) party governor said.
Government, the private sector and the community as a whole need to realize that such opportunities only come around every 50 or 100 years, said García, who announced late last year that he was interested in representing MC at next year’s presidential election.
If Mexico takes advantage of the opportunity, economic growth “at levels never before seen” can be achieved, he said before citing potential GDP expansion of 8-10% per year.
“Making the dream reality will depend on us and Nuevo León will play its part,” García said.
Tesla rendering of the announced gigafactory to be built in Nuevo León. (@Tesla Twitter)
“Amazing things are happening in Nuevo León at the moment and I’m sure that this is just the beginning of a great economic boom for Nuevo León and of course for Mexico,” he said.
The Texas-based electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla announced earlier this month that it would build a gigafactory just outside Monterrey, the capital of the economic powerhouse state.
García said Wednesday that “2022 was a good year,” with some US $4 billion in foreign direct investment flowing into the northern border state. He predicted that the figure this year will be $12-13 billion, asserting that foreign investors are “lining up” to invest in Nuevo León.
