Viva Mexico!

Today, is Mexico’s Independence Day!

In honor of Independence Day and because I adore the country of Mexico, I put together my “favorites list” highlighting just a couple of things I love about this country.

First, a brief history of where my adoration came from. I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, an area in the southern part of Texas along the border of Mexico. Therefore, my proximity to Mexico and it’s people, culture and food was quite close. My grandmother, Felicia Benavides Trigo, is of Spanish/Mexican decent and would speak to us in Spanish all the time. She made THE best homemade flour tortillas and consequently ruined me for life. I have found very few flour tortillas that can stand up to hers. In the late ’70’s, my father bought a place in CanCun, Mexico and would take my sister and I there every summer. These three ingredients brewed a strong love affair with Mexico, its people, culture and, of course, the food. Later, my sister and I went on to study in Cuernavaca, rented an apartment in Oaxaca and traveled throughout Mexico every chance we got.

I haven’t been to Mexico in several years but I had so much fun writing this blog. It reminded me about all the fabulous places and things I long to see again.

Favorite Mexican Artist:

Joaquin Clausell

Joaquin Clausell

Joaquin Clausell (1866-1935) is one of my favorite Mexican painters. Born in Campeche he was considered the one who introduced Impressionism to Mexico. 

Joaquin Clausell

Favorite Hotel:

 Las Mananitas, Cuernavaca

The gardens

Where you can sit and have a cocktail and enjoy the setting sun

Las Mananitas is a quaint 29-room colonial style hotel. Because of the hotel’s small size, incredible service and attention to detail, you feel as if you’re visiting a friend rather than staying in a formal hotel. I love the rooms with fireplaces, as well as the ones facing the gardens where exotic birds roam freely. A beautiful, beautiful place.

Favorite Album:

Bachata Rosa by Juan Luis Guerra

There are so many great artist from Mexico, but I think the Spanish CD (yes, I just said CD) that had the most impact on me is, Bachata Rosa by Juan Luis Guerra. The first summer I lived in Cuernavaca, we would always listen to it as we drove through the mountains on our to Acapulco for a long weekend. I realize that he is actually from the Dominican Republic, but nonetheless it’s a fantastic CD!

Favorite Dish:

Chiles Rellenos

It’s impossible to think of a one all-time-favorite dish, but today it would be the chile relleno.  Stuffed with cheese or ground pork and topped with a light red sauce it’s incredible!

Favorite Restaurant:

Axitla, Tepoztlan

Tepoztlan

One of my favorite restaurants in Mexico is one located in the mountainous and mystical town called Tepoztlan. It’s the restaurant, Axitla, and it’s located at the foot of the trail leading up to the pyramid Tepozteco. The restaurant is situated in a garden and has a very treehouse-like feel to it.  When we lived in Cuernavaca in the early 90’s, we would take a bus there every Saturday for a late lunch. The food is amazing and we would linger over our lunches for hours.

I do long for days when I can take my children there and travel freely without hesitation. To introduce them to all I fell in love with, hoping they will one day feel the same way I did about such an amazing country and its people.