• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Other Side of the Tortilla

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • CONTACT ME
    • FAQ
    • PRESS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • MEDIA KIT
    • ADVERTISE
  • RESOURCES
    • BOOKS
    • SHOP
    • INGREDIENTS
    • KITCHEN TOOLS
    • Thanksgiving
    • Mexican Christmas Traditions
  • RECIPES

Mexico Today

Calaveritas de Mondragon para Día de Los Muertos

0 · Oct 31, 2011 · 10 Comments

I recently visited the National Museum of Mexican Art, located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, on a special mission: I was hoping to buy calaveras de azúcar for my altar de muertos. But not just any calaveras—I was hoping to buy handmade and hand-decorated calaveras from the famous Mondragon family.

Sugar skulls are truly an art form and the Mondragon family from Toluca, Mexico, has been making hand-decorated sugar skulls for around 150 years, spanning five generations. They’ve been coming to the museum to make them in Chicago since 1995 as a way for people to hang on to their culture so far from home and to share Mexican tradition and culture, they told me.

Sugar skulls are often used as a decoration for an altar de muertos or given as gifts for Día de Los Muertos. It’s common to also put the names of family members on the forehead of the sugar skull. Some families only put names of the deceased, while others put names of the living on them as well.

Alejandro Mondragon Arriaga and his wife Elvira Garcia Zinzu travel with one of their daughters to Chicago to make their famous sugar skulls at the museum every year while the rest of the family stays behind in Mexico to make them there. Their family is one of less than a dozen left who are dedicated to this traditional craft, Elvira told me. At one time, she said, there were dozens and dozens of families who made them and sold them all over Mexico….

Read More

Cultura/Culture, Finding Mexico in Chicago, Holidays, Mexico Today, MexMonday calaveras, Day of the Dead, Día de Los Muertos, Mexico Today, sugar skulls

Travel Tuesday: #MexicoEnTresPalabras

0 · Oct 18, 2011 · 3 Comments

If you’re a resident of Twitterlandia like us, you might be interested to know that the hashtag #MexicoEnTresPalabras has been trending worldwide today!

Here are a few tweets that we’ve seen and liked so far:

Head on over to Twitter and tell the world the three words that most describe YOUR Mexico! Your words can be in English or Spanish (or any other language, really) but don’t forget the #MexicoEnTresPalabras hashtag.

  • Happy #TravelTuesday!

Mexico Today #MexicoEnTresPalabras, Mexico Today

Discover Las Bahías de Huatulco

1 · Sep 30, 2011 · 12 Comments

Looking to plan your next vacation or just need a destination to daydream about? Las Bahías de Huatulco is the place!

Last year for La Navidad, our family spent a week in Huatulco relaxing and enjoying the nature, the food and the local culture. It was one of my favorite vacations we’ve ever taken. Watch the video to get a little taste to whet your appetite.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xfTwU9cMJw[/youtube]…

Read More

Cultura/Culture, Mexico Today, Oaxaca, Sponsored, Travel, Video cecina enchilada, Huatulco, La Bufadora, Las Bahías de Huatulco, Mexico Today, Mexico Tourism Board, Tangolunda, tasajo, tlayudas

El mes de la patria: Few things are more Mexican than mariachi!

0 · Sep 15, 2011 · 12 Comments

*Note: This post is part of a Blog Hop among the Mexico Today Ambassadors in celebration of el mes de la patria and el Día de la Independencia Mexicana. If you’ve written a tribute post for this patriotic Mexican holiday, I encourage you to leave a link in the comments on this post in addition to checking out the posts from the other ambassadors participating. The official blog hop is set to only accept entries from the ambassadors.

 

I love mariachi music like I love tacos, and if you know me well, then you know that I love tacos and mariachi music to the end of the world and back. We have a storied relationship and yes, even my iPod is full of mariachi classics.

Nothing quite stirs my soul like mariachi music. I wish I could put my finger on an exact reason, but I can’t. It’s a bit like how Mexico has always felt like home to me even though I was born in the U.S. Whenever I’m having a bad day, a little mariachi music always cheers me up. Or sometimes when I’m really missing Mexico and it’s been too long since my last visit, a few classic tunes always do the trick to make me feel better and look forward to the next visit.

Recently, I had an opportunity to attend a special dinner in Chicago hosted by the Jalisco Tourism Board. The food was fabulous, the company genuine, and the after dinner entertainment… yep, you guessed it: mariachi!

But not just any mariachi band; this group was all the way from Guadalajara! It was such a surprise and a treat and most of the people I was seated with at my table were singing along. It was the birthday of someone at my table so they even played Las Mañanitas!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJgJicDoQfk[/youtube]

A few weeks ago, the 18th Annual International Mariachi Conference (yes, this really exists!) took place in the state of Jalisco, and one of our cousins from Mexico City shared a link with me of a BBC World News report about a new Guinness World Record set for the most traditional Mexican dancers on the floor at the same time. To be exact, there were 457 dancers and 300 mariachi musicians from all over Mexico and other countries, including the U.S.—and some came from as far away as Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina to participate and play in the record-breaking ceremony. I was amazed watching the video. Click through to the link to watch it—I know you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!

No Mexican celebration is truly complete—especially las fiestas patrias—without mariachi music. So put on some tunes (I recommend anything by Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán), wave your Mexican flag and don’t forget to watch El Grito tonight! I’m even pulling out my papel picado to decorate. I hope to see the zócalo of Mexico City on TV, filled to the brim with people like last year and the year before.

For past years’ celebrations, check out my posts on chiles en nogada (with a video of Calderón giving El Grito), and my two posts from last year’s Mexican bicentennial: guacamole y papel picado and how I celebrate Mexico every day.

¡Viva México!

  • How are you celebrating Mexican Independence Day this year?

 

Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day. Disclosure:  I am being compensated for my work in creating content for the México Today program. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own.

 

Cultura/Culture, Holidays, Mexico Today día de la independencia, Guinness Book of World Records, mariachi, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico Today, Mexico Tourism Board, music, musica

Travel Tuesday: Riviera Maya book and Mexico tote bag {GIVEAWAY}

1 · Aug 30, 2011 · 27 Comments

One of the best parts of attending tourism events with the Mexico Tourism Board is the goody bag they send you home with to learn more about new places in Mexico! Whenever I get a goody bag filled with new reading materials about destinations I already love or am planning to visit, I always feel like the kid who got the most candy out of the piñata.

That’s why I’m sharing the loot with you!

If you enjoyed yesterday’s post with the video footage from the César Russ photo gallery exhibit, then you’ll love today’s giveaway (items pictured here above). The beautiful soft cover book about the Riviera Maya has 250 glossy pages of stunning images from around the area with photo captions in four languages (English, Spanish, German and French) to describe the subject and the history of some of Mexico’s treasures; nature, native animals, people, places, and scenery that will all have your heart aching to visit. Also included in the giveaway is a black fabric tote bag with the Visit Mexico logo.

…

Read More

Mexico Today, Sorteo/Giveaway, Sponsored Mexico Today, Mexico Tourism Board, Quintana Roo, Riviera Maya, Yucatán

Maura meets Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara!

0 · Aug 29, 2011 · 10 Comments

Last month, I was lucky enough to be invited to a beautiful event by the Mexico Tourism Board in Chicago and there was a very special guest on hand: Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara Manzo.

Not only did Secretary Guevara talk about new tourism initiatives, but she also introduced a sneak preview to all the guests of the new documentary, “Mexico: The Royal Tour,” what looks to be an absolutely thrilling journey around Mexico with Peter Greenberg and one of the country’s most distinguished tour guides: President Felipe Calderón.

The trailer brought tears to my eyes when I recognized a few of the places I have been and made my heart ache for Mexico. Thankfully, my next trip is only one month away. The rest of the night was filled with traditional music, excellent food from Mexique and a gallery viewing of simply stunning photographs by world-renowned Spanish photojournalist, César Russ (who, coincidentally, has been living in Chicago since 2006). The photos are incredible and so vibrant, you feel as if you’re really there. The detail is just amazing—have a look for yourself: I took video as I walked through the gallery and captured some of my favorite photos up-close.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNoRGE8nC0s[/youtube]

After the video presentation, I had the chance to speak with Secretary Guevara for a few minutes about tourism efforts, how online efforts are helping boost tourism and the Mexico Today program. As the only Mexico Today ambassador located in the Midwest, I was honored to represent my colleagues far and wide and was very proud when Secretary Guevara was able to mention some specific efforts within the program and that she was very pleased with the selection of ambassadors….

Read More

Eventos/Events, Mexico Today, MexMonday, Sponsored, Video "Mexico: The Royal Tour" documentary, Carlos Gaytan, César Russ, Gloria Guevara, Mexico Today, Mexico Tourism Board, Mexique, Peter Greenberg, Rodrigo Esponda, Secretaria de Turismo, Secretary of Tourism

¡Hoy es el cumpleaños de Frida Kahlo!

2 · Jul 6, 2011 · 2 Comments

Today marks the 104th anniversary of the birthday of my favorite Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo!

If you’re not familiar with Frida’s life, work, or the famous Casa Azul, you can read more about them on the Museo Frida Kahlo website (in English). And if you’re ever visiting Mexico City, Casa Azul is one of the places you absolutely must visit.

It’s a magical place where you can feel her presence in just about every room and in the garden as well.

At the time I last visited Casa Azul, a stunning and thought-provoking private collection of photographs of Frida, Diego and their family and friends, entitled “Frida Kahlo: Sus Fotos,” was on display and many of the photographs were taken by Frida herself. It was an incredibly interesting glimpse into her life and how things looked from her point of view. You can read more about the photo exhibition, which ran through December 2010, on the museum’s website (in Spanish).…

Read More

Cultura/Culture, Historia/History, Holidays, Mexico City, Mexico Today, Sponsored books, Casa Azul, Ciudad de México, Diego Rivera, Dolores Olmedo, Frida Kahlo, Mexico City, Mexico Today, Museo Dolores Olmedo

We’ve been chosen as an Ambassador to Mexico Today!

0 · Jun 30, 2011 · 5 Comments

I’m incredibly excited to announce that my passion and desire to share Mexican cooking and culture with the rest of the world have led me to a new partnership that I’m very proud to be a part of. The Other Side of The Tortilla has been chosen as one of 24 ambassadors by the Mexico Tourism Board for the Mexico Today program to promote the country as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination!

This blog has always focused on the positive aspects of Mexico as a destination that offers world class cuisine, abundant natural beauty and a melding of ancient and modern cultures. It feels only natural, then, to become a part of Mexico Today because we know and frequently share here that Mexico is more than what you may see on TV news or in newspapers in the U.S. and in other countries. This partnership will give us access to exclusive interviews and other resources to share more of Mexico with you and we’re thrilled to be involved. In addition, some of our closest blogging amigas are also involved, including Ana from Spanglish Baby and Silvia from Mamá Latina Tips. I can’t think of two better friends to embark on this journey together with.

I invite you to LIKE Mexico Today on Facebook, follow @MexicoToday and all 24 Mexico Today ambassadors on Twitter, and visit the website at MexicoToday.org to check out the program.

Read on to find out where it all started and how I keep Mexico close to my heart even when I’m thousands of miles away….

Read More

Mexico Today, Sponsored Ciudad de México, El Ángel, El Ángel de la Independencia, Mexico City, Mexico Today, Mexico Tourism Board

Primary Sidebar

¡Bienvenidos!

Hi, I'm Maura Hernández. Welcome to my kitchen! I'm an award-winning food and travel blogger, recipe developer, and former journalist sharing my passion for all things Mexico. Married to a Chilango, I've traveled Mexico extensively over the last 15 years. Here, you'll find a mix of traditional and modern Mexican cooking, along with my advice on where to eat, stay and play on your visit to Mexico! READ MORE

New recipes, fresh travel tips + more

Delivered straight to your inbox!

Copyright © 2023 The Other Side of the Tortilla on the Cravings Pro Theme