Semana Santa procession in Guanajuato
Carnival celebrations are in full swing, today is Fat Tuesday and the last day of celebration before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Easter Week, also known as Holy Week or Semana Santa, is just over a month away which means there’s still time to book flights to Mexico to observe the holiday celebrations. Mexico is a predominantly Catholic country and it isn’t surprising that religious traditions play an important role in Mexican culture. Semana Santa is celebrated each year in cities and towns throughout Mexico with dramatic processions and passion plays. Easter Week is the first week of April this year and Good Friday, or Viernes Santo, one of the most important days of the Holy Week celebrations, falls on April 6th. Here are four of the best destinations in central Mexico to celebrate Semana Santa, each with their own unique traditions. Read more
Around the corner from Café La Habana, the Artesanías La Ciudadela market in Mexico City is one of my favorite places to go to browse a variety of handicrafts and folk art from all across Mexico. These traditional hand-made dolls are crafted by the indigenous peoples of central Mexico and are part of Mexico’s heritage.
“You don’t stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running.” ― Christopher McDougall, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
I mentioned in a previous post that I had started reading Born to Run, Christopher McDougall’s bestseller about ultrarunning and the Tarahumara of Northern Mexico. Well, I finished reading the book in just a few sittings and loved it. Although if there’s one thing I’m now entirely sure of, it’s that ultrarunning is way too hardcore for me. I enjoy distance running and it’s one of my focuses for 2012, but I’ll be more than satisfied if I complete my goal of two half-marathons and train consistently this year.
For the past couple of weeks I’ve been waking early and spending my mornings at Viveros de Coyoacán, one of my favorite outdoor running paths in Mexico City. I’ve also been adding chia seeds to my green breakfast smoothies and dissolving the seeds in water and lime juice to make the Tarahumara power drink called iskiate, or chia fresca, that McDougall describes in the book — it’s not going to turn me into an ultrarunner like the Tarahumara, but it does provide a nice energy boost at 5:30 AM.
And over the weekend I went ahead and registered for my very first organized running event in Mexico City, a 10K race that’s coming up in March, and I have plans to train for and run in the Father’s Day half-marathon in Tlalpan Park in June. Read more
Saturdays are a great time to browse Mexico City’s many tianguises, or weekly open-air markets and one of the more interesting and unusual is the Tianguis Cultural del Chopo, or el Chopo. Originally established in 1980 at the Museo Universitario del Chopo, today el Chopo is a popular gathering place among the city’s various youth subcultures. Vendor stalls selling old records, CDs and music memorabilia stretch for several blocks along Calle Aldama and live bands perform on a small stage at the far end of the market.
The Tianguis Cultural del Chopo is open every Saturday from 10:30 AM until around 4 PM. The closest metro station is Buenavista and the Metrobus also passes nearby.
Photo credit: Allie Lefebvre
Earlier this afternoon we headed over to Café La Habana for lunch. One of Mexico City’s legendary coffeehouses, Café La Habana has a long history of attracting local politicians and journalists. Outdoor seating is available, but a much better option is to grab a seat indoors at one of the wooden tables. With its fifties decor, stepping inside Café La Habana is a bit like stepping back in time. Black and white images of Cuba adorn the walls and antique coffeemakers and appliances take up space behind the bar. Read more
