National Strike/Paro Civico Nacional!

OJO! as my good friends here in the Distrito Federal would say. Tomorrow Wednesday November 11 all bets are off on travel in or out of the city with the center of the city paralyzed with demonstrations.

The Electrical Workers Union has called for a "Paro Civico Nacional" or National Strike. I'm not sure what other cities may have in store but here in Mexico City it seems like major caos from 7 AM until 9 PM.
El Universal has various reports, including hour by hour details of major traffic disruptions and marches.
The most severe begins at 7 AM as a "paso de tortuga" or snails pace, with the 5 major highway accesses to the city blocked.
Marches begin at noon from several points of the city with destination to Los Pinos, the Presidential Palace.
At 3 PM until 5 PM women from different unions will begin marching from Glorieta Insurgents to the Zocalo.

The general public has also been asked to show solidarity with the strikers by turning off their lights from 7:30 PM till 9:30 PM.

So friends, take your precautions and enjoy the day!

Dia de Muertos Zocalo Mexico City CANCELLED!

Another blow has been dealt to Mexico City by the cancellation of the Monumental Ofrendas in the Zocalo. A tradition for the last ten years that has provided millions with an opportunity to view ofrendas from different regions, from artists perspectives and by the city government has been cancelled this year because of the economic crisis.

But never fear many other institutions and private enterprises provide opportunities for viewing Dia de Muertos altars and offerings.

First on my list, with these pictures as a tease, El Bajio restaurant of Avenida Cuitlahuac #2709 in Azcapotzalco. Enjoy a delicious "comida" surrounded by Catrinas, Muertos, ofrendas

and paintings by famous artists, part of owners Carmen Ramirez Degollados collection. Don't forget to order tamales and hot chocolate, you might even have them served by Titita herself!

If you've never been to the Universidad Claustro de Sor Juana, or don't even know who Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz was, mark Friday October 30 on your calender. On this evening, the opening night for the monumental ofrenda in the Capilla is inaugurated and free hot chocolate and tamales are given out. As with so many other very popular events not all details are available so you might want to give the Claustro a call at 5130-3300. As of this moment the days of Nov. 1 and 2 will be open to the public with admission beginning at 7 AM.

More information at :

Izazaga 92, Centro Histórico, C.P. 06080, México D.F. / Teléfonos: 51 30 33 00

A must on the list is of course the Museo Dolores Olmedo in Xochimilco. The museum uses parts of its artisan handcraft collection to mount the altars along with cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, and will also be sponsoring a Concurso Catrina on Nov. 1. The complete program for both Sunday and Monday can be found here under Fiesta Dia de Muertos.

And if your in Coyoacan the Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares will have its ofrendas from October 24 to November 8. This year the title for the ofrendas is Jornada de Dia de Muertos.

And of course the Museo Frida Kahlo on Londres 247 in Coyoacan , tel. 5554-5999, will also present its outdoor ofrenda in the garden.

At the Museo del Carmen located on Av. Revolucion #4/6 in San Angel the ofrenda will be part of the museum entrance fee. A Carmelite convent, with its own underground chapel, you can find mummies of religious members and wealthy patrons that were buried there. Don't miss the section of small paintings and photographs of the "monjas coronadas".

Day of the Dead -- Dia de Muertos

Mexico City is getting ready for Day of the Dead, are you?
November isn't far off and the preparation for ofrendas, loaded with food and drink is underway everywhere so that the city will be ready to welcome the dead.
The tradition of Dia de Muertos is of course a melding of two cultures, the pre-hispanic and the Spanish/Catholic traditions, with remembrance and celebration rather then mourning as the focal point. On Nov. 1 the souls of little children are welcomed and then on Nov.2, All Souls Day, adults.

From the Zocalo to the lowliest puestos ofrendas from monumental to miniature will be on display. So don't miss out at the Zocalo, the Claustro de Sor Juana, the Dolores Olmedo Museum, the Jamaica Market, La Ideal Pasteleria and everywhere you look!

Mexico City in October

Hard as I try, sometimes I just can't keep up! But here I am again, trying to keep you up to date with happenings in the D.F.

Things to definitely watch out for and plan on going soon, they aren't around for long:

Chefs al Rescate -- A one day only opportunity to have the best dishes from the best of the city's top chefs and help raise money for a worthwhile cause, indigenous artisan women.
Top chefs include Mikel Alonso of Biko, Carmen Ramirez de Gollado of El Bajio, Patricia Quintana of Izote, Margarita Carrillo de Salinas of Don Emiliano B.C., and Jose Ramon Castillo of Que Bo fame, amongst several others.
This gastronomic fest will take place on Sunday October 25, 1 PM, at Universidad Anahuac Sur. Tickets available by calling 8589-5544 or by e-mail at rp@queremoscomer.com.
100 % of the ticket sales go directly to the project.
Pictures from last years event include the giant chocolate sculpture that was raffled off (keep your entrance tickets), Nicolas Gilman of Good Food in Mexico City with journalist Magaly Reina taking notes and cleaning his plate, plus weavers and their crafts, bring cash!





Next on the agenda, month long celebrations:
At Cafe Azul y Oro, Chef Ricardo Munoz Zurita, tempts us south to the campus of the UNAM for his Langosta del Caribe festival. Ricardo whose dishes are mouth wateringly good ( "se me hace agua la boca!") does it again. Throughtout the year his regional food festivals are enough to get me on the Metrobus and spend the afternoon on the Centro Cultural campus but this has got to be the best of the best!

Now, what's your favorite Mole dish? Can you ever try as many Moles as there are in the republic, well here's your chance. The month long Feria del Mole in San Pedro Atocpan, Milpa Alta is going strong after some 40 odd years and here's your opportunity to taste Moles of every description! Bring an appetite and come early, the ride to Milpa Alta can be agonizingly long on weekends. Under "Rutas" on the web site detailed maps on how to get to the Fair.

	Carretera Xochimilco Oaxtepec km 17 ½, San Pedro Atocpan, Del. Milpa Alta, México, D.F. C.P. 12200.

El Grito de Dolores!

Are you ready for Mexican Independence Day?
If your Mexican where ever you are in the world this is the month, El Mes de la Patria, and Septemebr 15/16 the night no one sleeps.
With the flag and its colors, green, white and red, prominently displayed everywhere, from buildings to cars to windows to clothing and even jewelery the euphoria is contagious.
Chiles en Nogada, specific to this season, are also symbolic of the flag, the green of the chile poblano, the white of the "nogada", and the red of the pomegranate seeds, que delicia!

Are you ready then, Chiles en Nogada, the Mexican flag and the National anthem are essential and here some tips so you'll be prepared.

In the USA try Zarela Martinez's version of Chiles en Nogada.
For the words to the Mexican national anthem and some history go to Wikipedia.
Last but not least you can listen to the Anthem here.

See you in the Zocalo on Tuesday September 15 and remember, Que Viva Mexico!